Tourism

Phase 2 of travel stimulus may be cancelled due to fraud, as PM said to be “furious”

Published

Friday, December 18, 2020 11:01

FILE PHOTO

Officials are considering cancelling the next phase of the government’s domestic tourism stimulus campaign, after multiple cases of fraud emerged. To date, over 200 people have been prosecuted for corruption in the domestic travel campaign, as well as in other government stimulus schemes. The Tourism Authority of Thailand says that, in conjunction with the Tourism and Sports Ministry, it has filed a police report against more than 500 hotels and other businesses.

The discovery of the fraud cases had prompted officials to postpone the addition of another 1 million discounted hotel rooms, a decision that has already impacted bookings for the New Year period. However, Nation Thailand reports that, according to a source close to the “We Travel Together” (Khon La Khrueng) scheme, the plan may end up dropped altogether. The issuing of additional 600 baht and 900 baht food and travel vouchers has also been postponed.

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is said to be furious over the reports of corruption, ordering the authorities to punish those involved, and calling on the public to cooperate in bringing them to justice.

“Solving the problem of corruption is not just the responsibility of the state. All parties must cooperate – givers, receivers and service providers. They must help each other by providing information so that we can arrest these fraudsters.”

The PM says the travel stimulus scheme was introduced to help struggling hotels and other businesses in the tourism sector. He says finding the budget for such campaigns was a challenge, without having to see the schemes end in corruption.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

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13 Comments

Issan John

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 11:17 am

How can “postponing the addition of another 1 million discounted hotel rooms” have “already impacted bookings for the New Year period” when there are still 3 million spare?????

Reply
- Richard
  
  Monday, December 21, 2020 at 6:31 pm
  
  Corruption is within your own office Uncle Tu
  
  Reply
Paulnou

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 11:24 am

there were a budget to subsidize that way the ailing hospitality sector and keep tousands of biz running + teach many Thai how to enjoy their own country, so… budget has been used, the target achieved though a lot lower funds used than any other much less affected tourism countries ….is that an excuse to let down thousands of fair htls and good tourists and keep the money to save what ? Just for may be 3% of wrong doings within the targets achieved ? the complicated system is the cause, the idea wagreat, then change the system but help the sector to survive and employees to keep jobs

Reply
EdwardV

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 11:51 am

You cancel the next round, that will punish those crooks. Oh wait, you say they already stole the money? So who is actually being punished then? Oh the people are you supposed to be helping instead. Well I guess that makes sense somewhere.

Reply
harry1

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 12:22 pm

in theory it was a good idea,but are we surprised at the fraudulent that exist in any scheme ? what will happen next to help local economy is the 64000 dollar question

Reply
Mister Stretch

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 1:02 pm

“PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is said to be furious over the reports of corruption..”

As leaders show, others will follow.

Reply
Toby Andrews

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 1:12 pm

Look at this. A PM who attained power through fraud is furious at this fraud.
They should have known it would happen. It was like leaving child one with a a plate of sweets on the table and saying don’t touch the sweets.
And the fraud will not stop. The police will be bribed not to prosecute.
The judges will be bribed to be lenient or find not guilty.
This is Amazing Thailand.
By the way there is no need to discount a Thailand hotel room at the moment. The lack of guests will compel the hotel to discount.

Reply
Wayno

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 6:16 pm

How dare the peasants steal from the thieves in power

Reply
not surprised

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 8:01 pm

The level of corruption in Thailand today only reflects the extent from the bottom to the top of the pile. Why is he so mad did they not give him his share.
The whole world knows that corruption is rife in the country but no one seems to go to prison for it they just seem to be moved to other positions or other areas to do it again.

They need to clean up their act and start getting rid of the corrupt if Thailand wants to survive.

Reply
Toby Andrews

Friday, December 18, 2020 at 10:13 pm

Robin Hood stealing from the sheriff of Nottingham.

Reply
Nipral

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 3:28 am

Fraud…corruption ? In Thailand ? Under a military government ? Impossible !!!?????
(or is it that some members of the gang didn’t get their cut ?)

Reply
James Pate

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 5:43 am

Yes, it was a good idea. Unfortunately, the process had too many steps, with each step an opportunity for corruption. A simple income tax deduction for domestic tourism, which has been done in the past, would have probably worked better.

Reply
Larry

Monday, December 21, 2020 at 1:24 pm

Fighting corruption is not alone the problem of the government, but if the government would set a good example for others to follow would be a good start!

Reply

Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

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