In response to concerns over unfair pricing and service charges, the Ministry has taken firm steps to ensure quality and fairness in the tourism sector. Natreeya stated that measures have been introduced in collaboration with the Airline Association and the Ministry of Transport to improve service accessibility and affordability.
These measures include increasing the number of special domestic flights and pushing forward a policy to reduce excise tax on aviation fuel, aimed at lowering ticket prices for travellers. At the same time, businesses across the sector—hotels, restaurants, and tour operators—have been urged to uphold high service standards and display prices clearly to promote transparency and consumer confidence.
Additionally, the Ministry has launched a nationwide crackdown on ‘nominee tours’ and unlicensed tour guides. This effort is led by an integrated task force known as the Joint Operations Centre for Combating Nominee Tourism Businesses (JOCN), consisting of five key agencies:
Office of the Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports
Department of Business Development
Department of Special Investigation (DSI)
Tourist Police Bureau
Immigration Bureau
The task force is responsible for inspecting tourism-related operations and enforcing the law rigorously across the country, targeting operators who use Thai nationals as fronts for foreign-controlled businesses and those providing unauthorised guiding services.
In closing, Natreeya affirmed the Ministry’s long-term commitment:
“Thailand must be 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 with determination.”
