British Couple Fights Bangkok Airport Extortionists

[CRUNCHER]

This one includes some comment from police, but they do not say a lot.

http://www.ttrweekly.com/beta/2009/07/shop...2%80%99s-image/

[jeffer]

Hmmm, I read the latest story earlier on the Andrew Drummond website but when I went to show someone just now I get Error establishing a database connection

Maybe the site crashed with so many people wanting to read the story or... 

[stevehaigh]

whether they did it or not, its another nail in the coffin for Thailand tourism. Thailand just can't seem to keep out of the news, and for all the wrong reasons.

[Datsun240Z]

Me not love you long time

[loong]

This one includes some comment from police, but they do not say a lot.

http://www.ttrweekly.com/beta/2009/07/shop...2%80%99s-image/

Actually it does seem to say quite a lot.

"It is understood King Power presented CCTV footage and a detailed report from its security officers who apprehended the suspects outside the shop area without any stolen property in their possession..................

He elaborated on King Power’s position regarding the British couple.

“We sent the evidence, which was a stolen Givenchy wallet and a clip from security camera to the police. We did not find any evidence on them. Security found the wallet in a garbage bin in front of the toilet. However, we felt there was sufficient evidence from the camera clips to justify police intervention,” said the executive."

Earlier in the article......

"However, Tourist Police Station, Suvarnabhumi Airport, chief Inspector Station 4, Major Napatpong Supaporn, said his officers were not involved in shoplifting cases at King Power as the duty-free shop always contacted Rachatewa Police Station, which has jurisdiction in Suvarnabhumi to arrest suspects""A source at Rachatewa Police Station did confirm that the British couple Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting on the evening of 25 April, as they attempted to board a QF 1 flight to London. They finally left the country on a British Airways flight five days later on 1 May.

The police source confirmed: “There was an arrest on 25 April and the couple posted bail of Bt200,000 on 26 April."

In King Power's statement at

http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/uk_case.pdf

They state that the security personnel with the Tourist Police approached the woman at a restaurant for a legal search. The security followed the man.

So what happened? Were they actually apprehended at this stage or allowed to go? Why were the tourist police involved?

According to King Power they were apprehended by security personnel outside the shop area......

According to the police they were arrested as they attempted to board their flight.

[Thai at Heart]

This one includes some comment from police, but they do not say a lot.

http://www.ttrweekly.com/beta/2009/07/shop...2%80%99s-image/

Actually it does seem to say quite a lot.

"It is understood King Power presented CCTV footage and a detailed report from its security officers who apprehended the suspects outside the shop area without any stolen property in their possession..................

He elaborated on King Power’s position regarding the British couple.

“We sent the evidence, which was a stolen Givenchy wallet and a clip from security camera to the police. We did not find any evidence on them. Security found the wallet in a garbage bin in front of the toilet. However, we felt there was sufficient evidence from the camera clips to justify police intervention,” said the executive."

Earlier in the article......

"However, Tourist Police Station, Suvarnabhumi Airport, chief Inspector Station 4, Major Napatpong Supaporn, said his officers were not involved in shoplifting cases at King Power as the duty-free shop always contacted Rachatewa Police Station, which has jurisdiction in Suvarnabhumi to arrest suspects""A source at Rachatewa Police Station did confirm that the British couple Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting on the evening of 25 April, as they attempted to board a QF 1 flight to London. They finally left the country on a British Airways flight five days later on 1 May.

The police source confirmed: “There was an arrest on 25 April and the couple posted bail of Bt200,000 on 26 April."

In King Power's statement at

http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/uk_case.pdf

They state that the security personnel with the Tourist Police approached the woman at a restaurant for a legal search. The security followed the man.

So what happened? Were they actually apprehended at this stage or allowed to go? Why were the tourist police involved?

According to King Power they were apprehended by security personnel outside the shop area......

According to the police they were arrested as they attempted to board their flight.

And the story unravels as the relevant parties start finger pointing. Wasn't me guv!!!

