Unlicensed Tour Guides: A Growing Issue in the Tourism Industry
A snorkeller explores sea life underwater at Koh Tachai, one of the Similan Islands. The problem of illegal tour guides has worsened, attributed to longer visa-free stays and weak law enforcement, enabling foreigners to illegally operate both tour company and guide services in most major tourism cities, says the Professional Tourist Guides Association of Thailand.
Illegal Russian Tour Guide Caught Leading Group
New concerns cropped up on social media this week as an illegal Russian tour guide was caught leading a tour group in the Similan Islands, using a Thai guide as a sitting nominee, while being unable to compel customers to follow national park rules. Tourists were seen jumping from rocks into the shallow sea, risking injury from underwater stones.
Foreigners Exploiting Thailand’s Booming Tourism Industry
Paisarn Suethanuwong, a committee member of the association, said some foreigners are wrongfully reaping the benefits of Thailand’s booming tourism industry. He mentioned that the government’s visa-free policy of up to 60 days for tourists from 93 countries has been exploited by foreigners who work illegally in Thailand. Foreign tourists stay roughly 15 days or less on average, according to arrival and departure data.
Recent Cases of Illegal Foreign Workers
Mr. Paisarn highlighted many recent cases of Chinese working illegally at Bangkok construction sites. He noted that in the past, foreign guides might illegally take jobs from licensed operators, but now they take part in the entire business cycle by themselves in major cities such as Bangkok and Phuket, explicitly opening tour services targeting not only Chinese tourists, but also Russian, Indian, and South Korean travelers.
Challenges Faced by Licensed Tour Guides
Despite the rising number of independent tourists and decline in large tour groups after the pandemic, this trend has not significantly affected tour guides because many independent tourists still travel as small private group tours, which depend on tour escorts, said Mr. Paisarn. The main issue remains foreigners seeking opportunities to target customers on their own, he said.