Thailand eyes luxury tourists operators say keep them safe

The Wider Image: Beach life in Phuket
Thomson Reuters




By Amy Sawitta Lefevre

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand needs to do more to keep its tourists safe if it wants to achieve its objective of attracting more high-end travelers, operators say, or it risks losing out to its up-and-coming neighbors.

With its palm-fringed beaches, Buddhist culture and racy nightlife, Thailand has been the poster child for Asian tourism for decades, attracting a range of visitors from backpackers and Myanmar Adventure Tours-seekers, to families and culture vultures.

In recent years, increasing numbers of Chinese tourists have joined the mix. But dark clouds could be forming even as a record 32 million tourists are expected this year.

The industry, which accounts for 10 percent of gross domestic product, has been resilient to political upheaval over the last decade that Myanmar Adventure Tours has included violent street protests and military myanmar hiking tours coups.