TAT set to file charges against Thai hotels for travel subsidy fraud

Wednesday, 07 Feb, 2021 0

Thailand officials have now uncovered at least 800 hotels and shops allegedly defrauding the government funded We Travel Together subsidised travel campaign.

Police plan to start filing charges against suspects on behalf of the Tourism Authority of Thailand this week.

The Crime Suppression Division had said more than 50 arrests were made recently in Chaiyaphum and Phuket, relating to scams at 55 hotels.

Police Gen Suwat said the TAT will present evidence to the CSD this week.

A single hotel in Chaiyaphum allegedly used 9,000 people to make fake bookings in oder to claim back state-funded subsidies.

Under the domestic travel program, participants pay only 60% of hotel room rates while the government subsidises the remaining 40%.

Many hotels were also accused of jacking up prices to claim higher subsidies.

Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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