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.

[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 

[Jimjim1]

21 hours ago, Hummin said:

Im disappointed no nationality mentioned 

I am surprised that you have not already blamed the Brits

[Hummin]

4 minutes ago, Jimjim1 said:

I am surprised that you have not already blamed the Brits

Tempting, but Im quite sure it is drugs involved, 

[Jimjim1]

9 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Tempting, but Im quite sure it is drugs involved, 

Are you jumping the gun again or can you back it with facts?

[Hummin]

9 minutes ago, Jimjim1 said:

Are you jumping the gun again or can you back it with facts?

It was a joke in nature of your first reply to me. 

[Jimjim1]

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It was a joke in nature of your first reply to me. 

My apologies I am so p..d off by so called knowledgable idiots in here too ready to blame certain nationalities for even getting up in the morning that I did not see the joke.

[Ubonian Canadian]

23 hours ago, Hummin said:

Im disappointed no nationality mentioned 

Instead of just posting they should of been named & shamed and booted off the Island.

I had this happen once in my bar a few years ago. He was instantly barred and I spread his name to other bar owners. I had thought of calling the cops but he gave the money back. I saw him around the next year and he couldn't look at me.

Sometimes I question my lack of action. But when I got him by the throat I guess that seemed like enough at the time.

[Hummin]

7 minutes ago, Ubonian Canadian said:

Instead of just posting they should of been named & shamed and booted off the Island.

I had this happen once in my bar a few years ago. He was instantly barred and I spread his name to other bar owners. I had thought of calling the cops but he gave the money back. I saw him around the next year and he couldn't look at me.

Sometimes I question my lack of action. But when I got him by the throat I guess that seemed like enough at the time.

It used to be like that, innocent or not, maybe good things have chenged in some ways.

 

But caught with your fingers in the honey jar, there is no excuses,and evidence on cctv as well, which was not yet a thing back in the old days

[JJ-Thailand]

Visa to the wrong people.

[Mike_Hunt]

5 hours ago, Jimjim1 said:

I am surprised that you have not already blamed the Brits

 

It appears that the woman has a nice figure.   Thus, most likely not a Brit. 

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post and an inflammatory reply has been removed.

[JulesMad]

Do NOT tip! (so it can't be stolen...) Tipping is not normal in Thailand!