[jackspratt]

In one breath, we like say how bloody hopeless the Thai (English) press is.

But in the next breath, we are happy to take what they, plus assorted bloggers and other forums say as gospel, and mount whatever case happens to suit us at the time, based on that "evidence".

Thank god rational people, and those in positions of responsibility, do otherwise.

But then if the good correspondents of TV went in that direction, the input would likely fall by 50% or more.

Maybe not such a bad thing when you think about it

[DaleBlue]

The Plot thickens.

Here we go again:

Irish scientist escapes Thai airport shoplifting charge in flight to freedom

Published

By Andrew Drummond on July 5, 2009

An Irish scientist arrested in Thailand and accused of shoplifting at Bangkok's international airport yesterday fled with her husband and one year old son.

Dr. Angela ' Ashie' Norris, from Dublin, a scientist working for the international fish farming company Marine Harvest in Letterkenny, boarded a European bound flight after checking out of the city's five star Metropolitan Hotel.

Last night they were all back at their home in Churchtown, Dublin.

Dr. Norris had been seized by Thai police at the request of King Power for alleged shoplifting after attending an International Symposium as a guest of a Kasetsart University, Bangkok.

Prior to their departure husband Dr. Ronan Loftus, a director of IdentiGen, the Dublin based company which tracks DNA in food, had flown from Dublin with their one year old son Aran. Since then he said he had been in regular contact with the Irish Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur Eugene Hutchinson and Eóin Duggan, the Deputy Head of Mission.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs have been fully informed."

The non executive Chairman of IdentiGen, Dr. Patrick Cunningham is Chief scientific advisor to the Irish government.

Dr. Norris, 41, the mother of three boys, aged 5, 4, and 1, was arrested on Thursday June 24, after allegedly stealing a 'Bobby Brown' eyeliner worth 900 Thai baht (18.87 Euros) from the duty free zone at Suvarnabhumi International airport in Bangkok - a kilometre long area of duty free and designer shops, including branches of Harrods and Boots, run by King Power.

The arrest came in the middle of an international scandal over the Duty Free Zone in which claims were made that people arrested there for alleged shoplifting were being shaken down for vast amounts of money to gain their freedom.

The Irish Embassy along with other Embassies in Thailand is considering updating their travel advisory to Thailand. On Thursday last week the British Embassy was the first Embassy to issue a warning about the 'market' area at Suvarnabhumi International airport.

"This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Crime section (shops and stalls, particularly in market areas and at Suvarnabhumi Airport).

"You should also be careful to observe demarcation lines between shops and stalls, particularly in market areas and at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Taking items from one shop's area to another is likely to be treated by shop staff as suspected theft. You may be arrested by the police and asked to pay a substantial fine and/or face imprisonment"

This followed the case of a British couple from Cambridge, Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin, both IT specialists who were forced to pay out the equivalent of 9337 Euros for their freedom after being accused of stealing a Givenchy wallet worth 140 Euros from an airport duty free shop.

Dr. Norris was arrested as she awaited a late night flight back to Dublin via London. She had been in Bangkok at the invitation of Kasetsart University for the '10th International Symposium on Genetics and Aquaculture."

"I had been cooped up in the conference for four days and had no time to do shopping. So at the airport I bought some stuff for my children and then decided to treat myself to some make-up".

She had approached the cashier with two items she said. She presented her boarding card and credit card and signed the slip.

Two minutes after she left she shop she said she was surrounded by security guards employed by King Power, a company run by a Thai businessman and polo playing chum of Britain's Prince Charles.

"They were shouting at me. 'You! You! You go jail six months!' I did not know what they were talking about. They took the eyeliner off me and started waving it in my face. I said I had paid for it, but when I looked at the receipt it was only a receipt for 576 baht (12 Euros) for the Bobby Brown lipstick."

"They took me to the airport police station and then to a police station outside the airport. It was terrifying. The cell was filthy and stank and was full of mosquitoes. I paced the cell all night. I did not want to sit or lie down."

