The Senate is urging the Thai government to address the issue of foreign businesses dominating the tourism sector through local proxies, which poses a threat to domestic operators. During a recent discussion, Senator Nantana Nantavaropas raised concerns about the unfair competition local tourism businesses face from foreign-owned firms using local nominees.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong revealed that the ministry has been in talks with affected local operators to devise a solution. He highlighted the need to remove foreign tour guides from tourist hotspots and enforce existing laws that require Thai nationals to own at least 51% of shares in tourism businesses.
The government is collaborating with multiple agencies, including the Department of Tourism, Department of Business Development, Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Tourism Police Bureau (TBP), and Immigration Bureau, to investigate suspected foreign-owned companies operating through local nominees.
Despite the demand for international travel, many businesses in the tourism sector are struggling due to capacity limitations lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is working with airlines to restore flight routes, particularly between Thailand and India, ahead of the upcoming peak tourism season.
Efforts are also being made to eliminate so-called “zero-dollar” tour companies, which operate outside the local economy. Authorities have already closed more than 40 such firms.
