Instead of enjoying the long holidays of Songkran festival, more than 1,000 passengers were in trouble at Suvarnabhumi Airport last Tuesday.
They had hoped to travel to Japan were left allegedly stranded by a direct sale company called “Wealth Ever”, that sells food supplements.
Nation TV revealed a clip before the incident on that night showing a way that Wealth Ever motivates and convinces people to spend money to apply to be members and to promote their hope to travel abroad.
Some content in the clip said that “500 baht is a membership of Wealth Ever, doesn't buy a tour. [Those] who come to register to travel for 9,730 baht, get 150 PV [Point Value]. And their 150 PV that has a list to Japan already have commissions of at least 30,000 baht for each person.”
Is this propaganda possible? Besides members who would get to travel abroad, they already had a “profit” of about 20,000 baht, despite not having shown their ability to boost sales volume.
Checking information of a package tour before purchasing could help people not be lured and cheated, as well as suffering damage and trouble when they travel.
Prices for a budget/economy package tour to Japan generally cost around Bt30,000. And if people travel during Songkran or high season, costs are usually a lot more.
Comparing prices and services of each tour firm gives an idea of what people can expect – and should do.
Tour companies must be licensed by the Department of Tourism, and we should know about the tour company’s service history.
In addition, travelling with a huge number of passengers and taking many charter flights – these are things that are suspect or “fishy”. So, it is imperative that we inform related authorities in advance.
The truth is there no such thing as a free lunch. This should be a lesson not only for the victims, but also for everyone on what can happen and how they may be able to prevent people to avoid being caught in Ponzi schemes or any scam.
Sutipunt Bongsununt