"What do I do?" she asked the Irish Mail on Sunday last week. "I have never been away from my baby son for more than four days. I have to do whatever it takes to get home."

" I did not steal the eyeliner. I did not intend to steal the eyeliner. But I did leave the shop without paying for it. Of course I may have to pay to go free.

"To fight the case I would have to wait for up to a year if I pleaded not guilty and several months even if I were to plead guilty. They have you and they know it."

It is not immediately clear how Dr. Norris left Thailand. She did not appear in court but claimed authorities told her she had no case to answer. But she also claimed just hours before her departure that her passport had not been returned and no longer trusted anybody. The Irish government may have given her a second passport in her married name.

Her husband Ronan, the Director in charge of Global Development for IdentiGen said: "What is happening here is outrageous and needs to be exposed. It's a national scandal."

fao_logoDr Loftus has also worked for UNFAO, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation.

On June 25th Dr. Norris was given bail in the sum of 100,000 Thai baht (2097 Euros), after contacting Thai friends who said they would negotiate with the police, and then released from Rajatewa Police station near the international airport.

Late on Thursday she told the Irish Mail on Sunday: "I spent all day at the police station and prosecutor's office. My understanding from both the police chief and the prosecutor is that there is no case to answer. They said that my passport would be returned and Immigration Police would stamp me out of the country".

But when she went to Immigration Police Headquarters on Friday she said she was arrested again.

Close to tears she said: "We do not know what is going on. We do not trust anybody. Thailand has a public holiday for the first three days of next week. We cannot even talk to anybody. We have to leave.

"I have only been to Bangkok once before, twenty years ago, after I left University.

"Then my friends and I fell for the local jewellery scam. By the time we reached Australia we had virtually no money left"

(The jewellery scam is a famous Bangkok scam. Tourists are told they have arrived on a special day when the government is giving massive discounts on jewellery for selected tourists. They can pay for their holidays for the profits, they are told.)

Husband Ronan, 43 added: "We have no choice but to leave. We have people who will help us. The Irish Government is being supportive."

K.P. Company Ltd, which trades under the name King Power is owned by Vichai Ratsriaksorn, President of the Siam Polo Club and Ham Polo Club, just outside London. He has a stable of 100 polo ponies.

King Power insists it has sold evidence against the Britons, Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin, and Dr. Norris.

Managing Director Sombat Dechapanichkul said: "The evidence (CCTV) clearly shows that Mrs. Norris only presented one item to the cashier. We would like to confirm that none of our staff are involved in (any) extortion and scam."

To support their case King Power have been putting up video clips on the internet. ( http://www.kingpower.com/2009/index.php#). Travel Trade Report in an article this week says that King Power feel victimised over the recent allegations. The company is expected shortly to put up video of Dr. Norris.

Stephen Ingram denies that the video clip implicates him and is suing for 1 million Thai baht for wrongful arrest and imprisonment. The video appears to show Xi Lin putting he wallet in her shoulder bag while Stephen Ingram looks on.

He says he has no evidence that King Power is in on the scam but was told that part of his money had already been paid to security staff at King Power.

Dr.Norris says that what she saw does not implicate her either. Dr. Norris, author of 'Breeding for business', needed to return home to her family and her work for Marine Harvest, which is one of the two biggest salmon farming companies in the world.

Said Stephen Ingram: "The scam does not happen until you get to the police station. We had to pay, and for that we got letters from the prosecutor's office and police saying there was no evidence against us. The only other choice was a year in jail. But we were innocent anyway", he told the Irish Mail on Sunday.

He said that the principal dealer, a Sri Lankan police volunteer/ translator, Sunil Rathnayaka had tried to scam him right up to the last minute. We had already paid out the equivalent of £8000 then as we were leaving he asked for another £1000. We just did not have it.

"He boasted that he had dealt with 160 other cases. He had three houses. He claimed he did it to help people. He did not need the money."

