BANGKOK: In a bold move to attract Chinese tourists, Thailand's Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made an AI-generated video appeal in Mandarin on Wednesday.

This initiative comes in light of rising safety concerns stemming from reported kidnappings and scam operations near the Thai-Myanmar border.

The video, shared on the Thai government’s official Facebook page, features a convincing AI recreation of Paetongtarn, who fluently speaks Mandarin, a language she does not actually know.

"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 digitally altered PM states.

This effort aims to reassure potential visitors as they prepare for the bustling Lunar New Year travel season.

Reports of kidnappings have been on the rise, particularly involving Chinese citizens trafficked into cyber-fraud operations in Myanmar, raising alarms on Chinese social media where many question the safety of visiting Thailand.

The so-called "scam compounds" in Myanmar's border areas have drawn attention for their grim operations, as victims are forced to work in fraud schemes targeting their fellow countrymen.

Analysts estimate this malicious industry could be worth billions, exacerbating the fears of tourists.

In response to the mounting global scrutiny, the Thai government is intensifying safety protocols and combating transnational crime.

In her AI-generated message, the Prime Minister assures viewers of the measures taken to improve the security of all tourists visiting Thailand.

Despite the unsettling news, China still leads the influx of tourists to Thailand, accounting for nearly 16% of the 1.3 million arrivals in the first half of January alone.

With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, Thailand's government is predicting a 7% increase in Chinese tourists, potentially bringing in an additional 8.8 billion baht (approximately US$255 million) to the national economy.

As the Kingdom gears up for what is anticipated to be a busy holiday season, will this AI-generated reassurances be enough to alleviate the concerns of Chinese tourists, or will safety fears continue to loom?

Only time will tell—stay tuned for the latest updates!