Thai hotel seeks deal with guest facing jail over bad reviews

[FarFlungFalang]

10 hours ago, hellohello123 said:

you know, its just how the world is and probably has been for thousands of years, now that social media is here, its easier to have a voice, anyone business owner that thinks this wont happen or doesnt know how to handle it is either inexperienced or naive

 

I worked at a fine dining establishment ages ago, and we served a customer oysters kilpatrcik, and he complained and he kept on repeating that he owns restaurants around the world, and that oysters kilpatrick dont have worscestershire sauce in it,

 

rather than take him to court and put him in jail, we took it off the bill, and offered him something else

So instead of insisting he pay corkage they should have given him a free beer or 2 and bought a good review?The manager could have brought them himself and had a drink with him and made him feel like a welcome guest!The price 120 Bt.Sometimes good advertising can be cheap if you don't let your face get in the way!The hotel should be providing service after all it's in the SERVice industry!If they haven't got the brains to handle an unruly customer they're in the wrong business.

[Don Mega]

22 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

What we got here is over reaction.

The guys staying there over reacted.

The manager over reacted.

The police over reacted.

The courts have over reacted.

 

So there is only one thing that will fix this.

 

There needs to be a dance off.

 

Whoever commands the dancefloor this Saturday night is the winner.

 

This is one of these dumb, pointless, stupid and frankly counter productive stories about Thailand that really ticks me off. WHO cares who was right and who was wrong. All of them need to stop being such drama queens.

Has the american been to court, what was the courts over reaction ?

[khuneiz]

Mr Barnes the gigs up, you are a drunk and a criminal where ever you go. Nobody wants you except for the criminal systems.

 

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

The hotel should be providing service after all it's in the SERVice industry!If they haven't got the brains to handle an unruly customer they're in the wrong business.

I will pass this advice on to my friends that own bars from Udon Thani down to Pattaya. For that matter all over Thailand and advise owner to give free beer to a kanker that plays up such as this usa loser. I have seen so many stories like this. We all have.

Strangely more typical from tourists in few week bash up. This guy was living here. Not for much longer. Good

[misterjames]

49 minutes ago, khuneiz said:

Mr Barnes the gigs up, you are a drunk and a criminal where ever you go. Nobody wants you except for the criminal systems.

You with that photoshopped pic either a) have way too much time on your hands or b) you have some kind of vested interest in this case. 

 

I see a lot of whataboutism here and for those of you that are saying that this guy is a racist because he mentioned that the manager was Czezh should probably understand that Czezh is not a race it is a country and both of these men happen to be the same race regardless of country of origin so for that accusation to work these two would have to be from different races (which they are not).

 

While this guy may well have been an idiot what does it say about the state of Thailand if people cannot leave honest reviews on tripadvisor for fear of jail? honest reviews are the whole concept of the site mentioning this guys passed (if that is even the same guy) seems like some kind of smear campaign to me and quite frankly irrelevant I mean even if this guy does have a passed what about the next honest person that leaves an honest review that the owner does not like? seems like some kind of weird power trip that backfired.

 

My conclusion is this the owner is probably used to getting his own way and tried to silence the man by using the cops which has gone horribly wrong this time and the situation is now way bigger than he realised and now he is starting to panic. It's ironic that he also seems like he met his match in this guy. I mean how fragile is your business if a tripadvisor review is destroying your business? get over it it is part of the game. Anyone with a modicum of sense can tell if it is a vindictive review calling your buddies at the cop shop just makes you and your business look unprofessional and just as petty as the guy that wrote the review.

 

Seems like these two were destined to meet to learn this life lesson.

 

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by misterjames

[ReLo]

7 hours ago, Grandisse said:

It seems that I am a minority in the forum, but anyway, I actually liked the idea that this self-righteous teacher pr!ck got a taste of the real world - he had it coming to him. Paying the room doesn't give anybody the right to behave like an idiot - and especially not bringing your own booze to the restaurant and then complain about a corkage fee. And then, even after the hotel already retracted about the corkage fee, writing defamatory loudmouth-sh!t in social media. 

 

As a business person myself, with all the advantages that social media has brought to mankind, it is also a playground for crazy people who get emotionally carried away to write stupid stuff hurting businesses, especially those who have a remarkable track record of very good reviews - like this hotel.

 

I know Koh Chang quite well, especially I like Kai Bae Beach, so once Thailand opens up (if that ever happens) I might well stay there. 

 

 

 

Tell me where I can review your business?  Then I will give you real reasons to support the koh chang resort...

I am usually paid to post fake reviews but this time I will do it for free for you ????

 

 

 

[rott]

7 hours ago, gerritkaew said:

how crazy thing can get, getting arrested iff you posted a bad review....