Rathnayaka, who receives the money at an account of Siam Commercial Bank at Big C in Rajdamri Bangkok, had approached Dr. Norris, but disappeared when the scandal broke. "Don't get a lawyer. I am the only person who can help." he had said.

The British Embassy says that some 25 of its citizens have been arrested over the last two and a half years. They are liaising with other Embassies to build a fuller picture of what is going on.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs says that Dr.Norris had been given full consular support.

"The issue of the travel advisory is under discussion with our Consular Division, our mission in Kuala Lumpur and the Consulate in Bangkok.

I can confirm that we have no record of any similar arrests of Irish citizens at Suvarnabhumi airport."

I am more dubious than ever that the videos are either genuine, and/or implicate the arrested Brits.

In no circumstances would I recommend anyone in any circumstances whatsoever to go near KP at the airport. This business is beginning to stink from a great height.

Please don't change the subject.

So do you think the British couple is guilty or not?

[Mobi]

Please don't change the subject.

So do you think the British couple is guilty or not?

The jury will probably be out for a very long time.......

BTW - did you really have to waste all that cyberspace?

[loong]

In one breath, we like say how bloody hopeless the Thai (English) press is.

But in the next breath, we are happy to take what they, plus assorted bloggers and other forums say as gospel, and mount whatever case happens to suit us at the time, based on that "evidence".

Thank god rational people, and those in positions of responsibility, do otherwise.

But then if the good correspondents of TV went in that direction, the input would likely fall by 50% or more.

Maybe not such a bad thing when you think about it

I don't know who you are referring to when you mention rational people, and those in positions of responsibility.

But I do think that you will agree that there is only 2 possible scenarios here.

1. The couple did not steal the wallet, but were extorted of 8000 Pounds to secure their freedom.

2. The couple did steal the wallet and paid 8000 pounds for the prosecutor to decide that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

I cannot see that it can be anything but a case of extortion or corruption whether they are guilty or not.

[Bobsyouruncle]

It's the length and natural lie of the womans hair that does it for me. I don't think they are one and the same person.

Could very well be the guy though! Juries out.

It's the guy allright!

And she nicked the wallet for him.

Guilty as charged.

[jackspratt]

In one breath, we like say how bloody hopeless the Thai (English) press is.

But in the next breath, we are happy to take what they, plus assorted bloggers and other forums say as gospel, and mount whatever case happens to suit us at the time, based on that "evidence".

Thank god rational people, and those in positions of responsibility, do otherwise.

But then if the good correspondents of TV went in that direction, the input would likely fall by 50% or more.

Maybe not such a bad thing when you think about it

I don't know who you are referring to when you mention rational people, and those in positions of responsibility.

But I do think that you will agree that there is only 2 possible scenarios here.

1. The couple did not steal the wallet, but were extorted of 8000 Pounds to secure their freedom.

2. The couple did steal the wallet and paid 8000 pounds for the prosecutor to decide that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

I cannot see that it can be anything but a case of extortion or corruption whether they are guilty or not.

You may well be right.

However, if you cast your mind back, this thread started its life as a quite nasty diatribe against King Power.

And no-one has yet mounted a reasonable case against them.

[Bobsyouruncle]

It seems a lot of people here haven't clicked on the KP letter and read the .pdf file. The security followed him to a toilet where he got rid of the wallet in a toilet bin.

Just one point. If the wallet was taken by her and put into her shoulder bag, as alledged by KP, how did he come to be in possession of same? Having pulled off such a healthy snatch, why would he then dispose of the wallet in the toilet bin?

Read the K/P statement, it explains everything.

[loong]

In one breath, we like say how bloody hopeless the Thai (English) press is.

But in the next breath, we are happy to take what they, plus assorted bloggers and other forums say as gospel, and mount whatever case happens to suit us at the time, based on that "evidence".

Thank god rational people, and those in positions of responsibility, do otherwise.

But then if the good correspondents of TV went in that direction, the input would likely fall by 50% or more.

