The Cabinet acknowledged the National Anti-Corruption Commission's recommendations to prevent and resolve the issue of foreign investors circumventing laws by using Thai nominees to unlawfully operate tourism businesses in Thailand, causing damage to the economy.
On 17 March 2026, Ms. Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Cabinet resolved to acknowledge the recommendations to prevent and solve unlawful foreign participation in the tourism business, as proposed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has been assigned as the lead agency to consider this issue in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor, Royal Thai Police, Office of the Consumer Protection Board, Anti-Money Laundering Office, and other relevant agencies. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will summarize the findings, progress, and overall opinions and submit the report to the Secretariat of the Cabinet within 30 days from receipt of notification, for further presentation to the Cabinet.
The NACC reported the following:
1. The tourism business is a crucial sector within Thailand's tourism industry.
It serves as the starting point for bringing tourists to travel by providing services and conveniences such as accommodation, food, tour guides, and other related services. This has attracted many foreign investors to operate this business in Thailand and continuously draw tourists from around the world to visit, generating substantial revenue for the country. This has further promoted tourism markets. However, some foreign investors have been found to circumvent foreign business laws by using Thai representatives as nominees to operate tourism businesses and related sectors comprehensively, including hotels, restaurants, tourist transport, souvenir shops, and other service businesses. As a result, most tourism income benefits foreign investors. There have also been violations of tourism and tour guide business laws, such as Chinese investors running “zero-dollar tours,” selling tour packages below cost, which undermines Thai tour operators' ability to compete fairly on price and quality. Furthermore, profits are sought unscrupulously by directing tourists to purchase goods or services at affiliated stores with inflated prices. Additionally, foreigners have been used as tour guides, causing problems with illegal foreign guides encroaching on professions reserved for Thais, including behaviors such as intimidating tourists to buy products, providing inaccurate information about Thailand, and abandoning tourists.
2. These issues have long been chronic problems in Thailand's tourism industry, causing significant damage to the economy, society, and the country's image. The main causes include legal loopholes and a lack of effective measures or mechanisms by government agencies to regulate, supervise, or monitor tourism businesses efficiently. There may also be cases where some officials improperly perform or neglect their duties, accepting bribes or benefits from those violating laws in exchange for protection or facilitation of unlawful business operations. Therefore, to prevent and resolve illegal foreign involvement in tourism businesses, strengthen regulatory mechanisms, ensure tourist safety comprehensively and effectively, promote business and career opportunities for Thai tourism operators and guides, and prevent corruption and misconduct by related officials, actions are necessary.
At its 122/2025 meeting on 15 December 2025, the NACC approved the recommendations and submitted them to the Cabinet under Section 32 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2561 (2018) and its amendments. The key points cover five areas, summarized as follows:
1. Addressing the problem of foreign investors entering the tourism and related businesses by using Thai nominees.
2. Enhancing the efficiency of regulation and supervision of tourism businesses.
3. Strengthening the capacity of Thai tour guides and resolving issues of illegal foreign tour guides.
4. Regulating shops and establishments connected with tour companies.
5. Promoting stakeholder participation in preventing and combating corruption.