Briton, 67, arrested for robbery at luxury Bangkok hotel

By The Nation

 

The suspect as seen on CCTV camera.

 

A 67-year-old British man was arrested in Bangkok early on Monday for allegedly robbing and drugging a fellow countryman in his hotel room.

 

John Lane, who has a Thai wife and has been living in Tambon Saensuk in Chon Buri's Muang district for 40 years, was arrested at 1.15am at the entrance to Soi Sukhumvit 4.

 

Lumpini police say a British tourist, Michael Travers, 69, filed a complaint with police on February 12 that he had been robbed and drugged in his room at a luxury hotel in the Ploenchit area of the city.

 

Travers told police that he was returning to his room on the 25th floor at 1am after drinking at the lobby bar on the ground floor and met Lane in the lift.

 

He said Lane walked after him and, after he had opened the door to his room, pushed him inside, tied his hands and covered his face with a mask.

 

Travers said a Panerai watch worth Bt200,000 and 19 other items, were taken with a total value of Bt440,781.

 

He said Lane forced him to reveal the pin number of his ATM card, which Lane also took, and then made him drink something that caused him to fall asleep.

 

He woke up at 3.50am and went downstairs to report the episode to staff at the front counter.

 

Police saw Lane’s image on the CCTV footage and obtained an arrest warrant against him.

 

They say Lane has denied the charges but he was identified by the victim.

 

Police believe Lane might also be responsible for robbing several other elderly tourists at luxury hotels in the Lumpini and Thonglor areas.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30339191

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-19

 

Sadly, wisdom does not always come with age.

Hmm, would not surprise me in the slightest to learn that the British Embassy were bending over backwards to provide Lane with all the "consular assistance" he may need, while leaving his British victim entirely to his own devices.

2 hours ago, missoura said:

Sadly, wisdom does not always come with age.

Referring to age, presumably you're suggesting that the older victim was doing something unwise by being in his hotel?

Nice man hope you get nice time in monkey house and get ban from Thailand and what about his wife do she want he doing or maybe help him?? 

If old habits die hard, I wonder what other secrets lurk in his past ..... 

32 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

Referring to age, presumably you're suggesting that the older victim was doing something unwise by being in his hotel?

I should have been more specific as I was referring to the 67 year old man.

2 minutes ago, missoura said:

I should have been more specific as I was referring to the 67 year old man.

That's what I suggested, so what was it that the victim did that was so lacking in wisdom?

Poor Charles Sobrahj imitation!!

Travers said a Panerai watch worth Bt200,000 and 19 other items, were taken with a total value of Bt440,781.

 

He should have had the sense to lend the watch to a friend........

35 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

That's what I suggested, so what was it that the victim did that was so lacking in wisdom?

try reading properly before criticising the commentator - the 67 year old is the perpetrator, the victim is 69 years old

Another British Gentleman!

Is he on 39 years over stay I wonder ? and this his full time work to fund it ? 

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

Referring to age, presumably you're suggesting that the older victim was doing something unwise by being in his hotel?

Obviously he's talking about the perpitrator.

50 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

That's what I suggested, so what was it that the victim did that was so lacking in wisdom?

***facepalm***

Hotel security not around or was Mr Lane a hotel guest as well ?

Quote

He said Lane forced him to reveal the pin number of his ATM card, which Lane also took, and then made him drink something that caused him to fall asleep.

 

Made him drink something?  I'd be kicking a storm up by this stage, no way I am going to be forced to drink something.

Something not quite right about this story.  Was he armed or did he have a weapon?  How exactly did he manage to get the guy's hands tied and a mask put over him so easily without a ruckus alerting anyone in nearby rooms.

 

Not buying the story as it stands.  Will wait another day to see the updated version!

1 hour ago, missoura said:

I should have been more specific as I was referring to the 67 year old man.

You are not going to win a discussion/argument with someone who's online handle is "Just Weird".

18 minutes ago, NextStationBangkok said:

Another British Gentleman!

 

You mean as opposed to the German gentleman arrested for sexual relations with a pimped 15 year old; or the American gentlemen and Ladies done for graffiti and showing their butts off at a temple; or the American gentlemen who beat and stomped an Australian to death; or all those gentlemen Aussie bikers???

 

Crime, criminals, and scumbags aren't restricted to any nationality(s) but reports here always draw out the bigots, biased and racists.

Wait. He is not the quality Russian expat? Nothing to discuss here then. Let's go find some Ruski

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

That's what I suggested, so what was it that the victim did that was so lacking in wisdom?

He means the purpetrator/criminal/drugger!

They say there are very few criminals over 65yo, most have learned 

that crime is uncool/unprofitable/bad karma by then. Slow learner? You are on video almost always here.

 

 

NS

The guy in the photo doesnt look like a 67 year old and he could pass as being Middle Eastern , 

After living 40 years living in Thailand, this white dude must have thought he is already Thai. Certain jobs are reserved for Thais only.

"Gone native"!

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

4 hours ago, OJAS said:

Hmm, would not surprise me in the slightest to learn that the British Embassy were bending over backwards to provide Lane with all the "consular assistance" he may need, while leaving his British victim entirely to his own devices.

That was a quick Embassy critical post, totally unfounded and pure speculation that the Embassy is supposedly assisting the thief with consular assistance.

And what exactly is the consulate supposed to do for a victim of theft in this case?

Victim of crime in a foreign country, usual course of action is to go to the local police.

 

Amazes me the number of posts bashing the embassy, based on nothing more than emotion and speculation.

4 hours ago, OJAS said:

Hmm, would not surprise me in the slightest to learn that the British Embassy were bending over backwards to provide Lane with all the "consular assistance" he may need, while leaving his British victim entirely to his own devices.

 

More likely our "superb consular services", as vaunted by Boris, will be doing nothing for either of them. 

The slot for the "500 Baht fine and a wai" post  is still available , most of the other stereotypical usual replies have already been taken  .

   (No one has mentioned the Red Bull heir yet either or started off a post with "In America , blah blah blah")

   Get in their quick

Oh dear, is there already a harbinger of threatening Brexit?  Running out of money already? Poor Pom 

John Lane....but that's not his real name....

40 years in Thailand ? Does he even have a valid British passport?