The Ministry of Commerce collaborated with the Tourist Police and Immigration Office to inspect nominee tour businesses on Koh Tao, Surat Thani Province. Two companies were found violating the law and had their licenses immediately revoked. The crackdown will continue.
Mr. Poonphong Nainapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, revealed that on 17 Aug 2016, the Department's nominee crackdown team conducted inspections of tour businesses on Koh Tao, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Tourist Police Bureau, and Immigration Office. The focus was on 12 licensed tour companies with foreign shareholders as follows.
1. Two violations were found: The first was a tour company offering diving lessons and applying for a hostel operation license. It had one foreign and one Thai executive director, violating the 2008 Tour Business and Tour Guide Act, which requires the majority of directors to be Thai nationals. The Tourism Department revoked its license. Foreigners teaching diving without work permits have been dealt with by Immigration Police. The Department also investigated potential nominee shareholders and examined registration consultants. The second company operated a tour business without a branch license; the Tourism Department is taking legal action accordingly.
2. Among the other 10 companies inspected, one was temporarily closed. The remaining nine mainly engaged in diving or diving instruction. Foreign investors came from various nationalities with shareholding and director ratios complying with Tourism Department regulations. Foreign directors and employees held valid work permits, with Thai participation in management.
Mr. Poonphong added that the Department will continuously monitor nominee businesses using linked databases and risk analysis technology to identify high-risk entities. It will share information closely with partner agencies and strictly enforce each agency's laws to ensure a clear crackdown on nominees, promote fairness in the business sector, and build public confidence.
"We warn all business operators, Thai and foreign, including company registration and investment consultants, to strictly comply with national business laws to establish transparent business standards. If anyone witnesses violations or suspects nominee businesses, please report tips atwww.dbd.go.thor call 0 2547 4419 or the Call Center at 1570."
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