International tourism expected to grow by 3-4% percent this year, according to the publication of the UNWTO World Tourism.

 "The results of recent months indicate that the recovery is underway, and even earlier and at a pace faster than initially expected," said Secretary General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai.

Worldwide, international tourist arrivals fell by 4% in 2009 to 880 million euros, but a slight improvement on the previous estimate after the recovery of 2% in the last quarter of 2009.

By region, Asia should continue to spread the rebound stronger, while Europe and the Americas are likely to recover to a more moderate pace. Growth is expected to return to the Middle East, and Africa will continue its positive trend, benefiting from the impetus provided by the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The year 2010 is regarded as a year "transformation" that the confidence of businesses and consumers should recover, he said. However, there are some problems such as unemployment, oil prices unstable and security threats.

"Tourism () in the sector can make a vital contribution to economic recovery, particularly as the main tool for the creation of jobs and a shift to a green economy. But to do this we need a serious global policies that are promote tourism, "said Rifai.

Puea party chairman and former Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Thursday rejected the offer to lead the army "popular" United Front for Democracy against dictatorship, saying they were already leaders.

Former deputy director of Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), General Panlop Pinmanee, an opposition member Puea Thai Party, said in January Chavalit lead the red-shirt in their campaign against the government because it would attract millions of fans and "a man of the caliber of Gen Chavalit and charisma needed for their control."

"The army of the people you are fighting for true democracy and restore peace in the country," Gen Panlop said Wednesday from Dubai, where he and Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol went to meet Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chavalit said Thursday Afteernoon January did not direct the movement.

"I think it is a misunderstanding. Panlop January that I may want to help and be part of the mass of people who love this country," Chavalit said in January.

He said the red-shirts were not trying to create its own army, have just collected more supporters.

"I do not want to be a head-shirts, because they have the people who lead them," Gen Chavalit said.

He said he had not spoken yet Panlop January.

Ex-PM Thaksin (left) and President Puea Thai Chavalit

"The reason I came back to politics is to bring peace to the country and do not believe that the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra I would like the Supreme Commander of the People," said the veteran politician.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said before the statement that a people's army has been put in place to overthrow the government was only a threat to intimidate the government.

"This is an attempt to sow panic among the population or to incite more violence in the country. I do not know if Chavalit January would accept the job," he said.

"As a former prime minister, General Chavalit should help to alleviate the situation. I think the president does not occur Puea Thai agitation."

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said that the aim of revealing the plan was to push the government to negotiate with Mr Thaksin.

"Personally I think the government is ready to negotiate with all parties, but does not discuss ways to launder Thaksin. Chavalit January I also would not accept the job," said Suthep.

The government would not allow the army "popular" to incite violence and serious legal action will be taken against those who break the law.

He urged people not to inform their parents to participate in a group.

The spokesman for the interim government has said that if Chavalit January Panithan Wattanayakorn really accepted the position and led the army of red shirts of the people against the government, would be an act of treason.

"But if it were only propaganda and red-shirt rally peacefully as before, then it's all right," said Panithan.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the government would not meet Thaksin, and the observation in January on an army Panlop popular with Gen Chavalit as commander was to create a political condition.

"I want to know what is right in January Panlop submit a proposal for the talks? Is doing this just to get money from Thaksin? What he did tell the government that the army was established as a bargaining chip in negotiations. That is absolutely unacceptable, "said Sather.

The minister said that if Thaksin wanted to fight, he must first return and fight the system justice.

Legislators have received a bill establishing a code of ethics for politicians and officials, with shouts of disapproval.

Members of the House says that the code is too restrictive and almost impossible to achieve.

Deputies condemned the code yesterday at a meeting which considered the bill.

Article 279 of the Constitution requires the House a draft code of ethics. The Charter provides that the Parliamentary Ombudsman to address the case of members who have committed serious crimes in the National Anti-Corruption Commission for a recommendation on whether members should be under indictment.

The special House committee responsible for drafting the code has completed its mission, composed of 40 sections.

At the center of the controversy is a section that promotes family values, including parliamentarians and civil servants and bar infidelity.

Puea Thai Party MP for Nakhon Phanom Phaijit Sriworakhan criticized the code to affect a right to privacy States. Mr. Phaijit said that the code does not specify what makes a good model of moral norms.

Puea Thai MP for Nong Khai Banthaisong Somkid said that the point should be deleted because it might give the impression that the house was full of "bad".

"Divorce and remarriage are normal," said Somkid.

"If this regulation applies, almost half of its members would be interested."

Deputy Puea Nan Thai Cholnan Srikaew said the code was too idealistic and not produce concrete results, if eventually implemented.

But Democrat MP for Bangkok Watchara Phetthong argued that parliamentarians should serve as a model for family values.

Although having a lover, not contrary to law, to set a good example, Mr. Watchara said.

Apichart Democrats Sakdiset who sat on the panel editorial said that the code should help people to follow parliamentary conduct 'and a petition to the House ethics committee to take action against members who violate the code.

Many members also expressed his disagreement with a section that invites politicians to avoid the influence "of monetary policy." They asked to be removed.

The chairman of the drafting group, the list Charoen Kanthawong Democrat MP, said that the general outlines of the bill was to make people proud of their MP, has confirmed high moral standards.

The annual exhibition of elephants is a magnet that attracts tourists in Surin, but this province, 457 km north of Bangkok has other interesting attractions can be visited at any time of year.


''We are best known for the elephants, because we have been organizing exhibitions of elephants for 49 years,''said the governor of Surin Vichien Chavalit. ''We are also famous for silk weaving, our jasmine rice and historic sites and ancient Khmer ruins that the number over 100.''

Surin is synonymous with elephants and their association with animals dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The province is home to people since ethnic Kui known for their talent in the capture of elephants in the wild to domestic and their training in combat as well as domestic or commercial.

Their ancestors have served in the armies of former Thai kings and fought many battles against the Burmese. They also assisted the Royal White Elephant trap that had escaped Ayutthaya, north-east, their actions earn the honors. One of them, Luang Surin Phakdi Tara, was rewarded with promotion and Phraya Surin said Tara Phakdi If Narong Jangwang, equivalent to sir or a city.

Since the Rattanakosin period when King Rama I moved his capital to Bangkok, the province has been called Surin, named after its first governor, but people today Kui are a minority in the town of the province, mostly limited to Ban Ta Klang district of Tha Tum, the site of the elephant show everyday.

Most of them are farmers who raise animals like elephants and also as if they were part of the family. Thus, the annual emissions of elephants Surin guests expect to see about 300 elephants in action.