And now for something completely different.......

A Scottish dad’s dream trip to Thailand has turned into a nightmare — after he accidentally picked up the wrong phone in a bar and was suddenly thrown into a jail cell.

Rory McColl, 37, from Edinburgh, now faces the prospect of prison in Thailand after being accused of theft. The restaurant boss insists it was all a simple mistake after confusing a stranger’s mobile with his own.

But despite admitting the mix-up and returning the phone, McColl was arrested by police and spent his very first night of holiday locked inside a cell. Now he is stranded thousands of miles from home, waiting anxiously for a court date and fearing he could be jailed.

The drama began shortly after McColl arrived in Bangkok on March 9. The exhausted traveller had just completed a 30-hour journey before heading to a pub to unwind.

But the night quickly spiralled out of control. McColl admits he became intoxicated, and in the confusion accidentally pocketed another reveller’s phone.

He insists the device looked identical to his own. At the time, he had forgotten his valuables were stored safely in a bag across his chest. “I didn’t steal her phone,” McColl said. “I forgot I was carrying my valuables in a bag across my chest, so picked up an identical device from the bar, thinking it was mine.”

Police soon intervened and the woman’s phone was recovered. She reportedly accepted that the incident had been a genuine mistake. But authorities refused to drop the theft accusation. Instead, McColl was arrested and taken into custody.

“Next thing I know I wake up in a prison cell, with a hole in the ground for a toilet,” he said. “It was honestly the hangover from hell. I had to use a water bottle as a pillow.”

After the ordeal, police eventually released McColl on bail. But officers confiscated his passport, leaving him unable to leave Thailand.

Nearly a month later he remains stuck in the country, waiting for the legal process to unfold. The terrified father says the uncertainty is unbearable.

“I’ve read all about Thai jails and they look very scary,” McColl said. “You’re stripped naked, handed a blanket and thrown in a tiny cell with up to 20 other criminals.”

The emotional toll has also hit his family hard back home in Scotland. McColl says he misses his young son and revealed that his mother has been left in tears. “I miss my son and my mum has been in tears,” he said. “I just want to get home.”

For now he is staying in the eastern Thai city of Pattaya while awaiting his fate. To keep costs down, he has checked into a cheap hotel and spends most of his time inside.

“I’m just holed up in my room most of the time, feeling quite down,” he said. “I’m terrified.”

McColl’s family have now stepped in to help. They have arranged legal representation, and a lawyer is expected to meet him in the coming days to try to prevent a possible jail sentence.

Back home, friends and loved ones are rallying to support him. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to cover legal costs and living expenses while he waits for his case to be heard. So far the fundraiser has raised nearly £2,000.

McColl’s colleagues at Edinburgh restaurant Buck’s Bar are also backing him during the crisis. Their support has provided a lifeline as his savings quickly dwindle.

“I’ve had to pay a couple of hefty fines so money is running out,” McColl said. “I’m so grateful for all of those back home supporting me.”

For now, the Edinburgh father can only wait — trapped in legal limbo far from home. “I’m so desperate to come home,” he said. “I can’t believe the situation I find myself in.”

Whats the deal here ???

It's often odd that in many cases the police decline to press charges simply because no formal complaint has been made. If the individual whose phone was taken chooses not to pursue the matter, on what basis can the authorities proceed at all?

This raises an obvious question - is there something else at play? One might wonder whether external factors, such as informal expectations or perceived slights, influence the decision to escalate a situation.

At face value, the incident appears to be little more than a simple mistake. To pursue it further, in the absence of a complaint, risks giving the impression of unnecessary severity - if not outright vindictiveness.

33 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

on what basis can the authorities proceed at all?

He's from the UK.

Stealing phones one day, shelving 2kg of heroin to take home the next.

Good work by the Police IMHO.

I have never confused my phone for another. Don't believe him.

13 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I have never confused my phone for another. Don't believe him.

I picked up someone else's charger once !

1 minute ago, Jim Blue said:

I picked up someone else's charger once !

Straight to the Bangkok Hilton!

Some more details on this case.

McColl flew into Bangkok on March 9 and headed straight for the city’s buzzing nightlife. Exhausted after more than a day awake, he joined a group of Danish travellers for drinks and admits he knocked back “a few tequilas” during the night out.

Like many tourists, he carried his valuables in a chest bag but usually kept his phone in his pocket. So when he suddenly couldn’t find it while standing at the bar, panic set in.

Then he spotted a phone sitting nearby.

Thinking it was his missing device, McColl picked it up — unaware it actually belonged to the bartender.

The misunderstanding escalated almost instantly. According to McColl, the bartender alerted security guards who confronted him and seized the phone.

He says he insisted the device was his and questioned why they were taking it away. But the guards were unconvinced and called the police immediately.

