Prime Minister Addresses Tourism Safety Concerns Amid Rumors
PUBLISHED: 17 Jan 2025 at 15:11
The government is taking proactive measures to reassure tourists, particularly from China, about their safety while visiting Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to record a message using artificial intelligence to translate her assurances directly into Chinese, emphasizing the safety and standard facilities available for visitors.
“Visitors to Thailand can expect an enjoyable experience,” stated the Prime Minister as part of her commitment to boosting tourism in the face of recent safety concerns.
This initiative follows a significant meeting held at Government House aimed at addressing tourism issues, particularly after a wave of cancellations from Chinese tourists during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations on January 29 due to safety apprehensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed these safety issues as unfounded rumors, suggesting they were driven by information operations (IOs) aimed at tarnishing Thailand’s tourism reputation, although she did not identify specific sources behind these claims.
“Tourism is vital to our economy, and I want to ensure it is not adversely affected,” emphasized Ms. Paetongtarn, while instructing security agencies to enhance safety measures for tourists.
Recent incidents, including the disappearance of Chinese actor Wang Xing who entered Thailand on January 3 and was later found in Myanmar, alongside another case of a missing Chinese model, have contributed to these safety concerns, prompting intervention from Thai police.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong noted that negative perceptions have not significantly impacted foreign tourist numbers, highlighting that most cancellations came from first-time travelers.
Additionally, senior security officials from Hong Kong engaged in discussions with Thai counterparts on Monday to ensure the safety of their citizens currently in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on ASEAN nations to implement stringent measures against online gambling and scams affecting Chinese citizens, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in promoting safety.
Tourism remains a cornerstone of Thailand’s economy, with Chinese tourists forming the largest segment of international arrivals. In the previous year alone, over 6.7 million visitors from China traveled to Thailand, constituting nearly 20% of the total 35.5 million foreign tourists.
