Thailand to step up safety measures for tourists

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All government agencies are joining forces in stepping up safety measures for tourists in all parts of the country, especially during festive seasons when Thailand welcomes a great number of international visitors.

Apart from protecting tourists from assault, robbery, and other criminal acts, the measures also include services to facilitate their entry into Thailand.

According to the Royal Thai Police, safety zones have been designated in 56 provinces, with 353 police stations, to protect tourists from accidents and criminal acts and from being cheated. Responsible police officials in these zones have also been assigned to help ease problems concerning the deterioration of tourist sites.

The tourist police are increasing their personnel to cope with more work as a result of the growing tourist arrivals. More closed-circuit television cameras will be installed in various tourist destinations, and more volunteers will be recruited to help in ensuring safety for tourists.

The Government is striving to achieve Thailand’s tourism revenue target of two trillion baht by 2015. It emphasizes tourism promotion, while stepping up efforts to prevent negative impacts on the country’s tourism industry, as well. In this regard, all Thais, especially those living in popular tourist destinations, have been urged to give a warm welcome to foreign tourists and see to their safety.

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology stated that free Wi-Fi routers have been installed at major tourist spots across the country to offer high-speed internet service for tourists. This project is in response to the Government’s tourism promotion policy.

Meanwhile, the Association of Thai Travel Agents estimates that during the Chinese New Year celebrations, between 9 and 14 February 2013, around 100,000 tourists from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Viet Nam will visit Thailand. In preparation for welcoming visitors during this period, the Bureau of Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has doubled the number of Chinese-speaking officers on duty at international and regional airports throughout Thailand.

The Office of Immigration has assigned additional immigration officers to international and regional airports to reduce the waiting time at immigration checkpoints for foreign tourists. The Office has also streamlined immigration formalities by shortening the time required to obtain a visa upon arrival and providing one-stop service at the checkpoints.

The Airports Authority of Thailand has assigned additional officers to facilitate the arrival of foreign tourists and arranged more parking lots for tour buses at major international and regional airports.

Source: PRD

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In preparation for welcoming visitors during this period, the Bureau of Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has doubled the number of Chinese-speaking officers on duty at international and regional airports throughout Thailand.

There are now 4.

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New minister pledges safer tourism

Somsak Pureesrisak, the new tourism and sports minister, says tourist safety will take priority under his watch.

"If Thailand is not a safe destination in the eyes of foreign tourists, it is useless to invest hundreds of billions of baht to promote Thai tourism," he told a group of reporters as he marked his first official day on the job on Friday.

"So I will seriously focus on this point. This will bring sustainable tourism growth to Thailand and drive tourism revenue to meet the 2-trillion-baht target by 2015."

Mr Somsak served as a deputy governor of Suphan Buri and Ang Thong provinces from 2002 to 2006 and as governor of Suphan Buri from 2006 to 2012.

Suphan Buri is the home of former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa, the de facto head of the Chartthaipattana Party, currently serving a five-year ban from politics. The previous holder of the tourism post was Mr Banharn's brother Chumpol, who died in January.

Mr Somsak expressed confidence that he could work smoothly with related agencies including the Royal Thai Police.

"The state should increase punishment against those who commit crimes like robbery and assault against tourists," he said.

"I will adopt safety measures similar to those used in Japan, a country that rarely has criminal complaints from tourists."

Thailand attracted 22 million tourists last year despite some incidents that brought widespread negative publicity. Authorities have faced criticism for failing to deal swiftly and decisively with serious crimes including rape committed against tourists.

Source: Bangkok Post