Thailand released an AI-generated video on Wednesday, featuring a likeness of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaking in Mandarin, urging Chinese tourists to visit the country despite recent reports of kidnappings along the Thai-Myanmar border.
In the video, posted on the government’s official Facebook page, the digital representation of Paetongtarn, who does not speak Mandarin, addressed safety concerns directly. “I understand that recent reports of Chinese nationals being lured to scam compounds around Thailand’s borders have triggered concerns among Chinese tourists. Thailand’s government puts the safety of all tourists as its utmost priority,” the AI-generated figure stated.
The move comes as Thailand seeks to reassure travelers ahead of the Lunar New Year, a peak travel season, following rising fears over human trafficking and scam operations in Myanmar’s border regions. These operations often involve trafficked workers, many forced into cyber-fraud schemes targeting their own compatriots, in what analysts describe as a multi-billion-dollar industry.
The issue gained widespread attention after reports surfaced earlier this month that two Chinese celebrities had allegedly been trafficked from Thailand to cyber-fraud compounds in Myanmar, sparking alarm on Chinese social media. The online uproar has seen Thailand labeled as “dangerous” by some users.
The video, which openly acknowledged its AI origins, highlighted the Thai government’s efforts to strengthen safety measures and combat transnational crime. However, some viewers noted peculiarities in the video, such as distorted hand movements in the digital likeness of the prime minister.
China remains Thailand’s largest source of tourists, accounting for nearly one-sixth of the 1.3 million visitors during the first half of January. Authorities expect a further seven percent increase in Chinese arrivals during the Lunar New Year, projected to generate 8.8 billion baht ($255 million) in revenue.
Officials have emphasized that ensuring tourist safety is central to restoring confidence and sustaining the tourism industry, a crucial pillar of Thailand’s economy.
