Thai consuls told to respond to the ASEAN Community

BANGKOK, June 26 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has told Thai consuls worldwide to respond to the ASEAN Community (AC), covering publicizing Thailand and promoting domestic tourism. Surapong told the annual meeting of Thai consuls in Bangkok on Wednesday that they should come up with initiatives which respond to the AC, set to be formed by 2015, and draw on useful lessons from countries where they are stations for the benefits of Thailand. The deputy prime minister stressed that good diplomats are like salesmen who are to publicize the strong points of Thailand and interesting Thai tourist destinations to attract international visitors. According to the deputy premier, Thailand will also increase the number of consulates in foreign countries to 25 over the next five years to respond to the world's future development and to become centres for promoting Thai trade and investment. Besides, his Ministry of Foreign Affairs will install an online visa information system to swiftly check profiles of foreign tourists and screen out criminal visitors. (TNA)