Bangkok--May 26--MFA
Concerning the annual “Global Peace Index” (GPI) report released on 20 May 2008, which ranked Thailand 118th among 140 countries (from last year’s 105th place), on 23 May 2008, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to media inquiries concerning the report and commented on the credibility of GPI and on the methodology used for compiling the ranking as follows:
- The Global Peace Index ranking is compiled from data and statistics. The origin and accuracy of the data is questionable. It is also unlikely that data is up to date for all 140 countries. Moreover, GPI did not utilize “on-the-ground” data collection, ie. seeking the views of local residents, or surveying and gathering information in the field. Neither did the ranking take into account distinctions between particular localities and situations in a particular country. For instance, utilizing statistics of violence in the 3 Southern Border Provinces of Thailand as an indicator of the level of violence in Thailand as a whole without taking into account the reality that people in 73 out of 76 provinces in Thailand are living normal, peaceful lives.
- Other internationally recognized ranking institutions have ranked Thailand differently from GPI. Examples include Switzerland’s Institute of Management Development (IMD), which ranked Thailand 27th in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2008, moving up 6 places from 33rd last year. Moreover, Thailand is still regarded by many institutions as one of the leading tourist destinations. Thailand was voted the World’s Best Tourist country for the fifth consecutive year by Sweden’s Travel News Magazine and Bangkok was ranked first in the World’s Best Awards 2007 from U.S.-based Travel and Leisure Magazine. The increase in the number of tourists is also a good indicator of confidence about safety and peace in Thailand.
- Looking at the list of countries ranked by GPI, it is interesting to note that the increasing number of tourists coming to Thailand are mostly from those countries being ranked as more peaceful places than Thailand. Statistics from the Tourism Authority of Thailand shows a 4.65% increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand in 2007. Moreover, an increasing number of foreigners are acquiring properties and residences for long stays in Thailand. There are many housing estates as well as schools in many provinces of Thailand catering to, among others, Scandinavians and Japanese, young and old alike, seeking long-term stay in Thailand.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also conveyed the afore-mentioned concerns to GPI.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
Concerning the annual “Global Peace Index” (GPI) report released on 20 May 2008, which ranked Thailand 118th among 140 countries (from last year’s 105th place), on 23 May 2008, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to media inquiries concerning the report and commented on the credibility of GPI and on the methodology used for compiling the ranking as follows:
- The Global Peace Index ranking is compiled from data and statistics. The origin and accuracy of the data is questionable. It is also unlikely that data is up to date for all 140 countries. Moreover, GPI did not utilize “on-the-ground” data collection, ie. seeking the views of local residents, or surveying and gathering information in the field. Neither did the ranking take into account distinctions between particular localities and situations in a particular country. For instance, utilizing statistics of violence in the 3 Southern Border Provinces of Thailand as an indicator of the level of violence in Thailand as a whole without taking into account the reality that people in 73 out of 76 provinces in Thailand are living normal, peaceful lives.
- Other internationally recognized ranking institutions have ranked Thailand differently from GPI. Examples include Switzerland’s Institute of Management Development (IMD), which ranked Thailand 27th in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2008, moving up 6 places from 33rd last year. Moreover, Thailand is still regarded by many institutions as one of the leading tourist destinations. Thailand was voted the World’s Best Tourist country for the fifth consecutive year by Sweden’s Travel News Magazine and Bangkok was ranked first in the World’s Best Awards 2007 from U.S.-based Travel and Leisure Magazine. The increase in the number of tourists is also a good indicator of confidence about safety and peace in Thailand.
- Looking at the list of countries ranked by GPI, it is interesting to note that the increasing number of tourists coming to Thailand are mostly from those countries being ranked as more peaceful places than Thailand. Statistics from the Tourism Authority of Thailand shows a 4.65% increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand in 2007. Moreover, an increasing number of foreigners are acquiring properties and residences for long stays in Thailand. There are many housing estates as well as schools in many provinces of Thailand catering to, among others, Scandinavians and Japanese, young and old alike, seeking long-term stay in Thailand.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also conveyed the afore-mentioned concerns to GPI.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-