Authorities have arrested an unlicensed tour operator in Surat Thani after discovering the company was illegally selling overseas travel packages despite having its licence revoked, leaving 23 tourists caught up in the scheme.
Get today's headlines by email 
On 5 May 2026, officials from the Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office (Southern Region 1), working with Tourist Police investigators, launched an operation following a tip-off about illegal tour activities in the area. The suspect, operating under the name “Bunyanuch Travel”, had been advertising five-day, four-night Malaysia–Singapore packages via Facebook.
Checks with the Department of Tourism confirmed the company had previously held a valid licence, numbered 42/00451, but this had been revoked on 13 July 2025. Despite this, the operator continued to sell tour packages in breach of the law.
Officers moved in at the final stop of the tour programme, at a public transport point within the Surat Thani Provincial Government Centre. There, they found 23 tourists who had purchased the packages, along with full payment records serving as evidence.
The unnamed Thai suspect now faces a charge of operating a tour business without a licence under the Tourism Business and Guide Act B.E. 2551 (2008). The offence carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both. The individual has been handed over to investigators at Surat Thani City Police Station for legal proceedings.
Jaturon Phakdeewanich, Director-General of the Department of Tourism, said the case highlights the risks faced by Thai tourists who purchase low-cost travel packages online without verifying licences. He noted that Surat Thani is a key tourism gateway province, making it a target for such illegal operations.
He urged travellers to check the status of tour companies with the Department of Tourism before making any bookings, to avoid financial loss and potential fraud.
Thaitabloid reported that authorities are expected to continue cracking down on unlicensed tourism businesses, particularly those using social media to reach customers. Further inspections and enforcement actions are likely in major travel hubs to prevent similar cases.
Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid
Join the discussion? 
Already a member? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 7 May 2026