The suspects named as executives of the tour company were Thanyarat Sansangwal, 31, Nawanat Phosuk, 34, Kwanreuthai Monkaew, 22, Sathaporn Thongphrom, 36, Thanipa Kanhachat, 39, and Monthathip Ployprapasmuk, 42. The case at first stemmed from a police complaint filed on March 24 by 44 Thai tourists at Satun’s Koh Lipe police station. The police probe later found that up to 1,600 people (including the 44 plaintiffs) might have been victimised in the alleged fraud, resulting in damages worth Bt10 million, he said. One victim in her 30s, Benjaporn (last name withheld), recalled that she and four friends wanted to visit Koh Lipe. They found the tour company online with 150,000 “followers” and some 100 good “reviews” of services and so had bought a tour package for Bt7,990 with a “buy 1 get 1 free” promotion.

Source: The Nation Bangkok April 16, 2018 09:45 UTC