Almost 90 people have been rounded up during a joint operation led by Thailand’s Tourism Police Bureau at Bangkok’s iconic Grand Palace attraction after complaints by foreign visitors.
Authorities conducted a sweep of the surrounding areas including vendors, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers, who were found to be pressuring tourists to visit souvenir and tailor shops or river cruises, Bangkok Post reported.
Of the 87 people arrested, 68 were booked for traffic violations while 19 were charged with creating nuisance in public areas. A group of 52 were also detained and warned to stay off fraudulent activities.
The operation follows complaints of gangs luring tourists to shop or take river cruises with high commission fees or lying about the opening hours of venues.
The complaints also range from vendors blocking or grabbing tourists to buy goods or selling overpriced and sub-standard items, and tuk-tuk and taxi drivers parking in prohibited areas, causing construction to tourists and pedestrians.