Security minister Chris Tang on Sunday said the government did not raise Thailand's travel alert to red because the government needed to reflect the situation accurately.

Speaking on a TVB programme, Tang explained that victims were not kidnapped in Thailand, but rather lured there before being transported elsewhere.

Last Friday, the government raised its travel alert for southeastern Myanmar to red, but the alert level for other parts of Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia remains at amber – the lowest level of the three-tier outward travel alert system.

"The victims were basically lured to Thailand before being transported to scam farms in Myanmar. There hasn't been a single case of someone being kidnapped within Thailand," he said.

"Certain areas in Myanmar are being used as scam farms, guarded by military police and armed personnel. That's where the danger lies," he said.

The minister was also asked about the government's role in rescue efforts and reports of victims being released after a ransom was paid.

"Some people were able to return without paying ransom. Of course, when faced with these situations, our priority is to bring people back safely," he responded.

Tang stressed that officials will pursue all means to secure the safe return of stranded Hongkongers.