The Gambian government has apologised over comments made by its Tourism and Culture Minister Hamat Bah referring to Thailand as a sex tourism destination.
Mr Bah said on state television in January that Gambia was losing out after gaining a reputation as a sex tourism haven.
"I was trying to find out why we are not getting Scandinavian tourists any more, and I discovered that this country has been considered a sex destination," he said. "We are not a sex destination. If you want a sex destination, you go to Thailand," he added.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently issued strongly worded protest letters to Gambia while the comments went viral on social media. However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha recently said Thailand does indeed need to change its sex tourism image.
The Gambian foreign ministry, as quoted in local media, on Tuesday said it "regrets the unfortunate comments made by the Minister of Tourism and Culture". It said "measures will be put in place to prevent the occurrence of such an unfortunate incident".
