Foreign diplomats urge Thai government to tackle tourist scams

BANGKOK, 11 July 2012 (NNT) - Foreign diplomats met with Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to urge Thai authorities to clamp down on extortion and scams against foreign tourists in the kingdom.

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Suwat Sidthilaw, said today that honorary consuls from 10 countries have called for a crackdown on scams and organised criminal rip-offs in Thailand. Concerted efforts have been made by diplomats from Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Britain

Mr Suwat responded to the calls by saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubamrung, who is in charge of security affairs, to devise measures to tackle the issue in a swift manner.

The Ministry has also been requested to provide these embassies with updates on the government’s increasing efforts to fight crimes against tourists.

Mr Suwat elaborated that the ministry is urging local tourism operators to refrain from scam practices as Thailand’s reputation as an attractive tourist destination can be severely jeopardized.

Earlier, European and Australian diplomats have held meetings with Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa to ask the Thai government to step up safety measures on the resort island of Phuket. The most commonly used scams involve local operators demanding extensive cash payments from tourists for allegedly damaging jet skis or tricking visitors to pay through the nose for poor quality gemstones.

-- NNT 2012-07-11

Mr Suwat responded to the calls by saying that there was no need for Australia to send 2 diplomats. One even spelt the country name wrong on his business card.

will it change anything ? NO of course .... As the corrupted police is a lot of involved in those scams nothing will stop . The only possible change would be when the amount of tourists bored to be seen as walking wallets will stop to come here.

Yingluck responded through her spokesperson, "What more ewe want me an Chalerm do?, we already make sign."

In realated news the ugly Thaksin sister became personally involved in the cause.........

Yingluck's sister gets involved in Phuket snake show arson case

PHUKET: The owners of the snake show that was the target of B20 million arson attack on April 23 wheeled out a big gun today (May 3) for a meeting with senior police officers to discuss the attack.

Maj Gen Pisan Chuldilok, a Deputy Commander of Police Region 8, who called the meeting to discuss progress in the investigation, confirmed Ms Yaowaret was present, but added that she was there simply as a friend of the snake centre owners............. whose name “cannot be revealed during the investigation”.

http://www.thephuketnews.com/yinglucks-sister-gets-involved-in-phuket-snake-show-arson-case-30324.php

Urge, not formally request, or demand.

Is this like urging sheep into a pen?

"Mr Suwat responded to the calls by saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubamrung, who is in charge of security affairs, to devise measures to tackle the issue in a swift manner."

"Mr Suwat responded to the calls by saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubamrung, who is in charge of security affairs, to devise measures to tackle the issue in a swift manner."

I think Mr. Chalerm knows a lot about Scam.

"Mr Suwat responded to the calls by saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubamrung, who is in charge of security affairs, to devise measures to tackle the issue in a swift manner."

I am guessing the swif manner will be delegated to The Toilet brothers, i hear they are pretty good at handing out swift justice, and doing a good "job".

Law and order? With this family run police force? Under this government? With Chalerm at the helm?

Look at what the criminal UDD leaders get away with on a daily basis.

Robbing , murdering and raping tourists is petty crime to this administration

Set a thief to catch a thief...

What a ridiculous article!

I think these countries would be much better served, if they urge there citizens not to come to Thailand at all. Now that will get some reaction from these children (Thai Government).

will it change anything ? NO of course .... As the corrupted police is a lot of involved in those scams nothing will stop . The only possible change would be when the amount of tourists bored to be seen as walking wallets will stop to come here.

Well I agree with you that it will not change any thing. But it does let the Thai government know that they are being watched. While they may not be in fact aren't the smartest in the world they are not dumb enough (I think) to completely ignore it.

As far as being seen as a walking wallet. That is common the world over in tourist destinations.

will it change anything ? NO of course .... As the corrupted police is a lot of involved in those scams nothing will stop . The only possible change would be when the amount of tourists bored to be seen as walking wallets will stop to come here.

Well I agree with you that it will not change any thing. But it does let the Thai government know that they are being watched. While they may not be in fact aren't the smartest in the world they are not dumb enough (I think) to completely ignore it.

As far as being seen as a walking wallet. That is common the world over in tourist destinations.

Really! They are not dumb enough?

You are joking right?

Really! They are not dumb enough?

You are joking right?

But they are dumb enough to be distracted by their own (not so) secret agenda to let this one go by unnoticed.

Sooner or later the travel warnings will be issued, then watch the government scream foul play and unfair treatment etc

What a ridiculous article!

I think these countries would be much better served, if they urge there citizens not to come to Thailand at all. Now that will get some reaction from these children (Thai Government).

