As foreign tourists return to Thailand so do associated problems - this time drugs, but are "zero dollar" tours on comeback?

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath filed a special report in which they noted that foreign tourism into Thailand in August was 1.17 million people.

 

Compared to last year's August that was up 7,000%, they commented drily. 

 

But they said that with the return of tourists has come the return of problems associated with tourism.

 

They reported on a bust at 3 am yesterday when the metropolitan police raided a building in Sathon that had been converted into 20 karaoke rooms after opening four months ago.

 

Outside were parked cars including a Rolls Royce, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and BMW.

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Inside were 237 Chinese, mostly tourists - 111 men and 126 women.

 

There were 19 Thai and Cambodian staff.

 

Maj-Gen Nitithorn Jintakanon said that 300 packets of ketamine happy water were found. The packets were being sold to the tourists for 10,000 baht each.

 

The vehicles outside were seized in the raid and there appear irregularities in some of their registrations.

 

Police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Achayon Kraithong said that most of the tourists were in Thailand on tourist visas or VoA. 

 

A total of 104 tested positive for drugs with a purple urine result. Further tests are underway at Thanyarak Hospital to determine what was in their systems. 

 

The ones not taking drugs would be released.

 

Those on drugs would be considered for blacklisting and deportation after the legal process has finished. 

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

He said that they were looking into the ownership of the business as well as the tourists. 

 

He said that before the pandemic there had been many problems with so called "zero dollar" tours for the Chinese. 

 

These effectively brought very little money into Thailand and were usually run by Chinese with nominees who kept the money out of the country. 

 

Action by the authorities dramatically reduced the business.

 

He pointed out that tourism from China has changed since before and during the pandemic with restrictions still in place by the Chinese government and people who do manage to holiday relying on small groups or travelling idependently using apps and recommendations. 

 

But the conditions are there for a return of the menace of "zero dollar" tours so the force will be keeping a close watch on the tourism sector as it continues its recover, said Achayon. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-10-27

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[Photoguy21]

So primarily it was the Chinese that were the problem as they were the majority but a long way. This should, along with past experience, throw up warning signs but I doubt if it will.

[sammieuk1]

Two buckets of happy water please 10 billion buckets of unhappy water currently emptying over HH in a biblical storm  ????

[jvs]

Another cover up,it was a casino!

[jvs]

2 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Two buckets of happy water please 10 billion buckets of unhappy water currently emptying over HH in a biblical storm  ????

A little of topic but here in Cha-am we had 60mm in just over two hours.

[dave moir]

Still the government love the Chinese! They are even opening up to foreigners being able to buy land!!!

The Chinese invasion is just around the corner.

For years the money made from all forms of Chinese business in Thailand will have been and is still being skimmed off and Thailand will see diddly squat of any revenue ????

[bbi1]

[quote]Police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Achayon Kraithong said that most of the tourists were in Thailand on tourist visas or VoA.[/quote]

 

Why would anyone coming here on a tourist visa or VOA be buying luxury cars let alone any sort of vehicle?

Edited October 27, 2022 by bbi1

[Maejo Man]

Why would anyone coming here on a tourist visa or VOA be buying luxury cars let alone any sort of vehicle?

Precisely ...There is way more to this story than being reported.

[ed strong]

Never heard this term 'zero dollar' tourist especially when they cough up 10,000 thb per enriched water, they are definitely not short of a few quid and i doubt they  eat and sleep on the beach!

 

I think / guess that the Thai authorities want them here on a package type tour, whereby they are supervised by their own and stick to a regular schedule taking in the sites and making sure the dollars end up with the tourist structure. Although the staff were Thai so im not sure how all the money ends up outside the country?

 

 

 

 

 

[ed strong]

2 minutes ago, Maejo Man said:

Why would anyone coming here on a tourist visa or VOA be buying luxury cars let alone any sort of vehicle?

Precisely ...There is way more to this story than being reported.

Not everyone there was a tourist but yes agree there is something missing from this story as mentioned above it sounds more likely a casino than a karoke bar,

[Bazerino]

Ketamine Happy Water? What sort of a buzz are they going to be getting off of this?

[sambum]

15 minutes ago, ed strong said:

Never heard this term 'zero dollar' tourist especially when they cough up 10,000 thb per enriched water, they are definitely not short of a few quid and i doubt they  eat and sleep on the beach!

 

I think / guess that the Thai authorities want them here on a package type tour, whereby they are supervised by their own and stick to a regular schedule taking in the sites and making sure the dollars end up with the tourist structure. Although the staff were Thai so im not sure how all the money ends up outside the country?

