PUBLISHED : 9 Dec 2023 at 04:00
A Chinese woman who expressed concerns about women’s safety in Bangkok at night in a TikTok video clip has been questioned by immigration police regarding the motive behind her video.
The video, shot while she walked along Soi Nana on Sukhumvit Road, and posted on Dec 5 around 11.30pm, was perceived by many as detrimental to Thailand’s tourism image because it portrayed the country as unsafe.
In response, Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Itthipol Itthisanronnachai ordered an investigation, which identified the woman in the video as Zi Yu Wang, a 28-year-old Chinese national who entered the country on a Thai Privilege Card visa.
During questioning, Ms Wang admitted to creating and sharing the video on social media but denied intending to damage Thailand’s reputation. She said she only wanted to warn foreigners about areas where walking alone at night might be unsafe for women.
But police said the Chinese TikToker was trying to discredit and spread distorted information by saying Soi Nana, located in Lumpini police station’s jurisdiction, was unsafe for women and that 99% of people here were not good.
The video clip depicted a scantily clad Ms Wang walking in Soi Nana with other foreigners gazing on her.
When one foreigner approached her, she walked away and said into her camera that the man had asked her “How are you today?” She then said that if he had intended to assault her, she might not have been able to escape.
She also said if other women encountered the same scenario they too would not be able to escape.
According to the investigation, the woman had been engaged in live streaming to sell goods online during her time in Thailand, a violation of employment regulations.
Immigration police charged her with working illegally in the country.
Pol Lt Gen Itthipol said this case serves as a reminder to foreigners not to produce unsubstantiated content that could harm Thailand’s image and tourism.
Violators could be subject to legal action and may be blacklisted as a consequence, he added.