Thailand welcomes int'l tourists during New Year celebrations

BANGKOK, December 15 (TNA) - International visitors are welcome to Thailand during the upcoming Chirstmas and New Year celebrations amid arrangements prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to facilitate them. Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Pongpanu Svetarundra told journalists on December 14 that he has instructed all agencies under his ministry's jurisdiction to be fully-prepared to cater for the international tourist arrivals during the upcoming New Year holidays, including personnel at tourist assistance centers and tourism police across the country. Pongpanu said he foresaw the rising number of international visitors to visit tourist attractions across Thailand during the upcoming New Year celebrations, thanks to the more confidence in national order and security created by the government of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha over the past three years. Besides, a recent report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a latest decision by the European Union (EU) to restore its political ties with Thailand in all levels is viewed as another concrete factor to stimulate the domestic tourism. The senior official called on, meanwhile, all Thai people to be good hosts to continue warmly welcoming international visitors during the "Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018" to create and distribute more income to local people in tourist sites across the Thai Kingdom on the sustainable basis in the long run. (TNA)