Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is concerned about Thailand’s image after two Australian tourists filed a complaint with police that they were overcharged.
Lt-General Weerachon Sukhontapatipak, a staff of the prime minister, said on Thursday that Prayut had been informed of the case of the two Australians being overcharged and he had expressed concern about it.
Weerachon said the two tourists took a van from Phuket International Airport to a hotel for which they were charged Bt3,000.
Weerachon quoted Prayut as saying that the government was taking all possible measures to promote tourism to Thailand, and make the country, especially Phuket, a world class tourist destination so that the country and Phuket’s economy would benefit.
However, if some people continue to take advantage of foreign tourists, it would have a negative impact on Phuket and the damage the reputation of Thais and Thailand, Weerachon quoted Prayut as saying.
He said the prime minister wanted tourism business operators to help monitor and ensure that no foreign tourist would be taken advantage of again.
The prime minister said warm Thai hospitality was a factor that prompted foreign tourists to return to the Kingdom so he wants all Thais to play good hosts to foreigners and help monitor and ensure that none of them would be taken advantage of, Weerachon added.
