Latest Government Scam Against Travel Agents?

[PostmanPat]

My Thai partner runs a very small on line tour booking site, she is also a registered TAT Tour Guide. Rumours are coming through thick and fast that the "Ministry Of Tourism" now requires all small and large businesses in the tourism area to "deposit" 100,000 Baht with the Ministry as a condition of being able to continue to operate in the tourism sector.

My Partner doesnt make 100,000 in a whole year, nor do any of her many friends similarly placed at this time. Has anyone out there heard about this situation and what surrounds it, as I cant find anything online at all. The net result of this scam, if true, will be to render hundreds if not thousands of small businesses unemployed!! Is that what the Thai Government want just when they are supposedly promoting the resurgence of Thailand in the World Tourism Sector!!

Crazy. Simple as that!! Any feedback much appreciated.

[hansnl]

The net result of this scam, if true, will be to render hundreds if not thousands of small businesses unemployed!! Is that what the Thai Government wants?

Now that is a very good question !!

Edited August 26, 2012 by hansnl

[yermanee]

It's NOT a government scam.

It's a measure by the government to try and stop tourists from being scammed by unscrupulous travel agents

Yermanee

[SamuiHomemadeFood]

Why is everything always a scam here ?

This has been in operation for years. if you want to promote and advertise your business as an official TAT business it costs you 100,000 Baht for the rights to do so. If you do not want to promote your business as an official TAT business it costs you NOTHING !

Where is the scam ?

[stevenl]

Why is everything always a scam here ?

This has been in operation for years. if you want to promote and advertise your business as an official TAT business it costs you 100,000 Baht for the rights to do so. If you do not want to promote your business as an official TAT business it costs you NOTHING !

Where is the scam ?

Even stronger, one has to be TAT registered to operate legally.

[rfukata]

Why is everything always a scam here ?

This has been in operation for years. if you want to promote and advertise your business as an official TAT business it costs you 100,000 Baht for the rights to do so. If you do not want to promote your business as an official TAT business it costs you NOTHING !

Where is the scam ?

Even stronger, one has to be TAT registered to operate legally.

this sounds more like a 'bond' deposit in accordance with TAT policy.

[Farma]

As per rfukata. It sounds like the bond required. The bond amounts vary depending on whether she sells national or international. It is easily refunded if you cease operating the agency.

[SamuiHomemadeFood]

Why is everything always a scam here ?

This has been in operation for years. if you want to promote and advertise your business as an official TAT business it costs you 100,000 Baht for the rights to do so. If you do not want to promote your business as an official TAT business it costs you NOTHING !

Where is the scam ?

Even stronger, one has to be TAT registered to operate legally.

Complete and utter nonsense.

I run a business here without paying TAT anything and have several friends running diving schools on Koh Tao and tour operators here on Samui that are all 100% legal and none pay TAT a satang.

None though claim to be TAT authorised nor promote their businesses as such.

[impulse]

Out of curiosity, are there entities that will put up the 100K and charge a bonding fee for doing so?

[stevenl]

Why is everything always a scam here ?

This has been in operation for years. if you want to promote and advertise your business as an official TAT business it costs you 100,000 Baht for the rights to do so. If you do not want to promote your business as an official TAT business it costs you NOTHING !

Where is the scam ?

Even stronger, one has to be TAT registered to operate legally.

Complete and utter nonsense.

I run a business here without paying TAT anything and have several friends running diving schools on Koh Tao and tour operators here on Samui that are all 100% legal and none pay TAT a satang.

None though claim to be TAT authorised nor promote their businesses as such.

They are all operating illegally. What kind of business are you running? Already saw your information, you are not a travel agent or something like that, so for your business no TAT license is required. There may be some confusion there since the OP asked about as travel agency, and you answered generally. The TAT license is required for businesses selling tours like travel agencies, diving shops, etc. and accommodation booking etc.

Diving schools officially need a TAT license (bond of 100.000 Baht if only doing inbound business) and to get that TAT l;icense as a diving school also accident insurance is required, for a small school yearly premium of 70,000 Baht, bigger school more. And yes, I know on Koh Tao the requirements are not enforced, but it is about time that changed.

See for more information e.g. this thread, with information from Sunbelt.

Edited August 26, 2012 by stevenl

[saroq]

And you don't have the THB100,000 to lend her to keep her doors open?

[stevenl]

The bond requirement for travel agents is less than 100.000 BTW, by heart I think 10.000 Baht.

@ the op: rumours are just that, rumours. Just wait and see for official information if the amounts have changed or something like that. But maybe it is simply an enforcement of existing requirements, with the amount required a rumour.

[Farma]

This information is 8 years old from when my wife was operating a licenced travel agency.

The TAT bond was 100,000 Baht. It was a requirement to register as a travel agent. There were higher bond amounts which depended on the type of business the agency wanted to do.

When she decided to close her travel agency the bond certificate was presented to TAT and they refunded the bond in full.

A copy of an actual registration certificate showing the 100,000 Baht amount can be found on the website phangan.info

[WilliaminBKK]

It isn't a scam in fact it is a good and positive move for consumers, a bond, compensation fund payments, trust accounting, minimum working capital are all NORMAL for registered travel agents in places like the UK, California, Ontario, British Columbia. The system works to protect consumers in the event services are not provided.

[gk10002000]

As it says, bond is required to be a registered TAT agent. Not sure that will assure the tourist much, as compared to not being a TAT agent, but it does make sense. Does the TAT stand behind and will the TAT support or help the touris if issues arise? Doubtful.

