Suvit made it clear the administration, which came to power in a bloodless coup
on September 19, aimed to curtail the sex trade.
"Prostitution is illegal in Thailand," he said. The Southeast Asian country's
police force is being assisted by "tourist police", and will be further
bolstered by specially trained volunteers.
He is due to announce further steps before the end of the month to tighten up
on the policing of the sex industry.
Each year about 480,000 British holidaymakers and almost as many from Germany,
France, Sweden and other European countries travel to Thailand on tourist
visas.
The Tourism Minister believes most of those who come are drawn by Thailand's
cultural, environmental and sporting attractions.
Golf is big with a large group of "Black Economic Empowerment" with tourists
currently enjoying first-class holidays here.
The Minister also listed water sports and athletics, saying a recent marathon
pulled 4,700 foreign entries.
But the government is placing a renewed effort on sex tourists and long stay
visa applicants and 'abusers'. Recent visa law under the militay government has
not shown substantive change, but has renewed enforcement efforts under current
laws restricting repeat tourist visas.
In briefings to journalists, government Ministers have been at pains to justify
the regime change, which has not been approved of by the European Union or the
US.
Despite the coup, and the tsunami two years ago, tourist numbers have in fact
increased, and international trade is at record levels.
In the major cities there is no visible sign of martial law. Most Thais have
accepted the political change, taking their cue from their monarch, who is held
in high esteem throughout the nation.
Citizen and staff
