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The Thai Senate, alarmed at the increasing influence of foreign businesses masked by local proxies, is pressing the government for a resolute intervention in the tourism industry. This comes amidst growing concerns over the impact on local enterprises who find themselves struggling against this veiled foreign competition.

 

At a recent meeting, Senator Nantana Nantavaropas raised pressing questions about the support available for local businesses disadvantaged by these foreign influences. In response, Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong confirmed that the ministry is engaging with impacted local operators to devise a customised response.

 

Minister Sorawong highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that these foreign-dominated businesses could soon command a large chunk of the tourism industry, a critical source of the nation's foreign revenue. The initial plan of action involves removing foreign tour guides from popular tourist sites across Thailand.

According to Thai law, tourism businesses must be owned and operated by Thai nationals, with Thai shareholders holding at least 51% of any such company.

 

To ensure compliance, the ministry plans to collaborate with several government bodies, including the Department of Tourism, the Department of Business Development, the Department of Special Investigation, the Tourism Police Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau, to scrutinise businesses suspected of using local proxies.

 

Minister Sorawong also noted that many tourism businesses continue to face challenges due to ongoing capacity constraints post-Covid-19. The government is coordinating with airlines to reinstate routes that were cancelled during the pandemic, particularly targeting connections with India as the high tourism season approaches.

 

Additionally, efforts are underway to dismantle illegal "zero-dollar" tour operations, which essentially create isolated tourism ecosystems catering solely to foreign visitors. This year, more than 40 such businesses have been shut down by the authorities, a significant move towards preserving the integrity of Thailand’s tourism industry, reported Bangkok Post.

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-10-22