A Chinese television actor was kidnapped and trafficked to Myanmar after being lured to Thailand with false promises of a TV production opportunity. The victim, Wang Xing (stage name Xingxing), was found by Myanmar authorities on January 7, three days after his family reported him missing.

Wang traveled voluntarily to Mae Sot, a Thai border town, where instead of meeting television producers, he was forcibly taken by several men and transported across the border into Myanmar. He reported being taken to a large complex where his head was shaved, and he was forced to work in a scam call center targeting Chinese citizens alongside approximately 50 other captive workers of various nationalities.

Police believe Wang was held in Myawaddy, a Myanmar border town known for its unregulated casinos and fraud operations. This area operates under the control of the Myanmar Border Guard Force, a militia group that maintains autonomy while nominally supporting the military junta.

The region hosts several controversial Chinese gambling developments, including:

• Yatai New City, established by wanted gambling operator She Zhijiang
• Saixigang Industrial Zone, connected to former 14K triad leader Wan Kuok-koi

The case gained significant attention on Chinese social media after Wang's girlfriend posted about his disappearance. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has addressed the incident, stating the government is working to minimize its impact on Thailand's tourism reputation.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, where victims are often forced to work in illegal scam operations. Thai police have confirmed that initial investigations of Wang's phone communications support his account of the events.

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