View Full Version : Extortion racket at the airport?
British couple fights Bangkok airport extortionists
A British couple who were falsely accused of shoplifting in Bangkok airport and were forced to pay 8,000 pounds in bribes to secure their release are to take legal action for compensation.
Times online reported on Sunday the couple were the victims of an extortion racket that has ensnared other foreign travellers at the airport, which handles most of the 800,000 British visitors to Thailand every year.
Stephen Ingram, 49, and Xi Lin, 45, both technology professionals from Cambridge, were detained by security guards as they went to board Qantas flight QF1 to London on the night of April 25.
They were accused of taking a Givenchy wallet worth 121 pounds from a King Power duty-free shop and were handed over to the police. An official release order from the local Thai prosecutor's office subsequently conceded there was no evidence against them.
The online claimed they were freed five days later after a frightening ordeal in which they said they were threatened and held against their will at a cheap motel on the airport perimeter until they had handed over the money.
They alleged the bribes were paid to an intermediary named Sunil "Tony" Rathnayaka, a Sri Lankan national in his fifties who works as a "volunteer" interpreter for Thailand's tourist police
"Our main motivation is to protect other innocent British tourists from being caught up in this nightmare," said Ingram last week. "We intend to take every legal means to recover our money and obtain justice."
Last week Rathnayaka admitted in a telephone interview that he had received cash and money transfers amounting to more than 7,000 pounds from the Britons. He said the money was for police bail and for a payment to a figure he called "Little Big Man" who could withdraw the case against them.
"In Thailand everyone knows it's like that," he said. "They can go to jail or they can just pay a fine and go home. It is corruption, you know?"
Rathnayaka also agreed that the "bail" тАФ about 4,000 pounds тАФ was never returned to Ingram and Xi. Thai law says bail should be refunded.
In a detailed statement the couple said they were first detained at an airport office of the tourist police and later taken to cells at a police station in an isolated modern building on the fringes of the airport.
Rathnayaka confirmed that he met them in the cells on the morning of Sunday, April 26, and arranged the "bail". The police kept the couple's passports. Rathnayaka then escorted Ingram and Xi to the Valentine Resort, a lurid pink motel a few hundred yards from the runways. They were to remain there for four days.
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.
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.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/06 ... 106228.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/06/28/national/national_30106228.php)
....the Valentine Resort, a lurid pink motel a few hundred yards from the runways.
Location sounds a tad noisy ...but the colour scheme is right up my alley!
How do I book?
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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.Doesn't that have the ring of truth!!
Beachlover
June 28th, 2009, 19:47
Totally f*cked
I find that the above thread should be of real interest to us but every time I open Gay Thailand all I read is
..... Another Suicide,Spanking,Those Ladyboys did it,or Mr Dream ad nauseum.
So is that all I am expected to read .......or say this board is BORING BORING!!!! Along with its contributors. Surely I am not a lone voice on this!!!. Always remember none of us are far away from some sort of scam in this country. Its a given!!
Smiles
June 29th, 2009, 05:07
If you're interested:
Valentine Resort - Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok
Valentine Resort, situated close to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, this is a very convenient place to stay for those with an early departing flight or who are too tired to travel on after landing. Rooms are simple and basic but clean and include air conditioning, television and a fridge.
The standard room rate is THB900 and you might be able to negotiate this down to around THB600. Breakfast is basic and at extra cost. Next to the building, in the parking area, is a Thai restaurant for breakfast, a minimart and an ATM.
For an evening meal, turn right from Valentine and walk about 100 metres or so to enjoy a Thai evening with live music at the huge Chay Ka restaurant.
There is no website at present. You will find the resort where King Kaew Road meets On Noot Road 2 kilometres from the airport exit. The simplest way to find it is by leaving the airport keeping left and following King Kaew Road signs.
The 'Valentine' sign is not easily seen so look for three buildings with the word 'Mansion' in the names. Valentine Resort is in the middle building named 'PA Mansion'.
Contact details: 02 175 1686/1687 081 458 7232
For an English speaker, call Peter 081 485 1949
The address is: 51/18 m.7 King Kaew Road, Bangplee, Samutprakan, Bangkok.
