Since the last ten years, the popularity of food tours in Thailand has increased. You should be aware of potential scams if this is your first time visiting Thailand. Online food tours are offered by both legitimate and unlicensed tour companies in Bangkok and overseas. Before making an online reservation for a food tour, you must diligently conduct your research. Not every operator is made equally.
The following are the top 5 things to watch out for when booking a food tour in Bangkok.
Every Tour Operator must has a Tourism License
The Thailand Tourism Authority is responsible for issuing the tourism license (TAT). It is a requirement for all tour operators operating in Thailand to hold a valid license; doing business in the country without one is illegal. It applied to all kinds of tours.
How to check for the Tourism License?
Each and every tour operator must display a sign at the front entrance, showing their license number clearly on their websites, name cards, and publications.
- The license number usually has 7 digits that looks like this: 12/12345
- Go to the ‘Department of Tourism’ official website here https://www.dot.go.th/
- Check the validity of the license under the ‘License Check’ section on the front page
- You will see ‘The information you’re about to submit is not secure’ click the ‘send anyway’ button
- Click on the name of the company and check the status of the license
Contact the website’s administrator or owner and request the numbers if the license isn’t listed there. Never be embarrassed or troubled because a licensed operator is proven to be reputable and under the strict supervision of the government. An unlicensed tour operator is typically run by a criminal organization, mafia, or a foreign company without the authority’s permission. You may run a higher risk of falling for the con of these illegal tour operators if you reserve a food tour with an unlicensed organization’s website.
In case you encounter any difficulties or frauds while on the tour. When speaking with a tourist police, you can constantly refer to their license. It’s challenging to track down an unlicensed business, particularly one in another country.
Tour Operator must has a Physical Location
A legitimate business must always list its physical address on publications, websites, and marketing materials. Unless it is a multi-national tour company, in which case the head office is overseas and they should have a branch in Thailand as well, when looking for a food tour, make sure the company has a real physical address in Thailand and is not located elsewhere. Never make a booking on a website without knowing the address. Every tour operator in Thailand is required by law to have a legitimate physical address there; otherwise, their operations will be deemed illegal.
The tour should be operate by a Local Company
Only major and well-known foreign companies may run tours in Thailand in collaboration with local businesses. When it comes to food tours, they should only be run by Thais who have a company locally. In Thailand, it is illegal for foreign organizations to run a tour company; locals only, and the sector is legally protected. Any website offering food tours that is run by non-Thais should be taken with a grain of salt. For some reasons, it is acceptable for non-Thais to own a portion of the company, but locals should run it entirely. If, for example, you booked a food tour on a website with a firm located outside of Thailand, any fraud or scam that occurs while you are on the tour will prevent you from receiving compensation or assistance from the local government.
Make sure the tour operators have reviews on various platform
Along with listing their tours on OTA websites like Aviator.com, Getyourguide.com, cozymeal, etc., many food tour companies in Thailand do the same. After finishing a tour that they booked on these platforms, customers can leave feedback. You should book a food tour with an operator with at least 5 positive reviews. Not all reviews are genius, but you can always leave feedback if the tour isn’t what you expected.
Make sure the tour operator has a website with information, price and refund policy clearly listed
No matter what kind of tour you intend to reserve, make sure the website has a price listed clearly. Be aware that some packages require an upgrade or add-on to receive specialty beverages, foods, or pick-up service. Because some tour plans have add-on services, there are different prices, and some charge two times as much as other similar food tours, it is not always a scam if some websites try to charge you more. The amount they can sell is unconstrained. You can always choose to reserve a spot on the food tour that best suits your needs.
On the website, the cancellation policies ought to be explained in detail. Even some trustworthy websites have strict refund policies that forbid any refunds after a payment has been made because the tour involves upfront costs like restaurant reservations, tour guide fees, and additional expenses. Before making a reservation, be sure to carefully read the cancellation policy.
You can click on the links below to learn more about reputable Bangkok-based food tour providers who is licensed and have been in business for years:
Conclusion
When making a reservation for a food tour, always check the website or poster for the TAT license; if you can’t find it, be sure to request it. Every tour operator needs to list their physical address on all publications, whether it is a building, co-working space, or small shop. In order to avoid confusion, it is important to verify whether a tour operator is run by a non-Thai person by looking at their offerings, whether they are run directly by them or by a third party. Keep in mind that a non-Thai cannot operate a tour company in Thailand.
In Bangkok, stay away from booking with unlicensed “food tours” at all costs. Despite their claims to be entertaining and educational, these tours frequently entail much more than a meal. These tours frequently include exorbitant prices at local shops, “free” gifts (typically wine), and invitations to “discount” tours in addition to overpriced meals.