Officers arrived, reviewed CCTV footage and quickly took McColl into custody. Within moments, the Scottish tourist found himself locked in a police cell.

At the station he continued to deny wrongdoing, still believing the authorities had simply taken his phone by mistake. But the situation became even more confusing when language barriers and alleged demands for money entered the picture.

McColl claims a young officer used a phone to translate from Thai to English and told him that paying 10,000 baht — roughly £231 — could secure his release that night. At the time, McColl believed officers were trying to bribe him.

A man presented as his translator soon stepped in and began advising him what to do. Feeling pressured and uncertain, McColl says he followed the instructions he was given.

Only later did he discover he had apparently agreed to plead guilty to theft.

The financial costs quickly piled up. McColl says he paid the translator 10,000 baht for his services and a further 40,000 baht — around £926 — after being told the payment would move his court date.

But when his family back home got involved, they discovered that court dates cannot be moved that way. A lawyer later told McColl the supposed translator was a “known scammer.”

Even more alarming, the bail money was reportedly placed in the man’s name rather than McColl’s. The tourist now fears the individual could attempt to have him jailed in order to keep the funds.

Despite the chaos, McColl is clinging to hope. His court hearing is scheduled for April 28, and his lawyer has told him jail time is unlikely.

There may also be a key development in his favour. McColl says he has received an email from the bartender acknowledging the incident was a misunderstanding.

While stuck near Bangkok awaiting his case, McColl has been keeping in constant contact with his 12-year-old son back in Scotland. He calls home daily using FaceTime and says his son understands the situation.

The unexpected legal battle has forced him to abandon plans to explore Thailand. Instead, he has stayed close to the capital while preparing for his day in court.

Yet remarkably, McColl insists the ordeal hasn’t soured his view of the country. Aside from the alleged scammer, he says everyone he has met has been welcoming — and he would happily return in the future.

Edinburgh dad 'slept on water bottles in Thai cells' after 'misunderstanding' - Manchester Evening News

This is an example of how alcohol can make someone obtuse, dense.

McColl continued to insist the phone was his, yet turning on the phone, looking at the screen would have instantly told him the phone was not his.

Duh!

4 minutes ago, bannork said:

This is an example of how alcohol can make someone obtuse, dense.

McColl continued to insist the phone was his, yet turning on the phone, looking at the screen would have instantly told him the phone was not his.

Duh!

Which is why his story is not believable.

He’s guilty of being under the influence of a wallet full of holiday money.

1 hour ago, Jim Blue said:

I picked up someone else's charger once !

I picked up someone else's Mrs once 555

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

He’s guilty of being under the influence of a wallet full of holiday money.

Exactly what I was thinking. The BiB detected the smell of ฿฿฿.

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

He's from the UK.

Stealing phones one day, shelving 2kg of heroin to take home the next.

Good work by the Police IMHO.

Last night’s alcohol not worn off yet …

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Whats the deal here ???

It's often odd that in many cases the police decline to press charges simply because no formal complaint has been made. If the individual whose phone was taken chooses not to pursue the matter, on what basis can the authorities proceed at all?

This raises an obvious question - is there something else at play? One might wonder whether external factors, such as informal expectations or perceived slights, influence the decision to escalate a situation.

At face value, the incident appears to be little more than a simple mistake. To pursue it further, in the absence of a complaint, risks giving the impression of unnecessary severity - if not outright vindictiveness.

Agreed. There's most likely more to this story than is being told.

4 hours ago, bannork said:

paying 10,000 baht — roughly £231 — could secure his release that night

This is the key to the story. Fleecing a customer.

People pick up the wrong phone all the time by mistake, its not a criminal offense.

4 hours ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

9 hours ago, bannork said:

paying 10,000 baht — roughly £231 — could secure his release that night

This is the key to the story. Fleecing a customer.

People pick up the wrong phone all the time by mistake, its not a criminal offense.

Completely agree... This sounds like a drunk fool, first reacting poorly to an accusation of theft, when he'd picked up the wrong phone...

I've picked up the wrong phone before - it was only 1km later that I noticed and returned - no one else had noticed either so no biggie ( was sobre and the phones were the same model, same case ).

Someone has left an Airport with my Bag - when his bag, the only bag remaining on the carousel and exactly the same as mine kept going round - it was obvious what had happened (luckily his contact details were on his bag) - people make mistakes.

This mans mistake was being tired, drunk, and stubborn - but also perhaps thinking incorrectly that the someone was trying to steel his phone and became paranoid and defensive - The BiB made matters 10x worse.

This is one of those situations that 'could' have been solved very easily on the spot - even the bar tenders saying it was a mistake - clearly no theft attempt, the bar-man even backing up the Scot - and he has been since been fleeced to the tune of 50,000 baht...

