A Bt50-million insurance fund will be set up on February 1, aimed at aiding foreign visitors in distress as the government strives to restore international confidence in tourism in Thailand.
After a meeting yesterday of the fund-preparation committee, Tanittha Sawetsila Maneechot, deputy permanent secretary for the Tourism Ministry, told reporters that the working group would ask the Finance Ministry for a Bt50-million budget, which would be used to help foreigners injured or killed in accidents while visiting here.
Pol General Vudh Liptapanlop from the National Police Office discussed with other agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), Consumer Protection Board and Tourist Police about measures to protect foreign tourists from scams as part of preparations for the Asean Economic Community in 2015.
Police and other authorities would enforce laws against tourist swindlers, whose unscrupulous activities had long tainted Thailand's image, he said.
Because such crimes fell within the scope of public fraud, AMLO could seize their assets.
The past week saw a drop |in crime against tourists and many wanted suspects nabbed, |he said.
Police would continue to patrol and arrest con artists at prime tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai, he added.
Thailand's Road Safety Centre, in response to a UK-based foundation's report that Thailand's road fatalities of tourists were high, has proposed the following measures:
Cooperation with Royal Thai Police, Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, related tourism associations and the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand to reassess the death toll statistics and arrive at a more accurate cause of death;
Enforcing rules monitoring tour buses, drivers, security equipment and safety systems;
Providing a road safety handbook to tourists offering tips on staying safe when travelling overland, and encouragement for tourist destinations to improve road safety management through training course and setting up consultancy units.
Source: The Nation
Bt50m fund to aid tourists to be set up
Bt50m fund to aid tourists to be set up
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Bt50m fund to aid tourists to be set up
Well, at least it shows there are a few people who realize the importance of tourism here. What I can't understand however, is how tourists managed to get scammed in the first place. Sure, if you are not familiar with the place, you can and do get overcharged for many things/services, but it's not exactly what I would can a scam when it happens. In my 17+ years as a tourist, I have never once been the victim of a scam, not here, and not anywhere else either. Maybe common sense isn't as common as we like to think it is.
It would be nice though if they clamped down a bit on tour operators, especially with regards to transport and etc.
It would be nice though if they clamped down a bit on tour operators, especially with regards to transport and etc.
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
Re: Bt50m fund to aid tourists to be set up
I'm not sure I agree. There may be a few people who recognise that there is a problem, but I don't see any real solutions in the article, and once the million quid has been divvied up between the heads of this initiative, there won't be much left for any real action.Well, at least it shows there are a few people who realize the importance of tourism here.
Nice to see that more criminals are being "nabbed" though!
Re: Bt50m fund to aid tourists to be set up
If the government endorses scamming by actively dual pricing things then you can't blame the scammers for trying to make an extra buck out of tourists. It has to stop at the top before it filters down to the bottom.
A little research goes a long way, there are plenty of warnings online about tuk-tuks, gem stones, jet-skis, personal safety, drink spiking etc. As you say, common sense should cover most of it.
My cynical side tends to agree with the above though, this seems to be just a pocket fund for a few ministers affiliated with the tourism industry.
A little research goes a long way, there are plenty of warnings online about tuk-tuks, gem stones, jet-skis, personal safety, drink spiking etc. As you say, common sense should cover most of it.
My cynical side tends to agree with the above though, this seems to be just a pocket fund for a few ministers affiliated with the tourism industry.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Bt50m fund to aid tourists to be set up
"Quote 
olice and other authorities would enforce laws against tourist swindlers, whose unscrupulous activities had long tainted Thailand's image, he said.
Because such crimes fell within the scope of public fraud, AMLO could seize their assets.Qoute"
Well,well,well let's see if the goverment and police will be the first to stop their scams and activites
against tourist that have long tainted Thailand's image.
olice and other authorities would enforce laws against tourist swindlers, whose unscrupulous activities had long tainted Thailand's image, he said.Because such crimes fell within the scope of public fraud, AMLO could seize their assets.Qoute"
Well,well,well let's see if the goverment and police will be the first to stop their scams and activites
against tourist that have long tainted Thailand's image.
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StevePIraq
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Re: Bt50m fund to aid tourists to be set up
Why does the government want to aid tourists to be set up?
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