Members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council led by its chairman, Somchai Vasaratchatrakoon, recently visited Samui to learn how the island was managing its tourism industry. The council is the legislative arm of the Bangkok metropolitan government.

Samui mayor Ramnet Jaikwang said that during their three-day (Dec. 1-3) visit, the councilmen tried to study various aspects of the island’s administration, including infrastructure development, wastewater and garbage management, transportation, crime prevention and dealing with environmental problems.

Ramnet said Bangkok planned to step up its tourism efforts. And Bangkok officials want to learn from Samui, one of the country’s top tourist destinations, on how to keep tourists happy.

Virat Meanchainon, vice chairman of the council, said their visit was meant to strengthen relations between Metropolitan Bangkok and Samui.

Virat said the country’s capital had a lot to learn from Samui in the area of tourism.

Samui, he added, has a vast experience in this field, having built its tourism from scratch. Bangkok can draw valuable lessons from Samui’s experience in rebuilding the capital’s tourism industry.

Ramnet said Samui was honored by the visit and for being used as a model for Bangkok’s new tourism thrust. -- CA