... Perhaps its time the Police are held to account for bringing the name of Thailand into disrepute.

9 hours ago, bannork said:

McColl continued to insist the phone was his, yet turning on the phone, looking at the screen would have instantly told him the phone was not his.

How would he turn it on since the security guards had taken the phone away from him right away ? Duh

9 hours ago, bannork said:

He says he insisted the device was his and questioned why they were taking it away. But the guards were unconvinced and called the police immediately.

20 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

How would he turn it on since the security guards had taken the phone away from him right away ? Duh

He could have asked the security guard to turn it on as he was sure the phone was his.

That would have instantly disproved his assertions.

Surprised the phone wasn't locked. If the police asked him to prove it was his phone he would simply have to show them the photos on the phone.

After returning the phone to its owner, I am shocked the police took it further.

3 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Surprised the phone wasn't locked. If the police asked him to prove it was his phone he would simply have to show them the photos on the phone.

After returning the phone to its owner, I am shocked the police took it further.

He had a fat wallet and they wanted a chunk.

9 hours ago, Dan O said:

Agreed. There's most likely more to this story than is being told.

Yes,a drunk,obnoxious, loud mouth opinionated Scot who thought the Asians were below him on the social scale and he could treat them with disdain.

Bet he felt differently when he sobered up.

When have the police tried to bribe anyone, anywhere?

Definitely more to this story. Often security would have punched him out, threw him out and returned the phone to the barman. End of story.

The bleeding heart nonsense about him calling his 12 year old son daily is just that. Good chance he might see the kid once a month back home, while dodging child support payments.

12 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

He's from the UK.

Stealing phones one day, shelving 2kg of heroin to take home the next.

Good work by the Police IMHO.

You are confusing this bloke with Captain Flour in the govt Cabinet Ralf.

Your honest mistake.

Go directly to gaol, do not pass go.🙃🙃

On 4/8/2026 at 4:37 PM, Ralf001 said:

He had a fat wallet and they wanted a chunk.

The coppers won't get it if the case goes to court.

Pattaya, say no more...

Police normally does anything to avoid it to be a official case, to try and arrange settlements. To then in this specific case read that even the 'victim' of the phone accepted the explanation and not filed charges, clearly indicates rogue cops from a station trying to get a easy 100K or more. I hope the story goes viral globally. They are doing nothing but gaslighting issues with foreigners lately, let's do it in reverse too.

I dare to bet he isn't the brightest as well as broke, and was setup with a lawyer appointed by the station which in reality is a fixer for them. Absolute insanity to be jailed for this knowing what happens on a daily basis that is way way worse.

This could literally happen to any of us. I would have grabbed it if it was the exact same phone, when drunk.

On 4/8/2026 at 6:35 AM, bannork said:

This is an example of how alcohol can make someone obtuse, dense.

McColl continued to insist the phone was his, yet turning on the phone, looking at the screen would have instantly told him the phone was not his.

Duh!

I have dealt with a few of cases like this and a lot of times the outcome at the police station depends on how the person carries him/herself .

Demanding your rights and cursing does not help!

Not saying he did this but drunk people do not always make the right choices.

Usually a night sleeping on the floor and sobering up makes them behave better.

On 4/8/2026 at 11:41 AM, emptypockets said:

Yes,a drunk,obnoxious, loud mouth opinionated Scot who thought the Asians were below him on the social scale and he could treat them with disdain.

Bet he felt differently when he sobered up.

When have the police tried to bribe anyone, anywhere?

Definitely more to this story. Often security would have punched him out, threw him out and returned the phone to the barman. End of story.

The bleeding heart nonsense about him calling his 12 year old son daily is just that. Good chance he might see the kid once a month back home, while dodging child support payments.

Wow - there's a lot to unravel from your unhinged post.

Obnoxious

Loud Mouthed

Opinionated

Think Asian are below him

Separated parent

Dodging child support

.... What happened ? - did a sweaty once force feed you a deep-fried-mars-bar when you were a kid or something ?

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Wow - there's a lot to unravel from your unhinged post.

Obnoxious

Loud Mouthed

Opinionated

Think Asian are below him

Separated parent

Dodging child support

.... What happened ? - did a sweaty once force feed you a deep-fried-mars-bar when you were a kid or something ?

Just my uninformed opinion, which is what a forum is all about!

16 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Just my uninformed opinion, which is what a forum is all about!

Well inform yourself... Not all sweaties are obnoxious, loud mouthed, opinionated, think Asian's are below them, separated parents and dodge child support..... Just a lot of 'em....

"Scots dad" oh yeah.

Devoted father on vacation in Thailand on his own.