Bangkok: Thai tourism officials have suggested a novel way to attract foreigners to the country's beaches, temples and mountains – promote life under a century-old martial law that was imposed as the army seized power in a bloodless coup in May.
They say that reminding tourists of military rule will make them feel safe 24 hours a day, and that will help reverse a 19 per cent drop in tourist arrivals between January and September, compared with the previous year.
"We want the tourists to be confident that they can travel in Thailand both day and night and with safety at all times," Thawatchi Arunyik, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, was quoted telling the Thai Rath newspaper.
He suggested the concept may create a "buzz" in social media.
However, key Thai tourist organisations have called for the ruling military junta to lift martial law, blaming it for many tourists shunning the country once known as the "land of smiles".
Since the coup soldiers with machineguns have disappeared from Thai streets but the military has taken control of almost all aspects of life, including banning gatherings of more than five people.
Under the 1914 law soldiers have essentially unlimited authority and no person can claim any compensation for any damages that may result from their actions.
Soldiers can search any vehicle or building at any time and can inspect any letter, printed or transmitted material, including the internet.
They can force people to work for the military, censor the media or detain anyone they have a reasonable ground to suspect is an "enemy".
Dissenters are tried in military courts.
Human rights groups have condemned the law, and the country has struggled to maintain its attraction as one of the top destinations for foreign tourists, including Australians, following the brutal slaying of two British tourists on the Gulf of Thailand resort island of Koh Tao in September.
The fall-out from the hacking to death of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, continued on Tuesday as Britain summoned the Thai charge d'affairs in London to raise concerns over the police investigations following criticism of shoddy forensic work and concern that two arrested Myanmar men may have confessed to the crimes under duress.
The murders have focused attention on a dark underbelly and mafia-like groups in resorts like Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Phuket, where the military and police have overseen a crackdown on tourist scams and cleared beaches of illegal structures.
Fifty countries have issued travel advisories in relation to Thailand.
Australia's smartraveller.gov.au advisory points out that martial law continues to be imposed nationwide.
"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorism attack, including in Bangkok and Phuket," the advisory says.
"The security situation remains volatile," it says.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, in part blamed martial law for tourist arrivals dropping from 11.3 million to 9.1 million between January and September. Bookings for the approaching high season are also down on the previous year.
"Foreigners are still unsure about their safety in the country and feel uncomfortable about coming here at a time martial law is in force," Mr Sisdivachr told the Nation newspaper.
'The only way to return confidence would be to lift this law," he said.
Tourism officials also point out that tourists have trouble obtaining travel insurance while martial law remains in place.
