PM Prayut worried after Chinese tourist attacked

[webfact]

PM worried after Chinese tourist attacked

By THE NATION, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

 

 

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered concerned agencies to speed up restoring the confidence of Chinese tourists after a mainland visitor was assaulted by a security guard at Don Mueang International Airport, Government Spokesman Lt-General Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

 

“The prime minister has expressed regret over the incident and is concerned about Chinese sentiment,” Sansern said. 

 

Prayut’s instruction came after a video clip from Thursday at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport, showing a guard briefly scuffling with and then hitting a Chinese man, received wide coverage in Chinese media. Netizens heavily criticised the guard.

 

China is Thailand’s biggest source of tourists, making up about a quarter of its 35 million visitors last year.

 

The number of Chinese tourists dropped sharply after a boat accident in Phuket, which claimed nearly 50 lives in July.

 

“The assault incident could impact the country’s image,” the spokesman added. 

 

The footage showed the guard engaged in a quarrel with a Chinese man and raising his hand towards the face of the tourist, before taking a wild swing in an attempt to punch him. 

 

The Chinese man tried to evade the punch before another airport security guard tried to calm the situation. 

 

The incensed Chinese man can be seen shouting and pointing at the guards in the video.

 

“The PM thought that although the tourist could not produce documents to confirm his accommodation in Thailand, refused to go to a detention room, and acted inappropriately with officials, still the guard should have controlled his emotion and treated him in keeping with international practices,” Sansern said.

 

Airports of Thailand announced on Saturday that it had suspended Wing Commander Suthirawat Suwanwat, director of Don Mueang airport as well as the director for security for 30 days, pending an investigation into the incident. 

 

The security guard at the centre of the action has also been suspended from active duty and could be dismissed after the investigation because his action is deemed a severe disciplinary offence, it said.

 

Suthirawat said on Saturday that the authority could not deny responsibility for the shortcoming and he agreed to compensate the victim and would make a written apology to him through the Chinese Embassy.

 

The tourist was identified as Mei Ji who had arrived via a flight from Jakarta, the airport authority said. It added that the Chinese man had been refused entry into Thailand, as he could not show proof of onward travel, accommodation or that he had sufficient funds to support his stay in Thailand.

 

He also refused to wait inside a room. The man later left the country but his encounter was filmed on mobile phones and uploaded online.

The quick response from Thai authorities follows lingering sensitivity after the Phuket boat disaster.

 

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has estimated that it would lose more than half a million Chinese tourists angered and scared after the boat tragedy.

 

In August, some 860,000 of the 3.2 million tourists who visited Thailand were Chinese, according to government statistics. 

 

The numbers represent a nearly 12-per-cent decline in Chinese visits from the same period last year.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30355501

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-01

 

[webfact]

PM extends apology to Chinese tourist hurt by security guard

 

BANGKOK, 1 October 2018 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has extended an apology to a Chinese tourist hurt by a Don Muang Airport security guard, saying that it should never have happened as it greatly affects the image of Thailand. 

He went on to say that the authorities should control their emotions, follow universal rules of behavior and be service minded. 

The Prime Minister has expressed concern about the feelings of the Chinese people and has instructed the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and all related agencies both in Thailand and China to accelerate restoration of confidence among Chinese tourists.

 

-- nnt 2018-10-01

[Samui Bodoh]

"...The assault incident could impact the country’s image,” the spokesman added..." 

 

More like the incident could affect the country's pocketbook; this is what happens when all your tourism dollars are sourced from one area.

 

"...The PM thought that although the tourist could not produce documents to confirm his accommodation in Thailand, refused to go to a detention room, and acted inappropriately with officials, still the guard should have controlled his emotion and treated him in keeping with international practices,” Sansern said..."

 

The Chinese guy was in the wrong, you toady! Grow a pair! If I or any other non-Chinese behaved like that, we'd be forcibly tossed into the IDC and the slamming of the door would be ringing in our ears for hours.

 

"...The Prime Minister has expressed concern about the feelings of the Chinese people and has instructed the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and all related agencies both in Thailand and China to accelerate restoration of confidence among Chinese tourists.

 

Yes, Sir! Three bags full!

 

It is embarrassing...

 

[bluesofa]

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

PM worried after Chinese tourist attacked

Worried? Worried his precious submarine deal will be sunk without trace, or that the Sino-Thai railway will be side-tracked?

 

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

In August, some 860,000 of the 3.2 million tourists who visited Thailand were Chinese, according to government statistics. 

The numbers represent a nearly 12-per-cent decline in Chinese visits from the same period last year.

Don't worry, I'm sure the next press release from TAT will tell us it's a 12% increase.

 

[Somtamnication]

That part of "universal rules" has me stumped. In a military government, that makes no sense.

[bluesofa]

56 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

That part of "universal rules" has me stumped. In a military government, that makes no sense.

Their understanding of it is that they think they rule the universe.

 

[anon537687643]

Ah the Chinese spending power! They can have a special immigration lane, shout and abuse , shit and piss in the street and now the “Gen God “ is worried about one incident that is negative !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[z42]

What damages the country's image more is the 100s if not 1000s of legitimate migrants (some of whom are holding UN documents supporting their need to wait temporarily in the Kingdom) being forcibly arrested and kept under lock and key while this idiot who just because he holds a Chinese passport acts up and rightly gets a bit of (certainly OTT) rough treatment causes the government to go into meltdown.

Pathetic really, this is only about money, this is only about keeping the Chinese sweet as for a whole raft of reasons many other nationality's tourists numbers are declining year on year.

