webfact 82,510 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Gambia apologises to Thailand over sex tourism comments FILE photo The Gambian government has officially apologised after one of its ministers said Thailand was a haven for foreign sex tourists. Last month, Hamat Bah, Gambia’s minister of Tourism and Culture angered Thai officials when he said tourists who are looking for sex should go to Thailand because Gambia is not a sex tourism destination. "We are not a sex destination. If you want a sex destination, you go to Thailand," Mr Bah said in an interview which first aired on Gambian TV on 12 January. The remark gained attention when it was picked up by a travel news website more than one month later. The comments resulted in the Thai government making an official complaint to its Gambian counterparts. But now Gambia has officially apologised. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia regrets the unfortunate comments made by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, in which he referred the Tourism Sector of Thailand in a negative manner during televised TV Programme aired on 12 January 2018, read an official government statement. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to express its heartfelt apologies to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and extends assurances that measures will be put in place to prevent the occurrence of such an unfortunate incidence. The Ministry extends its profound assurances to the Government of Thailand that the remarks of the Minister are not to be construed as a reflection of the Government’s view on the Tourism Sector of Thailand,” it added. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs values the excellent relations shared with the Kingdom of Thailand and wishes to renew its commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two brother countries.” Earlier this month in a statement released to Reuters, Thailand’s tourism body distanced itself from its sex destination image, saying it “strongly opposes any form of sex tourism”. “The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) ensures that its marketing strategy and policy to move Thailand forward as the ‘Quality Destination’ has stepped in the right direction ... and strongly opposes any form of sex tourism,” the TAT said in a statement. Prime Minister Prayuth also recently weighed in on the subject, urging all concerned to help Thailand shake its image as a sex destination for foreigners. While Prayuth acknowledged that Thailand’s image has for a long time been tainted due to its image as a sex destination, he said that many people in the country make their living from working in the sex industry. He said that while some people were forced into the sex trade due to poverty, many others did it through choice. “Some people love expensive goods, but they don’t have the money, so they resorted to the easy means to earn quick money,” he said. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-03-07 Link to post Share on other sites
Thaiwrath 36,968 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 If it's anything like a Thai apology, it ain't worth a carrot. Link to post Share on other sites
lamyai3 6,867 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 They can at least take consolation that the minister's name is Bah. Hope he's been moved to an inactive post already. Link to post Share on other sites
Thailand 18,699 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 And their fingers were crossed behind their backs when giving the apology! Link to post Share on other sites
poanoi 2,409 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 2 minutes ago, lamyai3 said: They can at least take consolation that the minister's name is Bah. Hope he's been moved to an inactive post already. yeah, that was a remarkably dumb official statement by bah Link to post Share on other sites
YetAnother 21,167 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 1 hour ago, webfact said: “The Ministry extends its profound assurances to the Government of Thailand that the remarks of the Minister are not to be construed as a reflection of the Government’s view on the Tourism Sector of Thailand,” the statement read. needless and pointless, the other minister called it exactly how it is Link to post Share on other sites
Get Real 8,560 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 He just made an appology for beeing bah. On the other hand it was not anything untrue to appologize for. Link to post Share on other sites
Darcula 15,465 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 1 hour ago, webfact said: not to be construed as a reflection of the Government’s view on the Tourism Sector of Thailand Wow, massive victory for Thailand that. Link to post Share on other sites
ezzra 44,133 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Sticks and stones... but Thailand's reputation as a family's holiday destination will not be tarnished.. ( why Just the other day, i saw nuns crushing grapes in Pattaya, and friars baking bread)..... Link to post Share on other sites
Justfine 2,016 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Cambodia and Phils are the s destinations. Thailand is a mainstream destination. Link to post Share on other sites
Justfine 2,016 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Just now, ezzra said: Sticks and stones... but Thailand's reputation as a family's holiday destination will not be tarnished.. ( Just the other day, i saw nuns crushing grapes in Pattaya, and friars baking bread)..... 37m tourists. Most don't bother with Pattaya. Link to post Share on other sites
ponder 138 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 “Some people love expensive goods, but they don’t have the money, so they resorted to the easy means to earn quick money,” he said. Others borrow them from their friends. Link to post Share on other sites
thailand49 2,464 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 I guess if you say it enough sooner or later you believe it yourself? See, the Thai official don't have to travel far or be tourist they run their own brothels. Link to post Share on other sites
overherebc 18,802 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Does this mean his photo can stay on the jam jars? Link to post Share on other sites
anon467367354 1,365 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Everyone knows Thailand's reputation, does the "apology" really hold any water, has it or will it change anything? Link to post Share on other sites
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