The military go shopping – Crackdown on alleged ‘rip-off’ shops

More than 200 military officers along with Thai Tourist Police and other departments led by the Acting Deputy Chief of the Thai Tourist Police, Maj Gen Surachet Hakpan, raided 5 shops believed to be involved in zero-dollar tours that practice high prices to rip off tourists with their products and services.

Yesterday (September 20), the team started at the snake farm in Chalong (Thaiko Natural Health), which offers snake shows and sells products made from, and out of, snakes. Police seized more than 500 bottles of capsules of what is claimed to be tonic without Thai labels – 73 of them had Russian labels only. There was also another 136 bottles of wax ache-relieving and 68 bottles of skin treatments branded ‘Jsnake’. All products were sent to the provincial public health office to check.

The team continued to two bird nest shops, including P.P. Bird Nest in Phuket Town and Kings Bird’s Nest in Wichit, where they seized a list of different types of bird nest and Tremella Fuciformis (snow fungus).

The fourth spot was the famous jewelry shop, Wang Talang Jewelry and Gift Shop, where the team seized 150 leather belts, 134 wallets, 80 key rings, 120 topaz rings and 160 gem lockets, before visiting Chalong Latex on Chao fah West Road to seize 50 latex mattresses and 100 latex pillows.

The total value of the items seized at the 5 shops is 10,129,490 Baht (yes, that’s not a typo!).

“The raid today follows the policy on cracking down the illegal tour companies and the zero-dollar tours as well as the businesses that are involved in this trade, which usually cheat tourists with their products and services. Many of them sell overpriced products. This has damaged Thailand’s tourism image,” said Acting Deputy Chief of the Thai Tourist Police Maj. Gen. Surachet Hakpan.

“The tourist police force is responsible for the security and safety of the tourists as well as making them feel welcome. It is our responsibility to crackdown on these types of activities that have a negative impact on the tourism industry.”