<< http://www.grumpyexpat.com/blog/2008/09 ... abhum.html (http://www.grumpyexpat.com/blog/2008/09/valentine-resort---suvarnabhum.html) >>
Always a number of posts here about staying close to the Airport for early morning flights, last minute drug deals etc etc
but every time I open Gay Thailand all I read is ..... Another Suicide,Spanking,Those Ladyboys did it,or Mr Dream ad nauseum. So is that all I am expected to read .......or say this board is BORING BORING!!!! Along with its contributors.
Bored boarders create the boring board. Then the next bore boards the board. SUI CIDE? SPAN KING? LADY BOYS? DREAM TRANSPORT? T H R I L L I N G ! Nothing is so hard as a gay man's ingratitude. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. SUI BOYS? SPAN TRANSPORT? KING DREAM? LADY CIDE? T H R I L L I N G ! Nothing is so hard as a gay man's ingratitude. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Then the next bore boards the board. Extortion racket at the airport? B O R I N G ! SUI CIDE? SPAN KING? LADY BOYS? DREAM TRANSPORT? T H R I L L I N G !
I suppose this story is possible but.....
Seeing as it comes from a British newspaper I'm not so sure of the facts.
I find that the above thread should be of real interest to us but every time I open Gay Thailand all I read is
..... Another Suicide,Spanking,Those Ladyboys did it,or Mr Dream ad nauseum.
So is that all I am expected to read .......or say this board is BORING BORING!!!! Along with its contributors. Surely I am not a lone voice on this!!!. Always remember none of us are far away from some sort of scam in this country. Its a given!!
WELL! The only thing I have to say to you is.....
[youtube:mf2m694m]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6g929abIrs[/youtube:mf2m694m]
maisoui
June 29th, 2009, 19:13
.
Posts about Thai scams are amongst the most valuable on this board, as they allow people to avoid the scams themselves.
The ungrateful & uninterested can ignore the thread.
Mind you, the time to get really worried is when gogo bar customers start being targets for such money raising.
Does it come as any surprise that a khaek was apparently involved?
Beachlover
June 29th, 2009, 22:15
Posts about Thai scams are amongst the most valuable on this board, as they allow people to avoid the scams themselves.
The ungrateful & uninterested can ignore the thread.
True... I can't imagine how many scams I've avoided thanks to reading this board and other bits and pieces about Thailand online.
Can you imagine how screwed over an internet-illiterate first-time visitor to Thailand would be?
15 years ago we were all internet-illiterate -- there was no internet -- yet, somehow everything worked out just fine (for those of with half a brain, anyway).
krobbie
June 30th, 2009, 02:37
15 years ago we were all internet-illiterate -- there was no internet -- yet, somehow everything worked out just fine (for those of with half a brain, anyway).
That last 8 words is an absolute gift but I will leave it to some other wag to give it all they've got.
Khor tose
June 30th, 2009, 03:32
15 years ago we were all internet-illiterate -- there was no internet -- yet, somehow everything worked out just fine (for those of with half a brain, anyway).
That last 8 words is an absolute gift but I will leave it to some other wag to give it all they've got.
Don't you get it Krobbie? Bunny's left all the members of the board a fill in. Afterall, Beach Bunny is a difficult man to describe in just two or more words.
for those of ..............................with half a brain, anyway.
....................us bunnys
....................us morons
....................us assholes
....................us self centered prigs
I could go on and on, but I wiil gladly follow you example, as it is time to let others on this board contribute, or not, as they feel the need.
HawaiiBoy
June 30th, 2009, 07:36
The scope of this racket appears to be much larger than reported to date. See the referenced article by Andrew Drummond.
http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2009/06/28/809/
Beachlover
June 30th, 2009, 10:48
Silom Farang's BF used to work at the airport and says everyone there is well aware of it...
http://gayboythailand.com/bangkok-thail ... m-chalerm/ (http://gayboythailand.com/bangkok-thailand/bangkok-duty-free-scam-chalerm/)
The scope of this racket appears to be much larger than reported to date. See the referenced article by Andrew Drummond.
Well if Andrew Drummond says it, it must be true - or, on the other hand, maybe not.
His own research on the main subject of his article appears to be sketchy, at best:
Before her, laid out on the desk were colour stills printed on A4 taken from one of the thousands of CCTV cameras King Power have installed in their airport shops. Do they show she is guilty? I have no idea.
