Muang Thai 360 Degrees
It must be acknowledged that at this moment, both Chinese capital groups and "grey Chinese" groups are causing no small amount of disruption to Thai society. At the same time, there is another side to this that seems almost "contradictory" — because "we," though sometimes it is not entirely clear whether this refers to the government side or the private sector, are actively courting "Chinese investors," catering to them in every way to attract investment and tourism into the country. Yet what we end up encountering is the trouble and nuisance caused by these very tourists, or even investments that do not generate much benefit for Thailand.
There are reports of exploitation, because when inspections are carried out, it is often found that virtually everything is imported from China — sometimes even the labour itself. There are reports of certain Chinese operators importing Chinese workers as well. When goods are produced and exported, Thailand is used merely as a cheap production base and nothing more.
Beyond this, something frequently heard and continuously reported in the news is the question of "standards" in many areas — such as environmental standards, product standards, and exploitative practices — when compared with investment standards or investors from other nations.
Meanwhile, when one considers the case of the "grey Chinese" groups, the situation regarding "problem-creating" in Thailand becomes even more serious, spanning many issues including the commission of crimes and all manner of deception.
And then there is the case of Chinese tourists — who, while ranking among the top arrivals in Thailand, cannot be denied as also including a significant number who come and cause trouble and annoyance. This may be due to cultural differences and different sensibilities, to the point where Thai society has now begun to scrutinise Chinese tourists more closely than before.
Most recently, a case has arisen in which a Chinese national was accused of being subjected to excessive force by security personnel, and it is now generating debate, turning into a "drama," and may well escalate into an international incident.
On 28 July, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow spoke about the case in which the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a statement calling on Thailand to investigate the incident involving a Chinese national who allegedly suffered excessive use of force by security guards. He said he had ordered a fact-finding investigation into the matter, adding that this was the kind of incident that can happen.
As for the large number of Thai internet users who went to comment and post criticism on the Chinese Embassy's page, Sihasak said the embassy would also need to come out and clarify matters, and that the facts would need to be investigated. He said he understood the various feelings involved, and that it would be better to establish the facts and be fair to all parties.
Prior to this, on 27 July, the official page of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand (Chinese Embassy Bangkok) had already issued a statement, providing clarification and calling for justice for its citizen. The Chinese Embassy stated that it had received a complaint from a Chinese national who alleged that security guards (bouncers) at a book fair had used excessive force and forcibly removed him from the venue.
At the same time, the embassy had also received the statement issued by the book fair organiser, in which the organiser acknowledged that "force exceeding what was appropriate to the situation" had indeed been used, as reported in the news.
For this reason, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand called on relevant Thai authorities to urgently investigate all the facts of the matter as soon as possible, and to promptly find corrective measures and take appropriate responsibility for the incident.
The embassy further confirmed that it would provide the necessary assistance to the Chinese national concerned within the scope of its duties, and that it would defend the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens to the fullest extent.
However, on the same day, a wave of heavy online criticism erupted when the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued its statement calling on Thai authorities to urgently investigate the facts, regarding the case of a Chinese national who claimed to have been subjected to excessive force by a security guard and removed from the venue on 25 July. The event organiser subsequently acknowledged that force exceeding what was appropriate to the situation had indeed been used.
The incident, however, triggered a large backlash from Thai internet users, many of whom flocked to comment on the Chinese Embassy's page to present the other side of the story through video clip evidence and the perspectives of those who were present at the scene — countering the narrative with video evidence and pointing out that the Chinese national had violated the rules and had attacked the security guard first.
A large number of Thai social media users shared and commented on clips of the incident, stating that the cause originated from the Chinese national breaking the rules by cutting the queue and failing to comply with warnings from event staff. The video footage clearly shows that the Chinese national was the one who jumped up and kicked the security guard first, resulting in the guard needing to restrain him on the ground in self-defence and to maintain security in the area.
Netizens also raised questions about standards of conduct and respect for the laws of the destination country, pointing out that if a similar incident were to happen to a Thai person in China, Chinese authorities would certainly enforce the law strictly in the same way.
Another point that was further clarified concerned the venue of the incident. The original account described it as a "book fair," but attendees and internet users alike consistently stated that it was in fact a fan gathering and showcase event for actors from Boys' Love (BL/LGBTQ+) drama series from the GMMTV studio. This detail sparked a wave of questions directed at the Chinese authorities regarding the participation of Chinese nationals in LGBTQ+ cultural activities, which runs counter to the Chinese government's own policy, and also prompted observations about the use of VPNs by Chinese fans to follow Thai entertainment content.
The majority of Thai internet users' comments pointed in the same direction, calling on the relevant agencies and Chinese authorities to be mindful of "universal etiquette" and respect for the rules of public society, while also offering a reminder regarding overseas travel — that one should comply with local laws and cooperate with local authorities in order to prevent conflicts and avoid damaging the long-term image of bilateral relations.
That is the most recent case that has just occurred and is generating a great deal of debate and criticism. More significantly, the case is now becoming an "official matter," with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand stepping in to demand an investigation and the protection of the rights of Chinese nationals. Meanwhile, Thai people — both those who were present at the scene and those who witnessed the injustice — filmed and circulated the clips, causing the situation to go viral online rapidly, and most importantly, the content was also sent directly to the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.
Of course, any specific case that arises must be thoroughly investigated from all angles in order to be fair to all parties, because what appears on the surface may not be the full picture. It is therefore correct to proceed in a comprehensive manner. At the same time, however, the issue of Chinese tourists and investors — whether "grey or not grey" — is increasingly drawing the attention of Thai society, with growing questions about whether they are causing ever-greater disruption to Thailand.
So is it not time for the government — be it Anutin Charnvirakul, or even the incoming National Police Commissioner, Police General Samran Nualmaw, who closely tracks and takes responsibility for security and special cases such as these — to get serious and move forward with a nationwide "social order" crackdown? Even if steps have been taken in the past, at this moment it is believed they have not been stringent enough!!
