The Thai authorities have stated that individuals operating as unauthorized tour guides may be subject to penalties including fines of up to 100,000 baht ($3,007), jail time of up to one year, or both consequences.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has set up a special team to tackle unauthorized tourism operations and unscrupulous tour guides at major tourist destinations across the country, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan.
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The Ministry of Labor states that the law does not allow foreigners to work as tour guides or to bring individual or group foreign tourists into the country.
People who are not citizens are prohibited from offering guidance or details to visitors.
Offenders previously encountered penalties ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht ($145-$1,450).
The latest measures come after several instances where foreign individuals were discovered operating as tour guides without proper authorization.
On April 23, police in Phuket apprehended two Russian nationals for an alleged crime, whereas a Chinese individual was detained on May 6 in Bangkok near Wat Phra Kaew.