Crimes against guests jolt tourism industry

High-profile incidents threaten revenue goal

Published: 10 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Business

The increasing number of crimes targeting foreign tourists will seriously damage the image of Thailand's tourism industry unless the state beefs up preventive measures.

Police mascots were introduced in the tourist spots of Bangkok late last year. The number of crimes against tourists has increased in recent weeks. PATIPAT JANTHONG

Although it is too early to assess whether foreign visitors will stay away because of notorious incidents, some observers believe the government has to work harder if it wants to achieve its ultimate goal of earning 2 trillion baht from tourism annually by 2015.

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Tanami
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Discussion 8 : 16 Jan 2013 at 18.388
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Make the police watch the TV show 'Law and Order' and maybe they get the idea what they are supposed to do. But I think it is too late, sack everyone and recruit new from university and train in UK or Singapore. Shut down bars run by the police, no more bribes, no more protection money, no more blind eye to traffic violation, no more 'suicide or accident' verdict when a farang dies, do a proper investigation.
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siamitude
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Discussion 7 : 14 Jan 2013 at 22.357
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Corruption in the police and everywhere else, impunity for the rich, sub-standard education, total lack of ethics and moral values... and the list goes on. We are sooner or later heading for a major social disaster and the tourism problem is only the tiny tip of this iceberg.
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jielus
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Discussion 6 : 10 Jan 2013 at 18.126
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No education, greed, drugs and corruption are a perfect recipe for disaster! Remember the story of the boys robbing the 7-11 for condoms and beer?
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jwatch
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Discussion 5 : 10 Jan 2013 at 10.335
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They can start by getting rid of the scams at the airport. Who wants to be ripped off the moment they disembark after a long flight?
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djay
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Discussion 4 : 10 Jan 2013 at 08.034
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"if the government provides people with permanent jobs, these issues might not occur frequently, said the operator". Government providing "jobs". Instead of the government setting policy that allow private business to create more jobs.
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justfacts
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Discussion 3 : 10 Jan 2013 at 07.583
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Crimes against guests jolt tourism industry,it is not the crimes that are running people off, it is the idiotic statements from the Tourism and sports minister as well as the mai pen rai attitude from the worthless BIB

Bring us all your money ,but if you have a problem ,,,,your fault
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upena
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Discussion 2 : 10 Jan 2013 at 06.552
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The only concern is the image of Thailand - not tourists' safety
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barryw
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Discussion 1 : 10 Jan 2013 at 05.591
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'Foreign visitors see the root of the problem as education and unemployment'. Education yes, but Thailand is desperate for workers to fill vacancies, especially in the hotel industry in places such as Pattaya. We all know that the real problem is police corruption and lack of interest in investigating and prosecution. Krabi was only the most high-profile case.
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Crimes against guests jolt tourism industry | Bangkok Post: business