Thailand getting more crazy than crazy!!!

He did not post "a" bad review, it was "multiple". 

And the Thai law on Defamation states simply that you must not "impair someone's reputation". 

 

Got that.? 

[Bell1234]

On 10/1/2020 at 8:30 PM, Shuya said:

I hope the guy sues them for a few millions. Legal costs should be payed by tripadvisor and google, it's their business modell who is at stake.

He has No chance of winning in a Thai court even if he is correct.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Bell1234 said:

He has No chance of winning in a Thai court even if he is correct.

How is he correct? Did you read thread. 

He posted multiple negative reviews. Google that in western countries and get back to thread on how that worked out for folk that posted many negative reviews based on vindictive intensions. One case in Au regarding a medical clinic amounted ended up 350k aud fine for false reviews.

In addition the fella in question has extensive criminal history.

Just another loser from farang country. So many here in Thailand

Edited October 2, 2020 by DrJack54

[fxe1200]

11 hours ago, DualSportBiker said:

How is accusation of 'modern day slavery' an honest review?

Your remark is completely out of context. Think before you write.

[Albert Zweistein]

On 10/1/2020 at 3:02 PM, misterjames said:

Seems like the hotel owner is one of those "I know the cops" types that tried to silence the man for leaving a review but now that the news has spread to the world newspapers he realises he could be about to lose face and business I mean who wants to stay somewhere where you can't leave your honest opinion on tripadvisor for fear of going to jail?

The hotel is off my list already.

[Albert Zweistein]

On 10/1/2020 at 5:52 PM, mark131v said:

You do realise we are talking about 'thai police' not real police, they are without doubt the biggest gang in town and the best money can buy!!

 

Lets get it in context in the Blue corner we have a gobby yank tourist and in the Red corner we have an entitled Hi So hotel owner who is a big man on a small island

 

You wanna bet that the Red corner has all the power and is used to getting whatever he wants with lots of waiing and prostrating, if he want's the Yank nicked at a specific time in order to get maximum revenge he is well able to, again if you believe otherwise I have a bridge for sale... 

Golden Gate Bridge ?

[Prince77]

I am very critical in regard of the Thai defamation laws, however, this guy is in a hot pot NOT because of a negative review of a room, food or service but due to a combination of a personal vendetta, ignorance, arrogance and stupidity.

 

It should have served him a lesson already but I have some doubts as he only reacted to an amicable solution AFTER he was arrested.

[Jonathan Swift]

Ironic of course after an issue in which a bad review triggered prosecution of the reviewer, in so doing publicizing not only that review but amplifying it with an unjust vindictive prosecution by the hotel by which process the hotel itself created its own worldwide worst possible review ever. way to go. 

[Don Mega]

8 hours ago, misterjames said:

 

While this guy may well have been an idiot what does it say about the state of Thailand if people cannot leave honest reviews on tripadvisor for fear of jail?

 

 

 

You think it was an honest review ?

[ericthai]

On 10/1/2020 at 9:53 AM, FarFlungFalang said:

I think the owner has had a serious talking to by those way above his pay grade about how the customer is alway right.

you know we are in Thailand... right??

[FarFlungFalang]

49 minutes ago, ericthai said:

you know we are in Thailand... right??

We used to be in Thailand now I'm not so sure that we are.

[LazySlipper]

11 hours ago, alecranb said:

Well, i don't know if you not read the story or only you don't understand what happened.

You are right... I read what was there and by what was presented it seemed perfectly legit, and I do disagree to bringing your lunch to a restaurant. Thanks for the clarification.

Edited October 2, 2020 by LazySlipper

[FarFlungFalang]

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I will pass this advice on to my friends that own bars from Udon Thani down to Pattaya. For that matter all over Thailand and advise owner to give free beer to a kanker that plays up such as this usa loser. I have seen so many stories like this. We all have.

Strangely more typical from tourists in few week bash up. This guy was living here. Not for much longer. Good

So you feel you are a welcomed friend in bars from Udon down to Pattaya and all over Thailand which is the point I was trying to make.Probably better to put in an extra effort to make his stay at the hotel as drama free as one can and wait it out till he leaves,then the hotel can be full if he ever comes back.Also this is a higher than normal resort  hotel and this seems like an episode of Faulty Towers.Throwing a kanker customer in gaol doesn't seem to have been the best option even if the kanker deserves it.

[vacajan]

Thank you for mentioning the name of this hotel and its "professional manager"!
I know where I will NEVER set foot in!

[micmichd]

1 hour ago, FarFlungFalang said:

We used to be in Thailand now I'm not so sure that we are.

I remember the corkfee rules were always there, even in downtown a Bangkok (Khao San Road) 

So, you are still in Thailand if you are in Thailand. 

