While Thailand remains one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, the recent multiplication of scams and even violences against tourists prompted the government to react.
BANGKOK- Some of the most usual complaints from travellers visiting Thailand and involved into some kind of troubles is the slow reaction of local authorities to help. While Thailand tourism is booming with over 22.3 million foreign arrivals, the multiplication of scams and troubles for tourists made recently some headlines in newspapers around the world. Especially when tourists turn into victims of violent acts. Thailand new Minister of Tourism Somsak Pureesrisak has set up as a priority the safety of travellers, knowing that troubles for travellers could rapidly tarnish the image of the Kingdom, especially as people are perceived as welcoming and friendly. “The state should increase punishment against those who commit crimes like robbery and assault against tourists,” he indicated on the day he took office in early April.
Since he made this declaration, things seem to move in the right direction. Thailand Ministry of Justice is now looking at setting up a special Tourism Court to consider tourism-related cases to help foreigners and Thais. The information was unveiled by Wirat Shinwinitkul, secretary general of the Office of the Judiciary to Thai media.
The office highlighted the possibility of moving forward with the project. If the Attorney General approves the idea, the first Tourism Court would rapidly open in Bangkok and would be followed by similar institutions in Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui, Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations. The Tourism Ministry will be responsible for the court’s budgets and rules while his ministry will help provide personnel who would work in cooperation with authorities in the police department as well as public prosecutors.
The Tourism Court will be held at existing district courts and will be open for service at night, as tourists usually go out in the daytime. “We are opening the court to protect the rights tourists and provide fairness to those who may receive unfair treatment from tour agencies”, explained the secretary general of the Office of the Judiciary to Thailand media.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
