File picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The government has launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal tour operators and unlicensed tour guides, warning of strict penalties including fines of up to 500,000 baht and prison sentences of up to two years.

 

Deputy Government Spokesperson, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanajan, announced on 9 May that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has joined forces with five key agencies, namely, the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Department of Business Development, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Tourist Police Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau, to form a special task force named the Joint Operations Centre for Tackling Proxy Tour Businesses (ศปต.).

 

The centre has been established to intensify efforts against “nominee” tour companies, those illegally using Thai nationals as business fronts for foreign operators and unlicensed tour guides. The aim is to raise tourism industry standards and ensure the safety and legality of services provided to both domestic and international visitors.

 

From October 2024 to March 2025, inspections were carried out on 940 tour companies and 338 guides. Violations included operating without a licence, failing to display permits, and not providing insurance for tourists. Among tour guides, common infractions involved working without a licence and not carrying the required work assignment documentation.

 

Penalties for unlicensed tour operators include a fine of up to 500,000 baht or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Unlicensed guides face up to a 100,000 baht fine or one year in prison. All tour promotions must clearly display a valid licence number, the company’s name, and its official address. Only licensed guides are permitted to lead tours.

 

The government is urging the public to report suspected violations via the Department of Tourism’s official Facebook page or by emailing.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-11.

 

 

 

Means in a few days all the Russians kicked out or what?

THailand... welcoming tourists is number one priority as we can see ..... tomorrow TAT will complain that the numbers of tourists are going down...

4 hours ago, norsurin said:

Means in a few days all the Russians kicked out or what?

 

Just the ones that don't pay up.  They've now been warned.

 

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

THailand... welcoming tourists is number one priority as we can see ..... tomorrow TAT will complain that the numbers of tourists are going down...

 

Exactly. Always 'amazing' to see how different government departments pull into different directions, frequently shooting the others, or, even better, themselves repeatedly into the foot... 😆 

 

Yes, foreign tour guides are illegal, but where are the Russian, Mandarin, Hindi, French, German, etc., speaking Thai tour guides? 

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

but where are the Russian, Mandarin, Hindi, French, German, etc., speaking Thai tour guides? 

That's easy ..... they're in Russia, China, India, France and Germany. The Thai speaking ones are here in Thailand. 🙂

Great timing!

Right at the end of the high season they have a crackdown. I'm guessing that a lot of these illegals will already have plans to move to another country for the next six months, if they haven't already.

 

Maybe the crackdown needs to happen in November or December to have a proper impact.

Didn’t know you needed a deputy spokesperson- is the actual spokesperson too busy? 

On 5/11/2025 at 2:59 AM, Georgealbert said:

The government has launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal tour operators and unlicensed tour guides, warning of strict penalties including fines of up to 500,000 baht and prison sentences of up to two years.

For the tour guide employers?

On 5/11/2025 at 6:22 AM, ikke1959 said:

THailand... welcoming tourists is number one priority as we can see ..... tomorrow TAT will complain that the numbers of tourists are going down...

 

On 5/11/2025 at 6:22 AM, ikke1959 said:

THailand... welcoming tourists is number one priority as we can see ..... tomorrow TAT will complain that the numbers of tourists are going down...

What’s that got to do with the subject matter? Illegal tour operators is not acceptable anywhere in the world. 

19 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

 

What’s that got to do with the subject matter? Illegal tour operators is not acceptable anywhere in the world. 

With outdated laws, you can make everything illegal... There is just no possibility for a foreign guide to work here as a guide as it is an occupation for Thai people only.... An outdated law that maybe once was needed but with the tourists from all over the world you need more anguages. and Thais only speak Thai and maybe some English but no Dutch, French, Russian, Hindu, Spanish and many more languages. So the law calls kt illegal if people guide in foreign languages, but it is just impossible to get a workpermit for this profession...and same for tourcompanies... You only can start a business in Thailand if 51% of the shares is in hands of Thai.. and 1 foreign worker is allowed if you have 3 Thai workers... Thailand is pushing everything into illegality by protectionism and outdated laws and rules... In many other countries there are not such protection laws 

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

With outdated laws, you can make everything illegal... There is just no possibility for a foreign guide to work here as a guide as it is an occupation for Thai people only.... An outdated law that maybe once was needed but with the tourists from all over the world you need more anguages. and Thais only speak Thai and maybe some English but no Dutch, French, Russian, Hindu, Spanish and many more languages. So the law calls kt illegal if people guide in foreign languages, but it is just impossible to get a workpermit for this profession...and same for tourcompanies... You only can start a business in Thailand if 51% of the shares is in hands of Thai.. and 1 foreign worker is allowed if you have 3 Thai workers... Thailand is pushing everything into illegality by protectionism and outdated laws and rules... In many other countries there are not such protection laws 

Understood your frustration however outdated law is an oxymoron. Law is always current and right until it is repealed. People can petition to allow foreign tour operators to be allowed but can’t break the law at will. 

37 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Understood your frustration however outdated law is an oxymoron. Law is always current and right until it is repealed. People can petition to allow foreign tour operators to be allowed but can’t break the law at will. 

Indeed, but when was the last time these kind of laws were reviewed or renewed?? Thailand is still 50 years or more behind as it is very conservative and changes are almost impossible to do... Look for the alcohol sales/buying hours for example..Not of the 21st century anymore, and also the strict section 112 law... and the protected jobs law.. This is 2015 and people who like to work can/must work and the lazy ones don't need to be protected.. and than we still don't talk about the immigration conservative handling of foreigners... Everytime for everything the same paperworks instead of scanning and only a new paper if something/ or the thing that is changing... But it needs reforms of laws and Thailand is not doing anything to make things easier or better