Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk and members of a dedicated task force from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department today followed up on cases involving Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work by meeting relevant parties under the Thai National Police in Thailand.

Mr Cheuk met Thai Senior Inspector General Mr Thatchai Pitaneelaboot in the morning to exchange intelligence on the request-for-assistance cases and received positive feedback.

Mr Pitaneelaboot stated that they will further strengthen the prevention and combat of transnational crimes and do their utmost to assist with the safe return of the Hong Kong assistance seekers as soon as possible.

Members of the dedicated task force later met Thai National Police Deputy Commissioner General (Crime Prevention & Suppression) Prachuab Wongsuk, to reflect the situation of the request-for-assistance cases. Both sides shared experience and exchanged in-depth views on further strengthening co-operation and jointly combating cross-border crimes such as telecommunications and online fraud as well as human trafficking.

In the afternoon, Mr Cheuk had a meeting with Thai Vice Minister For Tourism & Sports Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham and Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Saksira Pheuak-um to learn about the latest measures of to protect tourists, including the 24-hour support service for tourists via an official mobile application and telephone centre.

He thanked the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Thai authorities for attaching great importance to the requests for assistance from Hong Kong people, and said they will continue to maintain close liaison with the embassy and the Thai authorities in the future to exchange intelligence on the latest situation of the cases, and to provide appropriate advice and all practicable assistance to the assistance seekers and their families.