BANJUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Gambian Foreign Ministry on Monday apologized to Thailand for a remark by Tourism and Culture Minister Hamat Bah in which he alluded to Thailand as a sex tourism destination.

The Gambia "regrets the unfortunate comments made by the Minister of Tourism and Culture," it said in a statement. The minister's remark did not reflect the Gambian Government's view, the statement added.

On a TV program aired on Jan. 12, Bah said, ""We are not a sex destination. If you want a sex destination, you go to Thailand."

The remark gained attention when a travel news website posted it last month and the Thai Foreign Ministry lodged a protest.