Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced a broad initiative to address tourist safety concerns and combat illegal tour operations.
Natreeya Taweewong, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, responded to social media rumours about safety, emphasising many are misleading or false. “There is no evidence of any tourist abduction taking place in Thailand. We want to reassure all travellers that Thailand remains a safe destination,” she said.
To improve safety, the ministry has joined forces with the military, police, and civil authorities to enforce integrated protocols. At airports, support services assist with lost property and streamline immigration processes, aided by immigration police. Independent travellers receive guidance on public transport fares, while police, ministry officials, and trained tourism volunteers are deployed across major tourist areas.
Real-time emergency assistance is provided through the Tourist Safety Operations Centre, a hotline, and the Thailand Tourist Police mobile app. Police vehicles conduct 24-hour patrols in key locations.
The ministry is also addressing issues related to pricing and service quality. “Measures have been introduced in collaboration with the Airlines Association and the Ministry of Transport to improve service accessibility and affordability,” Natreeya said. This includes increasing special domestic flights and pursuing reduced excise tax on aviation fuel to lower ticket prices. Businesses have been urged to maintain high standards and clearly display prices.
A nationwide crackdown on “nominee tours” and unlicensed guides is underway, led by the Joint Operations Centre for Combating Nominee Tourism Businesses. The task force involves five agencies and targets operators using Thai nationals as fronts or offering unauthorised guiding.
Natreeya concluded: “Thailand must be a destination where tourists feel confident in their safety, receive services that meet recognised standards and enjoy meaningful, high-quality experiences. This is a key priority that the government and our ministry are working to deliver with determination.”