Thailand steps up tourism safety

BANGKOK – Weerasak Kowsurat, Thailand’s new Minister of Tourism and Sports, is leading efforts to implement measures designed to increase tourist safety at all tourist attractions throughout Thailand. The new measures will continue all year round and are expected to be fully in place before the upcoming Songkran Thai New Year celebrations from April 13-15.

Locations targeted for immediate attention include remote areas such as secluded beaches and other natural attractions that are popular with tourists. These include upland areas, waterfalls and caves.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) is also working with provincial authorities to distribute information leaflets on safety tips to guesthouses and various other forms of accommodation that are popular choices with the ever increasing number of Fully Independent Travellers (FITs) who generally rely on recommendations from guide books to find their preferred accommodation.

Additionally, the MOTS is working on the development of a self-help information service whereby visitors or tourists will be able to access vital information themselves.

“We hope that our immediate response and the urgent implementation of these stringent new security measures will send a clear signal that Thai authorities take safety for tourists very seriously,” Minister Weerasak said.