The controversy erupted after a popular Phuket Facebook page shared the video, which quickly spread on Chinese platforms including the short-video platform ‘Douyin’.
The footage shows an elderly woman inside a shop on Yaowarat Rd in Phuket Town, reportedly demanding B40 from Chinese tourists each time they viewed merchandise.
According to the online post, the woman made inappropriate remarks and gestures when some visitors declined to pay, with accusations that her comments appeared racially discriminatory and caused offence.
The clip rapidly gained traction on both Chinese and Thai social media, with many users expressing concern about the potential damage to Phuket’s tourism image. Some commenters warned that incidents of this nature could undermine confidence among Chinese travellers, one of Thailand’s key tourism markets.
Online reactions ranged from claims that similar practices had occurred at other shops in the Old Town area to broader criticism about attitudes towards tourists. Several posts suggested that such behaviour could drive visitors to competing destinations in the region.
A second version of the clip circulating online shows the woman speaking harshly to a tourist who refused to pay the alleged entry fee. The incident was initially reported to have taken place at a ceramic shop on Yaowarat Rd, though some online posts also referenced Thalang Rd.
HOOP JUMPING
Officials from the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office held a press briefing at the Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office yesterday (Feb 15) to clarify the situation as quickly as possible.
Waranit Apiratjirawong, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office, assigned Supansa Chuaychana, Head of the Economic and Trade Regulation and Development Group, to explain the findings of an investigation also launched yesterday.
Ms Supansa said officials inspected the ceramic shop in question, confirmed to be on Yaowarat Rd.
The investigation found that the shop owner ‒ ’Ms Porn’, who spoke freely to the press ‒ had clearly displayed product prices and service fees at the entrance, including a B40 entry fee. According to officials, the notice stated that the fee was deductible from purchases and could be used as a discount on goods bought inside the shop. Signs explaining the conditions were displayed in Thai, English and Chinese.
Ms Supansa emphasised that collecting such a service fee is legally permissible, provided that prices and conditions are clearly shown in accordance with Announcement No. 68 of 2025 issued by the Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services regarding the display of prices.
However, officials advised the business owner to exercise greater caution in dealing with customers, warning that inappropriate behaviour or communication could negatively affect the image of Phuket and Thailand’s tourism industry. The owner reportedly agreed to strictly comply with the relevant regulations.
The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office said it will step up on-site inspections of businesses in tourist areas three days a week ‒ Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays ‒ with more frequent checks during peak seasons, including Chinese New Year.
Inspections will be conducted in cooperation with agencies including the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), the Weights and Measures Office, the Public Health Office, the Provincial Public Relations Office, local police stations and local administrative organisations. Officials will also seek cooperation from community leaders, market operators and the private sector to ensure compliance with the law.
In addition, discussions are underway with local administrative organisations to organise training sessions for business operators, supported by funding from the Phuket Provincial Industry Office and provincial budgets. A mobile public awareness campaign is also planned, Ms Supansa said.
The Commerce Office will continue consulting with relevant agencies and report the matter to the Ministry of Commerce to reinforce strict adherence to pricing display regulations, she added.