Chinese, Thai authorities to jointly crack down zero-dollar tours

BANGKOK, September 13 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports will work with China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) to set minimum prices of quality tour packages to raise tourism standard for Chinese tourists and to suppress zero-dollar tour operations. Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkura told journalists of the update on September 12, noting that the minimum reasonable prices for the quality tour programmes will be jointly set as part of the plan to crack down the zero-dollar tours and the joint measure is expected to be implemented by the end of this year. Kobkarn said crackdowns and asset seizures from illegal tour businesses or zero-dollar tours should slightly affect the coach service for tourists in Bangkok and seaside Pattaya City in the Thai East. According to the minister, international tourist arrivals in Thailand have continually increased, especially Chinese tourists whose arrivals in the Thai Kingdom rose by 33.74 per cent year-on-year during the first 11 days of this month. (TNA)