On October 13, some netizens posted a video saying that when traveling to Thailand, they encountered compulsory consumption, tour guide attitude, threatened tourists with Chinese "without consumption will not let you go back to China", "to duty-free stores will not let you get on the car" and so on, also with the finger photographer demanded "delete the video to me".
After the incident was revealed, the National Tourism Administration of Thailand said it would seriously deal with the guides and travel agencies involved.
At present, the tour guide in question has been arrested by the Thai police, who admitted to intimidating tourists because of the lack of discounts for tourist shopping.In addition, two heads of the travel agency in question have also been arrested for working illegally in the tour guide industry, facing up to 2 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 baht (about 100,000 yuan).
According to the information, the tour guide is Li Hai, is a Chinese citizen, has no legal guide license, and has long been illegally practicing in Thailand.He was exposed to attracting tourists through low-cost travel groups, frequently arranging shopping points and collecting discounts during the trip, and has also used words threatening, restricting personal freedom and other means against non-consumption tourists.
In 2018, Li Hai was also arrested by Thai police for insulting tourists and forcing them to buy a lactose pillow, and the Thai head of the travel agency involved was also detained.
He Shengting, a lawyer of Guangdong Guoding Law Firm, told Yangcheng Evening News that the tour guide's remark that "you can't go back to China without consumption" is a threat to the personal safety of tourists, essentially to force tourists to spend. This behavior violates the provisions of the Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China on prohibiting compulsory consumption.
In addition, in a foreign country, tourists are relatively unfamiliar with the local environment and laws, and this threatening remark from tour guides will make tourists feel afraid and threaten their personal security.
He Shengting introduced that Article 9 of the Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China clearly stipulates that tourists have the right to choose tourism products and services independently and have the right to refuse compulsory transactions by tour operators. Article 35 of the Law further stipulates that travel agencies shall not organize tourism activities at unreasonable low prices, lure tourists, and obtain kickbacks and other improper benefits by arranging shopping or paying separately for tourism items.
If tour guides or other operators of shopping spots forcibly buy and sell goods by violence or threats, or force tourists to accept services, if the circumstances are serious, it may be suspected of constituting the crime of forced trading.
If tourists travel abroad encounter compulsory consumption situations such as tour guide threats, first need to save evidence, can record the threat speech of the tour guide and compulsory consumption behavior through recording, video, and other relevant consumption credentials.
On the premise of ensuring your own safety, you can communicate with travel agencies, clearly point out that the above behaviors are illegal, require them to stop compulsory consumption, and perform the travel itinerary in accordance with the contract.
There are different tourist complaints and alert channels in different countries, and tourists can seek help from the relevant local departments and request intervention. Tourists outside can also contact the Chinese Embassy abroad to explain the situation to the staff and seek consular assistance. If tourists are registered with a domestic travel agency, tourists can also complain to the tourism administrative department of the place where the travel agency is registered at the time, asking the travel agency to bear the corresponding responsibility.
The reporter, King Zhao