The military go shopping – for stores ripping off tourists
More than 200 military officers along with tourist police on Wednesday raided five shops believed to be involved in “zero-dollar” tours that rip off tourists by charging inflated prices for their products and services.
Led by acting deputy chief of the Thai Tourist Police, Maj-General Surachet Hakpan, the team started at the snake farm in Chalong (Thaiko Natural Health), which offers snake shows and sells products made from snakes.
Police seized more than 500 bottles of capsules of what is claimed to be tonic without Thai labels – 73 of them had only Russian-language labels.
There was also another 136 bottles of wax promoted as relieving aches, and 68 bottles of skin treatments branded “Jsnake”. All products were sent to the provincial public health office for examination.
The team continued to two birds-nest shops, including PP Bird Nest in Phuket Town and Kings Bird’s Nest in Wichit, where they used a list to guide them in seizing different types of birds nests and Tremella Fuciformis (snow fungus).
The fourth spot was the famous jewellery shop, Wang Talang Jewelry and Gift Shop, where the team seized 150 leather belts, 134 wallets, 80 key rings, 120 topaz rings and 160 gem lockets, before visiting Chalong Latex on Chao Fah West Road to seize 50 latex mattresses and 100 latex pillows.
The total value of the items seized at the five shops is estimated at Bt10.1 million.
“The raid today follows the policy on cracking down on illegal tour companies and the zero-dollar tours as well as the businesses that are involved in this trade, which usually cheat tourists with their products and services,” said Surachet.
“Many of them sell overpriced products. This has damaged Thailand’s tourism image.”
“The tourist police force is responsible for the security and safety of tourists as well as making them feel welcome. It is our responsibility to crack down on these types of activities that have a negative impact on the tourism industry.”
