In a bid to restore confidence in the wake of the Phuket boat disaster, Thailand has launched the National Tourism Safety and Security Committee.
The body aims to improve the country’s safety and security standards which have been under intense scrutiny after 47 Chinese tourists died in the Phoenix boat sinking near Phuket.
It has resulted in mass trip cancellations by Chinese travellers.
It will be overseen by tourism and sports minister Weerasak Kowsurat.
Weerasak said guidance issued by the committee will not only focus on marine tourism but also on land based attractions and crime reduction.
He said he has instructed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to create new preventive safety and crisis management manuals.
TAT will soon announce special promotional packages for the Chinese market targeting the peak Golden Week period in October.
The China source market is the largest, accounting for more than a third of all travellers at more than 10 million a year.
