Woman Arrested for Illegally Operating Foreign Tours, Selling Online
A 42-year-old woman was arrested in Surat Thani after running illegal foreign tours through Facebook despite having her business license revoked, offering Malaysia-Singapore trips with full services to unsuspecting tourists.
On May 5, 2569, officers from the Tourism Police Division 2, Region 3 headquarters, led by Pol. Col. Naraphon Wattanakrothavee, assigned Pol. Maj. Sarawut Koh Klang and arrest team members Pol. Sgt. Maj. Chalemsak Noinaem and Pol. Sgt. Maj. Nrongsakdi Pinpetchpong to apprehend Ms. Bunyanucha (alias), age 42, on charges of conducting tour business without authorization under the Tour Business and Tour Guide Act.
Evidence seized included 8 tour program photos, 33 photos of the suspect providing tourist services, 1 list of tourists, 4 payment transfer screenshots, and 4 copies of tour business license documents from the Department of Tourism online system.
The investigation began after police received complaints about illegal tour sales through Facebook. Officers discovered a Facebook account named "Bass Withanthraikul" advertising a two-country Malaysia-Singapore tour (April 30-May 4, 2569) under the company name "Bunyanucha Travel Co., Ltd." Checks revealed the company's tour business license had been revoked, yet the suspect continued operating, offering comprehensive services including air-conditioned transport, 4-night accommodations, 4 meals, Thai-Malaysian-Singaporean guides, travel insurance, and Skyway cable car tickets.
Officers arrested Ms. Bunyanucha as the tour bus dropped off tourists at a bus station in downtown Suratthani. She was handed over to Muang Suratthani Police Station, where she faces charges of operating a tour business without authorization from the Registrar.
