Bangkok: Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, has disclosed concerns from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul regarding the ongoing "canceled tour" incidents affecting consumers. The Prime Minister has urged the Consumer Protection Board to expedite investigations and ensure fair compensation.
According to Thai News Agency, Supamas, who supervises the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), highlighted the persistent issue of tour businesses failing to honor contracts, leading to significant consumer damage both financially and in terms of travel plans. She has instructed the OCPB to intensify efforts to prevent damage, assist consumers, and monitor case progress diligently.
The government, led by Prime Minister Anutin, prioritizes consumer protection and aims to address unfair business practices through legal mechanisms, ensuring transparency and fairness. Supamas has directed the Consumer Protection Board to collaborate with relevant agencies, particularly the Department of Tourism, to investigate tour operators' licenses and conduct. The goal is to secure prompt and fair compensation for affected consumers while closely monitoring case developments. Supamas emphasized enhancing the consumer safety alert system, advising caution when purchasing tour packages, particularly checking Department of Tourism licenses and avoiding unusually low prices, which may indicate fraud.
Data from 2024-2025 shows that the Consumer Protection Committee pursued civil lawsuits on behalf of consumers in tour service cases, amounting to nearly 100,000,000 baht in damages. Issues include advertising low-priced tour packages, itinerary deviations, cancellations without notice, and non-refundable payments, all of which undermine trust in the tourism industry.
The public is advised to exercise caution when selecting tour services, thoroughly verify information before contracting, and avoid misleading advertisements offering unrealistic prices. Suspected exploitation can be reported to the Consumer Protection Board hotline 1166 or via the OCPB Connect application, available 24/7.