BANGKOK, Oct 16 — A tour guide in Thailand was caught on camera threatening to leave his Chinese tour group behind if they refused to shop at a store he recommended.
The incident went viral after a tourist recorded the exchange and shared it on a Facebook page dedicated to Thai tourism updates, Bangkok Post reported.
In the clip, the guide was heard telling the group that they must buy something at a tax-free shop or they would not be allowed back on the bus.
When some tourists objected, he warned them that they might not be able to return to China if they didn’t comply.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn said the matter was being taken seriously and that officials from the Department of Tourism and tourist police were working to identify where and when it took place.
“Thailand is entering the high season, so it’s important to build confidence among tourists, in all aspects,” he was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post.
Department director-general Jaturon Phakdeewanit said authorities had identified both the Thai and Chinese companies involved but were still investigating if the tour was part of a “zero-dollar” scheme.
“Zero-dollar tours, especially among the Chinese market, have declined in line with the contraction of Chinese arrivals,” he added.
“Zero-dollar tours” refer to cheap tour packages sold mainly in China where operators recoup costs by forcing tourists to shop at designated stores that pay them kickbacks.
The Thai government banned the practice in 2016, but authorities say similar scams still resurface from time to time.
