Former Provincial Governor Somsak Pureesrisak has been appointed Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, effective April 9. He replaces the late Chumpol Silpa-archa, who passed away last January 2013.
Somsak visited the Ministry of Tourism and Sports on 5 April 2013 after his appointment was confirmed by His Majesty the King. After familiarising himself with the ongoing ministry activities, he indicated that he would make visitor safety and security a primary focus of attention.
The policy emphasis was welcomed by TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni. “Safety and security for visitors is becoming an over-arching area of importance all through the global travel & tourism industry. We constantly get questions about this matter at international trade shows, and are very pleased that the minister has taken up this issue as a matter of priority.
“The TAT looks forward to implementing initiatives from the minister in further advancing the role of travel and tourism as the country’s largest service industry and contributor to national socio-economic development.”Thailand Gets New Minister of Tourism
