Bangkok Travel Forum

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6590584.ece
is it frequent? I'm going to go to BKK in a few week.
do I better avoid duty free shop?

Swampy's duty free has had far too many scam reports. I wouldn't set foot in it.

heard of cases where travellers were accused of shop-lifting and arrested, and only released after agreeing to pay hefty sums, plus additional air fare costs due flight changes... one of the tricks is to place extra items into duty-free bag during check-out, only to be stopped a few steps later...

The Land of Smile has evermore morphed into the Land of Scams! Avoid duty free shops at all times whenever possible and always check to make sure your purchases reflect your receipt should you HAVE to buy something there.

Personally I never understood why people buy from those places. (Only exception are last minute items)

If you're still going, have fun, but STAND your ground and do not let down your guards. I had to a rather unpleasent experience at CGK (Jakarta) years ago with an airport staff asking for 10 USD (fee, she said) before I was to proceed onto my outbound flight. I resisted and asked her some tough questions, security came over, but she silenced and finally stamped my papers and I proceeded to my flight, fuming mad. (Wasn't the money, but the principle in this case)

Oh heck, I was thinking about Phuket later this year, but may have to reconsider now.

How come so many foreigners come to Thailand get caught breaking the law and especially stealing (very serious crime in Thailand) then go home and appeal to their local media for 'justice'. There is more to this story that what's here. Let's hear the other side of the story too.

"How come so many foreigners come to Thailand get caught breaking the law and especially stealing (very serious crime in Thailand) then go home and appeal to their local media for 'justice'. There is more to this story that what's here. Let's hear the other side of the story too. "

Whoa..whoa..whoa.....Did you even read the article? Maybe perhaps you've been blessed with the gift of foresight? Prejudging is your thing? Oh, but I digress.

"What's more to this story" is that scams are common in Thailand. How come so many foreigners are criminals, you ask? Some are guilty and deserving. I agree. While I feel most are not. Therefore, your answer lies in the form of scams by a small hand of unscrupulous and immoral Thais. Scams and Thailand might very well go hand in hand. How else would you explain that the 2 UK citizens were exonerated as the Thai prosecutors had no evidences against them? How do you argue about the bail money that was never refunded to the victims after they were freed?

Use a little bit of common sense. These two UK citizens are IT professionals. That profession tends to pay well. These 2 victims are in the mid-40's. Give them the benefit of the doubt that they are responsible people, financially and morally. Had these 2 been kids in their late teens or 20s, then I can cast some doubts. In the mean time, common sense tells me that these two can afford a Givenchy wallet, albeit rather expensive.

And oh yeah. "Go home and cry to their media for justice," you say? Let's see here, they were threatened and held against their will for days in a rather dilapidated place. So you're suggesting they should immediately head straight to the local (arguably very biased) Thai media and call for "justice" there (after paying a fee of course to have their story aired, seems to me everything comes with a price in Thailand) and risk possible retaliation from these thugs? Or get the hell out of the country and far away until they're home safe to report their crimes? Really, it's not a tough call here.

I'll leave off with at least read the article. But before you do that, get your buried head out of the Pattaya sand first.

Cheers! And

carry on!

it is not only europeans who are victims of the scams, also fellow asians. it is easier to put the blame on the "victims".

the scam unfortunately has spread to other asian capitals, including kl and here in Brunei, where someone would place an item or even handphone into an unsuspecting lady's handbag or shopping bag, or man's pocket, and then report the "theft" to a security guard or police, and confront the "perpetrator = victim", and demand money in return for non arrest or release.

my best advise is not to touch or hold the alleged stolen item or handphone, so as not to leave any fingerprints, a flimsy defence for being "caught" in possession of unauthorised or stolen item, and to make sure your shopping bags and pockets etc are secured so that no one can plant any item into them... easier said than done! also to record faces and names etc of claimants, ideally by using videophone without the other party's knowledge... this serves as evidence and future security... if you can't beat them, join them!

I have been to Bangkok 8 times, and have had no hassels what so ever...If you are stupid enough to want to buy diamonds on the side of the road, and think you are getting genuine diamonds, then that is your fault. If you start gambling with the locals on the side of the road, and think you going to win, thats your fault.
On my 1st trip, I did listen to a tuk-tuk driver who told me the grand palace was closed in the morning, and took me to another temple, stopping at a tailor on the way...and then every book I read after that mentioned you must no believe tuk tuk drivers who tell you temples are closed..my fault, I was iwas not prepared enough.
Regarding Duty free, I only go into the big duty free shops, but have never bought there, as i think, like most airports in the world, duty free in the airport is more expensive that most shops outside.
Go and have a great time...Bangkok is my favourite city in the world.

Regards

Mike

Sorry ChrisThao, according to CCTV video just released by King Power, i was right, there was more to this story than meets the eye. Here's the other side of the story from Kings Power side.

Damning evidence of British couple (and Malaysians who also claimed a set up) caught red-handed shop-lifting at Kings Power:

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

Frank,

I want the truth and nothing but the truth. Having said that, how can one definitively say THAT IS THE SAME COUPLE and NOT just a couple of actors hired by King Power? Don't get me wrong as I am inclined to agree. However, this CCTV video is not definitive proof enough.

Playing devil's advocate, let's just say they took the wallet.
Still is that any excuse for the Police to terrorize them, call in a fake lawyer from an "all bark and no bite" UK embassy and extort a half million baht?

Is that really how it works in Thailand? Behind the veil of smiles lies the Land of Scams.

Plenty of reputable foreign tourists such as UK's Dr. Norris have fallen into this airport scam run by KP. Coincidence? I think not.