Transparency activist, Srisuwan Janya, has filed a petition seeking answers from the government and relevant officials regarding claims from Pattaya hotel owners that they were approached by a group demanding commission fees from hotels to be selected for the state quarantine program.
Complaints were made two weeks ago by some hotel owners in Pattaya who said that they were told by a group of men who claimed to be health officials that their hotel would be chosen as a state quarantine facility if they paid a commission of 40 percent.
Since the initial complaints, there has been little movement from officials to investigate the case and no arrests have been made yet.
Yesterday, Deputy Police Commissioner, Suwat Jangyodsuk, said that a court warrant will be issued for the arrest of the main suspect in the case whose name has not been publicly released.
However, progress is slow and some citizens have speculated that members of the armed forces are involved in the scam. The Defense spokesperson, Kongcheep Tantravanich, denied those claims.
With more than 20,000 Thai citizens returning on repatriation flights from overseas, hotels chosen as state quarantine faculties have an opportunity to turn over some form of income until tourists return to Thailand.
The government pays quarantine hotels 1,000 baht per guest per night during their 14-day stay.
The Pattaya hotel scam looked to use the desperate situation of hotel owners to their advantage by guaranteeing their selection as state quarantine facilities in return for a high commission.
Health officials have denied the involvement of any of their staff and have filed a defamation complaint saying the suspects have tarnished their reputation by saying they work the agency.
Source: Khaosod
