Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has pledged to address concerns raised by foreign tourists, including rampant dual pricing, following a recent outpouring of complaints on social media.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong made the pledge after a meeting on April 30 to discuss the issue with tourism industry executives and representatives of various agencies to seek solutions to concerns raised by foreign tourists and foreigners living in Thailand.
Sorawong said that every case involving foreign tourists will now be reported directly from the police to him. Tourists can submit requests for assistance via the Thailand Tourist Police application, and a tourist assistance centre has been established in every province to support visitors.
Responding to complaints about expensive accommodation, he said that this is often due to seasonal price adjustments, while the rise in airfares is a global issue that has been caused by a shortage of aircraft.
The ministry has pledged to address tourism scams and ensure fair prices for both Thai and foreign tourists, which means the dual pricing system will be eliminated, said Sorawong.
In response to the Airlines Association of Thailand asking for more government support for the business, the minister said that his ministry will ask the Ministry of Transport to allocate slots to pave the way for more flights, including chartered flights, at major airports, the Bangkok Post reported.
Meanwhile, officials believes the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card, which took effect on May 1, will help track foreign tourists’ journeys and also prevent any misconduct./
