The Department of Tourism has acted on Minister Surasak's policy to launch a crackdown on 'illegal tours, illegal guides, and scammers,' reporting nearly 200 violations in the first half of the year with a focus on maximizing safety standards.
The government and Ministry of Tourism and Sports, led by Minister Surasak Phanjaroenworakul and Permanent Secretary Natreeya Taweewong, have elevated "tourist safety" to the highest urgent priority. This covers safety in tourist areas and the crackdown on threats from fraudsters, scammers, exploitation, as well as issues with illegal tours and illegal guides to build protection and restore confidence for both Thai and foreign tourists.
To implement this directive effectively, Jaturot Phakdeewanich, Director-General of the Department of Tourism and head of the main agency overseeing tourism industry standards, revealed proactive enforcement results for the first six months of 2026. The department integrated efforts to rigorously inspect and enforce laws with tour companies and guides nationwide, totaling 3,187 cases, to seriously root out illegal operators.
Following intensive field inspections, the Director-General summarized the law enforcement outcomes as follows:
Results of inspections on tour companies (totaling 1,962 cases): 68 violations of the law were found, involving three main offenses:
1. Operating a tour business without a license (illegal tours).
2. Operating a tour business without meeting the qualifications under Section 17 (1) of the Tour Business and Guide Act, specifically the requirement that company capital and directors must be Thai nationals as prescribed by law.
3. Failing to provide a guide to accompany tourists.
Results of inspections on guides' conduct (totaling 1,225 cases): 129 violations were identified, with the top three offenses being:
1. Not wearing a guide ID card while on duty.
2. Not having or not presenting a job order.
3. Acting as a guide without a license (illegal guides).
Jaturot added that for the second half of 2026, the Department of Tourism will continue to emphasize the Ministry’s safety policy. He has instructed enforcement teams to persistently and strictly inspect and enforce laws to break the cycle of tourist exploitation and raise Thailand’s tourism service standards to international recognition.
Additionally, the Director-General urged tour operators and guides to strictly comply with the law. Tour companies must maintain their business licenses without lapsing (renewals can be processed up to 30 days before expiration) and must always provide guides for tourists. Meanwhile, guides should regularly check their license status and can renew up to 120 days in advance to avoid any impact on their careers.
The Department of Tourism expressed gratitude to the public, tourists, and operators for acting as watchdogs. If anyone observes illegal activities by tour companies, illegal guides, or scammers, they can report directly via the Department’s official Facebook Fanpage or email.tgtcenter@tourism.go.thand DOT-TGIS@tourism.go.th. Such information will be key for authorities to investigate and enforce laws effectively and ensure sustainable safety in Thailand’s tourism industry.
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