The trip to China was scheduled to run from October 15 to October 26. Families said they paid 39,900 THB per student, for a total of 1,795,500 THB, into a personal bank account belonging to the teacher who arranged the trip.

What happened in the Thailand school trip scam

The reported Thailand school trip scam stranded 45 students at Suvarnabhumi Airport on October 15, when the airline had no record of tickets for them. Families said they paid 39,900 THB per student for a 12-day China study trip.

The students were due to fly with Thai VietJet, and parents filed a police report on October 16. Thai education officials have also responded to the case.

What happened at Suvarnabhumi Airport

![Travelers with luggage inside the passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok]

The group arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at about 3:00 pm on October 15 for a 6:20 pm Thai VietJet flight. Airline checks reportedly found that no tickets had been purchased for the students, so the planned departure did not go ahead.

The trip had originally been planned for Xi'an in China, with departure from Thailand. On October 11, families were reportedly told that accommodation was not ready and that the destination would change to Beijing.

How much families paid

Families said they paid 39,900 THB per student for the 12-day trip. For 45 students, the reported total was 1,795,500 THB, paid into the personal bank account of the teacher who arranged the trip.

On October 16, parents filed a report at the Suvarnabhumi Airport police station. The available information does not state whether any money has been returned or whether charges have been filed.

Travelers who need to report a problem in Thailand can check AsiaBuddy's guide to Thailand emergency numbers.

What Thai education officials said

![Exterior of a Thai government education office building with the national flag outside]

The Office of the Basic Education Commission, known as OBEC, said it was not involved in the trip. It said it would take criminal action if responsible people were found to have participated.

Education Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong reportedly approved a special investigation committee. He said action would be taken without regard to rank or position.

Why group booking checks matter in Thailand

A school trip, family tour, or other group trip can rely on a trip organizer who collects money and arranges flights for many families. That arrangement becomes risky when families pay into a personal account and receive no airline reference, invoice, or written agreement. When those details are not checked early, families can lose both money and travel time.

How to verify a group trip booking before you pay

![A parent checking a group trip booking confirmation and travel documents on a smartphone]

Before paying for a group trip that starts in Thailand, ask for documents you can check independently. Do not rely only on a message, a poster, or a verbal promise.

• •Get booking references: Ask for the airline confirmation code for every passenger, then check it directly with the airline before you pay.
• •Avoid personal accounts: Ask why payment must go to a personal bank account, and request a company invoice with clear contact details.
• •Check the itinerary: Confirm the destination, flight numbers, travel dates, accommodation names, and refund policy in writing.
• •Verify passenger details: Check each traveler's name, passport information, and ticket status several days before departure.
• •Keep payment records: Save transfer slips, invoices, messages, and the organizer's identification details in case a dispute or police report becomes necessary.

These checks take little time compared with the cost of a failed group trip, which in this case reportedly totaled 1,795,500 THB for 45 students.

Safer ways to plan group travel

A group trip should have a written agreement that names the organizer, the service provider, the payment method, and the refund process. Families should also agree in advance on who will contact the airline, the school, and the police if a problem occurs.

Keeping control of your own booking references makes problems easier to spot. For more on this topic, read AsiaBuddy's guide on why direct booking is safer for your Thailand trip.

Scam awareness also helps once you arrive in Thailand. For common tourist scams in Bangkok, read Bangkok tourist scams to avoid.

Have a question about your trip? Contact AsiaBuddy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did families pay in the reported Thailand school trip scam?

Families reportedly paid 39,900 THB per student. The total for 45 students was 1,795,500 THB.

Where did the students become stranded?

The students and their families became stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. They were scheduled to fly with Thai VietJet at 6:20 pm on October 15.

What should parents check before paying for a school trip?

Parents should check the airline booking reference, payment account, organizer details, written itinerary, and refund policy. They should also confirm every passenger's ticket status before departure.

Did Thai authorities say they were involved?

OBEC said it was not involved in the trip. The Education Minister reportedly approved a special investigation committee.

Have parents reported the case to the police?

Parents filed a report at the Suvarnabhumi Airport police station on October 16. The available information does not say whether charges have been filed.