Silom Farang's BF used to work at the airport and says everyone there is well aware of it...
http://gayboythailand.com/bangkok-thail ... m-chalerm/ (http://gayboythailand.com/bangkok-thailand/bangkok-duty-free-scam-chalerm/)
Maybe the combination of separate media reports of various different incidents plus the "inside report" from SF will convince the sceptics.
For those that are not convinced, that's fine by me. You are free to demonstrate your confidence by asking for "special offers" in the duty free section during your next trip through BKK airport.
However, please do not needlessly criticise Oogleman for sharing this useful information with us. Such reports are more useful than the crap that's sometimes found on this site.
Andrew Drummond is a muck-raking tabloid writer. If you couldn't figure that out, how about this clue:
Before her, laid out on the desk were colour stills printed on A4 taken from one of the thousands of CCTV cameras King Power have installed in their airport shops.
Thousands of CCTV cameras? Really, Andrew?
Khor tose
July 1st, 2009, 12:42
Andrew Drummond is a muck-raking tabloid writer.
I'll be darn we agree on something.
maisoui
July 1st, 2009, 22:03
I agree with z909. I'm afraid I've seen the last of Thailand for a considerable while. The most disappointing thing is the Mai Pen Rai attitude which seems to have deepened into "and could care even less if Farang are the victims".
It were not ever thus.
I agree with z909. I'm afraid I've seen the last of Thailand for a considerable while. The most disappointing thing is the Mai Pen Rai attitude which seems to have deepened into "and could care even less if Farang are the victims".
It were not ever thus.
We'll really miss you. Sniff.
I'll probably still go to Thailand at things stand, due to it's clear leadership in the gogo bar sector.
That's just as long as the scams are avoidable & are not targeting gogo bar customers.
Beachlover
July 2nd, 2009, 08:37
Thailand's still a leading tourist destination. Even if there's less tourists arriving now, there's still a lot. It's reputation and image would need a much more sustained series of mishaps to be seriously tarnished in the long term.
Having said that, it's not doing itself any favours with stunts like these. Especially as surrounding countries are battling hard for this lucrative revenue stream... Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Korea are all working hard to attract tourists. And you can be sure there's plenty of "I'm not sure where we want to go - let's just pick a place" tourists who would have chosen Thailand who decide to try a neighbouring country instead.
HawaiiBoy
July 2nd, 2009, 09:27
Copied quote from GayBoyThailandBlog:
# Silom Farang Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Not from Chalerm, but from other sources, my impression is that most of the airport scam victims are Asian. Asians are less likely to go public with complaints due embarrassment and loss of face.
Newspapers in Malaysia did specifically warn against Bangkok airport for this reason, a while ago. They did not present any case stories but I guess they had their sources among Malaysians caught up in this blackmail scheme.
I have also been thinking about the frog in the slowly warming water. I hope that unlike that frog I will notice and get out before the pot reaches boiling point.
allieb
July 2nd, 2009, 12:32
Copied quote from GayBoyThailandBlog:
# Silom Farang Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I have also been thinking about the frog in the slowly warming water.
I hope your not talking about the frog in pussy shows in Walking Street.
allieb
July 2nd, 2009, 12:41
Thailand's still a leading tourist destination. Even if there's less tourists arriving now, there's still a lot. It's reputation and image would need a much more sustained series of mishaps to be seriously tarnished in the long term.
Having said that, it's not doing itself any favours with stunts like these. Especially as surrounding countries are battling hard for this lucrative revenue stream... Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Korea are all working hard to attract tourists. And you can be sure there's plenty of "I'm not sure where we want to go - let's just pick a place" tourists who would have chosen Thailand who decide to try a neighbouring country instead.
It's surprising how much poofs will put up with before they go away to another venue. I always remember a famous cottage on the North Circular Rd in my youth. Police activity all the time, plain cloths cops showing their willys and winking, as soon as you touch "Your nicked". The queens never moved on they just kept comming back with caution trying to outsmart the police. Thats what will happen in Thailand the queens will never go away while there are so many cheap boys available.
Beachlover
July 2nd, 2009, 13:14
Thailand's still a leading tourist destination. Even if there's less tourists arriving now, there's still a lot. It's reputation and image would need a much more sustained series of mishaps to be seriously tarnished in the long term.
Having said that, it's not doing itself any favours with stunts like these. Especially as surrounding countries are battling hard for this lucrative revenue stream... Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Korea are all working hard to attract tourists. And you can be sure there's plenty of "I'm not sure where we want to go - let's just pick a place" tourists who would have chosen Thailand who decide to try a neighbouring country instead.
