Laws Protecting Tourism in Thailand

TAT once proposed the idea that a low concerning the tourist business and tourist guides be drafted but the proposal met with opposition from the private sector. Later on, the private sector would come to realize that without such a law the business could be chaotic and appealed for the law to be passed. TAT thus hastened to draft the Tourist Business and Guide Bill with collaboration between representatives form both the government and private sectors. The Bill was passed by the National Assembly on May 18, 1992, followed by a Ministry Regulation adhering to that bill which became effective on May 28, 1993.

The reason the bill was put into effect was due to the fact that at present the business of tourism and tour-guiding has expanded vastly. A legal document determining its standards thus became essential. TAT's role has been defined as an agency to promote and control the business of tourism and tour-guiding to adhere to a certain standard and order as prescribed by the law for the benefit of all parties concerned and for the nation's tourism industry.

Essential Elements
1. Operation of tourism business without permits is prohibited. Fines for violations or operating during suspension of permit range from 100,000-500,000 baht with additional daily fines of 1,000 during period of violation.
2. Tour-guiding without permits if prohibited. Violation or practicing during suspension of permits could result in imprisonment of no more than 6 months or a fine of not more than 50,000 baht or both.
3. While offering sightseeing services, tourists must receive the same or comparable services as agreed. Any changes in services offered not complying to a tourist's wishes must result in the operator shouldering the costs of those changes.
4. Operators must not perform any actions that might discredit or defame the tourism business.
5. Tourist guides should be dressed neatly and appropriately and display the tour guide permit on their shirts while performing their duties as guide. They must not perform any actions that might discredit or defame the tourism business, neither should inaccurate information be disseminated in ways that might dishonor the country or perform any actions beyond what has been agreed upon.

Operator of tourist business of tourist guides.

Application for Permit
Individuals wishing to become tour operators or tourist guides can apply for a permit from the Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office or the Governors of provinces with tourism business offices or provinces in the area.

Individuals wishing to obtain tourist guide permits must possess a diploma certifying participation in a tourist guide training-course approved by the Committee on Tourism Business and Tourist Guides.

Fees for permits
1. Tour Operators
- In Specific areas 100 baht each
- Local tours 300 baht each
- Foreign tours 500 baht each

2. Tourist Guides
- General 200 baht each
- Special 100 baht each

Categories of Tourist Business and Tourist Guides

The Tourist Business comprises
3. parts:
1. In specific areas refers to sightseeing within a province and adjacent provinces.
2. Local tours refers to sightseeing in all provinces throughout the country.
3. Foreign tours refers to sightseeing abroad or bringing in sightseeing groups from abroad to a certain tourist site in the country.

Tourist guides comprise 2 categories
1. General
2. Special
At present only tourist guides of the first type exist and are categorized into 8 types.
1. Foreign travel
2. Thailand
3. Provincial (abroad)
4. Provincial (Thailand)
5. Jungle trekking
6. The sea
7. The seaside
8. Arts and culture

Guarantees
Tourist businesses must provide a guarantee for damages that might occur if there is a breach of contract with tourists or operators in the tourist industry.
- In specific areas
...Sightseeing for no more than 20 persons 3,000 baht guarantee
...Sightseeing for more then 20 persons 10,000 baht guarantee
- Local tours 50,000 baht guarantee
- Foreign tours 100,000 baht guarantee
Number of persons holding permits on October 31, 1995
- Tourist businesses 1,589
- Tourist Guides 9,726

Area of responsibility of the Office of Tourist Business and Guide
1. The Bangkok Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office is responsible for 28 provinces namely Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Song Khram, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Rayog, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thai, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaew, Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao.
2. The Northern Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office is responsible for 15 provinces namely Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Uttaradit, Phrae, Nan, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Tak, Phichit and Kamphaeng Phet.
3. The Northeastern Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office is responsible for 19 provinces namely Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Chiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Yasothon, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai and Loei.
4. The First District of the Southern Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office is responsible for 8 provinces namely Songkhla, Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Trang.
5. The Second Distirct of the Southern Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office is responsible for 6 provinces namely Phuket, Krabi, Phangnga, Surat Thani, Ranong and Chumphon.

Protection for Tourist under this jurisdiction
It is advisable tourists, educational institutions and other agencies utilize sightseeing services only from companies with permits as tourism operators so that in cases where any inconvenience occurs or there is a breach of contract on the part of the operator damages may be claimed at the Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office by Submitting the necessary documents such as receipts, sightseeing programs and other forms of evidence.