China, Thailand ink tourism cooperation pact

BANGKOK, September 21 (TNA) - The Chinese and the Thai governments have agreed to sign an agreement on bilateral tourism cooperation between Beijing and Bangkok, with the ceremony to ink the pact set on September 21. Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkura told journalists that the Cabinet, at its weekly meeting on September 20, gave the green light to her ministry to ink the tourism cooperation pact with a representative of the Chinese government in Bangkok on Wednesday evening. Kobkarn revealed that the agreement is aimed to promote quality tourism between China and Thailand, exchange tourism information and jointly solve the problem of zero-dollar tours, as Chinese visitors are on the top of the list of international tourist arrivals in Thailand. Kobkarn said she believed the problem of zero-dollar or kickback tours, in which foreign tourists are offered tour packages at lower prices than the real costs but they will be later overcharged through shopping or services at shops in the tour operators' networks or they come to Thailand on tourist visa but staying to run business illegally under a fraudulent registration and threatening national security, should be resolved within one month after the bilateral cooperation pact is signed. According to the minister, she will also lead a team of Thai tourism business operators to visit China on October 14 for a roadshow and for a discussion with their Chinese counterparts on tourism cooperation, covering tour service prices to be fair for tourists and relevant parties. (TNA)