Dodgy tour operator suspended

[webfact]

Dodgy tour operator suspended
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism has suspended the licence of a tour agency for six months following complaints and says tough measures will be enforced for agencies that repeat offences

The operator was found to have illegally employed unlicensed Chinese tour guides and tricked tourists into buying optional tours.

The decision came following complaints from tourists who were engaged in a heated argument with the agency.

There are reportedly 25 more tour agencies on an investigation list, waiting to be investigated, as the DOT is seriously re-enforcing its rules and regulations to keep the industry in order.

Wanasiri Morakul, deputy director-general and acting director general of the DOT, said: "The DOT by its Bureau of Tourism and Guide Registration has issued the order suspending the licence of a certain tour agency in Bangkok's Meng Jai area for six months as a penalty for violation of the Tourism Business Act BE 2008, sections 30 and 33.

"The company will meanwhile have to undergo a one-year probation and any repeated offences would result in evocation of their licence."

The findings from an official investigation indicated that during a scheduled tour programme from July 20-25, an unlicensed Chinese tour guide known as "Mr Sky", who was employed by this tour agency, tried to solicit and force tourists to buy a number of optional tours, causing discomfort to tourists.

As the sole state agency entrusted to ensure legal operations among tourism businesses in Thailand, the DOT is empowered by the Tourism Business Act to take legal action against dodgy operators.

It enforces the law by collaborating with the Tourist Police Division to conduct random inspections twice a week.

So far, four tour agencies have had their licence suspended this year.

And according to the latest information from the department, 24 illegal tour guides - 11 Chinese, two Malaysian, one Myanmar and eight Thai, and two unregistered personnel - were arrested.

Offending agencies must undergo a year-long probation during which any agency repeating the offence will be stripped of their tour business licence and be forbidden from operating for five years in accordance with the Tourism Business Act's Article 46.

Wanasiri said that the DOT would step up measures to ensure a better image of Thailand's tourism industry in the wake of reports of many so-called "zero-dollar" tour agencies.

The agencies offer tour packages to Chinese tourists at very cheap prices and the agencies plan to sell a variety of optional tours in order to earn high profits.

These tour companies often use illegal migrants and unlicensed Chinese tour guides to trick tourists into buying overpriced side tours.

"From now on, the Department of Tourism will step up its enforcement and take serious civil and legal action against all wrongdoers," she said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Dodgy-tour-operator-suspended-30268724.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-14

[davehowden]

"conduct random inspections twice a week.", with plenty of forward notice of the inspection of course.

[noitom]

Thai tourism finally attempting to do their job.

[Jessi]

Why don't they name the company involved?

[ramrod711]

While many of us from western countries "vote with our wallets", that is, we complain, but instead of making a fuss, we don't use a particular company again, the Chinese tourist seems to be a bit more vocal. Good for them.

[lee b]

Why don't they name the company involved?

I could be wrong but this is probobly just one of the companys caught out, how many more are doing the same same? Don't wont to lose face here !

[jimstar1]

Lets al sing at the Airport wonder how long these crackdowns will continue

[AlQaholic]

DOT = Department of Tourism. TOT = Tourism Authority of Thailand. BOT = Bureau Of Tourism, TAT = Telephone Authority of Thailand. Maybe they can merge all those and call it DOTOBOTAT?

Edited September 14, 2015 by AlQaholic

[trainman34014]

It won't stop them. They just front the business in the name of another relative and get a new license.

[zaphod reborn]

Thai tourism finally attempting to do their job.

No, simple protectionism. Only Thai tour companies should be allowed to scam tourists. Thais don't need foreign competition to drag down Thailand's reputation for tourism. Let the Thais destroy it themselves, as they are doing a very good job of that with the jet ski scam, karaoke bar scam, closed Grand Palace scam, taxi driver - jewelry shop kickback scam, taxi no meter scam, and police scam (real BIB or fake).

[webfact]

Tourism agency makes example of 'zero-dollar' tours
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE TOURISM Department recently suspended the licence of a Bangkok travel agency for six months for employing unlicensed Chinese tour guides and tricking tourists into buying optional tours.

The action followed complaints from tourists who were engaged in heated arguments with the unnamed agency.

There are reportedly 25 more agencies on the investigation list as the department says it is seriously reinforcing its rules and regulations to keep the industry in order.

Wanasiri Morakul, acting director-general, said her department's Bureau of Tourism and Guide Registration had issued the penalty against the agency in the Mengjai area for violating Sections 30 and 33 of the Tourism Business Act.

The company will be put on a one-year probation and any repeated offence will result in the revocation of its licence and a five-year ban.

An official investigation found that during a scheduled tour in July, an unlicensed Chinese guide known as "Mr Sky", who was employed by this agency, tried to solicit and force tourists into buying optional tours, causing discomfort to the visitors.

The department is the sole government agency entrusted to ensure legal operations among tourism businesses in Thailand. It is authorised to enforce the law by collaborating with Tourist Police to conduct random inspections twice a week.

Four agencies have had their licences suspended so far this year and 24 illegal tour guides - 11 Chinese, two Malaysians, one Myanmar national, eight Thais and two unregistered personnel - have also been arrested.

Wanasiri said the department would step up measures to ensure a better image of Thailand's tourism industry in the wake of reports of many "zero-dollar" packages sold to Chinese travellers at very low prices by agencies that plan to sell a variety of overpriced side tours to earn high profits.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Tourism-agency-makes-example-of-zero-dollar-tours-30268811.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-15

[amerasianex]

well of course they have to make money. And Chinese are notoriously very cheap to no pay customers. They are in business to make money...Nothing is free

[Nemesis7]

Good start. Hope they can enforce it seriously.