AFTER the recent release of a Chinese actor who was trafficked from Thailand’s Mae Sot town to a scam centre in Myanmar’s Myawaddy township, the father of a Chinese model who disappeared in December has asked Thai police to help find him as it is feared he might have suffered the same fate, PPTVHD36 said last evening (Jan. 16).
Popular Chinese actor Xingxing was lured to a scam centre in Myawaddy township on Jan. 3 but was freed on Jan. 7 with the help of Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).
Mr. Ratchapol Sirisak, a lawyer, took Mr. Yang Haitao, the father of missing Chinese model Mr. Yang Zheqi, to submit a letter to National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet to help find him as he disappeared after flying from Beijing to Suvarnabhumi Airport on Dec. 21.
The family is afraid he could have been deceived into working for a scam gang similar to Xingxing after someone claiming to represent Thai entertainment company GMM Grammy Plc invited to join the shooting of a film here.
GMM Grammy had earlier issued a statement on Sina Weibo social media platform that it had no knowledge nor was involved in the disappearance of the Chinese actor at Mae Sot.
On Dec. 29, Yang Zheqi made a video call via WeChat to his mother. He seemed anxious and shocked and there were bruises around his eyes which made them think he may have been assaulted.It was also noticed that both his hands were on the table and he was not holding the mobile phone to make this call.
While he did not ask for help, his parents believe he was detained and someone was watching him.
After arriving in Thailand on Dec. 21, Yang Zheqi took photos and video clips and sent them to his girlfriend and friends. One clip shows the white car that picked him up at Suvarnabhumi Airport with the licence plate visible, others were at stops at a petrol station and restaurants with his last location being Mae Sot’s Phop Phra district.
Lawyer Rachapol believes that there are Thais, Chinese and Myanmar nationals involved in this case. Since there is a photo showing the Thai licence plate of the car that picked up the missing model at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with there being a switch to another vehicle later, police could use this evidence to find him.
Meanwhile , Lt. Col. Nattakorn Rueantip, commander of the Rajamanu Task Force in Mae Sot, has told the military, police, local administration and village headmen to join forces in preventing illegal activities in this border province.
Twelve large posters carrying warning messages to beware of being trafficked by scam gangs in Thai, Chinese and English languages have been put up at key locations.
CAPTIONS:
Missing Chinese model Yang Zheqi, above and Front Page, and his family seeking help from Thai police, first insert.
Second insert: Thai authorities showing one of the warning posters put up at Mae Sot. All photos: PPTVHD36
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