Thai authorities crack down zero-dollar tours

BANGKOK, September 12 (TNA) - Thailand's Immigration Bureau is taking the problem of so-called zero-dollar tours seriously as it is related to national security issues. Immigration Bureau Chief Police Lieutenant General Nattorn Prohsunthorn told journalists of the move on Monday while visiting the immigration office in the central Ayutthaya Province. Police Lieutenant General Nattorn said the Thai government is working with relevant agencies to resolve the problem of the zero dollar tours or kickback tours, in which foreigners come to Thailand on tourist visa but staying to run business illegally under a fraudulent registration. According to the senior police officer, his immigration bureau in Bangkok has ordered all provincial immigration offices to adopt pro-active approaches to crack down zero–dollar tour operators in their respective areas, particularly in tourist destination provinces. Zero-dollar or kickback tours offer tour packages at lower prices than the real costs to attract budget tourists and will later overcharge the tourists through shopping or service at the shops in their networks. (TNA)