Chinese tourists visiting Thailand for Lunar New Year are worried about being kidnapped by gangsters to work in hellish scam centers, despite efforts to reassure them.

Thailand sought to dampen safety concerns among potential Chinese tourists on Friday as fears mounted over reported kidnappings on the Thai-Myanmar border.

Chinese interest in Thailand as a vacation destination has taken a hit during the annual Lunar New Year holiday. Bookings have declined by 15.6 percent from January 13 to 20, compared to the previous week.