He said the group often intercepted tourists at the entrance to Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho and lied to them that the temples were closed and took them to venues where they were overcharged for goods and foods.
He said the group had damaged the country’s reputation because the victims had posted messages on social media about their plights.
Apichai said the arrests were made after police sent undercover officers, who appear like foreign tourists, to the venues where the group’s members were preying on tourists.