Maybe not such a bad thing when you think about it

I don't know who you are referring to when you mention rational people, and those in positions of responsibility.

But I do think that you will agree that there is only 2 possible scenarios here.

1. The couple did not steal the wallet, but were extorted of 8000 Pounds to secure their freedom.

2. The couple did steal the wallet and paid 8000 pounds for the prosecutor to decide that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

I cannot see that it can be anything but a case of extortion or corruption whether they are guilty or not.

You may well be right.

However, if you cast your mind back, this thread started its life as a quite nasty diatribe against King Power.

And no-one has yet mounted a reasonable case against them.

I, for one, have not directed any accusations at the company King Power, but I do see what you mean. The sum of money involved here is chump change to the owner of King Power, really not worth his while.

I do not believe that King Power is involved in this scam, but maybe some employees are. We don't have enough information to form an opinion. The statement from King Power can only originate from what its employees have stated and maybe the security personnel employed by King Power lied.

I do believe that a wallet was stolen, the video is not clear, but I would say that a theft took place. The quality of the video that we have seen is not good - it could be any couple out of so many that I have seen at the airport.

It just seems to me very convenient that the wallet was found in a bin outside a toilet visited by Ingram while being followed by security. If they believed that the two were working together, why didn't they detain both at the restaurant? Why would they allow him to walk off a dispose of the evidence? Note that they did not state that they witnessed him throw anything in the bin even though they were following him.

Edited July 5, 2009 by loong

[CRUNCHER]

In one breath, we like say how bloody hopeless the Thai (English) press is.

But in the next breath, we are happy to take what they, plus assorted bloggers and other forums say as gospel, and mount whatever case happens to suit us at the time, based on that "evidence".

Thank god rational people, and those in positions of responsibility, do otherwise.

But then if the good correspondents of TV went in that direction, the input would likely fall by 50% or more.

Maybe not such a bad thing when you think about it

I don't know who you are referring to when you mention rational people, and those in positions of responsibility.

But I do think that you will agree that there is only 2 possible scenarios here.

1. The couple did not steal the wallet, but were extorted of 8000 Pounds to secure their freedom.

2. The couple did steal the wallet and paid 8000 pounds for the prosecutor to decide that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

I cannot see that it can be anything but a case of extortion or corruption whether they are guilty or not.

You may well be right.

However, if you cast your mind back, this thread started its life as a quite nasty diatribe against King Power.

And no-one has yet mounted a reasonable case against them.

I, for one, have not directed any accusations at the company King Power, but I do see what you mean. The sum of money involved here is chump change to the owner of King Power, really not worth his while.

I do not believe that King Power is involved in this scam, but maybe some employees are. We don't have enough information to form an opinion. The statement from King Power can only originate from what its employees have stated and maybe the security personnel employed by King Power lied.

I do believe that a wallet was stolen, the video is not clear, but I would say that a theft took place. The quality of the video that we have seen is not good - it could be any couple out of so many that I have seen at the airport.

It just seems to me very convenient that the wallet was found in a bin outside a toilet visited by Ingram while being followed by security. If they believed that the two were working together, why didn't they detain both at the restaurant? Why would they allow him to walk off a dispose of the evidence? Note that they did not state that they witnessed him throw anything in the bin even though they were following him.

I believe they were sitting at different tables, which seems odd behaviour, and when they approached the woman the man walked out. You would have thought that if they were inocent and the security guards approached his wife he would have gone over to see what the problem. Walking away like that suggets guilt. If they were being set up you would have expected the security guards to have "seen" him throw it away.

The fact that they were wearing different clothing is also suspicious. This issue also raises the question of correct identity. From reading the various reports it appears that the couple do not deny that it is them in the CCTV footage, but that the footage does not show them stealing. I might be wrong on this. If I am right identity is not an issue and the only issue is did they steal the wallet. Based on the CCTV footage and their subsequent conduct the did steal it.

Edited July 5, 2009 by CRUNCHER

[animatic]

The whole think stinks to high heaven,

and King Powers evidence only makes

the whole shooting match seem MORE fishy.