[stud858]

Reminds me of the US incident when the Chinese doctor had his teeth knocked out.

My motto. Always keep calm and friendly.

Express your anger in a closed off room when you are by yourself.

But then again, I don't have a job of certain responsibility to control others. Must be a tough job.

[bartender100]

"Kate Moss and some pizza slices"

 

whats that all about?

[Ossy]

The peace-loving and sensitive PM Prayuth, noted for his calmness and discretion in any sort of conflict, showed concern at the video footage at DM Airport, in particular the Immigration officer's sensibly cautious behaviour . . .

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

 . . . and raising his hand towards the face of the tourist, before taking a wild swing in an attempt to punch him.

The Chinese man tried to evade the punch before another airport security guard tried to calm the situation. 

 

Prayuth has instructed that all Immigration Security Guards be instructed in defensive martial arts skills in readiness for further onslaughts from those aggressive Chinese, during this, their big festering week.

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2018 by Ossy
omisson

[chrisinth]

Without condoning what happened IMO, the more apologies, the more media coverage, the worse the after effects.

 

It is done, right or wrong, stop grovelling.................................

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, bartender100 said:

"Kate Moss and some pizza slices"

whats that all about?

No idea, but can I have a bottle of whatever you've been drinking?

 

[Formaleins]

Sorry, did it say that the jester was concerned about "Chinese Sentiment"?  Must be a Thai expression for "Yuan"

[ezzra]

What a hogwash and a favoritism written all over it kowtowing to China, many foreigners are assaulted every day in the kinkdom and i don't see the PM doing anything about about let along showing concern and empathy to the affected people...

[irwinfc]

let bootlicking begin!

[Vacuum]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“The assault incident could impact the country’s image,”

 

What image might this be? Letting Chinese tourist behave as they like, ignoring Immigration rules etc....

[moto77]

Wow... if a Chinese tourist ever reports a rape... this guy's head is going to explode. ????
 

[worgeordie]

I think T.A.T. as changed tack,before they were all about,

we must have hi quality tourists,HiSo tourists are what

we need, now everything is about the quantity not the

quality.

regards Worgeordie

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, ezzra said:

What a hogwash and a favoritism written all over it kowtowing to China, many foreigners are assaulted every day in the kinkdom and i don't see the PM doing anything about about let along showing concern and empathy to the affected people...

I went out on the town last night and was beaten up by a group of locals. However, immediately before that  I'd been to a Chinese restaurant.

Do you think the PM would be interested in getting involved to apprehend the attackers?

 

[Ossy]

2 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

That part of "universal rules" has me stumped. In a military government, that makes no sense.

Absolutely. It is a bit like 'the pot calling the kettle black', isn't it.

[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The footage showed the guard engaged in a quarrel with a Chinese man and raising his hand towards the face of the tourist, before taking a wild swing in an attempt to punch him. 

The guard is a highly trained well paid professional or not?  When dealing with belligerent people, the police should be called in.  When that Hong Kong activist turned up at the airport, he was met by seven policemen.

[Cadbury]

Thanks to all this foolish kowtowing and other special immigration preferences being given to Chinese tourists Thailand is well on the way to gaining an International reputation as a Chinese only tourist destination. Or rather, a country to be avoided by western and other nationalities.

This will be a welcoming sign for other nearby IndoChina destinations which will reap the rewards from non-Chinese tourists who must becoming tired of being trampled in the crush by the invasive ill-mannered cheap charlie tourists from the north.

Edited October 1, 2018 by Cadbury

[Destiny1990]

Arrest the other Chinese who filmed it for defamation.

[Dave67]

Air Asia are catering mainly their Chinese customer. I live in Ayutthaya so I use DM airport for SE Asia flights. I was flying to Saigon where I was working about 6 months ago. I had booked an Air Asia flight, as usual the boarding was via bus. I got onto the bus , I noted before I got on the air crew had only gone through 5 minutes earlier (Normally 20 to 25 minutes).The bus pulled off and stopped for 20 minutes and then back towards the original gate and waited another 10 minuter and I got off and the passengers from the fight after mine to Hong Kong got on the bus. When I asked one of Air Asia staff what had happened  she bullshitted and said the aircraft we were boarding  wasn't allowed to got to  Vietnam. They did the same thing to the Mrs about a week.

I wrote them a blistering complaint proper tore them a new one. words such as , disgusting , failed , incompetent and disgrace. I am a NOK Air Fan Club Member .As I have used Air Asia for so long I didn't realise there was a civilized check in area in the airport , nice and quiet with  Starbucks right next to it.

[Darkside Gray]

It is time the High quality tourist from China, where taught how to behave in other countries, would they be allowed to behave like this in there own. I do not think so!

[Hayduke]

 

Retired General/aspiring politician/exalted leader/ songwriter laureate orders all 'big brothers and sisters' visiting from China to be welcomed individually...

 

 

Edited October 1, 2018 by Hayduke

[mikebell]

37 minutes ago, ezzra said:

What a hogwash and a favoritism written all over it kowtowing to China, many foreigners are assaulted every day in the kinkdom and i don't see the PM doing anything about about let along showing concern and empathy to the affected people...

Love the 'deliberate' error - 'kinkdom'.  Ezzra do you live in Pattaya?

[GOLDBUGGY]

My MOTO:

 

"Never argue with a Man in a Uniform". 

[bluesofa]

11 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

 

Retired General/aspiring politician/exalted leader/ songwriter laureate orders all 'big brothers and sisters' visiting from China to be welcomed individually...

 

 

Is that the PM wearing traditional Thai Chinese costume?