Two tourists were held by an airport gang until they paid up £8,000

[Oneman]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

I'm sorry to say you're dead wrong on getting any help from the American Embassy. ... The American Embassy is worthless ... in helping it's citizens ...

Good warning.
Thank you Serendipity.

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

The American Embassy is worthless ... in helping it's citizens unless you are of a certain faith. I'll leave it up to you to figure that one out.

The "faith" that Serendipity is referring to is fundamentalist Christian, American style.
The specific variant would be Mormon, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
There is a large contingent of them in the consular service.
If you are one of them, then you are "family".
If you are not one of them, then take a number and get in line.
It could be a long wait.

I'm not of that faith, but I've always found LDS people to be honest and polite.
Never very friendly, but always respectful.
But they take care of their own, first, last, and always.
So, who doesn't?
But when it comes to government services, one does hope for an even playing field.

-- Oneman
Chiangmai

[Oneman]

Originally Posted by mikecwm

To present all the evidence - here is a link to a copy of the CCT inside Kingpower when the British couple were there.

King Power International Co., Ltd.

I have watched this video several times - sure looks like shop-lifting to me.

Most posts about these incidents (on all the forums) are merely un-informed speculation.
Mountains of un-informed speculation.

Thank you, Mikecwm, for posting actual evidence.
I wish there were more who would follow your example.

-- Oneman
Chiangmai

[Oneman]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

I did a bit of research on King Power ... They are HUGE and own Accor Hotels which owns many hotel chains. They just opened a new, VERY luxurious hotel in Bangkok and they have come very far very fast. I always am suspicious when people or companies can amass that kind of wealth that quickly. How do you say "money laundering" and "drug money". Miami and many Latin American destinations are built on drug money.

Serendipity2 didn't do nearly enough research.
That kind of wild speculation leads to all kinds of wrong conclusions.
I will explain why that is a problem for a forum like this one.
But, first, full disclosure on my part:

I have stayed at the Pullman King Power Hotel in Bangkok, three times over the past three years.
I paid with my own money.
In addition, I have gone back there other times to entertain friends and visitors at the restaurants in the hotel.
I have shopped and bought at King Power Duty Free shops in the Bangkok airport and in the large shopping center next to the hotel -- the one with the big, glass, dome.
I have a King Power "VIP" card, but that's no more special than a TOPS supermarket discount card.

So I have considerable, first-hand experience with the King Power company.
Serendipty2 doesn't mention any of his experience.

In addition, during one of my visits to the hotel, I chatted with the owner.
He was polite and respectful -- after all, I am a well-dressed, paying, customer, who is booked in a deluxe room.
I am not his "friend", and I never talked with him again, but I can judge character pretty quickly:
He's a hard-working, very intelligent, businessman, who is trying to survive in a market that is smothered in chaos.
If he is a drug lord, he gave no hint of that in our face-to-face conversation.

Now on to Serendipity2's outlandish claims:

King Power does not own Accor.
Accor is a huge company, yes, but they are French.
If you go to the Accor web site, you can read a history of the company and see photos of their founders -- two French men.
The connection to King Power is only that Accor manages the Pullman hotel.
King Power is the owner, the landlord.
Accor handles the day to day operations, under contract, as they do for many, many other hotels in Bangkok and around the world.

As for the accusations of drug money, maybe, maybe not, but Serendipity2 doesn't know.
He presented no evidence at all.
If he did know, he would never write about it here.

Do I really care about Serendipity2's opinion of King Power?
Not at all.
The reason I am writing these strong comments to let others know that if someone posts wild and un-founded speculation -- as Serendipity2 has done above -- that casts a shadow of doubt on all his other posts and all his other assertions.

-- Oneman
Chiangmai

[frogblogger]

Originally Posted by Oneman

Good warning.
Thank you Serendipity.
The "faith" that Serendipity is referring to is fundamentalist Christian, American style.
The specific variant would be Mormon, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
There is a large contingent of them in the consular service.
If you are one of them, then you are "family".
If you are not one of them, then take a number and get in line.
It could be a long wait.

