for foreign businesses, tourism officials said Thursday. According to Jaturon Phakdeewanich, director-general
BANGKOK — Two tour companies were ordered to close down on suspicion of acting as nominees for foreign businesses, tourism officials said Thursday. According to Jaturon Phakdeewanich, director-general of the Department of Tourism, which regulates tourism businesses in Thailand, Chang Long Travel and Sen Zhou Xing Tour’s licenses were revoked after it was discovered that they made changes to the shareholder structure that violated the requirements for operating a tourism business.
Both companies have their registered offices in Bangkok’s Wang Thonglang district.
Under the law, operating a tourism business is restricted under the Foreign Business Act and therefore the Thai partners must hold more than 51 percent of the shares. At least half of the directors must also be of Thai nationals.
Jaturon said the crackdown on foreign businesses is the latest effort to improve the image of Thai tourism.
Authorities are conducting an investigation to pursue further legal actions against both companies, he said.
