Southern Thailand Woos Tourists, Play Down Turmoil

From Zabidi Ishar PATTANI (Southern Thailand), Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Despite a downturn in the tourism industry in southern Thailand, due to a bloody dispute, it is hoped the situation will be vibrant again and thronged by tourists, especially Malaysians. Five Thailand Border Provinces Information chief, Samphan Musodi said it was quite difficult to determine when the turmoil would end but it definitely did not pose a danger to tourists. "We accept you (tourists) with gladness of heart and want to tell you that you are very safe here. "Help us to revive the tourism industry and you can help our citizens who are directly involved in this industry," he told Malaysian journalists at the end of a Malaysia-Thailand Media Friendship programme which was held in Yala and here until Friday. Also present during the programme was Yala Journalist Club president and Southern Thailand Journalist Club secretary Abdul Karim Ramansiriwong, Kelantan Darul Naim Media Club president Azran Fitri Abdul Rahim, Perlis Media Club president Shahidi Shahidan and Northern Region Stringer Club president Che Saad Noordin. Malaysian journalists were taken on a visit to several interesting locations around Yala and here, including the Najmudin Mosque in Kampung Langa and rural village industries. The mosque, which is in the midst of being upgraded, is 400 years old and has a hand-written quran estimated to be almost 1,000 years old. Interestingly, the plan for the mosque was allegedly designed by a Buddhist priest and was built by the Muslim and Buddhist communities in the village which had a 52 percent Muslim population. Samphan said, those involved in the village industries, who were part of the 'One Village One Product' programme, fervently hoped for an influx of tourists to buy their products. "Like in this village, they make products from banana and depend on the tourists to buy them for their source of income," he said. Commenting on the security here, Samphan said perceptions of danger in southern Thailand were mere views and gave his assurance that security of tourists was top priority. "What transpired did not target tourists. The security forces who are seen on patrol are to ensure top level security," he said. He also hoped the Malaysian media would cooperate by disseminating the true situation in southern Thailand in their respective newspapers. The Malaysian journalists were also feted by Yala governor, Deirath Simsiri at his official residence in Yala. Meanwhile, Abdul Karim hoped the media in Malaysia could clarify on the actual situation in southern Thailand while the media in southern Thailand was prepared at any time to help them via an exchange of news. -- BERNAMA