I'm not of that faith, but I've always found LDS people to be honest and polite.
Never very friendly, but always respectful.
But they take care of their own, first, last, and always.
So, who doesn't?
But when it comes to government services, one does hope for an even playing field.

-- Oneman
Chiangmai

I suspected that was his point but was reluctant to believe, in this day and age, that it could be true in an overseas government department - even an American one.

The US is so far behind Europe in this respect and, it seems, the situation's not getting better (witness the VP the US nearly had... that possibility had the great majority of Europeans absolutely staggered - in the negative sense).

Just imagine - the VP of the most powerful nation on the planet believing that man was on Earth alongside the dinosaurs, that creationism should be taught in schools, that the US Army is on a mission from God... etc. Anyone with views like that in Europe would be laughed out of the elections.

[frogblogger]

Oh, and Oneman ... ref alleged speculation. Did you actually read the Bangkok Post article I added yesterday, ref the problems of the crackdown and the gang situation? My brother-in-law works at the airport and he confirmed that this is common knowledge to those employed there.

[Serendipity2]

Wow, Oneman, did I strike a nerve with you. You've been a customer? And that makes you an expert? Or that you've met one of the owners of King Power? You must have LOTS of money, huh, those are very posh digs? Evidently I was incorrect that King Power is owned by or owns Accor but the history of the two is fascinating. And their very cosy relationship as well.

Apparently King Power OWNS every concession at the new airport - kindly read below Oneman.... under "subsidiaries" I do think they're part of international money laundering/crime syndicate. If you don't agree who cares? You seem to have a dog in this fight Oneman. Oh, that's right, you're just a customer and have met an owner.

From King Power's own site......

"The company is very proud to take part in the development of the country. We have contributed not only the amount of 7,000 million baht concession fee generated to the Thai government, but also our operation, which creates over 3,000 job opportunities to the Thai employees"

[I think that's just a touch over $200,000,000. they've paid the Thai government - correct me if my math is wrong Oneman]

"SUBSIDIARIES

King Power International Co., Ltd.
Operates Downtown Duty Free Mall shops located at King Power Complex Rangnam Rd., Phayathai, Ratchathewi. In addition, its Advertising Department also runs the Light Box Advertisement business in all Passenger Terminals throughout Bangkok and Phuket International Airports.

King Power Duty Free Co., Ltd.
Operates Duty Free shops at Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket International Airport.

King Power Tax Free Co., Ltd.
Operates Tax Free shops at Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hadyai Airport.

King Power Suvarnabhumi Co.,Ltd.
Operates all commerical activities in Suvarnabhumi Airport

King Power Entertainment Co.,Ltd.
Operates all restaurants in Suvarnabhumi Airport, such as, City Garden, Light Bar, including Ramayana Restaurants and Aksra Theatre at King Power Downtown Duty Free Mall, Rangnam Road

King Power Hotel Management Co.,Ltd.
Operates the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel"

[Impressive list don't you think, Oneman? And YOU have met one of the owners!]



Accor Partnerships URL Accor Hotels: reductions with our partners

Accor History URL Accor S.A. -- Company History


I would draw your attention to how long they've been in business and how many hotels, motels and restaurants they now own. VERY impressive, huh? I think I'll stick with my 'wild speculation' as to how to good ol' French boys can become multi-zillionaires in so short a time. VERY impressive. Money laundering? Nah - not a chance

Serendipity2

[Oneman]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Bangkok Post article I added yesterday, ref the problems of the crackdown and the gang situation?

Yes, I saw it.
However, the topic on this thread -- from title and original post -- is not the "crackdown" or "gang situation".
Rather, it is "British Couple Fights Bangkok Airport Extortionists".
The "gang situation" is about illegal taxi and tour touts, not alleged shoplifting in duty free shops.

