Foreign visitors can now file for compensation if they are scammed in Thailand

Foreign tourists who feel they have been scammed in Thailand can now file for compensation from the Thai government.

Tourism Department Director-General Anant Wongbenjarat said foreign tourists can file compensation claims from the department if they were swindled by registered tour companies that fail to operate as planned or advertised.

He said the compensation will be paid by the Tourist Business Protection Fund, NNT reported.

The fund requires tour companies and operators who have a valid license to deposit anywhere from 10,000 to 200,000 baht depending on the size of their organisation and whether they offer inbound, outbound or domestic tours.

The fund will then be used to speed up the payment of compensation to tourists who have been scammed by unscrupulous tour companies.

Once the compensation has paid to the claimant the Tourism Department will then go after the tour company to recoup the money. If the company fails to comply they will lose their deposit and could have their license suspended.

However, a compensation claim can only be made against a registered tour company or operator.

A claim can not be made against an unregistered tour company.

Because of this Mr Wongbenjarat urged all tourists to first check whether a tour company is registered with the Tourism Department.

Visitors can check if a tour company is legitimate by visiting: http://www.tourism.go.th/

Tourists who feel they have been scammed by a tour company in Thailand can file a claim for compensation in person at the Tourism Department office located at:

Department of Tourism (National Stadium)

Building 2, 5th Floor, Academic and Tourism Business Protection Fund,

Travel and Tour Guide Division,

Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan,

Bangkok 10330

 

Or by telephone: 0-2219-4010-7 Ext. 717 or 0-2214-1385

Email: fund.centre8116@gmail.com

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