MochaG
Springfield,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, April 20, 2012
I agree that you were being ripped off by a group of people who try to take advantage of tourist.
Anyway, after reading your report, I need to clarify certain things. First, the company you went to is NOT organized or really related to the government. It is just a private company. All tour guides in Thailand must get a license from Thailand Tourist Authority (TTA) in order to have better access to certain historical places but they are NOT partnered with the TTA. Any tourist agency is also NOT a partner with TTA as well. The agency you went to just claimed that they are partner, but it is just because their guides got a license from TTA and that's all. I do not believe that TTA has special agency for them.
Also, there are 2 types of tour guide license - within Thailand and abroad. The license for within Thailand allows the guide to take a job to go around within Thailand only. The abroad license allows the guide to take anyone (mostly Thais) to visit other countries. Both of the licenses do NOT require the person to speak English.
Anyway, I am sorry to hear about your bad experience. Please do NOT believe those who approach you out of no where and try to do business with you in Thailand. They are likely scam or take advantage of you.