Those companies which could not provide the requested documentation or were closed during his visit have been ordered to hand over all relevant paper work within five days of face a fine of B4,000.
The nine companies that were visited today included Fivestar Seacruises in Koh Kaew, Sea Travel Paradise and Tour in Rawai, Amazing Bike Tour, Dive Marine and Jolly Roger in Chalong.
Speaking after the inspection, Mr Santi said, “Many of the tour companies that we checked today did not have all the related documents and some tour companies were closed.
“All have been informed to bring all legal documents to the Tourism Registrar Office within five days. If they fail to comply they will have to pay a fine of B4,000, and if they are warned twice and still do not provide all documents the law will be enforced.”
Mr Santi added that the Tourism and Sport Department and Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office work closely with the DSI and tourist police to hunt for illegal nominee companies that hide under the guise of a tour company.
The Department of Business Development and tourist police will also check registration documents for all tour companies in Phuket that have foreigners or a foreign company as a shareholder.
“I have to take this illegal nominee issue seriously and I stressed to the tour companies about the law and regulation including the duty of tour guides,” Mr Santi sconcluded.