The tourists were left waiting at the airport as the staff of Wealthever, the company arranging the Songkran trip, failed to turn up. Wealthever reportedly was in the business of selling vitamin supplements.

Prayut on Wednesday said at least 2,000 tourists were suspected to have been duped.

He urged Thais people not to be gullible.

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said.

He said the legal process in this case would commence only after the fraud victims file lawsuits.

The holidaymakers reportedly paid between Bt15,000 to Bt20,000 to the firm for the three-day trip to Japan from April 13 and 15.