BANGKOK, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Thai police has set up a panel to investigate into zero-dollar tour operators over suspected tax evasion worth 7 billion baht (2 billion U.S. dollars), local media reported Tuesday.
Piyaphan Pingmuang, commander of Thailand's Economic Crime Division, said the Revenue Department filed a complaint against the major zero-dollar operator, namely OA Transport Co. and its subsidiaries, claiming that they failed to pay tax from 2011 to 2016, which led to a huge loss of government revenue.
The Revenue Department's latest complaints were made after the Criminal Court acquitted 13 defendants in a case tied to the zero-dollar tour scams.
Piyanphan said the acquit would not be the end of the scam, as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered an overhaul of the case which destroys the country's image.
Tourists who join the zero-dollar tour or kickback tour are usually lured to buy cheap tour packages in their own countries, but later find their expenses become greater once they arrive in Thailand as they would be pressured into purchasing overpriced products or services.
