Tourism Ministry increases safety measures for tourists

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (TNA) - The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will increase the number of tourist police and its tourist service centers to ensure the safety of tourists as the number of tourist arrivals to Thailand increases every year. Pongpanu Svetarundra, Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports said this year, Thailand has recorded about 20 million tourist arrivals. As the number of tourists increases every year, the number of tourist police officers will be increased from 900 to 1,700. The existing 16 tourist centers in 14 provinces receive complaints and help tourists and more tourist centers will be established to suit the need. Tourist pamphlets will be offered in nine languages including German and Chinese. Patrol boats will be procured to be stationed in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman coastal areas as Thailand’s southern coastal provinces are among top tourist destinations. Next year, compensation for tourists in case of accidents will be transferred to be in the responsibility of the Thai General Insurance Association, so that assistance procedures will be more comprehensive and rapid. All policies and measures to ensure tourists will be safe and comfortable while staying in Thailand will help boost Thai tourism in the coming years. (TNA)