Thai tour guides continue complaints about foreign rivals

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2003
The Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand again complained about non-registered guides working in Chonburi.
The Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand again complained about non-registered guides working in Chonburi.

The Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand again complained about non-registered guides working in Chonburi.

Maj. Gen. Tatsanai Pratum­thong, deputy director of Chonburi’s Internal Security Operations Command, met with the group at the provincial hall Jan. 17 to discuss its renewed complaints.

Group President Jarupol Reuangket led a group of more than 200 guides from around the country to demand tougher checks on foreign guides, as “tour guide” is an occupation reserved by law for Thai nationals.

The association also claimed the foreigners were working illegally on tourist visas.

Jarupol claimed companies don’t use Thai guides because they can pay foreigner less.

He claimed this has led to unemployment of Thai guides. He did not mention that many Thai guides, however, lack the language skills required by foreign tours.

Tatsanai, who has heard all these gripes before, promised to look into it.