Report Nightmare in Phuket: British Family's Pricey Villa Scam Uncovered

[Older and Wiser]

On 5/29/2025 at 7:32 AM, frank83628 said:

Airbnb is better for references and communication. Much better all round actually

I agree. I used Booking.com for my rental property as well as Airbnb; no comparison, Airbnb much better. Kicked Booking.com into touch.

[newbee2022]

On 5/29/2025 at 1:35 PM, hotchilli said:

Not sure Phuket is the ideal Christmas extended family destination...

Pattaya would be better.

Entertainment for every single family member🤗

[Showtime]

Don't worry, nothing is wrong.  It is so easy to say this sitting in your office.  If this happened to me I would be freaking out.  My phone certainly doesn't work outside the USA and I am happy about this other than if this happened to me.   

 

This is the poster child for booking a hotel directly rather than not using a 3rd party booking site and skipping booking someone's private house.  This stuff happens all the time on booking, airbnb, homeaway, etc.

 

WTF:  "Booking.com has since refunded the cost of the non-existent villa, with a deduction of £80, but the Loaders' ordeal didn't end there. The family's additional expenses for new lodgings, international phone calls, and unforeseen travel costs were not compensated. "  Why 80?  Why not the additional expenses.  Not to mention the company thinks this family's time and stress is free when it isn't.  Time to hunt down the booking office 

[Showtime]

On 5/28/2025 at 7:32 PM, frank83628 said:

Airbnb is better for references and communication. Much better all round actually

 

Actually they are just as bad.

[Showtime]

On 5/29/2025 at 2:55 AM, scorecard said:

Depends on personal experiences. I booked a BNB small house for 2 nights, just North of Sydney, Australia. I asked for full details of what was provided, what I was responsible for etc.

 

Two hours before my flight from Thailand, on my way to Bkk airport to depart Thailand a long email from the owner listing what tenants can / cannot do / can / cannot touch / what tenants must thoroughly clean several times every day etc., including a box outside the front door with a keycode facility to open the front door. Tenant must call the owner (tenant didn't have a SIM working for Australia) and quote a security number then owner will release the to the door lock. Neighbor kindly allowed me to use his Oz based mobile to call the BNB owner.

 

Plus 'tenant must bring their own cleaning materials and cleaning cloths. And on day of departure the used cleaning cloths and cleaning liquids must be taken away by the tenant'.

 

Plus 'tenant must turn back the bed and lay out an old ripped, clean bed sheet on top of the bed sheet already on the bed'.

 

And a lot more.

 

I had just been to a pre planned meeting nearby (at local RSL Lifecare Office and village)  to discuss a one year lease of an apartment nearby which has been listed as totally unfurnished but in fact had it a bed / clean linen / bath towels and more.

 

Then went to the BNB house, on eventually entering the BNB house I found numerous large sticky post it notes with more items of can / cannot etc.

 

I decided to go back to the admin. lady who was taking care of the one year apartment rental and requested that I move in on the spot, which she agreed to.

 

Later same day went to local Telstra shop and bought a SIM card and started an account. I then called the BNB house owner who insisted that I must stay in her house for 2 nights and fulfill her instructions for a full house clean before I left.

 

I hung up but called back a few minutes later to request a refund which was refused. 

Holy Micromanaging.  I am on vacation.  I am not your slave.  I remember paying to stay here.

[Showtime]

On 5/29/2025 at 2:37 AM, newbee2022 said:

A lot of BS.

To find an alternative accomodation  in Thailand is not a problem at all

And phone calls are extremely low with Skype.

And food and drinks everywhere.

In addition they got their money back.

So what? 😳

 

 

Errr, Skype has been shut down.  You also need wifi to use it.

[newbee2022]

30 minutes ago, Showtime said:

 

Errr, Skype has been shut down.  You also need wifi to use it.

Hogwash, read again. The story happened..... on Christmas. That's PAST, not Future. You're a joke 😂😂😂

[Thingamabob]

On 5/29/2025 at 7:02 AM, BritManToo said:

Don't think there's much of a dengue problem in Europe, and the pools have lifeguards, and traffic stops at pedestrian lights, not many maniacs driving pickups, when was the last time a tourist van/bus crashed in Europe?

Around 30,000 deaths or serious injuries in road accidents in the UK every year.

[DTL2014]

why would Booking .com keep a 80 fee for advertising a fake listing? that alone tells you that there is something not right about their operation - i avoid them for about 90% of my travel ...i had 600 dollars charged to card fraudently, they couldnt care less