A group of mostly elderly travellers, later identified as lay judges, filed a complaint on 26 March 2026 with The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) after allegedly being abandoned at Suvarnabhumi Airport by a tour company. The group had been due to depart for Guizhou, China, but found no company representatives present and were unable to make contact. Total damages are estimated at 1,944,000 baht.

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One victim stated that the group had discovered the tour via a public Facebook page named “เที่ยวจีน By IVo…….”, which had more than 8,500 followers and advertised trips to China and Japan. The company offered a full-service private tour package, and participants agreed to pay 54,000 baht per person. Some travellers paid the full amount up to three months in advance, despite concerns about the unusual payment structure.

According to the group, the company required full upfront payment rather than the more typical deposit system, where half is paid initially and the balance closer to departure. Despite some reservations, 36 people signed up, split into two groups of 20 and 16 travellers. All were scheduled to depart on the morning of 26 March.

Upon arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the group found no staff or representatives from the tour company present. Attempts to contact the company failed, leading them to believe they had been defrauded. The group initially filed a report at Suvarnabhumi Police Station before being advised to escalate the matter to the CPPD for legal action.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about fraudulent travel operators using social media platforms to attract customers. Authorities are expected to investigate the company behind the Facebook page and pursue legal proceedings under consumer protection laws.

Thaitabloid reported that further action will depend on the outcome of the police investigation, including efforts to identify those responsible and recover losses. Victims are seeking justice and compensation, while authorities may issue warnings to prevent similar incidents.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 28 Mar 2026

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How low will these scammers go?

Targeting ordinary travellers is bad enough, but scamming lay judges!

The damage isn’t just financial it’s the stress, the humiliation, the ruined plans, and the loss of trust.

Punishments need to reflect that level of harm. When scams like this keep happening, it’s clear the deterrent isn’t strong enough.

People deserve to travel without being preyed on. Scammers aren’t just “opportunists”, they’re parasites, and the consequences should match the real impact they inflict on victims.