We have so much to complain about at the airport that it's tempting to mix it all up together: gangs, crackdowns, shoplifting, Accor hotels, and money laundering, too.
In fact, Sarah Palin and Alan Greenspan even got a mention in this thread.
But the topic is that British couple, who were recorded on video tape, apparently stealing a wallet from a duty free shop.
No one here has any more evidence than shown in that video tape.
Other distractions and newspaper articles and un-founded accusations about money laundering don't change that simple fact.

Much of what we see on all Internet forums is wild speculation; firmly and boldly stated, but still un-founded speculation.
Many posts on this thread are examples of that.
On the other hand, facts -- based on first-hand observation or other clear evidence -- are rare.
And facts on topic, are even more rare.

-- Oneman
Chiangmai

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by Oneman

Yes, I saw it.
However, the topic on this thread -- from title and original post -- is not the "crackdown" or "gang situation".
Rather, it is "British Couple Fights Bangkok Airport Extortionists".
The "gang situation" is about illegal taxi and tour touts, not alleged shoplifting in duty free shops.

We have so much to complain about at the airport that it's tempting to mix it all up together: gangs, crackdowns, shoplifting, Accor hotels, and money laundering, too.
In fact, Sarah Palin and Alan Greenspan even got a mention in this thread.
But the topic is that British couple, who were recorded on video tape, apparently stealing a wallet from a duty free shop.
No one here has any more evidence than shown in that video tape.
Other distractions and newspaper articles and un-founded accusations about money laundering don't change that simple fact.

Much of what we see on all Internet forums is wild speculation; firmly and boldly stated, but still un-founded speculation.
Many posts on this thread are examples of that.
On the other hand, facts -- based on first-hand observation or other clear evidence -- are rare.
And facts on topic, are even more rare.

-- Oneman
Chiangmai

Oneman,

I agree the thread did start with a couple being arrested and the background of many similar arrests from King Power. That expanded to the thought by many here that perhaps airport gangs were working with employees at King Power and other such speculation. As for all the criminal activity at the airports being lumped together - I think that's a good thing. It alerts us to LOTS of problems at the airport - not just a couple ensnared by the police. We need to be wary so I'm glad the topic expanded.

As for speculation on King Power and it's amazing success - several here including you made that an issue and I merely commented [incorrectly] that King Power and Accor were one. They are not but both have had a meteoric success and not, in my humble believe, by their great management skills. King Power seems to be a creature of a tiny handful who have convinced a corrupt government to give them an absolute monopoly at the airports in Thailand - not just Bangkok. As for Accor Hotels - wow - those guys must be incredible geniuses to amass such a fortune and huge number of restaurants and hotels [over 700,000 restaurants and over 700,000 hotels] in such a short period of time. I'm impressed - but also convinced they are likely the beneficiaries of money laundering. Maybe they're just really, really good business men. What say you?

As to Governor Sarah Palin and Alan Greenspan - frogblogger introduced the governor - but unnamed - by his comments [unwelcome as they were] and I threw in Dr. Greenspan for is incredible arrogance and stupidity which caused the world wide meltdown in the first place.

I would be the first to agree we need to keep politics off these boards but when some take cheap shots others will respond. As for keeping to the tiny subject of the couple at the airport - that's likely to morph into a discussion of the entire episode and include King Power. I am not convinced that King Power is that lilly white in all of this. They literally own the airports by owning the concessions. And they pay a LOT of money to the Thai government for that 'privileged monopoly" Just my humble thoughts.

Serendipity2

[frogblogger]

[Political discussion shifted to the lounge]

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

[Political discussion shifted to the lounge]

frogblogger,

So far as I'm concerned you could have killed my response. I'm not here to engage in polemics or politics, just enjoy exchanging ideas with others who love Thailand. In fact I hate politics and politicians. Except I liked President Reagan and I do like Sarah Palin. She's a classy lady and I do mean a lady.

Like you I will skillfully avoid Duty Free at any airport in Thailand and probably most concessions as well. Thanks

Serendipity2