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

[KhwaamLap]

This doing the rounds on the British broadsheets (and TV British Couple Fights Bangkok Airport Extortionists - Thailand Forum). Seems its happened many times in the past and the general consensus is to avoid Power King DutyFree like the plague (may not be the company, but certainly some staff are in on it). This is both to force the comapny to investigate and push the right button; and to protect us and our families and friends. So, spread the word and make this a known scam.

Also, lets hope the recoil on tourism (yet again!) forces ministers to do something about the scams at swampy and Don.

British couple fights Bangkok airport extortionists
Two tourists were held by an airport gang until they paid up £8,000

Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin were falsely accused
of stealing from a shop at Bangkok airport. Photo: Michael Sheridan

A British couple who were falsely accused of shoplifting in Bangkok airport and were forced to pay £8,000 in bribes to secure their release are to take legal action for compensation.

They 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 Saturday, April 25.

They were accused of taking a Givenchy wallet worth £121 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.

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.

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 (motto: “To serve and to protect”).

“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 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” — about £4,000 — 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.

Vijitpokin and a colleague, Kittamert Engchountada, of the Lawyers Association of Thailand, urged them to stay in the country to fight the case and have since assembled a dossier for potential prosecutions.

However, Ingram said the couple were so terrified by this stage that they decided to meet the demands for money, which they raised by bank transfers from Britain direct to Rathnayaka’s account. The Sunday Times has copies of the transactions.

Ingram and Xi were put on a British Airways flight to London early on Friday, May 1, having received their passports with official documents from prosecutors and police stating that no charges were to be brought against them.

They have said they are willing to return to Thailand and testify to try to stop the extortion if the government will guarantee their safety.

That could become a priority for Thailand, which has suffered a series of blows to its tourist industry through economic and political upheaval.

Inquiries last week established that Rathnayaka and his accomplices have continued preying on tourists who end up in police custody after being accused of theft from the airport duty-free shop. “I am just helping people,” he explained. “I don’t get paid to do this. All the embassies know me.”

Officials at the Danish embassy confirmed that a Danish woman fell into Rathnayaka’s hands about two weeks ago and was allowed to leave Thailand only after handing over more than £4,500.

When a Sunday Times journalist posing as a businessman in trouble contacted Rathnayaka last week, the first thing he said was: “If it’s a case, for example, of shoplifting at the airport duty-free then I can help. Bail is 100,000 baht (£1,800).” He later declined an interview, saying the Sri Lanka embassy — which employs him as an interpreter — had told him not to speak.

The Foreign Office said consular officials had offered to raise the case with the Thai authorities at the time but had been asked by the couple not to intervene.

A spokesman for King Power duty-free said the company had strict rules for evidence to be submitted to the police in shoplifting cases, but added: “We cannot control what happens after that.”

-- timesonline.co.uk 2009-06-28

[frogblogger]

It's good that this sort of thing is getting a high profile in the media - someone, somewhere, must realise the harm this is doing to Thailand's international image and its waning tourist industry.

You have to wonder what would happen in such a situation if you simply refuse to pay up and take the prison option. Would they fabricate evidence against you? Would there be an international outcry?

I gambled once in Lao during an extortion attempt, and got away with a stubborn refusal to pay up when threatened with first jail, then 'disappearing'. Not sure I would do it again there, Thailand is highly civilised in comparison. But I would be tempted to fight the extortionists in LOS, that's for sure.

[KhwaamLap]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

It's good that this sort of thing is getting a high profile in the media - someone, somewhere, must realise the harm this is doing to Thailand's international image and its waning tourist industry.

You have to wonder what would happen in such a situation if you simply refuse to pay up and take the prison option. Would they fabricate evidence against you? Would there be an international outcry?

I gambled once in Lao during an extortion attempt, and got away with a stubborn refusal to pay up when threatened with first jail, then 'disappearing'. Not sure I would do it again there, Thailand is highly civilised in comparison. But I would be tempted to fight the extortionists in LOS, that's for sure.

