CHIANG MAI - Police on Friday raided a resort and five shops accused of selling shoddy and overpriced products to tourists, mainly Chinese.
Officers also said they believed the businesses were owned by foreigners through Thai nominees.
About 100 tourist police, soldiers and officials of the Business Development Department staged the surprise crackdown on the businesses in the heart of the northern city.
Tourist Police commander Surachet Hakphan said the raids were a response to reports that foreigners were running controlled businesses through Thai nominees, and that shops were selling either substandard or overpriced products to tourists.
Enforcement of the law was aimed at protecting Thai businesses and the national image in the eyes of visitors, he said.
Raided were E-outfitting Resort on Mahidol Road, Gems Gallery Chiang Mai in San Kamphaeng, Royal Duty Shop 999 selling rubber-based products in San Kamphaeng, Lanna Latex selling similar products in Nong Pa Khrang, Thai Siam selling crocodile leather products in Nong Pa Khrang, and Thai Park Snake Farm in tambon San Phi Sua, suspected of selling substandard snake-based medicinal products.
Police seized many products from the businesses and plan to press charges after they finish questioning the operators, Pol Maj Gen Surachet said.