It's surprising how much poofs will put up with before they go away to another venue. I always remember a famous cottage on the North Circular Rd in my youth. Police activity all the time, plain cloths cops showing their willys and winking, as soon as you touch "Your nicked". The queens never moved on they just kept comming back with caution trying to outsmart the police. Thats what will happen in Thailand the queens will never go away while there are so many cheap boys available.
lol, interesting on the job task for police... showing your willy to strangers.
It's surprising how much poofs will put up with before they go away to another venue. I always remember a famous cottage on the North Circular Rd in my youth. Police activity all the time, plain cloths cops showing their willys and winking, as soon as you touch "Your nicked". The queens never moved on they just kept comming back with caution trying to outsmart the police. Thats what will happen in Thailand the queens will never go away while there are so many cheap boys available.
Well known scams in the airport are easily avoided & as such are not a deterrent to visiting. It's when the scams affect other holiday activities & become unavoidable that it's time to move on.
Khor tose
July 3rd, 2009, 06:50
For the purpose of getting input I am posting the same msg on two different boards.
Okay let us play a game.
I am an extortionist. In fact I'm a BIB with a strong predilection to ripping people off. I am also smart enough to come up with several good schemes other then the standard tea money rackets. So where in Thailand do I go to get the most bangs for my buck?
Gee, I got it. I go were there are a lot of rich (by my standards) tourists who are vulnerable by the very fact that they are not native to my country. Now were would that be. The airport, Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket would all seem to fit the bill nicely.
Maybe, if things get worse, some of you might consider moving to places like Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Koen Kaen, Chiang Rai, etc. and maybe (shudder, shudder, shudder) give up the go-go bars and being surrounded by only your fellow countrymen, and their and your boy friends.
I do not mean this as a criticism of anyone on this board, nor is it a stab at some of your lifestyles. Chacun son go├╗t. This is just food for thought. Very little of this kind of crap happens in Chiang Mai to farangs, and it is a very large city. I would sure like to hear from TOQ and smiles and see if they concur, but pure logic tells me the crooks who prey on farangs go where they can find the numbers (and money) to make it worth their effort..
thrillbill
July 3rd, 2009, 09:27
Though I work in Thailand, I find the "scam warnings" helpful on this message board . I think I am more vigilent than the newly arrived tourist since living here, but givng a "heads up" enables all of us to be more on guard. True, these "scams" can happen all over the world but here in LOS you don't necessarily have the powers to hold someone accountable or to (always) depend on the police like you can in some Western countries.
Very little of this kind of crap happens in Chiang Mai to farangs, and it is a very large city. I would sure like to hear from TOQ and smiles and see if they concur, but pure logic tells me the crooks who prey on farangs go where they can find the numbers (and money) to make it worth their effort..Right. So when we all move to Chiang Mai they will follow us there?
Is it just me, or do the posters in this thread have a problem with me for some reason. It seems because of the amount of times they have mentioned my name in this thread topic, if you do a web search for my company through google, there is a marker that pops us saying Mr.DreamTransport - Extortion racket at the airport. So someone has intentionally posted my name in a specific manner so that it looks like I am involved in some sort of extortion racket at the airport, rather then just replying to a post now, that I had not even replied to before.
Is it possible to have the 2 posters that are referencing me in this thread to cause a very unflattering representation of my company through google, to have any mention of my name removed from their posting?? These same people are also spamming other forums now as well, trying to attack me on other forums, stating that they were finding this forum when they looked my company up in google. I don't know if its a competitor, or someone that has a personal issue with me, but I think its wrong that they use the forum solely to slander my name or make it appear connected to something that looks kind of bad on google. These people are trolls undoubtedly, and most likely joined after seeing the SGT forum pop up in a google search.
So mods, if you can do something to alleviate these posters from creating a false image of me on the internet, and a false image of the SGT forum as well on google, that would be much appreciated. And if my name is removed from the troll postings, then this post by me can be deleted also.
if you do a web search for my company through google, there is a marker that pops us saying Mr.DreamTransport - Extortion racket at the airport. That's just the way Google indexes, so I'm told. If you had a Web site as Lunchtime O'Booze keeps asking you for, you might get an inkling of how Search engines work. Don't be so paranoid.