Possibly when they hand the takings over at the end of the night to their boss(es)?

[Thailand]

Most Chinese cannot get out of the towns and cities they live in let alone holiday in Thailand.

[shackleton]

It looks like the Chinese Mafia are here in force all I am reading lately is clubs karaoke bars ect

Which are all run by Chinese gangsters in Bangkok Pattaya ect 

Must be plenty of Chinese tourists with money to spend ????

 

[TheFishman1]

It’s funny how they start  this topic foreigners why don’t they say 99.9% we’re all from China the Chinese here on more property and illegal businesses then the police hear the police you have so many illegal businesses and money schemes going on in Thailand to occupations that are probably on the top of the list a policeman or a monk both of them have very very very many benefits TIT

[hellohello123]

Who would have thought! Increased tourism =increased tourism related issues

 

Man I feel really SMRT

[Mavideol]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Inside were 237 Chinese, mostly tourists - 111 men and 126 women.

and I thought they have been "begging" the Chinese to come back .... should have been careful what they  wished for 555

[wombat]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Outside were parked cars including a Rolls Royce, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and BMW.

Not to shabby then?

[wombat]

34 minutes ago, shackleton said:

 

Must be plenty of Chinese tourists with money to spend 

 

How are they getting out of China?

Isn't the country still in lockdown?

[connda]

So the drug problems in Thailand is because of dirty tourists?
Maybe so.  What other fool would buy ketamine "happy water" for 10K a shot.  Idiots.

See the Thai locals don't have that problem.  They can by methamphetamine for 10 TBH a pill.  Heck, that 1000 pills for 10k.  But of course, the massive meth (yaa baa) problem can't be blamed on dirty tourists because it really is a domestic issue. 
But?  Give the government and MSM time enough and it will become a dirty tourist problem. 

[MarcelV]

Zero-dollar tourists do not buy Porsches or Rolls Royces.

No, the rich Chinese have never left Thailand and no way do they transfer all hard-earned baht straight to JXP's personal bank account, or the account of the CCP for that matter.

[Cake Monster]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Outside were parked cars including a Rolls Royce, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and BMW.

Wot ! No buses

Hardly the Transport of Zero Dollar Tourists.

 

[connda]

The TAT new promotions:

Come To Thailand And Swear Not To Have Any Fun! 

When owners of Thai night-life venues offer you drugs?  It's your fault for being a foreigner.  If you didn't come to Thailand, they wouldn't have offered you drugs!
All Foreigners are bad.  Please just send your money by don't come to Thailand.
Da*m dirty foreigners.

[Bangkok Barry]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Outside were parked cars including a Rolls Royce, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and BMW.

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

300 packets of ketamine happy water were found. The packets were being sold to the tourists for 10,000 baht each.

Sounds as if Thailand has attracted the rich tourists that the government wanted. What's the problem ????

[Thailand]

1 hour ago, wombat said:

How are they getting out of China?

Isn't the country still in lockdown?

 As simple as the fact that most of them probably already live here perhaps.

[Mad mick]

9 hours ago, jvs said:

Another cover up,it was a casino!

Chinese got them every where in Mactan where lm at in Philippines  subdivision where l live next door to the our local onsite convenience store widows all blacked out quiet signs up  once got peak inside some work going on ! was all these little booths curtains accross and computers online gambling right under nose of local internal security staff & local Police driving around sticks out like sore toe but local cops & so calledd security  guards at subdivision see nothing !! Yet everyone who lives here knows ???????????? not just Thailand 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Mad mick

[Harveyboy]

may be deported  my ass. Rollers..Mercs..  BMW...10 grand for happy water these people have cash and will be connected.wait till they start asking to BIB ..do you know who I am / who I work for ..sod all will happen just a show  Money Money Money 

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, sambum said:

Possibly when they hand the takings over at the end of the night to their boss(es)?

Are you suggesting that the results of happy endings (happy water) are passed on to the bosses by girls paid piece work?????

[SiSePuede419]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

The packets were being sold to the tourists for 10,000 baht each.

Never fell into a K-Hole before but that sounds like an hell of an expensive buzz.

 

Of course I used to pay 50¢ USD for a hit of pure liquid LSD-25 back in the 80's, so I'm no spring chicken. ????

[Geordieabroad]

8 hours ago, bbi1 said:

[quote]Police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Achayon Kraithong said that most of the tourists were in Thailand on tourist visas or VoA.[/quote]

 

Why would anyone coming here on a tourist visa or VOA be buying luxury cars let alone any sort of vehicle?

They weren't buying them, they were props bought by the owners to make it look like some sort of carwash/valet/detail company