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Trafficking movie hampering Thailand tourism
A hit movie is worrying Thailand’s tourism industry.
‘No More Bets’ is a hard hitting movie about human trafficking set in Thailand.
It is having a similar effect as ‘Sound of Freedom’ by stoking irrational fears of the risks of getting caught up in trafficking.
While ‘Sound of Freedom’ focuses on the more emotive child sex trafficking industry, ‘No More Bets’ is about trafficking workers for online scam factories.
It has become a big hit in China, but that has led to online chatter portraying Thailand as dangerous and risky for tourists.
It has led to viral rumours on social media that tourists could be abducted.
Like ‘Sound of Freedom,’ this film is partially grounded in reality but is highly fictionalised.
‘No Bets’ was released just a few weeks ago and is already the third highest grossing movie of the year in China.
Although Chinese and other Asian citizens have been targeted with fake job offers abroad, there have been no documented reports of tourists being abducted while travelling in Thailand.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents noted a downturn of traveler numbers caused by reaction to the movie.
“Incidents may not actually occur in Thailand, but Thailand becomes a target.”
The movie’s story is based in Southeast Asia and is affecting inbound tourism to Cambodia too.
With online rumours in China questioning the region’s safety, the Thai embassy in Beijing released a statement earlier this year, to assure visitors the country is safe and welcoming.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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