Bangkok: The Tour Guide Association has urged the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to take decisive action against illegal Chinese tour guides who have been threatening tourists. This call to action follows the emergence of a video in which a Chinese guide is seen intimidating Chinese tourists on a bus for refusing to purchase certain goods. The Department of Tourism is now working in coordination with the Immigration Bureau to blacklist those responsible.
According to Thai News Agency, the Professional Tour Guides Association of Thailand has formally submitted a letter to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The letter demands urgent intervention against a particular Chinese man identified in the video, which has caused significant damage to the reputation of Thai tourism. The Department of Tourism has acknowledged the complaint and is liaising with various agencies, including the Immigration Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce, to consider appropriate legal measures. These measures may include blacklisting the individual and prosecuting the Thai tour operator involved.
Mr. Wasanpol Atthapornthanaseth, President of the Professional Tour Guides Association of Thailand, personally delivered the complaint to the Minister of Tourism and Sports. The scandalous video, widely circulated on social media, features a Chinese guide, Mr. Zhang Bo, threatening and verbally abusing Chinese tourists over their refusal to buy a specified product. Mr. Zhang, a 38-year-old guide from a Chinese tour company, had already left Thailand on October 13, 2015, heading to Xi'an, China.
Mr. Wasanpol emphasized that the incident has severely tarnished Thailand's image in the global tourism market and highlights the persistent issue of illegal foreign tour guides. This issue directly affects the Thai tour guide profession, a legally protected field in Thailand. The association calls for swift legal action against Mr. Zhang Bo and urges Thai tourism companies involved to take responsibility and clarify the situation to the public to foster sustainable and secure tourism in Thailand.
Representatives, including Mr. Boonserm Khankaew, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Tourism, and Mr. Chakrit Pitanupong, Director of the Tourism and Sports Economics Division, received the complaint. The Deputy Director-General assured that the Department has been proactive in addressing illegal tours and guides that harm the nation's image. They are collaborating with agencies such as the Chinese Embassy, the Immigration Bureau, and the Department of Business Development to thoroughly investigate and act on this matter. The Department is particularly focused on addressing the "nominee" issue, which requires cooperation across multiple agencies to tackle the core problem. Legal experts are preparing a comprehensive legal strategy to ensure the case is concluded conclusively, setting a precedent for other tour operators.
The Department of Tourism is committed to pursuing legal action to its full extent in this case to deter illegal activities by tour operators. The Department also reiterates its dedication to implementing preventive measures, warnings, and strict law enforcement to maintain the integrity of Thailand's tourism industry.