“Backpackers are intellectual tourists. They are adventurous, generally well behaved and I regard each of them as seeking a better understanding of our culture. Why don’t we welcome them? They are decent people and they will come back again and again.”

After many months of different messages from the government, some indicating that Thailand is now interested only in big-spending tourists, Tourism Minister Dr.Suvit Yodmani spelled out a clear and unequivocal welcome to ‘Good Morning Chiang Mai News’.

Dr.Suvit, answering a question from GM Deputy Editor David Hardcastle, said that on several occasions he had walked down Khao San Road, the Bangkok backpacker’s haven, and been impressed by the people he met.

“They wear shorts, they are high risk adventurers and they become ambassadors for Thailand. They are quality people. Two American Ambassadors came to Thailand first of all as backpackers. The head of Bloomberg Thailand at the age of 32 or 33 came first as a backpacker. Now he probably earns more than I do as a Minister aged 65!”

Dr.Suvit’s responsibilities as a Minister will end on December 23rd when Thailand goes to the polls to elect a new government to replace the current military ‘caretaker’ government. We at GM would welcome Dr.Suvit’s continued involvement and understanding of the tourists who first put Chiang Mai on the map!