Thailand vows to improve security for tourists after attack

Shaken by widespread publicity after a vicious attack on two tourists, Thailand’s Tourism Ministry has vowed to implement improved safety measures for visitors.

Officials acknowledged the assault on two Malaysians could affect tourism numbers, news hub Travel Mole reported.

The Malaysian couple were doused in chemicals and set on fire in Bangkok in a random attack by a Thai man. The attacker was caught and held by other people at the scene and handed over to Lumpini police when they arrived, The Bangkok Post reported.

The ministry made an official statement about the incident on social media.

It promised improved safety measures in tourist areas to boost overall confidence for international visitors.

The overriding message was that Thailand remains safe for visitors, which was echoed by tourist police chief, Lt-Gen Saksira Phuak-um.

One Yik Leong, 26, and Gan Xiao Zhen, 27 were doused in paint thinner and then set alight in a tourist precinct. Both were seriously injured but were in a stable condition in hospital.

They were attacked outside a Bangkok shopping mall with no immediate apparent motive.

They could remain in hospital for up to a month, officials say.

“Malaysia places its full trust in Thai authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation, and will provide full co-operation as required,” the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said.

The global media coverage of the incident has been extensive and has been seen as a major setback for Thailand’s tourism industry.

When maniacs strike: Are you safe when flying?

Do you ever wonder why heavy glass bottles are allowed on international flights, but knitting needles, plastic water bottles and nail clippers can be banned and confiscated?

Simple answer. It is all about money - in this case for airport duty free outlets.

It is clear that a heavy Champagne bottle, or magnum of whisky, makes a pretty handy weapon. 

As passengers on the British Airways flight discovered this week.

British media reported that a passenger was stabbed during a violent incident on a Caribbean bound flight from London's Gatwick Airport.

It was reported that a man stormed into aircraft galley area, allegedly smashed a bottle and used it as a weapon during an argument with another passenger.

One man suffered a large wound with lots of blood, according to media reports.

“We’re shocked that anyone would act in this way and are grateful to our highly trained cabin crew and the customers who supported them,” a British Airways spokesperson said.

“We want to assure customers that this behaviour will never be tolerated.”

Which is all well and good.

Except flight crew are not capable of stopping incidents like this. They are fewer in number than they used to be - and a lot of them are not physically capable of ending a brawl.

The plane eventually landed safely and as scheduled at Hewanorra International Airport (above) on the island of Saint Lucia.

The St Lucia Times reported that the alleged assailant was arrested and the incident is currently under investigation. 

How safe do you feel? 

Whale watching becomes a dangerous pursuit

When you go whale watching one of the last things you'd expect is to be injured by a whale.

Except that has happened twice in the past month, Travel Mole reports.

A humpback whale landed on top of a boat off Ahome, Mexico, this week, badly damaging the craft and injuring four people onboard. One was seriously injured.

Local officials have now warned boat operators carrying tourists to keep their distance from migrating whales off the coast.

“Please do not get too close to the whales: we can enjoy their beauty, but at a distance, prudently,” said the mayor of Ahome, Gerardo Vargas.

The boat’s roof collapsed after it was body slammed by the whale and the vessel had to be towed back to port.

Local media reported that it was being investigated whether those on board were harassing the whale, and whether the attack was deliberate.

The region is noted as a place for whale watching with migrating humpback and blue whales.

A similar incident occurred last month in La Paz, Baja California Sur, when five people were injured.