Brit in Phuket Town condo saga continues amid fears of nine-story jump

[webfact]

Brit in Phuket Town condo saga continues amid fears of nine-story jump

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

David Maclean is seen from a window at the back of the ninth-storey condo in Phuket Town. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: The saga of a British man who has barricaded himself in a condo in Phuket Town amid a tenancy dispute continued yesterday (Feb 2) as the fire brigade was called in amid fears he might jump from the ninth-floor unit, prompting emergency services to respond and a visit by the Phuket Governor.

The Australian-born Brit, David Maclean, 50, from Brisbane, has not left the condo since Jan 14 amid a dispute with the landlady over paying the rent.

 

The landlady, Utumporn Tantivit, has filed a formal complaint with police alleging that Mr Maclean has refused to pay B8,000 in outstanding rent after moving into the condo in October on a six-month lease agreement.

Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/brit-in-phuket-town-condo-saga-continues-amid-fears-of-nine-story-jump-70260.php#aTglpyhlscuIwhRZ.99

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2019-02-04

[Thaiwrath]

it was later agreed to wait for Mr Maclean’s permit to stay to expire on Feb 21,

 

 

Let's leave it for 'Big Joke'.

He appears to be the only one who can sort problems out, and, I'm sure, he wouldn't turn down the photo opportunity !

[dotpoom]

As I said before ..if he was starting to get bullied by the sons...that was the time to leave ..it appears he's being "bone headed" about all this.

  His tune might change if he's informed that he will be receiving a bill for the cost of the emergency services that had to attend the scene to avoid a situation of him possibly jumping to his death.

[Destiny1990]

Seems he really like that Supalai shoebox.

[ajarnmarc]

It's great to see the fire brigade looking very professional, all suited in uniform, and welcoming for any issues which might arise from this mentally unstable situation. 

The occupant is probably just waiting for monies to be properly transferred over, 

so he may clear the rent. It's just a misunderstanding, which the landlord wasn't willing to understand through proper body language translation, since English skills here are still very low line in most parts, as not being any sort of priority to consider when running a business. Hopefully it will all sort itself out in a most positive fashion prior to any sort of overstay, which might cause him to be banned from the country in the future.

[owl sees all]

So sad. I feel sorry for this chap. All he seemed to want was a receipt for dosh he had handed over. Brave guy, sticking to his principles, while the world looks on.

Edited February 4, 2019 by owl sees all

[neeray]

Both sides seem to be seriously lacking in people skills and have allowed this situation to escalate to an embarrassing level.

Hope they resolve and move on.

[dinsdale]

They're not giving receipts. Why? The focus is on the bloke when it would seem the owners are bent, suprise, suprise. Job for Big Joke. Investigate the owners and the reason they're not supplying receipts which is a legal requirement. Suerly giving receipts should solve this problem? Pity the TV grab from the Phuket Post fails to mention the non compliance of issuing receipts which is the crux of the matter. ????

[chrisinth]

How much food does he have in the apartment? Or drinkable water for that matter? 3 weeks is a long time in this case.

 

If food is being provided how is he getting it if he hasn't opened the door?

[riverhigh]

50 years old. Likely no job in home country. Living here 6 months. Most probably benefits cut off. Barricading himself in his room and threatening to jump for the princely  sum of 8,000 baht. "Give me a receipt for my 8000 baht or I'll jump".  A real waste of space.

[Lucius verus]

Impossible to believe he was scammed over rent even in Phuket.

You pay your rent they give you a receipt and thats it. If he gave rent to 'relatives' of the management without getting a receipt thats his fault.

Pay again. If he doesn't pay his rent this won't end well for him.

Unfortunately Thais will always take advantage of the most vulnerable farangs who are simply clueless about living abroad.Anyone can get a passport and cheap airticket.

Edited February 4, 2019 by Lucius verus

[riverhigh]

1 minute ago, chrisinth said:

How much food does he have in the apartment? Or drinkable water for that matter? 3 weeks is a long time in this case.

 

If food is being provided how is he getting it if he hasn't opened the door?

Good point. Guess we can throw away the "I'me mentally distraught" card he is trying to play. The card he has successful used in getting benefits back in Britain.

[KittenKong]

3 minutes ago, Lucius verus said:

Impossible to believe he was scammed over rent even in Phuket.

Rent scams are common enough all over Thailand. This guy should have been given a receipt, and that's all there is to it.

But apparently the Phuket authorities prefer to side with the Thai landlord rather than protect the interests of tourists. There's a surprise.

[kcpattaya]

Should have used a professional agency to take care of the rental.
However, most property-professionals steer away from budget properties, as most only end up with issues.

[owenm]

Couldn't the landlady just use her key to enter the room with the police present? Forgetting the rent issue, it's more for his welfare and safety that's important. It appears as probable cause to enter the premises, instead of a cat and mouse situation, where the police are reluctant to do anything.. 

[soalbundy]

58 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

So sad. I feel sorry for this chap. All he seemed to want was a receipt for dosh he had handed over. Brave guy, sticking to his principles, while the world looks on.

Nothing brave about being stupid, walking away from trouble is cheaper and less nerve wracking.

[jacknorman]

Not everyone give receipt and some are on  atrust level if you not need it no problem

[NamKangMan]

1 hour ago, dotpoom said:

As I said before ..if he was starting to get bullied by the sons...that was the time to leave ..it appears he's being "bone headed" about all this.

  His tune might change if he's informed that he will be receiving a bill for the cost of the emergency services that had to attend the scene to avoid a situation of him possibly jumping to his death.

 

"if he was starting to get bullied by the sons...that was the time to leave" - and go where? 

 

Can you name a place in Thailand where tourists are not scammed, in one form or another?

