Chinese actor Wang Xing rescued from human trafficking near Thai-Myanmar border

Wang Xing, a 22-year-old Chinese actor, has shared his harrowing experience as a victim of human trafficking after being rescued from a region notorious for online scam operations.

The actor had gone missing in the northern Thai region bordering Myanmar, after reportedly travelling there for a supposed casting call.

"From initial inquiry, we believe he was a victim of human trafficking," Thai police inspector general Thatchai Pitaneelaboot told local reporters.

He explained that Wang had been lured with promises of a casting opportunity in Thailand but was instead forced into scam training.

"He was trained to scam other Chinese people," Mr. Thatchai said, adding that Wang was not physically assaulted or abused during his ordeal.

The Independent quoted the actor as saying he was a victim of a human trafficking ring. His family sought help from the Chinese embassy in Bangkok after the actor went missing in the Thailand's norhtern Tak province bordering Myanmar.

Police said Wang was found in Myanmar before being brought back for questioning, the daily added. It was not immediately clear how the rescue operation was carried out.

Armed individuals

In a video clip released by The Beijing News, Wang detailed his captivity.

He recounted being taken to a scam centre.

VN Express reported that Wang's harrowing experience involved being forcibly taken across a river into Myanmar.

The actor recounted being greeted by armed individuals who whisked him into a vehicle before delivering him to a grim house packed with over 50 Chinese nationals and people of various other nationalities.

"There were about 50 people in the building that I was in. There were more in another building, and people came from different countries," he said.

Can't sleep, can't eat

Wang described the conditions he endured: "I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. And I didn’t even have the time to pee."

The actor said he realised he was no longer in Thailand when "armed people pushed me into the car" and transported him across the border into Myanmar.

He spent two to three days under high-pressure conditions, forced to practice typing as part of the scam training.

Despite his traumatic experience, Wang told Thai police that he remains willing to visit Thailand again in the future.

China is Thailand's largest source market for international visitors, and tourism is a vital component of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.

"We have to manage this well so it does not impact Thai tourism," Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said, underscoring the need for damage control to preserve Thailand's reputation as a hospitable destination.

The investigation into the trafficking operation is ongoing, and Thai authorities are working to address the broader issue of cross-border scams and human trafficking in the region.

From stardom to survival

In this bleak setting of the scam centre, a nightmarish initiation began. Wang described being forced to shave his head alongside others, marking the start of a three-day "training" in text-based scams.

Though he had not yet undergone further coercion for phone fraud, the experience was enough to fill him with dread.

The actor believes he was lured into a trap that used the reputation of a renowned entertainment company as bait.

Thai police have since concluded that Wang was a victim of human trafficking, a revelation confirmed by Hongxing News.

Wang’s lawyer added a note of hope: "He is safe and preparing to go home. We cannot discuss further details at this time."

As authorities finalise arrangements for Wang’s return to China, his story shines a spotlight on the grim realities of trafficking and exploitation, even for those in the public eye.

Erratum:

Wang Xing was the actor who reportedly went missing near the Thai-Myanmar border — not Wang Xing Yue, 22, whom we first erroneously reported as the person missing.

While both individuals share similar names and are involved in the Chinese entertainment industry, they are distinct actors with separate careers.

The error is deeply regretted.