Chinese man caught red-handed running illegal tours in Thailand

Thai police nabbed a Chinese national running an unauthorised tour business, exposing a shadowy operation exploiting Thailand’s tourism industry.

The National Tourist Police, under the leadership of Police Colonel Piyapong Raksa, Deputy Superintendent of the Tourist Police Division, swooped in on Hao, a 41 year old Chinese national, at the bustling Four Regions Floating Market on Sukhumvit Road on Sunday, August 25.

Hao was caught red-handed, chauffeuring three foreign tourists in a grey Honda CR-V before escorting them to purchase tickets for tours and shopping.

Hao was found carrying multiple receipts for various tourist attractions, confirming his illegal activities as a tour guide—a profession strictly reserved for Thai nationals under the Ministry of Labour’s regulations.

Investigators revealed that Hao had no ties to any authorised tour company. Instead, he was running his rogue operation, charging 500 yuan (nearly 2,400 baht) per day for a six-day tour. The tourists, unaware of the scam, had paid a total of 3,000 yuan through WeChat, after booking the tour via TikTok.

Hao now faces legal action, with the National Tourist Police making it clear that this arrest is just one part of their ongoing campaign to uphold the 2008 Tourism Business and Guide Act, as amended in 2016, reported Pattaya Mail.

In related news, Thailand’s booming tourism sector is thriving under a new visa-free policy, attracting millions of foreign tourists. Yet, while Chinese visitors top the list, concerns are mounting over the resurgence of Chinese zero-dollar tours, which could be draining potential revenue from the Thai economy.

In other news, the Tourist Police Bureau’s Investigation Division arrested several individuals operating illegal tour businesses in a decisive move to safeguard Thailand’s tourism industry.

This operation, under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, alongside his Deputy Commanders in Cheif Police Majaor General Phongsayam Mee-khanthong and Police Majar General Kritsana Warit, underscores the government’s commitment to promoting and protecting tourism.