Guides damage island’s image
November 24, 2011 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, Thailand
PHUKET, 24 November 2011: Phuket Tour Guide Association says illegal tour guides in the province are damaging the island’s tourism image.
The association president, Panomphol Thammachartniyom, told TTR Weekly that the decade old problem of the so-called ghost or “Pee” guide continues to damage the province’s tourism.
“ It suggests the government does not take tourism business seriously, although there are lots of committees to crackdown on illegal tour guides, but nothing is achieved. ” Read more
Tour guides under the hammer
January 11, 2011 by Paphada Apimonton
Filed under News
HONG KONG, 11 January 2011 – Hong Kong based tour guides protested, late last week, against a new policy that limits a guide’s employment to just a single tour group for the duration of its stay and outlaws shopping commissions.
The guides claim the new law prevents them from taking on extra jobs or receiving fees from establishments other than from the company that assigned them to lead a group. They estimate it could cut their overall monthly earnings by HK10,000.
About 1,000 tour guides joined the protest against the Travel Industry Council regulation that comes into effect 1 February.
Crackdown on Russian tour companies
January 5, 2011 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
BANGKOK 5 January 2011 – Six Russian tour companies operating at Phuket’s popular beach locations have been suspended by the Phuket Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office for illegally hiring Russian guides.
Local news service www. phuketwan.com broke the story, yesterday, claiming the companies had been operating illegally by hiring Russian guides, an occupation that is reserved for Thai nationals.
According to the report the registration office in Phuket declined to identify the companies claiming disclosure could expose the office to “legal repercussions”.
Guides ask for a rescue fund
May 25, 2010 by Duangrudee Somboonruangsri
Filed under News
BANGKOK, 25 May 2010 — The Professional Tourist Guide Association Thailand estimates a Bt420 million loss in service fees due to the political crisis and will file a request for a government grant of Bt10 million to set up a guides’ cooperative and council.
PGA president, Wirote Sitaprasertnand, told TTR Weekly the association would submit a proposal for a grant to Minister of Tourism and Sports, this week.
Honouring top tour guides
March 8, 2010 by Chanida Sa-ngiamphaisalsuk
Filed under Tour Operators
Tourism Authority of Thailand invites tour guides to apply in a competition that will identify the country’s best tour guides.
