Thread: No More Rip-Offs, Chinese Tours Agree After 5000 Baht Phuket-Phi Phi Scam Revealed

Phuketwan
October 28, 2014
By Chutima Sidasathian

Chinese tour companies have been charging tourists up to 5000 baht for a day-trip between Phuket and Phi Phi that would normally cost 700-800 baht, it was revealed today.

Having asked for payment before the tourist leaves China, some tour companies then organise the lowest possible price for the day trip on Phuket and pocket the enormous profit, says the island's director of the Tourism and Sport Department, Santi Pawai.

''It's not unusual for the Chinese tour operators to charge their customers 3000 to 5000 baht for the day-trip,'' said Khun Santi, who has been trying to end rip-offs and illegal activities among tour companies.

At a meeting on Phuket yesterday, 45 Chinese tour companies agreed to restrict the price they charge for the Phuket-Phi Phi day-trip to no more than 700 or 800 baht. Three companies refused to agree to the deal.

Chinese tourists visiting Phuket should chose companies that do not rip them off and that provide adequate safeguards as well. Beginning soon, all Chinese tourists arriving on Phuket will be handed brochures explaining the new, fair pricing levels.

''Under the old way that the Chinese tour operators worked, local businesses on Phuket derived no benefits,'' Khun Santi said.

Khun Santi said 5000 baht was a fair price for a one-day or two-day tour around half-a-dozen attractions on Phuket but not a fair payment for the Phuket-Phi Phi-Phuket trip.

No More Rip-Offs, Chinese Tours Agree After 5000 Baht Phuket-Phi Phi Scam is Revealed - Phuket Wan

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

''Under the old way that the Chinese tour operators worked, local businesses on Phuket derived no benefits,'' Khun Santi said.

That's the key statement. If the Thais were getting their slice of the pie, nothing would have been revealed and the scam would have continued.

I'm pretty sure it's standard practice the world over. You book a trip in the UK, you'll pay more than doing it locally (in Thailand, India, Spain, wherever) because you're also paying for the overheads of that company, including administration fees and any tour guides.

Originally Posted by Neverna

I'm pretty sure it's standard practice the world over. You book a trip in the UK, you'll pay more than doing it locally (in Thailand, India, Spain, wherever) because you're also paying for the overheads of that company, including administration fees and any tour guides.

Yes but the Chinese got greedy and didn't want to pay the middle man.
sep

''Under the old way that the Chinese tour operators worked, local businesses on Phuket derived no benefits,'' Khun Santi said.

So the Chinese tourists had to swim between Phuket and Phi-Phi? Or a Chinese naval ship transported all the Chinese tourists?