Report Deposit Dispute Turns Ugly: Ukrainian Renter Wrecks Thai Condo, Then Vanishes

[webfact]

Photo by Praphaphan Meesomboon

 

A Ukrainian woman has reportedly vanished after wreaking havoc on a Phuket condominium, leaving the owner with damages totalling more than 350,000 baht.

 

The startling incident came to light after Praphaphan Meesomboon, the property owner, shared shocking images of the ruined flat on Facebook on April 30. The series of photos showed a trashed apartment, prompting a flurry of reactions on social media.

 

Praphaphan detailed in her post how she'd rented out the condo a year ago through an agent to the now-missing tenant. The lease agreement, beginning on April 15, 2023, was supposed to end on April 15 this year, but the tenant refused to leave when the term concluded.

 

The chaotic state of the unit was discovered after the tenant finally departed, notifying Praphaphan that the key was stashed away in a rubbish bin.

 

 

 

With the exit of the tenant, the apartment was left in a deplorable condition. Photos reveal a floor strewn with ripped-up pillow feathers, walls scrawled over with dark blue marker drawings, and a slew of battered or dirty appliances.

 

Curtains were found in tatters while a slashed mattress and graffiti murals added to the devastation. One significant clue noted was the word "swindlers" scrawled on a wall among crude sketches, alongside the number “32,000” printed near the bed.

 

Online speculations have run rife, linking the property damage to a potential misunderstanding or dispute over a security deposit. Netizens suggested that the tenant might've deposited 32,000 baht at the lease's onset, anticipating a refund that never materialised.

 

However, Praphaphan has not confirmed any issues regarding the deposit and remained silent about the identity of the agent managing the rental.

 

As investigations continue, key questions linger about the tenant's location and motive behind the destruction. Meanwhile, Praphaphan is faced with the costly task of restoring the flat to its former condition, a financial burden running north of 350,000 baht.

 

Photo by Praphaphan Meesomboon
 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-01

 

 

[JoePai]

2 sides to every argument remember

[schlog]

350.000 for that shoe box furniture and some color 555. Never ever.

[bdenner]

350K Baht! I'll be around  tomorrow with a paint brush and a few sticks of furnisher.

[frank83628]

43 minutes ago, JoePai said:

2 sides to every argument remember

Indeed there are, however, how many here would say that had the woman been Russian

[terryq]

25 minutes ago, JoePai said:

2 sides to every argument remember

 There are usually  3 sides to every story. Sides A's , side B's  and the truth.

 

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

Actually, there are no sides or different stories at all regarding this. If the tenant refused to leave, and trashed the condo, then it´s double fault for the tenant. If it was a deposit problem, then it´s single fault for the tenant as there are no need to trash the apartment for 32k baht. That you oppose the legal way. This is pure vandalism, and should not be tolerated in any kind of way.

[Dmitry2222]

European wealthy tourists

[Briggsy]

Noughts and crosses?

[Hakuna Matata]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A Ukrainian woman has reportedly vanished after wreaking havoc on a Phuket condominium, leaving the owner with damages totalling more than 350,000 baht.

 

Oh My God, those pesky Ukrainians misbehave again in Thailand? What about Russians in Thailand?

 

 

[Hakuna Matata]

2 hours ago, Dmitry2222 said:

European wealthy tourists

 

The so-called "High Quality Tourists" from Europe. 

 

Slava Ukraine?

[bluemoon58]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Praphaphan has not confirmed any issues regarding the deposit

Of course not! 

[Hakuna Matata]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A Ukrainian woman has reportedly vanished after wreaking havoc on a Phuket condominium, leaving the owner with damages totalling more than 350,000 baht.

 

What I don't like about Ukrainian women is that they may become furious and hysteric all of a sudden if they don't like something. They may be very aggressive. Beware!

 

On the plus side, they are very sexy and perform very well during sexual intercourse. They enjoy sex very much.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

2 sides to every argument remember

One of which is usually one-sided

[Smokey and the Bandit]

6 minutes ago, bluemoon58 said:

Of course not! 

Quite right, that in itself should raise some doubts about the veracity of the owner!

[steven100]

just goes to show sometimes the thai way isn't always the best way.  I'd say Miss Meesonboom didn't give back the 32,000 baht deposit because the tenant broke the lease agreement.  Maybe next time she'll discuss issues amicably instead of demanding. 

 

There is two sides to every story and Miss Meesonboom isn't telling it all.  

[Olsworth]

Where are the Thai laws that protect tenancy rights? Where does the landlord protect the deposit with an external company which can be arbitrated 

[AgMech Cowboy]

4 hours ago, bdenner said:

350K Baht! I'll be around  tomorrow with a paint brush and a few sticks of furnisher.

No kidding.  I'll even knock the price down to 300,000 baht, but I'd need at least 200K before I'd start (due to lack of trust).  (I've been duped by Thai owners in the past.)

[Olsworth]

Where is the fine for the landlord not protecting the tenants deposit 

[Toby1947]

Well done, I hope they never find her. These thieving bar stewards never what to play by the rules and return deposits. 🤬 the owner 

[Lopburikid]

5 hours ago, JoePai said:

2 sides to every argument remember

Aren't they breaking the law by renting the condo out?

[steven100]

do you notice the thai's always go running to Facebook looking for sympathy and to make it look like they are so honest and sweet.   

[ronnie50]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Actually, there are no sides or different stories at all regarding this. If the tenant refused to leave, and trashed the condo, then it´s double fault for the tenant. If it was a deposit problem, then it´s single fault for the tenant as there are no need to trash the apartment for 32k baht. That you oppose the legal way. This is pure vandalism, and should not be tolerated in any kind of way.

While I get your point, in principle (about trashing the place), I disagree with your statement: "If it was a deposit problem, then it´s single fault for the tenant.."

 

How do you figure it's the 'single fault of the tenant' if she made the deposit in good faith and is now being denied a return of the money upon departure (pre-trashing)? The way it's supposed to work - and the Thai law backs this very well as I recall - is that upon vacating day, the owner or agent inspects the property together with the tenant to look for any damages (2 copies), and if none is required, by law, the owner is to refund the deposit (immediately or promptly - can't remember the exact words).

 

If there is any damage it is carefully noted and (3?) quotations for repairs are required in name of owner. The repair cannot be an 'improvement' to the original state when the tenant moved in. This is all spelled out in Thai law, and is in line with many western countries and their laws on tenancy, rights and oblications. Thre's also a time limit for all this.

 

The fact the tenant went to such extremes remaining in the condo, waiting a few days for her deposit to be returned, suggests the owner or agent told her she was not getting any deposit returned and they wanted her to leave. So then she trashed it. Not condoning her action. 

 

Most foreigners don't pursue their rights, and many (not all) Thai landlords just ignore/deny them and wait for them to leave the country (or so they hope).

 

My understanding is the Thai judges will actually side with the tenant in court - foreign or otherwise - if the owner is unfairly retaining the deposit (Note: if you use an agent to find a place and a lease, I've heard the agent usually gets one month of the deposit as their fee-for-service (eg. owner pays the agent one month). 

 

 

[ronnie50]

6 minutes ago, steven100 said:

do you notice the thai's always go running to Facebook looking for sympathy and to make it look like they are so honest and sweet.   

When they're not suing the foreigner for libel at every turn...

[newnative]

17 minutes ago, Lopburikid said:

Aren't they breaking the law by renting the condo out?

No.  Only short-term rentals of less than a month are illegal.