Thai Tourism Ministry tackling illegal travel agencies

[webfact]

Tourism ministry tackling illegal travel agencies

BANGKOK, 25 February 2016 (NNT) - Minister of Tourism Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is urgently combating illegal travel agencies by setting up a special committee to tackle the problem.

The minister said travel agencies which used Thai nationals as nominees affected Thai tourism businesses. The committee had inspected 245 travel agencies and found that 22 of them had likely used nominees. There were also 113 illegal tour guides from a total 1,439 tour guides checked by the committee, said the minister.

The ministry was collaborating with relevant units in dealing with unreasonably cheap trips for Chinese tourists.

The Department of Tourism, the Thai Car Rental Association and the Department of Land Transport are working together in drafting ministerial regulations to regulate car rental businesses which have become more popular among tourists. The regulations are expected to take effect within three months.

Ms.Kobkarn added that the current number of tourists and their spending grew as planned at 274.76 billion baht or a 18.57% increase compared to the same period last year.


-- NNT 2016-02-25

[rhythmworx]

First pickings

[torpedo1970]

"Ms.Kobkarn added that the current number of tourists and their spending grew as planned at 274.76 billion baht or a 18.57% increase compared to the same period last year."

Yeah, right!

Think i know a few business owners that would disagree

[torpedo1970]

"The ministry was collaborating with relevant units in dealing with unreasonably cheap trips for Chinese tourists."

​Yes off course, the tourists should not get anything cheap, after all TIT !

Thainess at its best

[Borzandy]

"illegal travel agencies" does it include the agencies who promote Thailand as L.O.S.

[scorecard]

Obvious question:

- Why hasn't this problem been identified as a natural consequences of the management responsibilities of this and other ministries and action (and punishment where appropriate) taken before it becomes a problem.

No doubt they will now be asking for extra budget to tackle this problem. after the event.

[sanukjim]

They should also be tracking the "quaza illegal" visa companies here .

[phoenixdoglover]

This looks primarily like protection for Thai nationals, and a natural consequence of the growth in Chinese tourists. The Chinese tour operators will work diligently to maximize their revenue, and repatriation of profits to China. That means skirting Thai regulations. Child's play for the Chinese.

Edited February 25, 2016 by phoenixdoglover