At a meeting with Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani, representatives of the association – including large tour agencies – yesterday complained about the lack of space in the airport’s passenger-arrival area and a paucity of information for arriving visitors. The minister said the association had pointed out that the passenger-arrival area could not accommodate large tour groups.
There is also a lack of information on the quantity of alcohol and cigarettes passengers may bring into the country, and Japanese tourists are often detained by Thai police for bringing in too many cartons of cigarettes or bottles of liquor.
The association suggested that notices be more comprehensive and written in several languages.
Suvit said the lack of information had also been raised by tourists from other nations. Related partieswill be asked to look into the problem and provide better information to tourists.
Information at the ministry’s kiosk in the airport will be provided in several languages.
Suvit said the Japanese-tourist market was one of Thailand’s most important, with 1.2 million to 1.3 million visitors arriving every year.
Earlier, Tourism and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Sakthip Krairiksh met Shosaku Yasui, chairman of the Japanese committee planning celebrations to mark next year’s 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand.
Sakthip said events marking the occasion would be held not only in Bangkok and Tokyo, but also upcountry, especially in sister locations like Yasothon province and Yoshida in Japan.
Activities will include cultural and sporting events like takraw and Thai boxing.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation