Three executives surrender over ‘zero-dollar’ tours

OA Transport executive Thongchai Rungrojrangsi, 60, Royal Gems executive Saithip Rungrojrangsi, 35, and Fu-an executive Winij Chanmanee, 69, showed up at Bangkok’s Phya Thai Police Station along with their lawyers to acknowledge charges of conspiring in secret activities with unlawful intention; to cause damage to the local tourism industry; to operate illegal and unfair tour businesses; and violating the Anti-Money Laundering law. 

The suspects maintained their innocence throughout the two-hour-long interrogation. 

Thongchai and Saithip – who are father and daughter – and Winij were refused bail by the criminal court yesterday and face a 12-day detention period pending police investigation. 

The court rejected bail requests on grounds that the case caused serious damage to the economy and the suspects could tamper with evidence or threaten witnesses. The men were taken to the Bangkok Remand Prison while Saithip was sent to the Central Women's Correctional Institute.

Tourist Police Division chief Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakpan, who led the crackdown on “zero-dollar tour” networks, said police have already arrested Thongchai’s wife Nisa Rungrojrangsi, who is also president of OA Transport, and his son executive Wasurat Rojrungrangsi for the same charges, which were also used to secure arrest warrants. Nisa and Wasurat were still in detention as of press time.

Executives from Royal Gems and Fu-an Travel – whose business activities have allegedly caused damage worth Bt98 million to the country – will be given a chance to explain themselves, he said. 

Police operations against “zero-dollar tour” rings have seen the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) seize Bt4.3 billion and 2,155 tour buses from affiliated firms so far. 

“Zero-dollar tours” offer very cheap packages to tourists mostly from mainland China, and then pressure them into buying overpriced goods and services.