Thailand fund to protect tourists from fraud, rip offs and accidents
A report in the Bangkok Post says that the Thailand National Legislative Assembly has approved a tourism fund to assist tourists who suffer from accidents or are ripped off by tour operators.
The fund would initially have about 20 million baht available and would be funded and supervised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The Tourism Fund is included in the amended draft Travel Agency Business and Guide Act now under review by the House Standing Committee for Tourism.
Committee spokesman Kongkrit Hiranyakit said the fund would assist both local and foreign tourists who are affected by accidents and malpractice. The government would recover the expenses from offending companies.
According to Mr Kongkrit, also the president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, penalties against offenders would be strengthened under the draft act.
As well, registration procedures for new businesses would be toughened to prevent offending operators from closing shop and reopening under a different name.
Tougher measures include increasing the bank guarantee from 10,000 baht to as much as 200,000 baht, but the NLA has not yet determined the new figure, he said.
Anake Srishevachart, the president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said operators objected to the stiff measures and have asked the government to suspend the process.
They disagree with the harsher punishments that include two years’ imprisonment for misconduct. They also questioned the fund’s transparency and objected to the more time-consuming registration process for new companies.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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