TAT goes all out to promote "responsible tourism" in wake of arrest of foreign pair

 

Picture: Channel 3

 

Thai media reported that a senior Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) leader was in Koh Samui at the weekend promoting "responsible tourism" looking after the natural environment as a means of stimulating the tourist economy there and on nearby  Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

 

The move comes after two foreigners - an Italian and a Hungarian - were arrested and held in detention for posting videos of a scuba diving trip in which they picked up sea cucumbers and crabs. 

 

This raised the ire of the environment minister who demanded action. One of the men has told Thaivisa that they have left the country after seven years residence after paying a fine. It appears that the pair were hung out to dry, notes Thaivisa. 

 

Deputy governor (marketing) of the TAT Krissana Kaewthamrong met dozens of operators from the three southern Thai islands that have been devastated by the lack of tourists - principally foreigners but also domestic tourists. 

 

The Channel 3 story had no mention that the TAT were promoting the islands to foreigners at this stage, it was all about domestic tourism.

 

Krissana said that Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao were famous for their tourism and cultural events. Top of the list was their nature and after the pandemic and lack of tourists it had now recovered to be better than ever. 

 

Picture: Channel 3

 

Declaring the return of beautiful natural wonders and ecology he said now was the time to promote responsible tourism to the domestic market.

 

This would entail utilising the natural wonders of the islands to promote tourism and using natural materials to make everything eco-friendly.

 

He called on multi-dimensional cooperation from all those present at a seminar.

 

Last month a Hungarian called Atilla Ott along with an Italian man were arrested after posting a YouTube video of their diving trip off Koh Phangan.

 

Thai media reported at the time that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa had demanded action that was taken by the marine and coastal resources department and the police.

 

The foreigners spent time in jail on Koh Phangan. The online community condemned their actions but many saw the action as too heavy handed and some claimed that they were treated differently to how Thais might have been given a similar situation.

 

Thaivisa subsequently was told that the Hungarian - married to a Thai woman and a well known underwater videographer who admitted he had been foolish - had left Thailand.

 

He told us on Messenger: "I am in Hungary. I paid for court. IDC (the detention center) was horrible. In Europe (it's) very hard to find a job here".

 

The fate of the Italian also arrested is not known.  

 

Source: Channel 3

 

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7 minutes ago, webfact said:

some claimed that they were treated differently to how Thais might have been given a similar situation.

That will always be the case, and will not change in our lifetime.

Thais are racist. Aint no secret.. Anyhoo, in other news.......

44 minutes ago, webfact said:

Declaring the return of beautiful natural wonders and ecology he said now was the time to promote responsible tourism to the domestic market.

This is what they really are all about....

 

Even before the covid-crises the level of governmental interest in promoting international tourism (apart from the Chinese/Indians) was quite low from 2014 onwards-especially in the provinces away from the usual suspects..Bangkok,some Islands,Pattaya,Chiang Mai....

12 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

This is what they really are all about....

 

Even before the covid-crises the level of governmental interest in promoting international tourism (apart from the Chinese/Indians) was quite low from 2014 onwards-especially in the provinces away from the usual suspects..Bangkok,some Islands,Pattaya,Chiang Mai....

Yes, it's all about promoting the new, environmentally aware Thailand touting the natural treasures they've never acknowledged before trashed already.

Thailand continues to be tone deaf, on the wrong side of history, and feeble, in its minor attempts to progress into this century. Anything this administration does is typically dumb, and unplanned. And the effects, ramifications and future are never considered. To call this heavy handed would be a gross understatement.

 

The reefs and sea life off Phangan and Samui have been devastated for decades, due to massive dumping of sewage and runoff. To blame these guys is just dumb and racist. 

 

Let the youth of Thailand speak. They are showing how people really feel. Change is a coming. 

Koh Tao is famous for a few other things dont suppose they mentioned that............?

On a one hand the tourism people scrambling and dying for tourists to come in and on the other the prosecute tourists for picking up some shellfish and make a headlines out of it, i'm not saying not punish people who break the law but keep it on the down low, at least not now, when Thailand need tourist like well, a fish need air...

And when has a fishing boat. dive boat or tour boat company ever been prosecuted for damage to reefs when dropping anchor, or throwing their rubbish into the sea, leaking fuel and oil etc

4 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Koh Tao is famous for a few other things dont suppose they mentioned that............?

Ah yes, 'rape murder island', I recall....

17 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Yes, it's all about promoting the new, environmentally aware Thailand touting the natural treasures they've never acknowledged before trashed already.

I just took a doggie walk and nowere did i see any changes at all when it comes to LITTERING,it's everywere,side of the road,in sois,busstops..even the police were they conduct their stops,throw besides their own cars/trucks..trash...promoting the new, environmentally aware Thailand..Thais don't know the meanig or what inpact it has on their Tourist Country,shame on you.

Yes very smart to remind the new tourists about the unfair treatment and the detention center facilities. How about that Russian woman feeding bread crumbs to fish in the sea. Prosecute, lock up, and heavily fine + blacklist these foreigners polluting “tourists” criminals ! ???? 

Sea cucumbers often pop up in the disguise of a senior TAT leaders by the sound of this bigot ????  

1 hour ago, jaiyen said:

And when has a fishing boat. dive boat or tour boat company ever been prosecuted for damage to reefs when dropping anchor, or throwing their rubbish into the sea, leaking fuel and oil etc

Fishermen have been known to use a couple of sticks of dynamite in Thailand

When I hear the word TAT I just walk away and shake my head in disbelief. I still have to meet the first smart and intelligent person who works there. I stopped going to national parks long ago after seeing how destructive the people working there and the average Thai visitors are. Adjusting waterfalls, double pricing, allowing people with sound blasters in, no control on foam and plastic whatsoever, no discipline and respect for nature and wildlife. Discrimination against ethnic minorities who live within the boundaries and the list can be made longer. Yet again they are concentrating all the attention on the foreigners and let the Thai continue with the destruction.

This raised the ire of the environment minister who demanded action. 

 

Unbelievable nonsense. What have you done for Thailand's environment lately? What are you doing about the air quality? Diesel emissions? Badly maintained trucks? Sewage being pumped into the Gulf and the Andaman?

 

You have ALOT to answer for. How dare you lecture anyone! Your incompetence is a disgrace to the people. 

 

You are part of the reason why the youth is rising up. YOU! And your fellow incompetent ministers. All of you. 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Declaring the return of beautiful natural wonders and ecology he said now was the time to promote responsible tourism to the domestic market.

Meaning that before sustainable tourism was at the bottom of the list, the environment suffered badly due to the shear numbers allowed to crawl into every corner of the place.

As for foreigners returning after the two unfortunates who were hung out to dry for picking up crabs etc I hope they don't don't return.

" Responsible Tourism " would surely have to start with the wearing of a Face Mask.

TAT and their Seminar not so responsible (re Photos )

8 hours ago, webfact said:

He told us on Messenger: "I am in Hungary. I paid for court. IDC (the detention center) was horrible.

 

I'm waiting for the TAT to start organizing environmentally friendly tour/homestays of the BKK IDC...

 

I'm pretty sure they will NOT have to worry about any environmentally destructive things going on there like -- washing sheets, towels and clothes, providing large numbers of toilets and showers, running the air con to excess, etc etc.

 

Return of beautiful natural wonders and ecology ? Is he mad ??

When he was looking at this I’m guessing at no point did he raise his eye level up from looking at the road . Drive through banrak or chaweng noi and you will see what utter garbage his statement is ! 

"Responsible" would mean the resignation of Prayuth, and his entire incompetent cabinet, including this "fake puritan" environmenal minister.