Report Koh Phi Phi Tip Theft: Bar Owner Shares CCTV Footage of Foreign Tourists

[snoop1130]

Photo via Facebook/ Big Thanee Suksrimuang

 

In a startling incident on Koh Phi Phi, a bar owner publicly exposed four foreign tourists who attempted to pilfer money from a tip box. Thanee Suksrimuang, the owner, posted CCTV footage of the embarrassing episode on his Facebook page, igniting a wave of public reaction.

 

The video shows the incident, which occurred in April, capturing a woman clad in a red top removing the tip box from a counter. She passed it to her friends, seeming to encourage them to take the money. Although one man returned the box, another helped her extract money. A vigilant bar worker, noticing the activity, confronted the group, demanding they return the cash.

 

In his Facebook post on 10 May, Thanee questioned the tourists' motives, pondering whether they were engaging in mischief or seriously attempting theft. His post prompted strong reactions from Thai netizens, with many expressing dissatisfaction with foreign tourists' perception of Thailand and its vigilance.

 

Comments ranged from criticism of the tourists' carelessness to demands for more severe consequences. Notably, there was no police involvement, likely because the tourists returned the money after being confronted. Despite this, the incident has sparked conversation about perceptions of Thailand's security infrastructure and the behaviour of some foreign visitors.

 

Thanee's decision to share the footage has placed a spotlight on the event, pushing discussions around tourist conduct and local responses to such incidents. While the incident did not escalate legally, it serves as a reminder of the cultural clash and expectations encountered in tourist-heavy areas like Koh Phi Phi.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-13

 

 

[G Rex]

I'll give you a tip - don't steal from the tip box  (especially under the cctv camera!)

[Hummin]

Im disappointed no nationality mentioned 

[Gottfrid]

That´s a new low

[Iron Tongue]

Disappointed. 

When I saw the subject line "... Phi Phi Tip Theft..."  I thought this was going to be about something completely different!

 

And not even one "Just the tip" comment!

 

 

 

[tomazbodner]

People are far more recognisable if you don't blur out their faces... if warning others was the intent...

[ronster]

This is why these things are usually fixed to something to stop it being taken away from the bar where staff can see it .

[Dazinoz]

Definitely not condoning act but I thought video was classed as deformation in Thailand. Or is that only if farang defames Thai?

 

Saw Facebook post yesterday where a business obtains drivers licences for you at NO effort other than paying. This particular group posted a guys passport photo and another photo saying he did not pay.

[Joe Boy Walton]

Another non-story, kids faffing about turns into a story about vigilance, national security, cultural clashes, outrageous behaviour etc.. Give it a rest with the outrage heavy rhetoric and report on real issues.

[Grandpa Cool]

Greed.

[BerndD]

NO, they didn't want to steal anything, they just wanted to put a little more TIP in it.

[Woke to Sounds]

More foreign trash.

 

Fine, deport, ban for 1 year.

 

Give these cretins something to think about.

[BarraMarra]

Why dont the Authorities release the country of origin these suspects are from instead of tarring all the foreghners with the same brush. Just as another member posted. It doesnt mean because you speak English  your from the UK or British.

[alien365]

3 hours ago, Joe Boy Walton said:

Another non-story, kids faffing about turns into a story about vigilance, national security, cultural clashes, outrageous behaviour etc.. Give it a rest with the outrage heavy rhetoric and report on real issues.

That's AI for you. The concluding paragraphs tend to be the worst as they all repeat the same rubbish.

[Ralf001]

3 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Why dont the Authorities release the country of origin these suspects are from instead of tarring all the foreghners with the same brush. Just as another member posted. It doesnt mean because you speak English  your from the UK or British.

How do Authorities identify their nationality from the video?

[sikishrory]

Save up thousands to travel to Thailand and steal a few dollars out a tip box. Dickheads

[smew]

sometimes life forces us to do bad nasty, but this is not one of these incidences