The Thai prime minister’s idea to invite Chinese police to patrol with their Thai counterparts, to help provide security for Chinese tourists in Thailand, lit up social media during the weekend.

The proposal was revealed by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool after meeting with PM Srettha Thavisin, before he left for the United States to attend an APEC summit.

The governor told reporters that the premier wishes to increase confidence among Chinese tourists about visiting Thailand and that visiting Chinese police will conduct joint patrols in both major and less visited tourist destinations.

According to Thapanee, Thai authorities have already discussed the idea with Chinese Embassy officials in Thailand and this kind of police cooperation was implemented in Italy and was “very successful”. Srettha had raised the issue with the Chinese government during his official visit to Beijing in October.

On Wednesday, authorities concerned will meet at the Tourism Police Bureau headquarters to discuss when the project could start, the governor said.

She believes that, with the presence of Chinese police in Thailand, Chinese people’s confidence in Thai tourism will increase, which could result in an increase in the number of Chinese tourists.

The project drew wide criticism from the public and Thai netizens, who questioned the move saying that Thailand is an independent country, so why should it allow Chinese police to patrol on its territory.

Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke defended the project and asked its opponents not to politicise it, saying “Don’t distort the information and try to create political statements by linking the project with the country’s dignity”.

The Chinese police have information and sources concerning Chinese gangs operating in Thailand, Chai said, therefore, with that information, Thai police would be able to suppress illegal activities and prevent Chinese and Thai people becoming victims of the gangs.

Marisa Chimprabha