Thailand unveils its first-ever tourist court

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Cleaning up the tourism environment

Adapting to Change

On September 5th, Thailand's inaugural tourist court commenced operations in the coastal city of Pattaya. This is seen as the Thai Government's effort to ensure tourist safety and enhance the cleanliness of the tourism environment.

The tourist court is among the initiatives aimed at safeguarding the rights of tourists and fostering greater accountability among tourism professionals.

According to The Nation newspaper, from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM daily, tourists can visit the court and lodge complaints regarding issues such as unfair services or personal safety.

This evening court also handles criminal cases related to tourism. The tourist court is a collaboration among agencies such as the police, prosecution, court, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Cleaning up the tourism environment

Court officials affirm that the consideration period for less serious cases will be reduced to just one day, a significant improvement from the previous six months. Foreign tourists as well as Thai nationals will receive protection from the court.

This specialized court is expected to encourage negotiation between parties involved. Most cases are typically related to consumer protection issues, making it not difficult to reach an agreement.

In case of overly complex cases, they will be transferred to regular courts. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will also establish a committee specialized in cases involving foreign tourists as many tourists may return home before the court issues a ruling.

Phuketwan newspaper reported that the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports has allocated 14 million baht (approximately 435,000 USD) to send officials to France for training on the operations of tourism courts. These courts will have officials proficient in foreign languages to assist tourists.

The Pattaya court will serve as a pilot location. Six other tourism courts are also planned to be established in Pathum Wan district and Dusit district of Bangkok (near the heavily tourist areas of Silom and Khao San), as well as locations like Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. According to The Nation, these areas are facing various issues, particularly tourist scams.

Adapting to Change

And today, on the first day of the tourism court's operation, the high-speed boat accident that claimed the lives of two Chinese tourists on August 28th in Pattaya will be brought to trial.

The boat captain responsible for the accident, which occurred when it collided with another boat, has been indicted for negligence. In this incident, a South Korean tourist also suffered an amputation.

A series of fatal accidents involving substandard boat captains on high-speed boats at sea in recent times have raised concerns.

Last year in Phuket, a Chinese tourist lost their life due to the negligence of the boat driver. Prior to that, a Russian tourist narrowly escaped death when the propeller of a high-speed boat struck their leg while diving.

Phuketwan has exposed the irresponsibility of some maritime officials in Phuket, quoting one who said, 'There's no need to scrutinize the responsibility of the high-speed boat captains,' and even stated incidents like these are normal.

According to The Nation, there are proposals for the Bangkok government to enact amendments to the non-smoke industry laws as tourism plays a significant role in enhancing the national economy. Tourism in Thailand is growing rapidly but current laws are said to be lagging behind the situation.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Somsak Pureesrisak declares that the establishment of the tourism court is a positive signal for the country's tourism industry, ensuring its long-term role, especially in achieving the target revenue of 2 trillion baht (62 billion USD) by 2015.

Currently, this ministry is making significant efforts to standardize the tourism industry, introducing various measures and new regulations to crack down on misconduct, especially in Phuket. This island, as reported by The Nation, is rampant with illegal services and criminal syndicates.

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Source: Travel guide Mytour – Via: Youth

MytourSeptember 6, 2013

Frequently Asked Questions

What measures is Thailand taking to enhance tourist safety in Pattaya?

Thailand has launched its first tourist court in Pattaya, aimed at improving tourist safety and cleanliness in the tourism environment. This court will allow tourists to file complaints daily and address issues related to unfair services or personal safety.

How does the tourist court in Pattaya function for foreign tourists?

The tourist court in Pattaya serves both foreign tourists and Thai nationals. It aims to protect their rights, with officials trained in foreign languages to assist in resolving complaints efficiently. The goal is to ensure accountability among tourism professionals.

What types of cases can be addressed by the new tourist court?

The tourist court can handle complaints regarding consumer protection issues, including unfair services. It also addresses criminal cases related to tourism, ensuring quick resolutions for less serious matters within a day, unlike the previous six-month wait.

What impact will the establishment of tourist courts have on Thailand's tourism industry?

The establishment of tourist courts is expected to bolster Thailand's tourism industry by ensuring safety and accountability. By resolving issues more effectively, these courts can help improve the overall experience for tourists, supporting the goal of achieving significant revenue targets.

How is Thailand preparing officials to operate the new tourist courts?

The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports has allocated funds to train officials in France on the operations of tourism courts. This preparation ensures that court officials are well-equipped to handle cases efficiently and effectively, improving tourist experiences.

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