Tour operators were briefed on license requirements and employee registration at a seminar aimed at eliminating illegal tour guides in Pattaya.
Banglamung District Chief Chakorn Kanjawattana opened the July 7 seminar organized by the Bureau of Tourism Business and Guide Registration and Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel.
The workshop provided knowledge about the Tourism and Guide Registration Act of 2008 for the 200 tour operators, guides, leaders, and business owners attending.
DASTA regional general manager Thaweepong Wichaidit lectures tour operators, guides, leaders, and business owners about prohibitions under the law, proper conduct for tourism businesses, and terms under which licenses can be suspended or revoked.
DASTA regional general manager Thaweepong Wichaidit advised attendees on prohibitions under the law, proper conducts for tourism businesses, and terms under which licenses can be suspended or revoked.
He said the Bureau of Tourism Business and Guide Registration’s eastern regional office handles all licensing and guide registration matters for Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, and Sra Kaew.
The meeting was called in response to repeated petitions by tour guide associations for the government to crack down on companies hiring illegal guides, most of them foreigners. Thaweepong said it was incumbent on the tour companies to be sure all guides, Thai or foreign, were registered.
Chakorn said relevant laws impel registration and set out punishment, which include closure of illegal businesses and deportation of illegal foreign guides.
