BANGKOK — On September 2, 2024, the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand, led by committee member Paisan Suethanuwong, along with over 50 tour guides and operators, submitted a formal petition to the Chairman of the Tour Business and Guide Committee at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The petition called for urgent action to address the growing issue of illegal guides and unlicensed tour operations across all languages, emphasizing that guiding is a profession legally reserved for Thai nationals.
Paisan highlighted that during routine tours to significant sites, members of the association had encountered numerous foreigners illegally operating as tour guides and running unauthorized tour businesses. He noted that the problem has become increasingly pervasive, undermining the integrity of the industry.
In response, Paisan urged the Tourist Police and other relevant agencies, particularly the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, to ramp up their enforcement efforts. He stressed that the presence of illegal guides and unregistered tours, often referred to as “ghost tours,” poses a threat not only to the local economy but also to the reputation of Thailand’s tourism sector.
Additionally, the association voiced concerns over the impending mandatory implementation of the Thailand Smart Tour (TST) system, set to be enforced on October 1, 2024. The TST system would require tour companies to issue guide work orders through a digital platform, eliminating the traditional paper-based orders. Tour guides would need to present these digital work orders during inspections via the TST application.
However, after testing the new system, many tour operators and guides reported that the platform was cumbersome and not user-friendly. The association has therefore requested a delay in the system’s rollout. They are also calling for the establishment of a subcommittee to review and revise the current regulations and methods for issuing job orders. The association argues that the TST system, in its current form, not only fails to effectively prevent illegal guiding but also creates unnecessary hurdles for legitimate guides, potentially exposing them to legal risks.
In closing, the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand expressed its gratitude for the ongoing efforts of all stakeholders in nurturing and advancing the nation’s tourism industry. The association hopes that the Tour Business and Guide Committee will give due consideration to their proposals, ensuring that any changes implemented are both practical and supportive of the industry’s legal operators.
