The Thai Tourism Authority (TAT) has filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division against nearly 1,000 business owners for alleged fraud related to government co-payment tourism.

Deputy CSD chief Pol Col Anek Taosuphap said on Friday that the complaint related to fraudulent practices in the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We travel together) campaign.

The complaint was directed against 934 entrepreneurs – 448 hotels and 486 providers – across the country, mainly in the southern provinces.

Pol Col Anek said the fraud was 1.7 billion baht and that the entrepreneurs’ tricks were similar to those already charged in Chaiyaphum. This included people being paid to sign up for the program so that scammers could benefit from it.

The CSD has worked with Krungthai Bank to develop measures to prevent people and businesses from using the system.

Approximately 3.5 million people signed up for the program when it launched last July. Participants can only pay 60% of normal hotel room rates, the government is responsible for the rest.

Tourists also receive an e-voucher for other expenses worth 600 baht from Friday to Sunday and 900 baht from Monday to Thursday. The government is also helping to pay 40% of the price of plane tickets, up to 3,000 baht per person.

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