BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister of Tourism and Sports Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn has ordered an urgent investigation into reports that a foreign tour guide allegedly forced a group of Chinese tourists to buy products recommended by an unauthorized guide, threatening that they would not be allowed to return home otherwise.
The Minister instructed the Department of Tourism, in coordination with the Tourist Police Bureau, to urgently verify the facts — including the location, time of incident, the tour company involved, and details of the travel program — to ensure fairness to all parties and to protect Thailand’s image as a leading tourism destination.
According to the Department of Tourism, the case may violate Thailand’s Tour Business and Guide Act, B.E. 2551 (2008). The foreign guide faces up to one year in jail or a 100,000-baht fine for working without a license, while the Thai guide could face up to six months in jail or a 50,000-baht fine for allowing another to perform guide duties. The tour company may also face a fine between 5,000 and 50,000 baht and a license suspension of up to six months for taking unfair advantage of tourists.
Atthakorn stressed that if the investigation confirms the allegations, strict legal action will be taken, as such conduct constitutes deception and coercion of tourists, which is unacceptable. He reaffirmed that the Ministry will proceed in accordance with the law to safeguard tourists’ rights and maintain the integrity and credibility of Thailand’s tourism industry. (NNT)
