British couple fights Bangkok airport extortionists

[hippopot]

The shoplifting scam is getting some publicity

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle6590584.ece

 

 

 

PLEASE READ PAGE 7 NEW EVIDENCE PROVES THAT ENGLISH COUPLE LIED

 

click here also

 

http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/pop_case2.html

Edited July 6, 2009 by LaaMok
updated

[Highlander]

Yeah I will be cautious when I am at the airport, thanks for the info.

 

Cheers

[lantern]

Just read this over on another board. It's frightening.

 

Will not be going into any of the shops in BKK airport.

[Peelorn]

Good on them for publicising it and fighting it.

 

Someone ought to let TAT know about the article too - maybe the geordie puppet of a PM might ream the Times too

[Jameson]

Seems like a lot. What happens when someone just doesn't have the 4,500 - 8,000Euro lying around to pay the bribes?

Edited June 28, 2009 by Jameson

[Chuk Wa]

8k pound is a massive amount! They should have fought it if they were innocent, why did they pay? did they steal it? giving in to these scams/extotions will make it continue! if you get in trouble you call your embassy and take it from there, REMEMBER INNOCENT UNTILL PROVEN GUILTY. Things need to change in Thailand

[Peelorn]

8k pound is a massive amount! They should have fought it if they were innocent, why did they pay? did they steal it? giving in to these scams/extotions will make it continue! if you get in trouble you call your embassy and take it from there, REMEMBER INNOCENT UNTILL PROVEN GUILTY. Things need to change in Thailand

 

 

You think your Embassy is going to help you much? - dream on ROFLMAO

 

You are on your own with something lie this - they will even escort you to the cashpoint to take your daily limit out each day until the account is empty

[LaaMok]

just what the tourist industry needed! NOT

[cariden]

innocent until proven guilty is not standard around the world in fact napolean (french) you are considered guilty until you prove you are innocent.. and there are a lot of countries that have the french system in their country.. if the country has a reputation for bribe taking, you can bet that you are screwed..

[ST4ME]

How many more nails can the coffin take?

[Daryle]

Another good story for the family traveler... keep them coming and watch the numbers drop.

[BangkapiBoy]

Bad marks on the tourist police volunteer. What the hell are the police doing hiring a Sri Lankan volunteer anyway. He's no fucking native speaker of English. Unfortunately probably nothing will be done, but I wish that scum would get locked up.

[gilligan]

this story makes me sick. the frickin tourist industry is in the crapper in "LOS" and then this happens (definitely not the first time).

 

what have we learned? stay the f&@k out of duty free and tell as many people on your flight to do the same.

[DocHoliday]

A suggestion to everybody reading this story: Copy the link to this story,

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle6590584.ece

 

and email it to the Thai Embassy and consulate in your respective country. Ask them if this is what you should expect in Thailand.

 

Look up the Thai Embassy in your country here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/

 

They are trying to encourage tourism. Let them know your views.

[Al.]

Good to know there's a short time hotel close to the airport "Valentine Resort, a lurid pink motel"

 

Al.

[waynedaly]

But really even avoiding the shops doesn't help right? They can just stop you anywhere in the airport and claim you did something and that's that. Probably the best solution is to look like a total bum who wouldn't have the money to pay them.

[Pakwaan]

8k pound is a massive amount! They should have fought it if they were innocent, why did they pay? did they steal it? giving in to these scams/extotions will make it continue! if you get in trouble you call your embassy and take it from there, REMEMBER INNOCENT UNTILL PROVEN GUILTY. Things need to change in Thailand

 

 

If you think the British Embassy will help you in cases like this you're living in fantasy land. Read their website where they quite clearly limit their responsibility. Unless you're dead or they can scam Bt1,400 off you for a letter of residence (needed for a Thai driving licence) they don't want to know.

 

I used to know a couple of the UK "diplomats" a few years back and went to some of their socials (they certainly look after themselves). Their disdain for the average UK Citizen in Thailand was amazing. If you're British, you're basically on your own.

[LaaMok]

But really even avoiding the shops doesn't help right? They can just stop you anywhere in the airport and claim you did something and that's that. Probably the best solution is to look like a total bum who wouldn't have the money to pay them.

 

Its that half the people in pattaya?

 

Best tactic i guess is to walk near people that look richer haha

[Gator001]

Reading the whole story it sounds like it is past time to get rid of the tourist police

 

Lets be honest they are not the most savory of characters and tey seem to be getting more powerful over time

[Lok Jit]

Whats the purpose of Tourist police? Hiring Sri Lanka Thugs? What a fantastic way to promote tourism...

[David Brent]

Whats the purpose of Tourist police? Hiring Sri Lanka Thugs? What a fantastic way to promote tourism...

 

 

same reason pattaya police hire geriatric black shirt wankers run by Kneels Nasty

 

quote

and email it to the Thai Embassy and consulate in your respective country. Ask them if this is what you should expect in Thailand.

 

Look up the Thai Embassy in your country here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/

 

They are trying to encourage tourism. Let them know your views.

 

unquote

 

I asked the emabssy if they are handing out free double entry tourist visas They refused to reply.

[praf974]

I believe the scam is that they slip something into your bag while your not looking, or while you are buying something they will add an item you havnt paid for. I always avoid these airport shops the staff make my skin crawl from 20 paces away anyway. Unbelievable really but it shows its not just pattaya where the sams are it can happen to anyone where you least expect it - this is a brutal blow to the thai tourist industry hitting mainstream media now ..

[caltexman]

I was going to post on this topic but i can't get my eyes and mind off praf974's avatar...............................lol.

 

That is really distacting!!!!

[praf974]

lol .. i keep getting complaints about distracting avatars :(

[rubinjames]

Bad News Bear