Police bust illegal tour, arrest teacher bringing tourists back from Laos

Matichon•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities apprehended a teacher organizing an unlicensed tour group returning from Laos after a sting operation initiated by tourist complaints.

•Police arrested a teacher in Loei province for operating an illegal tour service.
•The operation involved a sting to lure the unlicensed tour group back from Laos.
•The arrested individual and a partner allegedly organized tours without permits or insurance for over two months.
•The tour group was apprehended at the Kok Phai border checkpoint returning from Laos.

•Police conducted a lure operation targeting unlicensed tour operators.
•The sting operation involved a tour traveling on February 14-15, 2026.
•Authorities arrested two individuals, including a teacher, at the Kok Phai border checkpoint.
•The arrests were made due to operating an unlicensed tour business and failing to provide tourist insurance, violating the Tour Business and Guide Act B.E. 2008.
•The arrests followed complaints from tourists regarding unlicensed tour companies operating trips to Laos.
•The arrested individuals confessed to organizing tours for over two months via social media.
•The apprehended tour operators were handed over to Pak Chom Police Station for further legal proceedings.
•Arrested individuals face charges for operating a tour business without a license, potentially leading to legal penalties.

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Police(ตำรวจ)

Law enforcement agency that conducted the sting operation and made arrests in this case.

Department of Tourism(กรมการท่องเที่ยว)

Government agency that received complaints about unlicensed tour operators and participated in the investigation.

Loei Provincial Tourist Police(ตำรวจท่องเที่ยวจังหวัดเลย)

Local investigative unit that collaborated on the operation.

Investigation Division, Tourist Police Division 2(กองกำกับการสืบสวนกองบังคับการตำรวจท่องเที่ยว 2)

Higher-level investigative unit that supported the operation.

Pak Chom Police Station(สภ.ปากชม)

The police station that will handle the legal proceedings against the arrested individuals.

Lao PDR(สปป.ลาว)ℹ️

Country from which the unlicensed tour group was returning.

Kok Phai Checkpoint(ด่านคกไผ่)

The border checkpoint where the unlicensed tour group was apprehended upon returning to Thailand.

Pak Chom District(อำเภอปากชม)

District in Loei Province where the Kok Phai checkpoint is located.

Loei Province(จังหวัดเลย)ℹ️

Province where the teacher was based and where the arrests took place.

Pol. Lt. Col. Nithit Ekkathat(พ.ต.ท. นิธิศ เอกทัศน์)

Investigating officer, Superintendent of Tourist Police Station 6, heading the operation in Loei.

Tour Business and Guide Act B.E. 2008(พระราชบัญญัติธุรกิจนำเที่ยว และมัคคุเทศก์ พ.ศ. 2008)

The legislation that governs tour operations and guide licensing in Thailand, which was violated by the arrested individuals.