Don't describe crims as 'grey Chinese', it stigmatizes us all, says ambassador

AI-cameras at ports and tourist attractions can identify over-stayers, says tourism minister

The Chinese ambassador has asked Thais to refrain from using the term "grey Chinese" when referring to criminals, because it stigmatizes all Chinese and creates a negative perception, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Tuesday.

Mr Surasak said that during a recent meeting the ambassador told him Chinese authorities were willing to cooperate if Chinese nationals were found breaking Thai laws, However, he asked that the term "grey Chinese" not be used.

"The ambassador said this term makes Chinese people feel that Thailand is unfriendly towards them, and that is genuinely how they feel," Mr Surasak told reporters before attending the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The tourism minister said the ambassador acknowledged that some Chinese nationals break the law, but that many others contributed significantly to Thailand's economy through tourism and spending.

There were both good and bad individuals, but the term 'grey Chinese' unfairly labelled and stereotyped all Chinese people.

Mr Surasak said Thai authorities would continue to take legal action against anyone who breaks the law, regardless of their nationality.

Asked about reports of Chinese nationals operating delivery businesses exclusively for Chinese customers, he said such activities were already illegal and would be subject to enforcement action.

"We will certainly crack down on them, but success will require cooperation with the Commerce Ministry and the Transport Ministry," he said.

Asked about the government's stated intention to prioritise "quality tourists" over visitor numbers, Mr Surasak said that was included in Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy statement to the parliament.

The focus was on generating greater economic value rather than simply increasing the number of arrivals, and at the same time improving tourism standards across the board, not only the high-end or luxury market.

He said the goal was to create value throughout the tourism sector and increase tourism revenue in every dimension. The government was not fixated on restoring tourist arrivals to the pre-pandemic level of 39 million a year, but instead sought to elevate the sector during peak periods by improving visitor experience and service standards throughout the system. (continues below)

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul arrives at Government House for the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (Photo suppled)

Asked how the government would screen for quality tourists, Mr Surasak said Thailand had already cancelled visa-free entry for citizens of some countries and visa conditions for others had been tightened.

He said shortening permitted lengths of stay should discourage individuals who are not genuine tourists from entering the country. Some visitors had used the 60-day visa period for purposes other than tourism.

Regarding efforts to tackle nominee businesses and foreigners engaged in illegal activities, Mr Surasak said tourism police were deploying artificial intelligence-powered surveillance systems at key tourism locations.

AI-equipped cameras had been installed at ports and tourist attractions, including on Koh Samui in Surat Thani province. The system could identify foreigners who had overstayed their visas, helping authorities monitor and enforce immigration laws more effectively.

He said tourism security requires cooperation from all sectors, particularly in major tourist destinations, and cannot be handled by a single agency alone. He likened the effort to anti-drug campaigns, which depend on cooperation from both authorities and the public to identify suspicious behaviour and enforce the law.

He said the prime minister had instructed officials to closely monitor issues in Phuket and ensure that investigations do not fade away without action.