New tourism promotional campaigns to be soon launched in Thailand

BANGKOK, October 3 (TNA) - As the yearly high season for international tourism is approaching, new promotional campaigns will soon be launched in Thailand to welcome global tourists. Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan told journalists on Wednesday that he has assigned the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to acceleratingly introduce the new campaigns timely to attract international tourist arrivals in the country during the upcoming high season. General Prawit, who is also Defence Minister and who oversees national security, affirmed that the Thai government has had legal regulations in good place to take care of international visitors. Regarding recent incidents, in which a tourist boat was stricken by a storm and strong waves and capsized off resort Phuket Province in the Thai South, causing dozens of casualties among Chinese visitors, and a Chinese visitor suspected of illegal entry into the Thai Kingdom was hit by a security guard at Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport, the deputy prime minister said that the Thai government has sent official letters to the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok to clarify the matters and to express its regret for the incidents and has already received a comprehension response from the Chinese government. Based on updated reports, then Don Mueang International Airport General Manager Wing Commander Suthirawat Suwannawat has been transferred to an inactive post and the security guard, who scuffled with the suspected Chinese visitor, has been fired in a recent order issued by the Thai deputy prime minister and defence minister. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha told reporters that he has instructed the Immigration Bureau, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) and security units to intensify security measures to protect both national interest and international visitors, calling on officers on duty and people to also help protect and promote the national image and reputation. (TNA)