Thailand is strengthening tourist safety measures and working with China to restore visitor confidence after warnings about safety and fraudulent job recruitment schemes kept away Chinese arrivals.
The two countries plan to establish a joint working group to protect tourists, exchange information and coordinate assistance, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said, as cited by The Nation Thailand.
He discussed the proposed cooperation with Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Zhang Jianwei, on Nov. 5, following an embassy advisory issued in October warning Chinese citizens traveling to Thailand about fraudulent job offers.
"China has made clear that it does not support Chinese nationals who break the law in Thailand and wants Thailand to take firm action," he said.
China is willing to share information about individuals to help Thai authorities distinguish between Chinese nationals involved in illegal activities from legitimate tourists, he added.
The tourism ministry will also work with security agencies to strengthen checkpoints, patrols, and law enforcement in vulnerable areas as part of efforts to improve visitor safety and restore confidence.
Chinese arrivals fell by 13.57% year-on-year in October to 308,942, the first decline since February, interrupting a recovery in visitor confidence following safety concerns, Bangkok Post reported.
The government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, China, on Nov. 18–19 to highlight Thailand's commitment to protecting international visitors, Phancharoenworakul added.
Thailand received 25.4 million foreign visitors between January and October, down 4.59% from the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
China remained the largest source of international tourists, with 4.2 million arrivals during the period.
Thailand targets 5.1–5.5 million Chinese visitors during the full year.
Source: VNExpress
