BANGKOK • Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a probe into a company that left 2,000 tourists stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday night after they had paid for a trip to Japan, Thai media reported.

The tourists were left waiting at the airport as the staff of Wealthever, the company arranging the trip, failed to turn up, The Nation newspaper reported.

The three-day trip had been due to take place from April 13 to 15, during Thailand's traditional New Year, or Songkran.

The holidaymakers reportedly paid between 15,000 baht (S$610) and 20,000 baht each to the firm for the three-day trip to Japan.

Wealthever is reportedly in the business of selling vitamin supplements.

More than 50 police officers were sent to join the tourist police and Suvarnabhumi's airport police to take complaints from the holidaymakers.

Mr Prayut yesterday said at least 2,000 tourists were suspected to have been duped.

He urged the Thai people not to fall prey to such scams.

"Thais believe too easily. Don't trust anything before checking, otherwise you will be cheated," he said.

Mr Prayut said the legal process in the case would begin only after the victims file lawsuits.

The Bangkok Post reported that the police are gathering evidence for investigation.

Thailand's Office of the Consumer Protection Board said that Wealthever was never registered with the board, Bangkok Post reported.

The company's Facebook page has since been taken down.