Goodbye to tourism

[miked]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/06 ... 106228.php


reported in the Nation, and no doubt all over the world what a clever way to destroy your tourism industry.
miked

[Huahinian]

Also made the Times in the UK:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 590584.ece (timesonline.co.uk) 2009-06-28

[miked]

live in Bangkok and I know how this scam works. When you buy something in a duty-free shop at Bangkok airport the shop assistant will put some extra item in your bag. You may think this is a bonus or a gift, but it is what they use to accuse you of stealing since it is not on your receipt.

the above is a copy of a posting Sunday Times online. you have been warned.
miked

[PeteC]

This is making the news everywhere.

My sister and sil are due to visit us over here in November with flights booked. They both have seen the write up in the USA and just emailed me with symptoms of cold feet.

Its true that the severity of this case is unique to a few, and apparently isolated.

However, as has been said on here, it paints a picture of the entire country. Pete

[T.I.G.R.]

Jeez, just when I thought we had DQ hooked!

[T.I.G.R.]

Unfortunately bad things happen to tourists on a daily basis just about anywhere in the world . I was watching and reading some similar news about Russia just a couple of weeks ago.

[Chas]

Thanks MikeD for explaining how the scam works.

I did not understand that from the news articles and you would think that they might have included the pertinent details to help others.

I had the initial impression that these two people were just pulled out of line at random and subjected to arrest. Which is really scary!

The fact that they had bought something at duty free first . .and some other item was thrown in as a "gift" or without their knowledge which did not appear on their receipt is reassuring in a way. Since you have to buy something in duty free first to open yourself up to the scam, the message is simple. Dont buy Duty Free!

I NEVER buy from duty free stores anywhere . .never have done . . .which certainly seems to be the best policy at Suvannabuhm!!

This message should be broadcast loud and clear to all tourists through travel agents, hotels etc. along with the "Grand Palace closed today . .come to my jewelry store instead" scam which people seem to be warned about.

This should do wonders for King Power's business!!

That Rathnayaka character sounds like someone to avoid at all costs! And you Brits deserve better from your embassy. . thats for damn sure.

[bluezephyr]

During that time, Rathnayaka warned them not to tell anyone about their plight, especially the British embassy, lawyers, friends, family or the press.

However, on April 27 they sneaked out of the hotel and found their way to the embassy, where they met Kate Dufall, the pro-consul.


The embassy is the first thing i'd be demanding and ring alarm bells if i was told not to contact them or my family! (if you ask do they by law have to give you contact?) And i'd have thought any tourist police in Bangkok would be able to speak English and not need interpereters.

[miked]

perhaps i shall write a book,

Thailand the land of scams, and how to avoid them.
miked

[hhfarang]

That would probably be the thickest book ever written and would take you the rest of your life...

[buksida]

These scams, the bribery, and blatant corruption has been going on since tourists first came here from the west, its nothing new.

Not really sure how this story made the news aside from the fact that a third world country with a crumbling economy still has a few that strive to fleece the diminishing number of tourists that make it to the shores of the 'Land of Smiles'. The 'authorities', as usual, do bugger all to help.

No worries though, they'll all be gone soon and then there will be real "settagit-por-piang"!

[charlesh]

However, on April 27 they sneaked out of the hotel and found their way to the embassy, where they met Kate Dufall, the pro-consul.

According to the couple, she told them the embassy could not interfere with the Thai legal system and put them in contact with Prachaya Vijitpokin, a lawyer.

Great service from the Brit consul !!! I wonder where he/she was ?? Perhaps the invitation list to the consular soirees should include members of the "Kings duty free group"? Are they in anyway connected to the Kings group that used to (still?) run entertainment outlets in Patpong?? Looks like their thievery has been refined.

Apart from the curious involvement of the Sri Lankan spiv. why didn't they view the CCTV tapes or did they ??

[lomuamart]

During that time, Rathnayaka warned them not to tell anyone about their plight, especially the British embassy, lawyers, friends, family or the press.

However, on April 27 they sneaked out of the hotel and found their way to the embassy, where they met Kate Dufall, the pro-consul.


The embassy is the first thing i'd be demanding and ring alarm bells if i was told not to contact them or my family! (if you ask do they by law have to give you contact?) And i'd have thought any tourist police in Bangkok would be able to speak English and not need interpereters.

Without going into details, I found myself in a very tricky situation with the police up-country years ago.
I demanded to speak to my Embassy and to their credit the police allowed it straight away - through a telephone call to a mutual friend in HH as I didn't have the number on me at the time. It was a Sunday as well, so not exactly consular hours. However, there's always a duty officer available every hour of every day - at least at the British Embassy.
Incidently, no charges were ever brought against me.
Whenever I travel these days, that number goes with me

[kendo]

During that time, Rathnayaka warned them not to tell anyone about their plight, especially the British embassy, lawyers, friends, family or the press.

However, on April 27 they sneaked out of the hotel and found their way to the embassy, where they met Kate Dufall, the pro-consul.


The embassy is the first thing i'd be demanding and ring alarm bells if i was told not to contact them or my family! (if you ask do they by law have to give you contact?) And i'd have thought any tourist police in Bangkok would be able to speak English and not need interpereters.

Without going into details, I found myself in a very tricky situation with the police up-country years ago.
I demanded to speak to my Embassy and to their credit the police allowed it straight away - through a telephone call to a mutual friend in HH as I didn't have the number on me at the time. It was a Sunday as well, so not exactly consular hours. However, there's always a duty officer available every hour of every day - at least at the British Embassy.
Incidently, no charges were ever brought against me.
Whenever I travel these days, that number goes with me

Lomu would you like to share that number, and hay there could be another thread here, i thought i was reasonably wise but i think this one tops the lot maybe we could have a thread on Thai scams expats and tourists beware.

Kendo.

[lomuamart]

British Embassy - 02 305 8333 - normal number but ext 2376 may well get you through the consular section.
Duty officer - 02 305 8333. Pager number 947362
I've also got some mobile numbers, but my incident was about 8 years ago so I reckon they'll have changed. I will supply them though if anyone wants.
Even the pager number might have changed. If bad things happen to you outside of normal consular times, try the above and failing that just ask for the duty officer to be paged.
Fortunately, I've never had to use that particular service again.