Crime Facebook Page Admin Arrested for Running Illegal Overseas Tour Operation

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 37-year-old woman has been arrested for operating illegal overseas tours through a popular Facebook page, in a crackdown on unlicensed travel businesses by authorities.

 

Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuekaam, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, and Police Major General Phongsayam Meekhantong, Deputy Commissioner, ordered the operation as part of a nationwide campaign to stamp out ten types of criminal activity, with particular emphasis on unlicensed guides, illegal tour operations, and nominee businesses.

 

Following intelligence gathering and undercover investigation led by Police Colonel Man Rotthong and Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Bukhuntos from the Tourist Police Investigation Division, officers uncovered that a Facebook page called Trekventure was openly offering international travel packages without a valid tour operator licence.

Posing as interested customers, undercover officers communicated with the page administrator, selected a travel programme, and arranged a meeting to pay and receive a receipt. Surveillance teams monitored the encounter and moved in to apprehend the individual when she arrived in person.

 

The suspect was identified as Ms. Phat Panjarakphokin, aged 37. Upon inspection, she was unable to produce any official documentation or licences permitting her to operate a tour business. Authorities confirmed she had not registered under Thailand’s Tourism Business and Tour Guide Act.

 

Ms. Phat was charged with operating an unlicensed tour business. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both.

 

She was handed over to investigators at Pak Kret Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

The arrest forms part of a broader initiative by the Royal Thai Police to regulate the travel industry, protect consumers and crack down on unauthorised operators.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-22.