PHUKET: Royal Orchid Holidays - perhaps Thailand's best-known tour group - has had its licence revoked because the business fails to meet strict legal requirements on ownership and directors.
Although the ruling became effective on May 19, the ban on the group operating has just been publicly revealed.
Thailand's Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office has deemed that Royal Orchid fails to meet the legal requirements relating to ownership and the need for more than half the company's directors to be Thai nationals.
Royal Orchid, closely associated with Thai Airways International, has revenue of more than 100 million baht a year from international sale of package tours that usually include flights, accommodation, shuttle services and guides.
Thai media reports that sales offices in all countries have stopped offering Royal Orchid packages from May 20. The situation is expected to be corrected within two weeks.
Although the ruling became effective on May 19, the ban on the group operating has just been publicly revealed.
Thailand's Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office has deemed that Royal Orchid fails to meet the legal requirements relating to ownership and the need for more than half the company's directors to be Thai nationals.
Royal Orchid, closely associated with Thai Airways International, has revenue of more than 100 million baht a year from international sale of package tours that usually include flights, accommodation, shuttle services and guides.
Thai media reports that sales offices in all countries have stopped offering Royal Orchid packages from May 20. The situation is expected to be corrected within two weeks.