If I had got to the Embassy like they did, I would have sat there (help or no help) until someone did something - even if it was a plane home. Its much better to be an American in these sort of cases, they care about their citizen, Brit Embassy is just here to make money for printing nstandard forms at a £100 a throw! Glad I don't pay UK taxes any more!!!!

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by KhwaamLap

If I had got to the Embassy like they did, I would have sat there (help or no help) until someone did something - even if it was a plane home. Its much better to be an American in these sort of cases, they care about their citizen, Brit Embassy is just here to make money for printing nstandard forms at a £100 a throw! Glad I don't pay UK taxes any more!!!!

KhwaamLap,

I'm sorry to say you're dead wrong on getting any help from the American Embassy. They will do TWO things for you. They will hold your luggage until you get out of jail and they will give you a list of lawyers. That's it. Then they will piously say that it's an "Internal or domestic matter" and they can't interfere. The American Embassy is worthless as tits on a boar in helping it's citizens unless you are of a certain faith. I'll leave it up to you to figure that one out. They are very good about living the good life in Thailand and in giving American taxpayers' money away and intelligence gathering. They are NOT there to help their citizens!

If you get in a jamb you want to be Canadian. They seem to care about the welfare of their people which is impressive. Glad they don't emulate their Yankee neighbors in that regard.

Serendipity2

[frogblogger]

The British Embassy was instrumental in getting me out of a serious situation at the Thai/Laos border before, and its employees were as efficient as it was possible to be out of hours, with the duty officer involving a Thai linguist employee in talking to the various Customs officials involved. Without their help, tailored to the peculiarities of the problem (attempted con by Laos immigration, apparently aided and abetted by at least one officer on the Thai side), there's no doubt that I would have ended up in prison back in Laos unless I coughed up a big bribe.

I'm sure there are good and bad employees at the British Embassy as well as the US equivalent, over the years I've seen mixed reports on both on Thai forums.

Not sure what point you're making over the issue of faith, S2?

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

The British Embassy was instrumental in getting me out of a serious situation at the Thai/Laos border before, and its employees were as efficient as it was possible to be out of hours, with the duty officer involving a Thai linguist employee in talking to the various Customs officials involved. Without their help, tailored to the peculiarities of the problem (attempted con by Laos immigration, apparently aided and abetted by at least one officer on the Thai side), there's no doubt that I would have ended up in prison back in Laos unless I coughed up a big bribe.

I'm sure there are good and bad employees at the British Embassy as well as the US equivalent, over the years I've seen mixed reports on both on Thai forums.

Not sure what point you're making over the issue of faith, S2?

frogblogger,

Sorry about your near miss but at least it was a miss. I don't think that would have been the case if your nationality were American. My quip? All of the animals in the barnyard are equal - just some is more equal than others. 'Nuf said.

[Serendipity2]

KhwaamLap,

Scary! After reading that horror story I did a bit of research on King Power as I was curious who owned it. 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. I will not go into a King Power shop either at an airport or in any city and will also avoid their hotels. Some of their hotel chains ARE impressive - Soffitel and Mercure chief among them. Maybe that scam helps King Power add to their bottom line? Anyway, for your reading pleasure.



Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel Opens

Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel Opens

"....The hotel's restaurants and bars serve a range of genuine Thai, Asian, European and Californian cuisines. Extensive shopping options and dining outlets are also available at the adjacent King Power Duty Free complex.

# # #

Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 170,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:

Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, All Seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing more than 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre."


------------------------------------

20 See Destination at King Power

20 See Destination at King Power - etravelblackboardasia.com


“......Regarding an exclusive destination, King Power Travel fair distinguishes itself from other travel fair with its exclusive ‘Luxury Package’ for each of the recommended destinations to our customer. For Instance, ‘Luxury Rediscovered Safari’ package with the value over 300,000 Baht, offered by Kenya Airways, includes Bangkok-Nairobi round-trip business-class seats, five-star boutique hotel, Elsa’s Kopie Camp in deluxe tented camps in Meru National Park, a chance to visit the ancestral home of the Obama clan and Balloon Safari for panorama view in Masai Mara. Through these is the very particular experience which King Power longs to offer for our customers,” Mr. Sombat adds.?

