Bangkok: The Cabinet acknowledged proposals from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to resolve the nominee issue in "zero-dollar tours." These proposals have been forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism for further consideration.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Airin Phanrit, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the Cabinet has acknowledged recommendations from the NACC aimed at preventing and addressing illegal tourism business operations by foreigners. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) has been designated as the lead agency to work on this matter, alongside the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labour, the Royal Thai Police, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and other relevant agencies. The MOTS is expected to compile its findings and submit them to the Cabinet Secretariat within 30 days for Cabinet review.
The NACC highlighted that the tourism industry is crucial to Thailand's economy, with tour businesses playing a key role in drawing international tourists. However, some foreign investors exploit Thai nominees to bypass regulations, leading to unfair practices in the industry such as "zero-dollar tours" operated by Chinese investors. These tours sell packages below cost, pressuring Thai companies out of fair competition and profiting by steering tourists to overpriced goods and services within their networks. Additionally, the prevalence of foreign tour guides has led to issues like job displacement for Thais and misleading information being provided to tourists.
The NACC identified that these longstanding issues have caused substantial economic and social damage to Thailand, primarily due to legal loopholes and inadequate regulatory oversight. Some government officials have also been implicated in misconduct, accepting bribes for facilitating illegal operations. To address these challenges, the NACC, during its 122nd meeting on December 15, 2025, approved several recommendations. These include improving regulations around foreign engagement in the tour business, enhancing control over the industry, boosting the capabilities of Thai tour guides, regulating travel-related establishments, and strengthening anti-corruption efforts.