Are you going to recommend a destination that has the same things to offer as Thailand and no scams.

What is it that Thailand has to offer that is so great?

Is it all the polluted beches and national parks?

Is it the easy transportaion, that you take your life in own hands every time you step into a bus, van or taxi?

Is it getting poisoned in your hotel room?

Maybe getting food poisoning, thats always worthy of a return trip.

You tell me and I will give you a list of other places.

I am not saying there is not scams everywhere. Of course there is. is what I am saying is trying to get this government from the local to executive to do somthing. Maybe just try and enforce a law that is inplace.

Mr Suwat responded to the calls by saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubamrung, who is in charge of security affairs, to devise measures to tackle the issue in a swift manner.

Ok then. Problem solved. No worries.

Mr Suwat elaborated that the ministry is urging local tourism operators to refrain from scam practices as Thailand’s reputation as an attractive tourist destination can be severely jeopardized.

A little too late for that.

We all know why they call it the "LAND OF SMILES." You can see the eyes of the Thais light up and roll around in their head like a

busted slot machine whenever they see a Foreigner thinking how much can we get off these poor bastards kajing kajing kajing

So the foreign diplomats are referring to the same scams as their citizens pull off back home: Double pricing for tourists, claiming damage and so on. You really need to have balls to bring it up as a foreign diplomat....

Where was (USA) Kenney?

My only question for the scratches on a jet ski, what are they hitting to do this? Floating rocks?

It is sad that they need to be told by embassies that they need to crack down on the police who are facilitating the scams to protect the country's income from tourism. You'd have thought it was obvious but no one dares do anything about it, although Chalerm who seems to have saved massive wealth from his meagre salary as a policeman and MP is willing to make a little noise about it.

when the Tea Money stops,..... oh wait that will never happen...........

Spoiled people telling spoiled people to be more diligent, wow thats refreshing. Wonder how they will react when their next postings are in impoverished Africa(ie Foreign Diplomats urge African Governments to tackle poverty) Instead of making these pointless public service announcements for Thai consumption, why not tell their citizens to consider other tourist destinations, since they claim to be looking out for their own citizens, burp. But wait, aren't these some of the same nations whose citizens are caught here in atm scams, boiler room scams, scams scams scams.

What a ridiculous article!

I think these countries would be much better served, if they urge there citizens not to come to Thailand at all. Now that will get some reaction from these children (Thai Government).

Are you going to recommend a destination that has the same things to offer as Thailand and no scams.

Unbelievable comment. Must live in a bubble!

Where was (USA) Kenney?

Perhaps she (along with approximately 175 other countries' representatives that didn't show up) has realized the futility of such gestures.

So the foreign diplomats are referring to the same scams as their citizens pull off back home: Double pricing for tourists, claiming damage and so on. You really need to have balls to bring it up as a foreign diplomat....

Which country are you from? These things don't happen in mine and if a tourist makes a complaint it is dealt with honestly, not by an officer who is getting a cut from the scam.

I sat on the Beach in front of the Royal Garden plaza in Pattaya just yesterday. The Jetski scammers were busy at work. In a matter of 30 minutes 6 different jetskis came in and 3 were scammed. I could not believe it...50% were scammed !!! hese people are the lowest of the low. After their poor customer walked away they just laughed. Talking about having a bad holiday..... these people were really upset. Something has to be done about this...

will it change anything ? NO of course .... As the corrupted police is a lot of involved in those scams nothing will stop . The only possible change would be when the amount of tourists bored to be seen as walking wallets will stop to come here.

Well I agree with you that it will not change any thing. But it does let the Thai government know that they are being watched. While they may not be in fact aren't the smartest in the world they are not dumb enough (I think) to completely ignore it.

As far as being seen as a walking wallet. That is common the world over in tourist destinations.

No, they are dumb enough to continue as usual, failing to see the consequences. life goes on here same as before.

How dare they call Thai business acumen corruption.

So the foreign diplomats are referring to the same scams as their citizens pull off back home: Double pricing for tourists, claiming damage and so on. You really need to have balls to bring it up as a foreign diplomat....

Which country are you from? These things don't happen in mine and if a tourist makes a complaint it is dealt with honestly, not by an officer who is getting a cut from the scam.

Yes really, what country are you from? The people of your country scam tourists on the reg? Just want to know so I don't go there. I'm proud to say that I'm from a country that welcomes tourists and goes out of it's way to ensure they are safe and enjoy themselves. I could tell you that if there were a gang of thugs scamming people like this it would take ONLY 1 complaint and these maggots would be shut down.