It is now safe to travel to Thailand after the lifting of a curfew on June 13, Thai ambassador Piroon Laismit has told Gulf Times. |
“Businesses and all tourist places are running as usual and the authorities are working hard to assure the safety of both Thai nationals and foreigners,” said the new Thai ambassador who earlier presented his credentials to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Laismit noted that they welcome tourists “to experience and enjoy their vacations in Thailand as before”.
Martial law was declared on May 20 and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) took control of the Thai government following a political standoff between two parties.
Giving an update on the current political situation, he said all free TV and about 330 cable channels have resumed normal broadcasts and Thais have been given full access to social networking sites such as Facebook.
International media and various organisations have been roving around the city to get first hand information about the situation under martial law. Tourists see this as a positive measure to ensure safety, according to NCPO’s news division, Department of Information.
“We therefore ask the international community to view the current situation as Thailand’s opportunity to strengthen and consolidate our democratic principles through reconciliation and reform,” it added.
In 2012, about 37,718 tourists from Qatar visited Thailand. Of this figure, 27,523 were Qataris. Qatar Airways has three daily Doha-Bangkok-Doha flights and one direct flight to Phuket.
Laismit said the NCPO vowed to protect all diplomatic missions, consulates, international organisations, tourists and expatriate communities in Thailand. It will also continue to uphold individual rights and freedoms.
“The limitations that have been put in place are only those necessary to prevent further disruption and preempt efforts to instigate violence,” it stressed. “No one was detained arbitrarily – they were arrested because they intentionally defied the law.”
The Asean country also continues to welcome all foreign investors. A new board of investments of Thailand has been appointed on June 7 with the NCPO head as chair.
The move, Laismit noted, will help expedite pending investment applications valued at more than 700bn baht ($21.5 bn). Tourists from Qatar visit Thailand mainly to shop, relax in beach resorts, dine in various Thai and international restaurants and for medical treatment.
Qataris can stay up to 30 days in Thailand under the “Visa Exemption Rule” if entering via the international airport and up to 15 days if entering through a land border checkpoint from a neighbouring country.