[NanLaew]

On 10/1/2020 at 8:20 PM, sammieuk1 said:

Looks like the hotel has opened a can of worms and can't get the lid back on with these asylum laws ????

What "asylum laws"?

[Tagged]

1 hour ago, vacajan said:

Thank you for mentioning the name of this hotel and its "professional manager"!
I know where I will NEVER set foot in!

And others want to go back, because they know it is a good and well run hotel with facilities. 

 

I for sure will be back. However I do not support jailtime for the guy, he already lost his legal stay in Thailand I will suppose. Working without WP, and so on. 

[Chopinbkk]

I followed this saga long enough ... Are you guys mad? Dwelling in the details of this pathetic incident?

 

The REAL ISSUE here is the Thai Law and its enforcement!

 

Are u blind not to see what matters in this case? Never mind this single little incident. Tomorrow they get YOU, for another "review" ...... under those fascist laws .... Then you will become aware of what the real issue is.

[pkrv]

34 minutes ago, Chopinbkk said:

I followed this saga long enough ... Are you guys mad? Dwelling in the details of this pathetic incident?

 

The REAL ISSUE here is the Thai Law and its enforcement!

 

Are u blind not to see what matters in this case? Never mind this single little incident. Tomorrow they get YOU, for another "review" ...... under those fascist laws .... Then you will become aware of what the real issue is.

Yes very much so. I have for years written honest reviews on TripAdvisor as I do read the reviews of others to get a (hopefully) informed opinion of what to expect from a hotel, restaurant, experience, etc. I had heard of the defamation laws in Thailand, but this particular case has made me more aware of how these can be used - or misused - in order to address grievances whether real, imagined, or fabricated.

 

And while I like to give back something for what I learned, in the form of my own reviews, it seems that the potential to fall foul of the defamation laws means that it's really not worth it.

 

So ultimately anyone I might review is now at a loss, whether I would rate them 1 star or 5 star. Of course in the grand scheme of things my reviews aren't important at all, but it is unfortunate that I feel I cannot contribute anymore without fear or favour for Thai businesses.

Edited October 3, 2020 by pkrv

[johng]

Maybe everyone should write  in the review section  something like

"Due to Thailand's draconian defamation laws I  decline to review or rate this business"

[pkrv]

4 minutes ago, johng said:

Maybe everyone should write  in the review section  something like

"Due to Thailand's draconian defamation laws I  decline to review or rate this business"

I am coming to the opinion that TA and the other booking sites like Agoda, Booking etc. should carry some form of warning that writing a review of your opinion or experience could lead to legal action in some countries and/or circumstances.

 

Reviews and feedback should be important: to let businesses know what they are doing well and where that can improve.

[Seeall]

7 minutes ago, pkrv said:

I am coming to the opinion that TA and the other booking sites like Agoda, Booking etc. should carry some form of warning that writing a review of your opinion or experience could lead to legal action in some countries and/or circumstances.

 

Reviews and feedback should be important: to let businesses know what they are doing well and where that can improve.

An old mostly ignored issue.... not just officially....  LOOK, how many good Thai business operate wrong but yet no one tells them because its not done???  and so the business keeps on doing the wrong thing not making money.....  Like the new pizza place here... its fine... but so much sugar its not a pizza, but no one will tell them and now hardly anyone goes there... see?

[BobBKK]

16 hours ago, LazySlipper said:

Mr Barnes should have the right to bring in as much beer as he wishes without having a corking fee... especially in these days where getting anyone to stay in one's hotel must be quite difficult indeed. On this one... 100% on Barne's side. If anyone tried to get me to pay a corking fee to fill my fridge in a hotel where I am staying they would get the middle finger salute. What's next? A corking fee for bottled water?

why?  why does he have any right to bring in drinks to a restaurant?  absurd

[lootarzoon]

On 10/1/2020 at 7:55 PM, mr mr said:

are any of these people adults ? 

 

to all involved. please let go of your egos. offer the man a free stay. provide a service worth reviewing and everyone is happy. 

 

i am 100 % sure mr barnes is totally without any fault..... right mr barnes ? 

 

On 8/25/2020 at 11:43 AM, poskat said:

the perspective that this guy has about thailand being such an amazing destination that people would travel here to stay in tourist zoos until deemed safe to travel elsewhere will soon be challenged by reality

 

On 10/1/2020 at 7:55 PM, mr mr said:

are any of these people adults ? 

 

to all involved. please let go of your egos. offer the man a free stay. provide a service worth reviewing and everyone is happy. 

 

i am 100 % sure mr barnes is totally without any fault..... right mr barnes ? 

No fault at all, y can keep defaming as much as y like every persons & companies all around the world whenever y wish, especially when you can have the excuse to be drunk.