The Chinese embassy on Wednesday warned intending Chinese travellers not to buy ‘cheap tours’ to Thailand, advising them to use only well-known, licensed outbound tour operators to avoid problems.
The advisory was issued as Thai tourist police investigate a report of a Chinese man seen on video telling a tour group they must buy goods from a recommended store or they would not be allowed back on the bus.
The embassy addressed the issued on its Facebook page. ‘The Chinese embassy placed importance on the incident and had contacted tourist police for fact checking,’ it said.
‘Details said the man in the video clip holds a Chinese passport and was not permitted to be a tour guide in Thailand,’ it said. ‘He pressured tourists to buy goods and asked for commission.’
The incident was recorded and the video shared on Monday. The Chinese man was seen and heard telling members of a Chinese tour group they must buy goods at a shop he recommended. If not, they would not be allowed back on the bus and might not be able to return home.
‘Buy here, or don’t get back on the bus,’ tour group told
On Tuesday, Pol Col Man Rotthong, chief of investigation of the Tourist Police Bureau, said the Thai tour company involved had a valid permit for the business. It arranged the tour in cooperation with a company in China. It was from Oct 8-13 and included Bangkok, Pattaya and Chon Buri.
The programme was priced legally and was not classified as a zero-dollar tour, authorities said.
Pol Col Man said the Chinese man in the video was not a tour guide but a member of the Chinese company serving as the head of the tour. He was accompanied on the trip by a registered Thai guide who had confirmed there was no coercion.
According to the Thai guide, the incident occurred while the Chinese man was arguing with a member of the group, Pol Col Man said.
The police investigation was continuing into the Chinese company. The group in question had all returned to China. None had reported the incident, Pol Col Man said.
The Chinese embassy emphasised that tourists should not choose tour programmes only because they come with cheap prices. Outbound tours from China must be licensed and with a well-recognised quality service with official contracts for the trip.
Foreigners are not allowed to work as tour guides in Thailand. Complaints about guides should be made to the police tourist hotline 1155.