HKers still trapped after actor rescued

Rachael Ng

Family members of Hongkongers trapped in Myanmar are questioning whether the Thai government is treating scam victims fairly.

The concern arose after the swift rescue of a mainland actor, Wang Xing, who was abducted and taken to Myanmar.

He was recovered just four days after going missing, while 12 Hongkongers remain stranded.

During a trip to Thailand, Wang was abducted and taken to Myawaddy. The area around the Burmese town is notorious for being a hotbed of criminal activity.

Wang was rescued on Tuesday, prompting families of the trapped Hongkongers to take action.

They petitioned the consulate general of Thailand in Hong Kong yesterday, accompanied by former district councilor Andy Yu Tak-po, seeking assistance for their loved ones being held hostage.

Deputy consul-general Ranida Chamchalerm received their petition and assured them that Thai authorities will treat all kidnapped victims equally in their rescue efforts.

However, Yu said that at least 12 Hongkongers are currently illegally detained in Myanmar, including one victim who has been trapped for six months.

Yu expressed frustration over the lack of progress despite the families' attempts to seek help from the Immigration Department, the police and the chief executive's office.

He questioned whether Thai authorities had acted quickly in the actor's case due to his celebrity status.

"I hope every victim is treated equally, without preferential treatment based on fame. Authorities should not only act when a victim is a celebrity," he said.

Yu also urged the Hong Kong government to strengthen its ties with the central government to facilitate more effective communication with Thai authorities.

One petitioner, Kelvin, shared his story about a family member who was invited to work as a purchasing agent in Japan and Taiwan.

Just before departure, they were redirected to Thailand, only to be taken to scam centers in Myanmar where scammers demanded a ransom of US$500,000 (HK$3.9 million).

Kelvin revealed that despite providing information to police and seeking help from the Immigration Department, there has been no progress.

He lamented the lack of direct contact with his family members, saying that communication has dwindled from daily updates to only once or twice a week.

Yu added that scammers have changed their tactics, shifting from promising long-term job opportunities to offering one-time jobs to lure victims.

"I suspect the scam centers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit, so they're employing new methods," he said.