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Minister, diplomats discuss tourist security

Minister, diplomats discuss tourist security

BANGKOK: Minister of Tourism & Sports Somsak Phureesrisak yesterday (July 1) met with representatives of 14 European embassies to discuss threats faced by their respective nationals when visiting Thailand, with the aim of boosting confidence in tourist safety in the country.


By National News Bureau of Thailand

Tuesday 2 July 2013 09:25 AM


Minister of Tourism & Sports Somsak Phureesrisak.

Minister of Tourism & Sports Somsak Phureesrisak.

The minister told reporters after the meeting that frequent threats to tourists reported by the diplomats included, among others, snatch-and-run thefts, overcharging for jetski and motorcycle rentals, and getting mugged or physically assaulted by illegal taxi drivers.

The minister said that the meeting placed emphasis on practical preventive measures by assigning provincial transport offices to deal with extortion by rental companies and illegal taxi operators.

Mr Somsak said that the ministry would also seek to amend some laws to tighten legal loopholes and prevent business operators from taking advantage of tourists.

He added that he would also set up a tourist assistance centre to help visitors affected by natural disasters and man-made threats such as bodily assaults, accidents, extortion and cheating.

However, he added that this must be be accompanies with measures to educate tourists about local laws.

He also touched on the establishment of a Tourism Court, saying the court would initially be opened in Bangkok, and would later be extended to top tourist provinces such as Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.

The Tourism Court is aimed at speeding legal proceedings related to tourists by operating at night and deploying such method as video conferencing to interview witnesses.