Thailand - Scams and accidents scare away tourists

Thailand's attractiveness to foreign tourists is under threat from fraud and poor safety standards.



After a recent bus accident in Chon Buri that injured 26 Russian tourists, the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) recently urged Thai authorities to improve safety standards, or face a possible boycott by its members.

The RUTI also reportedly demanded the Thai government solve these issues by the end of November, otherwise it will consider taking action to maintain the safety of Russian citizens. This action could include cancellation of all scheduled charter flights from Russia throughout the period of December 2013 to March 2014.

Officials from the TAT and the ministries of Tourism and Transport will hold a meeting on November 26 to discuss the Russian complaints, according to Transport Minister Somsak Pureesrisak.

Rag - that gives the authorities just 5 days to find a solution.......

Read the full article at The Nation.

Scams Must Go Says Pattaya Mayor

Thailand’s best known tourist playground needs to strengthen confidence in its services, crackdown on scams and develop an efficient transport system, Pattaya Mayor, Itthiphol Kunplome, told the media.



“Ministry of Tourism and Sports is closely monitoring the issues…to increase safety the city will launch its own Pattaya Public Safety Centre next month where tourists can register complaints and get assistance,” the mayor said.

Pattaya will also be one of the first destinations to have “tourism court” that will deal quickly with non-violent crimes against tourists.

This year, Pattaya expects to welcome around 8 million tourists — foreigners (70%) and Thais (30%)—with revenue of around Bt80,000 million in tourism-related revenue.

via TTRWeekly

EU Ambassadors address Phuket scams

You know you have problems when 18 EU Ambassadors unite to request the following:

• An efficient and fairly priced public transport system in Phuket which is available to foreign tourists and residents alike

• An end to intimidatory and violent behavior by an element of tuk-tuk and taxi drivers

• Strict enforcement of marine safety standards, including flags on beaches to indicate when it is safe to swim

• Strict enforcement of standards of behavior for public officials, including police and immigration, to ensure that foreign visitors and residents feel protected, treated in a fair way and never at risk of extortion

• An end to scams involving hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes

• Strict enforcement of road safety regulations

• Promotion of environmental issues, including monitoring of water quality.

Read the full article at Phuket Wan.

I've been reading elsewhere on the WWW that long time residents of Phuket are selling up and moving out. It seems like this jewel in the crown of the Thai tourist industry attracts nothing but bad publicity these days.