Illegal Lipe Island Tour Operation Bust

SATUN, April 17 (TNA) - An illegal tour operation selling Online Lipe Island tour packages has been busted by the Tourist Police. Damages to injured parties are estimated to be more than 10 million baht. Six employees of Alpha Andaman Tours, a well-known tour company, were arrested today by Tourist Police. Several of the suspects have outstanding warrants issued by the Satun Provincial Court for racketeering charges after selling fake tours to 44 tourists who filed complaints with the Lipe police station. Another 400 complaints were filed against the tour operators with the Consumer Protection Police by tourists who were sold illegitimate tours. They told investigators that the company later closed and attempts to communicate with them were unsuccessful. Investigators have discovered that the company was founded by Thavorn Kraikaew and Pratheeb Kaewnont. Cheap tours were advertised and sold via Facebook and Apps which attracted numerous unfortunate victims. It is estimated that the company's cashflows are more than 10 million baht. Pratheeb disappeared after withdrawing a substantial amount of money from company accounts, which records more than 1,600 unwitting customers. He is wanted for similar crimes in the past. Thavorn however is currently in police custody. (TNA)