Thai citizens urged to show kindness to foreign tourists

The prime minister’s statement came following concerns over recent disputes between locals and foreigners that has affected Thailand’s reputation, according to Nation Thailand.

"They want to travel and relax here because they like Thailand. Please be kind to tourists to help with the government’s policy to promote tourism. The industry is an important tool to stimulate the Thai economy," the PM said.

Last January, police in Pattaya detained a Thai man for using a firearm to intimidate a foreign tourist because he got upset that the foreigner was not interested in the beer he had for sale, Khaosod English news site reported.

Police last month also detained a 41-year-old local man for attempting to rape and rob a Chinese female tourist in a remote forest near Pattaya.

Thailand received 28 million foreign tourists last year, losing its throne as Southeast Asia’s tourism champion to Malaysia, which welcomed nearly 29 million.

This year, Thailand eyes 35 million foreign arrivals.