THAILAND SAFE FOR TOURISTS, SAYS ENVOY

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Thailand, which is in the midst of a political crisis, is still safe for tourists and they are welcome to visit the country, Thai Ambassador to Malaysia Piyawat Niyomrerks said Friday.

The political protests only affected a certain area near Government House
but the rest of Bangkok and the other provinces were safe to visit, he told
reporters after opening Thailand Outlet 2008 at the Mid Valley Exhibition
Centre, here.

Thailand has been in political turmoil since Aug 26 when thousands of
anti-government protesters seized the Prime Minister's Office at Government
House, and called for the resignation of Samak Sundaravej as prime minister
because they claim he is a proxy of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Constitution Court disqualified Samak after finding him guilty of
hosting two cooking programmes while still in office.

A crucial parliament session to pick Thailand's new prime minister has been
postponed to next Wednesday.

"The political situation still experiences some stagnation but we hope that
by next week the House of Representatives can convene again and choose a new
prime minister, thereby giving Thailand another chance to have a new
government," Piyawat said.

On Friday's event, he said Thailand Outlet was the first exhibition
organised by the Office of Commercial Affairs of the Thai embassy here.

Forty-two companies are participating in the exhibition and displaying Thai
products like food and handicraft.