Authority asks US to lift travel advisory against Thailand

BANGKOK, January 28 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said on Friday that his Ministry of Tourism and Sports will write to ask the US Embassy in Bangkok to lift its travel advisory against Thailand over terror threats, as asked by tour operators. Chumpol acknowledged that the Counter Terrorism Bureau (CTB) of Israel has already called off a similar travel advisory against Thailand, after Thai security officers have apprehended and detained a Lebanese terrorist suspect and seized bomb precursors. Chumpol told reporters that China, Germany and France have also cancelled their warnings against Thailand, noting, however, apart from the United States, 14 other countries have remained their travel advisories against Thailand. According to the deputy premier, the "Miracle Thailand Year" campaign will be launched later this year to promote the Thai tourism, beginning with the Songkran Festival in mid April, with authorities concerned having planned activities, including inviting a world-renowned musician, Yanni, to perform and organising a fair in front of his Tourism and Sports Ministry on Rajadamnoen Avenue on weekends to promote Thai products. (TNA)