We do have a website, but it is not completed yet. Also because it is hosted through a friends website at the moment, his business conflicts with another friends business that advertises here, so out of respect to my friend here, I would not post the link to my website until we have it on a seperate domain. Anyone that would like to see it though, if they just ask for the address in their emails, that I can do and not feel morally cornered.
I know Curious about the way they index, but it seems that these members registered at the same dates as flamers on another fourm, also doing nothing but negative posting despite not having any first hand experience or knowledge of our company. Thats why I felt that way about them keeping on bringing up my name in this post for some reason.
Don't worry, anyone who might bee googling you to look for comments will read the thread and see that you have nothing to do with any extortion rackets.
In order to refute the accusations against it, King Power has posted CCTV footage of the couple (and one other) shoplifting at one of its stores -- from one of its thousands of cameras, obviously. LOL. You be the judge.
http://www.kingpower.com
LOL. You be the judge.
http://www.kingpower.com
LOL - ROFL would be putting it mildly!
I am tempted to say that I am reminded of Mad Brad the Liar posting a link to a site that stated the opposite of what he said and then pontificating about his integrity, but that would only make hm feel even more righteous - and why the hell does he now want to know where I live??!!
Seriously, though, it does put things in perspective and thanks for the best laugh I've had for a long time, BB.
And KT, it appears that "Very little of this kind of crap happens..." here too - or at least far less than Andrew Drummond and his ilk would have us believe!
pyro
July 6th, 2009, 02:16
Great link BB. Thanks. IMHO, It certainly looks like shoplifting to me. I am actually glad that they the "extortion racket" claim is now in question. It is funny how quickly we believe someone who simply says "I didn't do it" just because they are in a foreign country .
Well Pyro, I watched the footage carefully 3 times and I saw the lady 2 times pick up and examine an article and then put it back. You must have a different perspective than me.
Well Pyro, I watched the footage carefully 3 times and I saw the lady 2 times pick up and examine an article and then put it back. You must have a different perspective than me.
I also have a different perspective to you as in the final part when she is on the left side of the shelf it does look as though a wallet might have disappeared into a bag, although it is difficult to be 100% sure either way.
francois
July 7th, 2009, 00:15
It does appear that she put something into her bag. Very subtle. But why steal for something worth so very little? But they did seem suspicious.
In order to refute the accusations against it, King Power has posted CCTV footage of the couple (and one other) shoplifting at one of its stores -- from one of its thousands of cameras, obviously. LOL. You be the judge.
http://www.kingpower.com
Anyone bother to read the explanation (PDF file)? http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/uk_case.pdf
Like I said before, there's probably more to the story than meets the eye.
Looks to me like a couple of sticky-finger Brits got caught red handed and are trying to weasel out of it by accusing everyone in Thailand of being in on a scam to frame them.
Honestly, isn't this the defense of every crook?
"I didn't do it! I was framed!"
TrongpaiExpat
July 7th, 2009, 11:41
It's not the best CCTV but if you look carefully you see she picks up something like she's buying it, moves it to secure cover and you can't really see it going in her bag but the item is no longer on the second shelf. Concealment in USA is sufficient to met most state laws on theft but in general practice you wait until the person exits the store with the item so there's no defense of I was just using my bag to carry it to the cashier and there I was intending on paying.
Rich people shoplift as a thrill. Quite a few get caught and fight charges in court with the most expensive lawyers. Some loose,Winona Ryder, others get off.
The most common defense is that I was not thinking what I was doing, I am scatterbrained. I did not intend on steeling it. Then there's the more imaginative, someone planted it my bag and the best one I ever heard from an elected official, I was taking the items off the counter, taking it out of the store, holding it in my trunk, and then when there was a sale, I was going to put them back and then buy them. He was found guilty by a jury.
Beachlover
July 7th, 2009, 11:55
In order to refute the accusations against it, King Power has posted CCTV footage of the couple (and one other) shoplifting at one of its stores -- from one of its thousands of cameras, obviously. LOL. You be the judge.
http://www.kingpower.com
Anyone bother to read the explanation (PDF file)? http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/uk_case.pdf
Like I said before, there's probably more to the story than meets the eye.
Looks to me like a couple of sticky-finger Brits got caught red handed and are trying to weasel out of it by accusing everyone in Thailand of being in on a scam to frame them.
Honestly, isn't this the defense of every crook?