But there are plenty of people ready to hang them high. Based on very flimsy evidence.

Most or many of the 'official parties' seem to be backpedaling and contradicting each other.

That sends up flags too.

I suspect this is a ground floor level scam that has gotten out of hand.

It they had stayed with say $1,000 to end it and let victim go ontheir way this

might have gone on a long time. But greed in tough times took over common sense.

When they get into the 9,000£ range this means someone with reasonable high net-worth

is gonna be REALLY pissed off: See; Mr Ingram. See; very well connected Irish scientist.

And then they start talking LOUDLY internationally. As we have just seen.

Involving their governments too. A real shoplifter would NOT go that route.

All conjecture certainly, but LOGICAL conjecture.

[animatic]

Could have put on jackets because air conditioning was up full.

Also if the security guards are in on it every thing they say is suspect.

And it is easy enough to watch two people at ADJACENT tables.

I have taken up two different tables because of carry on baggage.

One gets up to pee, they accost the other

and then someone plants the wallet in the bin to nail the other.

Wait don't all farangs look alike? Mistaken identity

but gotta go through with it rather than lose face backing down...

[AjarnChan]

It seems a lot of people here haven't clicked on the KP letter and read the .pdf file. The security followed him to a toilet where he got rid of the wallet in a toilet bin.

Just one point. If the wallet was taken by her and put into her shoulder bag, as alledged by KP, how did he come to be in possession of same? Having pulled off such a healthy snatch, why would he then dispose of the wallet in the toilet bin?

Read the K/P statement, it explains everything.

As a British citizen it really saddens me to read all of this, whatever the truth. However having watched the CCTV footage, and read the King Power statement it does appear that these 'Brits' could very well be guilty. Of course it is nobodies place to pass judgement, but it is a fact that many ordinary people in the UK now treat 'shoplifting' as a Sport. Perhaps these people saw this act as some kind of 'revenge' or 'payback'. If you take the trouble to watch the Video you will clearly see that they do seem to have acted in a thoroughly professional manner, as shoplifters that is.

Sadly the truth will probably never be known, but I know from personal experience that there are a group of persons in British society who feel that they are 'above the law'; especially the law of a 'poor' country such as Thailand. There is a huge 'industry' in false Insurance claims for instance, and the operators of such scams are often 'well off' and superficially seem to be educated people. Personally I blame Maggie Thatcher [milk snatcher] and Diana for dragging British society downwards, and establishing the philosophy that 'getting away with it' is all that counts.

[CRUNCHER]

Could have put on jackets because air conditioning was up full.

Also if the security guards are in on it every thing they say is suspect.

And it is easy enough to watch two people at ADJACENT tables.

I have taken up two different tables because of carry on baggage.

One gets up to pee, they accost the other

and then someone plants the wallet in the bin to nail the other.

Wait don't all farangs look alike? Mistaken identity

but gotta go through with it rather than lose face backing down...

Reading King Power's letter there is nothing about ADJACENTtables just different tables. There is nothing to say that they had a lot of baggage and this does not show up in the CCTV footage. I agree that changing outer clothing is not that clear, but if it was jackets they are not carrying them in the CCTV footage.

They were kept under observation whilst awaiting police and "as" security guards and police approached the woman the man walked off. If it was you wouldn't you want to see what was happening to your wife? Of course they went to the woman first because she was the one seen putting the wallet into her bag.

If they are all in on it why plant the wallet in the bin, why not just plant on either one of the couple or say you saw the man throw it in the bin? Makes a much stroger case if you are setting someone up.

The KP letter is quite detailed and on what basis can we say it is not true? The silence from the couple, the Times and other media is deafening.

Edited July 5, 2009 by CRUNCHER

[AjarnChan]

Could have put on jackets because air conditioning was up full.

Also if the security guards are in on it every thing they say is suspect.

And it is easy enough to watch two people at ADJACENT tables.

I have taken up two different tables because of carry on baggage.

