Thailand’s tourism department will now offer a way to claim compensation against scams perpetrated by Thai tour companies.
Tourism department director-general Anant Wongbenjarat said unhappy tourists can claim compensation when registered tour operators fail to provide agreed services or standards or if proven exploiting customers.
Compensation is paid by the Tourist Business Protection Fund managed by the tourism department and only complaints made against registered operators will be paid out.
Anant advised all tourists to check whether companies are registered before purchasing tours and travel packages.
All registered operators pay between THB50,000 and 500,000 into the Fund.
When scams are proven the Fund will compensate travellers and the department will collect money direct from the tour operators afterwards.
Operators who do not comply will lose their security deposits and may not get their licences renewed.