[robblok]

49 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

They're not giving receipts. Why? The focus is on the bloke when it would seem the owners are bent, suprise, suprise. Job for Big Joke. Investigate the owners and the reason they're not supplying receipts which is a legal requirement. Suerly giving receipts should solve this problem? Pity the TV grab from the Phuket Post fails to mention the non compliance of issuing receipts which is the crux of the matter. ????

I think the Brit has more then a few screws lose to let it go on like this. Threatening suicide and not even listening to the embassy. The guy must be mentally unstable. Maybe he is worried he wont get his deposit back or whatever. I am not so sure anymore it the Thai owners mistake the guy just seems too crazy.

[Suradit69]

4 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

 

He appears to be the only one who can sort problems out

You seem to forget all the resident experts at Thai Visa who know the solution to every problem and can solve every criminal case.

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

 

"if he was starting to get bullied by the sons...that was the time to leave" - and go where? 

 

Can you name a place in Thailand where tourists are not scammed, in one form or another?

No idea but I never got scammed like this, things like this are an exception otherwise Thaivisa would be full of it day in day out. Most people don't get scammed and most people are reasonable this guy seems mentally unstable. He could easily have gotten an other room unless he has no money. Everyone is thinking the Thais are scamming, but it could be the Brit too who does not pay because he thinks he does not get his deposit back. Its close to end of his term maybe he is just not paying in to get his deposit back (illegal) 

[Kwasaki]

3 minutes ago, robblok said:

I think the Brit has more then a few screws lose to let it go on like this. Threatening suicide and not even listening to the embassy. The guy must be mentally unstable. Maybe he is worried he wont get his deposit back or whatever. I am not so sure anymore it the Thai owners mistake the guy just seems too crazy.

His deposit if any will be 1 month rental.

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Kwasaki said:

His deposit if any will be 1 month rental.

Not sure what is in the contract, but it just seems the guy is going overboard. The embassy is there police and who know who else and he is ignoring them all. Those are not the actions of a guy in his right mind. Staying locked in all the time, no food getting in. Sounds a lot like someone who lost the plot. Its not as if this is going to away automatically and the guy is just ignoring it all.

[owl sees all]

Just now, robblok said:

Not sure what is in the contract, but it just seems the guy is going overboard. The embassy is there police and who know who else and he is ignoring them all. Those are not the actions of a guy in his right mind. Staying locked in all the time, no food getting in. Sounds a lot like someone who lost the plot. Its not as if this is going to away automatically and the guy is just ignoring it all.

If someone could get a message to this poor guy, to join TVForum and let us help him. That's if the mokadons have not cut off his internet.

[Kwasaki]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

Not sure what is in the contract, but it just seems the guy is going overboard. The embassy is there police and who know who else and he is ignoring them all. Those are not the actions of a guy in his right mind. Staying locked in all the time, no food getting in. Sounds a lot like someone who lost the plot. Its not as if this is going to away automatically and the guy is just ignoring it all.

Agree, I have said from the start his behaviour is unnecessary.

The landlady has to apply for a court order to give people the authority to gain entry, which maybe she is waiting on.

[PremiumLane]

51 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

Good point. Guess we can throw away the "I'me mentally distraught" card he is trying to play. The card he has successful used in getting benefits back in Britain.

You clearly know nothing about 'benefits' back in Britain, and why are you even bleating on about benefits anyway? 

[thurien]

another cheap n boaring soap opera (Thai? Farang? style); T. May and others (also in Australia) will be ever so happy about crap like this in all of their valuable tabloids because it distracts the entire well- educated population of a developed country from really biting political issues....

Edited February 4, 2019 by thurien

[leeneeds]

Cool hand Luke quote, 

"a communication break down"

[NamKangMan]

31 minutes ago, robblok said:

No idea but I never got scammed like this, things like this are an exception otherwise Thaivisa would be full of it day in day out. Most people don't get scammed and most people are reasonable this guy seems mentally unstable. He could easily have gotten an other room unless he has no money. Everyone is thinking the Thais are scamming, but it could be the Brit too who does not pay because he thinks he does not get his deposit back. Its close to end of his term maybe he is just not paying in to get his deposit back (illegal) 

 

I've never had this scam pulled on me, but I've had the odd drink put on my bill, now, I pay as I go.  I think you will find a lot of websites on the net warning tourists about scams in Thailand.  Everything from "meter broken" to the jet-ski scam, and many, many more.

 

You do raise an interesting point about the deposit, or bond.  I have heard about the reluctance of Thai landlords to pay back the bond, in full.  Picking out a tiny scratch here, or a piece of mold there.  All BS to get some extra money out of the foreigner.  I believe it is quite common.

 

We don't know the full circumstances in this case, but he did email a media outlet, informing them of his version of events.

 

It will be interesting see how it all ends up.   

 

 

 

 

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

 

I've never had this scam pulled on me, but I've had the odd drink put on my bill, now, I pay as I go.  I think you will find a lot of websites on the net warning tourists about scams in Thailand.  Everything from "meter broken" to the jet-ski scam, and many, many more.

 

You do raise an interesting point about the deposit, or bond.  I have heard about the reluctance of Thai landlords to pay back the bond, in full.  Picking out a tiny scratch here, or a piece of mold there.  All BS to get some extra money out of the foreigner.  I believe it is quite common.

 

We don't know the full circumstances in this case, but he did email a media outlet, informing them of his version of events.

 

It will be interesting see how it all ends up.   

 

 

 

 

Do you have a link to his version of events ? But even so he is not that smart if he thinks that this will go away if he locks himself up.

 

The bond might be something in his head I know its common to happen still the action of not paying rent the last months is as illegal as not giving the bond back. Its actually worse as it happens before there is a conflict over the bond. 

 

I gotten my bond back but I rented only once.