The Thai government has announced new protocols to improve safety and crackdown on unofficial tour operators. The measures come in the wake of social media claims about travel security issues in the Southeast Asian country and will see military, police, and civil authorities working together “to reassure all travellers that Thailand remains a safe destination,” said Natreeya Taweewong, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา เดินหน้าเชิงรุก บูรณาการแก้ไขปัญหานักท่องเที่ยว พร้อมยกระดับความปลอดภัยและสิ่งแวดล้อมด้านการท่องเที่ยว#กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา pic.twitter.com/6FrO4W3QYr
— กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา (@MOTS_Thai) May 20, 2025
Support services, hotlines and apps
New support services will range from teams at airports to minimise delays, assist arrivals with lost property, and streamline immigration procedures, to advice on public transport, emergency hotlines and apps, and 24-hour patrols in designated areas.
The integrated approach is intended to ensure Thailand is a “destination where tourists feel confident in their safety, receive services that meet recognised standards and enjoy meaningful, high-quality experiences. This is a key priority that the government and our ministry are working to deliver,” Natreeya said.
@thethaigerofficial A former Israeli commando has been arrested on Koh Phangan for illegally working as a tour guide, allegedly taking jobs from locals and operating without a licence. Identified as David, the 45-year-old was found guiding a group of children through tourist sites such as Wat Maduea Wan and Wang Sai Waterfall. He had been offering tours through a WhatsApp group under the name “Nature Trips with Uncle”, charging up to 8,000 baht per week. Law enforcement responded to complaints from the local tourism industry, leading to charges for unauthorised employment. This case highlights ongoing concerns about foreigners engaging in work prohibited by Thai law, particularly in tourist hotspots. Authorities have intensified their crackdown ahead of the Songkran festival to protect the job market and maintain the country's image. Legal action is now underway, with further investigations expected. #KohPhanganNews #IllegalGuiding#ThaiLaw #TourismThailand#ForeignWorkers #UnlicensedTourGuide#IsraelThailand #LabourLaw #TouristCrackdown #Songkran2025 ♬ original sound – The Thaiger
Illegal operators associated with abduction rumours
As well as increasing the presence of information points, volunteers and security forces, a five-agency task force has been created bringing together officials from Tourism and Sports, the Business Development Department, Special Investigators, the Tourist Police Bureau and the Immigration Bureau. The Joint Operations Centre will be at the epicentre of efforts to tackle illegal businesses operating as fronts and unauthorised tours.
Addressing rumours circulating online about tourist disappearances, Natreeya acknowledged “isolated cases of individuals using Thailand as a transit point, but these are not incidents involving tourists, nor are they related to the tourism sector.”
Natreeya went on to insist there “is no evidence of any tourist abduction taking place in Thailand. We want to reassure all travellers that Thailand remains a safe destination,” adding: “The Thai people stand united in welcoming and caring for tourists as honoured guests of our country.”
@thethaigerofficial Croatian National Arrested for Illegal Tour Operation in Chiang Mai Thai authorities have arrested a Croatian man in Chiang Mai for running an unlicensed tour business and working without a valid permit. Identified only as Mr Andre, the suspect was caught operating a tour sales office in the Chang Khlan district—an area popular with foreign visitors. The arrest followed a government crackdown on illegal tourism businesses and weeks of surveillance by immigration police and the Department of Tourism. Mr Andre now faces charges for violating local labour laws and operating without a licence, which carry penalties of up to 500,000 baht. Authorities say the move is part of a broader effort to protect Thai jobs and ensure all tourism enterprises adhere to national regulations. This is one of several recent arrests highlighting growing enforcement in Thailand’s tourism sector. Officials continue to urge tourists to verify the legitimacy of tour providers. #ChiangMai #ThailandNews #IllegalWork #TourismCrackdown #ImmigrationLaw ♬ original sound – The Thaiger
Accessibility and affordability
Pricing and quality benchmarks are also part of the equation. “Measures have been introduced in collaboration with the Airlines Association and the Ministry of Transport to improve service accessibility and affordability,” Natreeya said. The number of domestic flights is set to increase while aviation fuel tax is destined to stay low in order to keep prices down.
Businesses are also being instructed to display clear costs for services. Overall, the suite of measures is designed to increase transparency and put safety at the top of the agenda, shoring up trust in Thailand both as a tourist destination and as a place to do business.
