THE Thai travel trade supports tourism minister Mr Chumpol Silpa-acha's decision to appoint Mr Weerasak Kowsurat chairman of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Mr Apichart Sankary, believes Mr Weerasak would be  readily understanding and attentive to the trade's needs owing to his prior experience as the tourism minister.

Thai Hotels Association president, Mr Prakit Chinamourphong, said the trade supported Mr Chumpol’s decision as it believed Mr Chumpol would put together a good working team for the development of tourism.

Mr Chumpol will appoint the former tourism minister TAT chairman within this week, before TAT's monthly board meeting on January 15.

At the board meeting, the stimulus and marketing plan for this year will be discussed, and a committee for selecting TAT's new governor will be appointed. Current TAT governor, Ms Phornsiri Manoharn, will end her term in March.