Wang Xing was living in fear. His head had been shaved. He couldn’t sleep and was in a strange place where his captors were forcing him to type – the first phase of training for an unwanted role.

Thailand sought to dampen safety concerns among potential Chinese tourists on Friday as fears mounted over reported kidnappings on the Thai-Myanmar border.

Chinese travellers have been scrapping trips to Thailand, frightened by the story of a Chinese actor who was abducted there and taken to Myanmar and forced to work in an online scam compound.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said the country remains safe for tourists amid reports of a high-profile trafficking of a Chinese actor triggering mass group cancellations ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays.

Thailand is stepping up security for tourists to restore the confidence of Chinese visitors, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Friday after an alleged kidnapping of a Chinese actor sparked concerns about the safety of travellers.