The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been working diligently to encourage Chinese tourists to visit the Land of Smiles.
Many Chinese people no longer see Thailand as a desired destination.
The number of Chinese visitors has fallen by 35% year-on-year.
Chinese tourists now prefer Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Safety fears, driven by reports of accidents, scams, fraud and abduction, have tarnished Thailand's image.
This is a systematic problem that cannot be solved merely by deploying more police or installing CCTV cameras.
Thai officials do not lack resources or laws, including biometric technologies to trace visitors.
Most criminal cases involving foreign visitors have been solved, except for the 2007 case of a Japanese tourist who was killed in Sukhothai.
• Unsafe infrastructure
results from poor oversight.
• The rampant use of illicit drugs
is enabled by “tea money”.
• Criminal-run businesses thrive
through collusion with local officials.
Without tackling corruption and enforcing the law, Thailand will not be safe for either locals or tourists.
Apart from improving public safety, the TAT aims to reposition Thailand as an upmarket and sustainable destination, not just a budget-friendly one.
In reality, however, policymakers have prioritised tourist numbers, often at the expense of safety and quality.
The government needs to
implement drastic reforms.
After all, tourists are alike.
They love to visit countries
where they feel safe
and well cared for.