PHUKET, one of the most popular destinations in Thailand, set up a new task force to monitor bad behavior from foreign visitors.
The task force has filed a whopping 400 cases since it was established just a month ago.
One such case that gained nationwide attention was a Swiss tourist who kicked a female Thai doctor while she was sitting on concrete steps in a luxurious seaside villa in February.
Another case involved an Austrian visitor who physically assaulted a Thai taxi driver after he was told not to smoke inside the vehicle.
Almost 100 foreigners have their visas revoked according to the governor of Phuket.
Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Court reopened its Tourist Case Division after a rising number of cases involving Thai and foreign tourists wherein they are either the victims or suspects.
The section seeks to provide justice for tourists, give them legal protection, and build confidence in the province’s justice system when cases arise.
Phuket is important to Thailand’s economy due to the large number of local and foreign tourists visiting the popular destination. Cases that undermine its public safety could hurt the tourism value of the province.