The 20 selected Must-See Destinations exhibited on the first floor of the fair include 'Roots of Obama' tour of Kenya, Paradise Santorini in Greece, Vodka Caviar in Russia, Petra Jordanian Wonders, Stunning View Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Relax Blue Lagoon in Iceland, Pearl of Indian Ocean at Seychelles Island, Hi-tea in Bhutan, as well as many other breathtaking sites. Meanwhile, the second floor features over 30 booths whose sales assistants will assist customers with travel itineraries such as putting together special-offer traveling packages, tourist information, and flight tickets."


I especially want to "do" the "Roots of Obama" tour in Kenya. Not!

[KhwaamLap]

I should have updated this story. King Power released videos and statements of the above incidents. It clearly shows a couple (a bit blurry, but could well be them - I suspect it is) stealing a wallet - not in a haphazrd way either. The video shows the woman taking it and putting it in her purse. Security staff followed them and she palmed it to him and he went to the toilet. Staff found the wallet in the toilet wastebasket (yuk!). They later changed clothes and sat at different tables in a cafe - pretending not to be together, when they were arrested.

Looks like this couple were caught bang to rights. Of course it doesn't excuse the obviously tried and tested system of bribery that persued. Including a Sri Lankan national (why?) - who suddently disappeared on the breaking of this story. Several other people stood up and said it had happened to them too.

Lots of storied of 'free gifts' being given, than being arrested as the item was not on the receipt! There is a con somewhere here - maybe the guilty couple just fell nicely into it. I doubt it would be KP itself as its small fry moneywise to them - and a dangerous risk too. Much more likely to be airport staff (at KP, airport security and police).

I personally believe that KP should come down like a ton of bricks on their staff - because most farangs are advising relatives and friends to just walk straight down nthe centre at arrivals/departure lounges rather than even browsing the dutyfree shops (cheaper in Night Bazaar anyway!). They need to clean the air and they ned to do it soon.

[Serendipity2]

KhwaamLap,

I'm wondering why they would have stolen an expensive wallet and then chucked it into the waste basket. Doesn't make sense unless the fellow knew they were on to him but again the natural inclination would be to keep the stolen item and try to hide it. I'm also a bit perplexed that, with security cameras all over now, why someone would risk getting caught stealing a wallet - even an expensive one. If they were caught they would have real problems since they no doubt would miss their flight and end up in jail. I'm also curious about the "fuzzy" video - cameras anymore are very good, very cheap and mostly digital - so why fuzzy video?

I agree with you that I don't think King Power is behind this - very little to gain and much to lose including the good will of their patrons all over the world. More likely a scam set up by security and police at the airport to shake down foreigners. Thai government officials are poorly paid so this may be at the root of the problem. I would suspect store employees would also be involved so you're right - King Power needs to crack down on their own employees or suffer the consequences. A good rule of thumb too - if someone wants to give me a gift I'd better know them very well. Especially at the airport. Once on their airport property your rights suddenly vanish and where you could probably extricate yourself in a shop in a mall - at the airport? No chance. Once you fall into the hands of the police you're guilty until you prove your innocence. If you've a flight to catch you're screwed and you will probably need to hire an attorney to get out of the nick. Not smart!

Serendipity2

[KhwaamLap]

There has been a lot of talk about the video quality, but mostly it has been put down to compression for posting on their website. Apparantly the police copy was good enough to recognise the couple.

The guy dumped the wallet because he knew they were on to them (according to KP).

No one really knows why they did it - but it was well rehersed and maybe they do it for the buzz and have never been caught up until that point. They moved a lot of wallets about, just picking them up and putting them back on other shelves - to confuse? This was at shuffeling speed, they were not looking at them, just shifting them about - then the women walks behind the shelving unit with two wallets together - she puts one down, but still clearly has another which she bags. I guess most CCTV is useless in airports as its watched later when the missing item is discovered and by then the culprit has long gone.

The free gift scam is not a new one - and has caught many a person. The other one is if someone buys multiple items is to not ring it up but bag it anyway, then accuse them of stealing it. Always check the recipt and the bag before leaving a shop in Asia (not just Thailand)