Thai Law And Tourism Sectors Planning Court Tourism Division

Plans to set up a tourism division at courts in major vacation destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket to assist foreign visitors could help increase visitors' confidence in Thailand law and legal services in Thailand. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 28, 2013 - Bangkok - The idea aims to help tourists who have been the victim of thefts and robberies who may find themselves involved in a lengthy trial, when they are probably only in Thailand for a short period. Discussions between Tourism Minister Somsak Pureesrisak and Court of Justice officials came to the conclusion that hearings involving tourists could be expedited by creating a tourism litigation division at courts and extending office hours.

The tourism division would be established at provincial and district courts in key holiday destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

The project to establish a tourism litigation division is part of efforts to increase Thailand's tourism income to Bt2 trillion by 2015, which calls for the upgrading of facilities and services to help attract more high-end visitors to the kingdom.
A priority within this, is improving safety for tourists. Robbery and crime against foreign tourists and other cases involving tourists would be dealt with by this division, and also better protection provided for tourists who might receive unfair treatment from tour agencies. There has also been discussions on the topic of opening a night court, to speed up the legal process for tourism-related cases.

Thailand is aiming for 24 million tourist arrivals in 2013, having achieved a record figure of 22 million arrivals in 2012. Tourism minister Somsak has said safety and security for tourists was among his priorities.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand in recent years has been actively promoting Thailand as a high-quality destination, targeting new markets and courting niche market segments like health and medical tourism, agro-tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions).

"As an international law firm in Thailand, we appreciate that sometimes international tourists have to deal with Thailand law and the legal service in Thailand" said Apisakde Kongkangwanchoke, spokesman for BSA Law. "The establishment of a tourism division at courts could go a long way in boosting foreign visitors' confidence in dealing with Thai law, should they need to."

About BSA Law:

For nearly 30 years, Bamrung Suvicha Apisakdi Law Associates (BSA Law) has focused on providing reliable legal advice and services to the Thai and foreign business community in Thailand. BSA Law seeks to provide international standards of legal services while retaining the customs of the Thai business culture.

For more information please contact:

Jim Byrne
Business Advisor, BSA Law.
Email: jim ( @ ) bsalaw dot co dot th

http://www.bsalaw.co.th

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