Originally Posted by Peter4
After reading those indignant comments from oceangirl, I did some quick research.
I went to the tour desk in a major hotel in Bangkok, operated by the largest tour operator in Thailand, World Travel Service, Ltd.
Here are verbatim quotes from their brochure -- where these comments appear in bright red: [B][INDENT][COLOR=Red] Note: At the end of tour B1 and B2, there will be a visit to a gem factory. Those not wishing to participate will be taken back immediately from the gem factory to their hotels.
Repeating the post earlier in this thread from Randy and Ning, who work in the Thai travel industry.
What most people don't know is the guides in Bangkok have to pay the tour operators there just to get a job with them. To make up for this they are encouraged by the operator to take their clients to as many shops that pay commissions as possible. This is the only way they make money, it is sad but true. You don't even have to make a purchase as they get 50 Thai baht for everyone that walks into the shop and so do the drivers. The commissions go to the tour operator first and they take out their cut and then give the guide what is left over, which is sometines 30% of the commission. This is why they are so aggressive.
The question should be, which company, guide or driver doesn't do this.
Bold is mine.