Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reassures Chinese tourists of their safety in Thailand amid ongoing concerns and extends a warm invitation for them to celebrate Chinese New Year in the country. Photo: Screenshot from the Thai government’s official Facebook account.
Thailand has released an AI-generated video of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaking fluent Mandarin,
MKsport despite not speaking the language in real life, in a bid to reassure Chinese tourists following concerns over safety and human trafficking along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to Bangkok Post.
In the 1.32-minute clip, posted on the government's official Facebook page, the AI-generated likeness of Ms Paetongtarn addresses growing fears among Chinese tourists, sparked by reports of Chinese nationals being lured into scam operations near Thailand's borders.
"Thailand's government puts the safety of all tourists as its utmost priority," the AI-generated PM states, highlighting the country's commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable travel experience. Ms Paetongtarn explained that she wanted to communicate directly with Chinese tourists but, due to language barriers, turned to AI technology to effectively deliver her message.
In her AI-assisted address, Ms Paetongtarn warmly invited Chinese visitors to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Thailand and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations.
The release of the AI video follows heightened concerns triggered by reports of Chinese nationals, including actor Wang Xing, being lured to scam operations in Myanmar through Thailand-Myanmar border. These reports have sparked alarm on Chinese social media, with some users branding Thailand a "dangerous" destination.
On January 11, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a warning to Chinese citizens visiting the country, urging them to stay vigilant against "high-paying job recruitment" scams. The embassy cautioned travellers not to fall for deceptive offers such as "high-paying jobs," "free tickets, food, and accommodation," and advised them to exercise caution to avoid being duped.
Despite these concerns, China remains Thailand's largest source of tourists. According to AFP, Chinese visitors accounted for nearly one-sixth of the 1.3 million arrivals recorded in the first two weeks of January. The Thai government expects a further seven percent increase in Chinese tourists during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, which is projected to generate 8.8 billion baht ($255 million) in tourism revenue.
