Authority to crack down nominees in Thai tourism sector

BANGKOK, July 10 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, will seriously crack down nominees in the domestic tourism sector as part of its policy to safeguard international tourists. Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat told journalists of the move on July 9, stressing that all relevant parties must take joint responsibility sincerely and bravely to maintain confidence in the Thai tourism among international tourists. The minister's remarks followed late last week's tragic incident, in which over 40 Chinese tourists died and some others have remained missing after their boat capsized off Andaman resort Phuket Province in the Thai South due to a strong monsoon wave as high as about five meters, with the real owner of the tourist boat reportedly to be a Chinese businessman. "Some individuals have been found involving in the tragic loss and, from now on, all relevant parties need to work together and take responsibility bravely and sincerely to maintain confidence in the Thai tourism among Chinese and other international tourists", the minister insisted in the wake of reports on a Thai national being hired to become a "nominee" owner of the capsized boat. Over 30 Chinese tourists were rescued safely in the incident by Thai mitigating teams, who also reportedly saved all the lives of tourists in other two boats facing the similar fate on the same day off the Phuket coast. Meanwhile, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said he believed that last week's tragedy off Phuket should psychologically affect the domestic tourism only in the short run. (TNA)