"I didn't do it! I was framed!"
I read it. It's hard to say who's right.
It sounds convincing, but you need to keep in mind this could all be completely made up. The police, shop and everyone involved may have manufactured this. Remember, this is a massive loss of face for them. Absolutely huge. And Thais will go to many lengths to prevent loss of face. So it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for them to put an elaborate thing together to refute the couple's claims.
If the couple did steal something, I don't think they would make such a big fuss about it... they wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves.
It's hard to say, which story is true.
I don't think the video is convincing. It's extremely blurry, low frame rate and you never know if they've cut frames out.
If the couple didn't steal, I'm not sure they'll be able to get justice for all this now it's out in the open. The Thais will go to great lengths to cover it up... especially as so many are involved in the scam - from low to high. But at the very least, the couple would be exposing it and contributing towards its end.
I read it. It's hard to say who's right.
I'll be any accused would love to have you on the jury! Use your eyes, for crying out loud!
you need to keep in mind this could all be completely made up. The police, shop and everyone involved may have manufactured this. .....
I don't think the video is convincing. It's extremely blurry, low frame rate and you never know if they've cut frames out.
Manufactured ..... how?? Doctoring a video is not just a case of getting out the Photoshop - compared with most security CCTV footage it is actually very high quality indeed, and if it has been doctored then whever did it could make a fortune at Industrial Light and Magic. Wake up and smell the bullshit!!!
....It sounds convincing, but you need to keep in mind this could all be completely made up. The police, shop and everyone involved may have manufactured this. ....
So let me get this straight.
We either believe 2 Farangs with sticky fingers got caught red handed OR that the Thai courts, police force, airport security, employees of King Power and the company itself are all guilty of corruption, bribery and manfacturing evidence...not to mention the British Embassy staff being lazy and incompetent.
Seems "presumtion of innocence" only applies to Farangs.
Thais are obviously all guilty. I mean, everyone knows they're all liars, right? [/sarcasm mode - off]
pyro
July 9th, 2009, 11:08
Well said Kenc. Until I saw the video, I was more inclined to believe the accused that they were the victims. I must say that after seeing the video, I am disappointed in my objectiveness. I should have considered both options. If that happened here in the US, I would not consider for a moment that it was some big conspiracy. I thought the video was fairly clear. There is no question in my mind that the video shows her shoplifting. I am glad that it was made public.
Beachlover
July 9th, 2009, 14:19
....It sounds convincing, but you need to keep in mind this could all be completely made up. The police, shop and everyone involved may have manufactured this. ....
So let me get this straight.
We either believe 2 Farangs with sticky fingers got caught red handed OR that the Thai courts, police force, airport security, employees of King Power and the company itself are all guilty of corruption, bribery and manfacturing evidence...not to mention the British Embassy staff being lazy and incompetent.
Seems "presumtion of innocence" only applies to Farangs.
Thais are obviously all guilty. I mean, everyone knows they're all liars, right? [/sarcasm mode - off]
I'm not sure the Brit Embassy was lazy and incompetent... they simply said they couldn't get involved in legal matters and referred them to a lawyer. I don't think they can be expected to do more... they're not running a concierge or foreign law enforcement service.
I wouldn't come to any conclusions myself. There's subjective cases for both sides to be right. It'll be interesting to see where this goes... every forum and his blog seems to be talking about it...
Say the couple did steal... I'm curious why they would make a huge fuss out of it, considering they got off lightly (paid a fine, no conviction recorded, no/minimal jail time).
Maybe the farang husband didn't know his Chinese wife was stealing. She gets caught, and so as not to lose face, she disclaims all knowledge. Farang husband believes they've been set up, then makes a huge scene.
Beachlover
July 9th, 2009, 14:43
Maybe the farang husband didn't know his Chinese wife was stealing. She gets caught, and so as not to lose face, she disclaims all knowledge. Farang husband believes they've been set up, then makes a huge scene.
That's a feasible scenario.
Davey612
July 9th, 2009, 22:43
Maybe the farang husband didn't know his Chinese wife was stealing. She gets caught, and so as not to lose face, she disclaims all knowledge. Farang husband believes they've been set up, then makes a huge scene.
That's a feasible scenario.
Ah! Now it is the Chinese woman. What? Farangs are never at fault? From my "subjective" view of the video, it looks like the farang man was on the lookout while she was stealing the item.
