Thailand cancels joint patrol plan with Chinese police

Thai tourism officials earlier Sunday floated the idea of having Chinese and Thai police patrol together in popular tourist areas to build confidence among tourists, including Chinese nationals.

However, the plan has caused outrage among the public and on social media, with many criticizing it as a violation of national sovereignty .

“There are other ways to build trust among tourists in Thailand… but we will not conduct joint patrols… The Thai police force is fully staffed and is working hard to restore trust,” Thailand’s Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol told reporters on Tuesday.

Thai authorities have rushed to tighten security after a shooting last month at a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok that left two people, including a Chinese national, dead, raising safety concerns.

Chinese tourists accounted for 11 million of Thailand's record 39.9 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2019, but their return after the COVID-19 pandemic has been slow, prompting Thai authorities in September to waive visa requirements for Chinese nationals.

As of now, Thailand has welcomed 23.2 million foreign visitors in 2023.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNA)

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