The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) yesterday confiscated more than 2,000 coaches and over 4.7 billion baht in cash from a company allegedly involving illegal zero-dollar tour operations.
The raid was conducted at OA Transport Co. located in Lat Krabang district by tourist and rail police, tax officials and authorities from Amlo.
Police confiscated a total of 2,155 coaches and froze the bank accounts of its 381 affiliates with over 4.7 billion baht in circulation following the raid, Surachet Hakpan, commander of the Tourist Police Division said.
The raid took place after the company's executives turned themselves in to police last month after a court approved arrest warrants for them, said Pol Maj Gen Surachet.
Nisa Rungrojrungsee and Wasurat Rungrojrungsee reported themselves to Phaya Thai police last month and police pressed charges of ang-yee (running an illegal secret organisation) against them.
The raid yesterday followed a police investigation into a group of illegal zero-dollar tour companies run by Chinese nationals.
Last month, police raided Foo An Travel Co located in KSL Tower on Si Ayutthaya Road in Ratchathewi district after officers were tipped off that a group of foreigners had used fake Thai identity cards to operate a tour business in Thailand.
Following the raid, police widened their investigations. Authorities then raided five more companies -- Royal Gems International Co, Bangkok Handicraft Centre Co, Royal Thai Herbs Co, OA Transport Co and Royal Paradise Co.
The companies provide a car hire service, sell jewellery, leather products, herbs, food and food supplements as well as run restaurants for the illegal tour services.
"They are the largest illegal tour operators in Thailand," Pol Maj Gen Surachet said.
Mostly operated by Chinese nationals, zero-dollar tours involve packages priced below cost to lure budget travellers, subsidised through deals with third-party firms which in turn sell overpriced goods and services to the tourists. Some tour operations include sex tours.
Amlo secretary-general Pol Gen Chaiya Siriampankul said Amlo committee members have agreed to seize and freeze assets in excess of 13.2 billion baht from people involved in businesses operated by Foo An Travel and OA Travel, he added.
Surawat Akaraworamat, vice-president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) said he was afraid the crackdown may drive Chinese tourists away.
"We are worried Chinese tourists will cancel their trips to Thailand due to feelings of uncertainty about zero-dollar tours," he said.