Khor tose
July 10th, 2009, 07:21
Maybe the farang husband didn't know his Chinese wife was stealing. She gets caught, and so as not to lose face, she disclaims all knowledge. Farang husband believes they've been set up, then makes a huge scene.
That's a feasible scenario.
Ah! Now it is the Chinese woman. What? Farangs are never at fault? From my "subjective" view of the video, it looks like the farang man was on the lookout while she was stealing the item.
Yes, but I am beginning to come around to Bunny's way of thinking (God help me). I once had a man working for me who told me he had a wife with a long history of stealing things, and how every time they went out he had to watch her like a hawk. In the Video she is taking the object when her husband is not looking. I don't know---it is getting a little far fetched--but she could be a kleptomanic and could he be starting to suspect that she had this weakness. Otherwise why the fuss? The man working for me told me that he had believed his wife the first couple of times she did it, only to keep finding out she was guilty. This explaination would make fit both Bunny's idea and Davey's observation----but it is a stretchhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
quiet1
July 10th, 2009, 08:46
This explaination would make fit both Bunny's idea and Davey's observation----but it is a stretchhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Granted, the accuracy of the report in the .pdf file from the KingPower web page could be off, but:
"Having thus determined that a theft had occurred from within our shop, the security staff proceeded to search for the aforementioned couple, within the terminal building. The couple was observed in Eattion restaurant located in the west end of the terminal building. At this point, however, the couple had donned different outerwear clothing and was seated at separate tables.
Our security staff, having a facial identification of both parties from the CCTV footage, had reported to the Airport Tourist Police to proceed a legalistic approach to search the female, at her table. As the Airport Tourist Police and our security personnel approached the female, the male got up from his table and left the restaurant. Our security staff followed him as he walked to a block of toilets on level two of the terminal building. Our security staff observed the stolen Givenchy wallet was abandoned in a bin in front of the toilet."
Kinda makes it look like the husband was aware of the theft and there was a Plan B should the wife be detained, doesn't it? Changing outerwear, sitting at separate tables, and he gets up and leaves (to dispose of the wallet) when they approached his wife?
blazer
July 10th, 2009, 10:36
Regardless of our feelings on this situation or what we think really happened, the fact remains that they were not caught stealing on tape, nor when leaving the store, and when confronted, they did not have any stolen merchandise in their possession nor were they seen casting off stolen merchandise. They never should have been detained, not even for more than an hour, and should have been released.
This is what would be considered an illegal detention in most countries. They should never have been held overnight near the airport.
Khor tose
July 10th, 2009, 11:05
They should never have been held overnight near the airport.
I have no arguement with your last statement. This single act makes the whole episode stinky.
They sound like american presidents making excuses for why they went to and lost wars in 3rd world countries
..... the fact remains that they were not caught stealing on tape,
That is your interpretation of the tape - it is far from an established "fact".
They never should have been detained, not even for more than an hour, and should have been released.
Why not? nobody's guilt or innocence should be decided on the spot based on whether or not they have a plane to catch (if guilty, that is probably exactly what they were counting on).
This is what would be considered an illegal detention in most countries. They should never have been held overnight near the airport.
After being arrested they were held overnight in the nearest police cells; where would you prefer them to have been held - Klong Prem? They were then released in the morning after posting bail - exactly the procedure followed in most of those countries we hail from, and considerably quicker than many. There was no "illegal detention", as they were evidently not physically detained but were able to come and go at will - to the ATM, the British Embassy, and their lawyer, for example.
Like anyone else you are entitled to your opinion, but that does not make it "fact".
I have watched the video quite a few times now.
I used to be a store detective in HMV London and they look like professional thieves with a well practiced routine to me.
I`m betting they now wished they hadn`t made such a fuss.
Further to earlier replies, at HMV we gave them a choice. Pay in full immediately for items taken and be banned from all HMV stores or we call the police. Almost everyone who had cash ( a large majority) paid up. The cost of going to court with witnesses made this a much cheaper option for the company .
My colleagues and i would have called the police every time if we had the final say .
We also used to take from them any other items from other stores in the area that they didnt have receipts for and return them to said stores.
Its only my opinion , but King Power look very professional in their response to this. What happened afterwards with airport security/police is not of their doing or their concern.
...Its only my opinion ....
Well at least its an informed one!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.