[stevenl]

As it says, bond is required to be a registered TAT agent. Not sure that will assure the tourist much, as compared to not being a TAT agent, but it does make sense. Does the TAT stand behind and will the TAT support or help the touris if issues arise? Doubtful.

They should, that is what the bond is for. I have heard of one occasion where the agent went bust and TAT helped the tourists with paid bookings.

[jerrysteve]

What kind of refund did that Australian Ladie and her family get for being stabbed to death!

Just out of curiosity...If they are going to make Travel Agencies Register for a 100k baht to help avoid dishonest travel agents, then they should make the Jet Ski operators and the Motorcyle

scam people register also with the Tourist Agency; after all they are a part of the Tourist Trade aren't they!!!!! and the rest of the illegitmate tourist businesses.

If TAT wants to start registering the tourist trade of which travel agencies are a part of it, they should do it across the board.

[stevenl]

What kind of refund did that Australian Ladie and her family get for being stabbed to death!

Just out of curiosity...If they are going to make Travel Agencies Register for a 100k baht to help avoid dishonest travel agents, then they should make the Jet Ski operators and the Motorcyle

scam people register also with the Tourist Agency; after all they are a part of the Tourist Trade aren't they!!!!! and the rest of the illegitmate tourist businesses.

If TAT wants to start registering the tourist trade of which travel agencies are a part of it, they should do it across the board.

All travel agents are registered, that's why they have to pay a bond.

What has the Australian lady to do with any of this?

Did you read anything here or are you just here to throw some shit around?

[surangw]

it probably turn into a non refundable deposit

[jcw]

With reference to this Sunbelt thread, What if you own several Condos as an investment, live in Thailand casually, maybe on a retirement visa or a tourist visa say. No Company or work permit, just privately owned and you list them on Thai Visa classifieds, Condo for rent, weekly, monthly, annually. Where would that fit in I wonder?

[JanKlaasen]

My Partner doesnt make 100,000 in a whole year, nor do any of her many friends similarly placed at this time.

Travel business seems to be flourishing in Thailand.

[stevenl]

With reference to this Sunbelt thread, What if you own several Condos as an investment, live in Thailand casually, maybe on a retirement visa or a tourist visa say. No Company or work permit, just privately owned and you list them on Thai Visa classifieds, Condo for rent, weekly, monthly, annually. Where would that fit in I wonder?

That means you are officially required to have a workpermit, TAT license, etc.

[pigeonjake]

Why is everything always a scam here ?

This has been in operation for years. if you want to promote and advertise your business as an official TAT business it costs you 100,000 Baht for the rights to do so. If you do not want to promote your business as an official TAT business it costs you NOTHING !

Where is the scam ?

Even stronger, one has to be TAT registered to operate legally.

Complete and utter nonsense.

I run a business here without paying TAT anything and have several friends running diving schools on Koh Tao and tour operators here on Samui that are all 100% legal and none pay TAT a satang.

None though claim to be TAT authorised nor promote their businesses as such.

you run a small business not paying TAT, and your freinds do the same,

you wont pay you have said yourself you dont claim to be in TAT, if you did claim that you would have to pay,, cant you see that???

theres is some scams, and there not all the government, diving schools without insurance, if anything goes wrong just run,,

[stevenl]

Why is everything always a scam here ?

This has been in operation for years. if you want to promote and advertise your business as an official TAT business it costs you 100,000 Baht for the rights to do so. If you do not want to promote your business as an official TAT business it costs you NOTHING !

Where is the scam ?

Even stronger, one has to be TAT registered to operate legally.

Complete and utter nonsense.

I run a business here without paying TAT anything and have several friends running diving schools on Koh Tao and tour operators here on Samui that are all 100% legal and none pay TAT a satang.

None though claim to be TAT authorised nor promote their businesses as such.

you run a small business not paying TAT, and your freinds do the same,

you wont pay you have said yourself you dont claim to be in TAT, if you did claim that you would have to pay,, cant you see that???

theres is some scams, and there not all the government, diving schools without insurance, if anything goes wrong just run,,

He does not have to pay TAT since he is not in the tourism industry. His friends running the diveschools would though.

The scam is here not with the Thai government but with the diving schools claiming to be legit even though they are operating illegally without the proper licenses.

[gk10002000]

As it says, bond is required to be a registered TAT agent. Not sure that will assure the tourist much, as compared to not being a TAT agent, but it does make sense. Does the TAT stand behind and will the TAT support or help the touris if issues arise? Doubtful.

They should, that is what the bond is for. I have heard of one occasion where the agent went bust and TAT helped the tourists with paid bookings.

OK. Sounds like it would be useful for complete belly ups. Not sure they will be much of an advocate for smaller issues. But Something to consider.

[stevenl]

As it says, bond is required to be a registered TAT agent. Not sure that will assure the tourist much, as compared to not being a TAT agent, but it does make sense. Does the TAT stand behind and will the TAT support or help the touris if issues arise? Doubtful.

They should, that is what the bond is for. I have heard of one occasion where the agent went bust and TAT helped the tourists with paid bookings.

OK. Sounds like it would be useful for complete belly ups. Not sure they will be much of an advocate for smaller issues. But Something to consider.

Also for smaller issues they should deliver, e.g. is a booked and paid for trip is not delivered. However 1) I would not count on that; and 2) quality of the services and in accordance with described services will be nearly impossible to get TAT to do anything.