Visitors to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)The measures toprotect foreign tourists from overcharging and rip-offs were devised during ameeting with multiple agencies under the chair of Minister of the Prime Minister’sOffice Puangphet Choonlaiad.
The meeting discussedforeign tourists being hounded by tuktuk and taxi drivers, coercing them toshop for goods and services from their affiliated shops, the traffic situation,and different aspects of tourism safety.
Speaking afterthe meeting, BMA Permanent Secretary Wanthanee Wattana said that among themeasures, the BMA will employ artificial intelligence technology with itsextensive network of security cameras to monitor violations of traffic laws,sidewalks blocked by vendors, and violations of parking bans on major roadsfrequented by foreign tourists.
Stickerswill be issued for tuktuks, taxis, and shops to certify that they will notovercharge tourists. The stickers will signify that the shops and vehicles havebeen registered by the BMA and will not rip off tourists. Signs will warntourists against being lured into being overcharged for goods and services.
The BMAwill join forces with other government agencies to monitor and fine opportunistswho overcharge tourists, Wanthanee said, noting that it will also seek helpfrom the public to monitor such crimes.
The administrationwill also provide useful information for tourists such as publicising telephonenumbers via which they can call to seek help, or publishing guide booksinforming tourists of shops that offer goods and services at friendly prices,she added./.
VNA
