Thailand to step up tourism campaigns

BANGKOK, December 7 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports will step up campaigns to draw more international visitors to the country. Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak announced the plan during the weekly TV and radio programme of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday, after Thailand’s tourism growth this year was assessed not to meet the ministry's target due to ongoing domestic political strife, coupled with a new stiff tourism law issued recently by China. Somsak acknowledged that the number of international tourist arrivals in Thailand has declined since late last month, including those from China, after the new Chinese tourism law was enforced on October 1, 2013. According to the minister, Thailand's tourism growth this year may fall below 20 per cent projected earlier although tourists from China still rank first on foreign tourists visiting the country this year, at about 4.5 million. Meanwhile, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) reported that aviation services at the country's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport have continued as usual, with over 1.42 million international passengers using the airport from November 26-December 5, 2013 via 8,811 flights, despite domestic political rallies.(TNA)