Thailand’s tourism industry is to be rid of “mafia” within three months, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung promised today.
Chalerm issued his decree today after meeting with tourist police, senior officials from the Tourism and Sports Ministry, representatives from the Land Transport Department, the Harobor Department and governors of provinces with heavy tourist traffic, The Nation reported.
Governors of Phuket, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Sukhothai, Tak and Kanchanaburi attended the meeting at the Royal Thai Police headquarters.
The meeting was held in response to PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s request to increase security for both Thai and foreign tourists, Chalerm said.
The government aims to eradicate problems specific to each destination, such as unlicensed taxis and local mafia overcharging tourists for beach seats and jet skis in Phuket, he said.
He said that he would ensure all government agencies concerned would work together to deal with organized gangs that have been preying on tourists, and that if local officials didn’t crack down on these gangs, he will visit the provinces himself to deal with the problem, the Nation reported.
“Within 90 days, the people and tourists will see that the situation has improved,” Chalerm said.
