Indian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Harsh Vardhan Shringla called on top Pattaya officials to brainstorm ideas on ways to improve tourism from India.
The 30-minute meeting mainly covered topics related to maintaining good relationships in tourism between India and Thailand and complaints leveled about the city by Indian tourists.
Itthiphol said Indian tourism is a huge market for Thailand with strong growth potential, so it is very important that officials understand tourists’ needs and provide good security.
(L to R) Pattaya Tourist Police Chief Lt. Col. Arun Promphan and Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome exchange gifts with Indian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Arvind Kumar, consul at the Embassy of India to Thailand after a fruitful meeting at city hall.
He also explained that cultural differences could have caused some misunderstandings in communication between the tourists and the local vendors, and he offered solutions to call regular meetings with tour operators to inform them about rules, regulations and better cultural understanding.
After the City Hall visit, Shringla visited the Indian community at the Sikh temple in South Pattaya. He arrived just as women were performing their regular prayers and he said he was touched by the discipline to maintain this beautiful tradition wherever they are.
Amrik Singh Kalra (left) President of Pattaya Sikh Community together with members of the Sikh congregation welcome H.E. Harsh Vardhan Shringla to the ‘Gurdwara’.
After his speech to thank the community for the warm welcome, the ambassador joined in the “langar,” (communal lunch) after which he was interviewed by Pattaya Mail.
Shringla said he had been to Pattaya 25 years ago but this was the first visit in an official capacity. “It certainly isn’t the same place today,” he said.
Shringla said he has been in his post in Bangkok for eight months, but realizes Pattaya, with 600,000 Indian tourists visiting the city each year, “is very important to us.”
Indian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Arvind Kumar, consul at the Embassy of India to Thailand, Pratheep Malhotra, Managing Director of the Pattaya Mail Media Group, and Paramjit Singh Ghogar solemnly pray, offering their respects to the Sikh Temple in South Pattaya.
Touching on his meeting with Itthiphol and police volunteers, Shringla said he was told officials “attach a lot of importance to Indian tourism and that the mayor has set up an infrastructure for Indian tourists.”
“The mayor and I spoke about the very small number of incidents that affect Indian tourists, and I must say that the mayor and his staff were very cooperative and they understand what the issues are,” Shringla said. “I read in the news today that the government is making a concerted drive to eliminate some of these problems.”
One hot topic was the continuing jet-ski extortion scams, which have victimized many an Indian tourist. “I was assured by the mayor and the Tourist Police chief they are working to solve it.”
Shringla said he also received a pledge from Itthiphol that the city would hold a meeting to discuss problems between Indian tourists and tour guides, who cause “inconveniences” to them. He also said the meeting would cover “pre-emptive” measures that can be taken by tour operators and hotels, such as supplying guests cards showing where they are staying in case a tourist is involved in an accident.
“I should also acknowledge that we have a few Indian citizens who are also police volunteers to render assistance to Indians, working with police authorities to facilitate help and decrease the level of discomfort for any of our tourists who get into any bad situation and to coordinate and inform the embassy for consular assistance,” Shringla said. “So although we may not have a physical presence here, we do appreciate that we have Indian citizens who help us in their voluntary capacity in providing this service.”
He said providing some “dos and don’ts” to tourists also would prevent problems.
“Thailand attracts about 1 million Indian tourists a year and 60 percent of those come to Pattaya, which is a very large figure,” he said. “Clearly there are bound to be some problems. If we can preempt the problems and address them we can reduce the incumbency.
“We will be well served if there is adequate information not only from established channels like the police and the mayor’s office and ourselves at the embassy, but also informally from newspapers, social media, and TV, of which I thank the Pattaya Mail for this cooperation, as well as the Sikh temple where we are now, where local advice can be given informally which will be a great help,” he said.
Shringla has traveled the world and speaks five languages, but refuses to say which country is his favorite.
“Each place has given me great experience and interaction with the people of those countries. Thailand is, of course, an excellent place to be posted in as the people are very warm, friendly and because of our traditions and cultures, plus a not so long distance to travel, it makes me feel very much at home.”
So while Indian tourism to Thailand continues to expand, the ambassador also keeps an eye on Thais going to India.
“There are 100,000 Thais visiting India every year, mostly on pilgrimages along the Buddha trail,” he said. “The Indian Tourism Board intends to expand on this and add highlights on many other beautiful places of interest. Welcome to India!”