One gets up to pee, they accost the other

and then someone plants the wallet in the bin to nail the other.

Wait don't all farangs look alike? Mistaken identity

but gotta go through with it rather than lose face backing down...

Reading King Power's letter there is nothing about ADJACENTtables just different tables. There is nothing to say that they had a lot of baggage and this does not show up in the CCTV footage. I agree that changing outer clothing is not that clear, but if it was jackets they are not carrying them in the CCTV footage.

They were kept under observation whilst awaiting police and "as" security guards and police approached the woman the man walked off. If it was you wouldn't you want to see what was happening to your wife? Of course they went to the woman first because she was the one seen putting the wallet into her bag.

If they are all in on it why plant the wallet in the bin, why not just plant on either one of the couple or say you saw the man throw it in the bin? Makes a much stroger case if you are setting someone up.

The KP letter is quite detailed and on what basis can we say it is not true? The silence from the couple, the Times and other media is deafening.

re. "The silence from the couple, the Times and other media is deafening."

Agreed, makes you wonder if they watched themselves on Video and thought better of speaking again ...

[midas]

re. "The silence from the couple, the Times and other media is deafening."

Agreed, makes you wonder if they watched themselves on Video and thought better of speaking again ...

Maybe their lawyers advised them not to say anything more to anyone until

after their lawsuit ?

[jupiler]

If faked it is pure propaganda meant to deflect from our ongoing list of KP compaints

leaning towards them losing business, and our disbelief at their total innocence in this matter.

Sorry folks,

I looked again and I don't see anything conclusive that a theft occurred,

and LESS that this same British couple are in the video.

And even less again that 8,000 lbs sterling is warrented for ANYTHING.

Why in hel_l would these two Brits go public like this, if they were REALLY THIEVES?

No reasons at all. Grifters would know it was time to move on quietly.

Maybe K.P. should hire the Killer Ladyboys from Carradine's mystery for their next film.

Anyone who thinks that this video is faked is deluding themselves. She looks younger than the photograph on page 1 post #1 because the camera angle hides her double chin. Notice how the whole incident is so quick, she is in and out in just seconds, he, however stays in the shop and appears to distract the staff at the end of the video.

It seems a lot of people here haven't clicked on the KP letter and read the .pdf file. The security followed him to a toilet where he got rid of the wallet in a toilet bin.

The couple contacted the press in the U.K. because they paid 8,000 GBP in bribes and felt cheated. That is a different matter.

The Thai Police probably couldn't prosecute, and have a case because;

1. The Video footage is not conclusive.

2. The wallet was not discovered 'on' their persons (it was disgarded).

However they could have fingerprinted the wallet (too much effort).

I am not saying that scams do not happen in KP duty free especially the 'free gift' placed in the plastic bag trick. But this case seems conclusive. The couple were thieves and ended up paying the price. 8,000 GBP for a 121 GBP wallet.

Just deserts IMHO.

This video is wortless in court. It shows nothing.

A thief is someone who has the stuff still in his position, not somewhere in the toilet!

[CRUNCHER]

If faked it is pure propaganda meant to deflect from our ongoing list of KP compaints

leaning towards them losing business, and our disbelief at their total innocence in this matter.

Sorry folks,

I looked again and I don't see anything conclusive that a theft occurred,

and LESS that this same British couple are in the video.

And even less again that 8,000 lbs sterling is warrented for ANYTHING.

Why in hel_l would these two Brits go public like this, if they were REALLY THIEVES?

No reasons at all. Grifters would know it was time to move on quietly.

Maybe K.P. should hire the Killer Ladyboys from Carradine's mystery for their next film.

Anyone who thinks that this video is faked is deluding themselves. She looks younger than the photograph on page 1 post #1 because the camera angle hides her double chin. Notice how the whole incident is so quick, she is in and out in just seconds, he, however stays in the shop and appears to distract the staff at the end of the video.

It seems a lot of people here haven't clicked on the KP letter and read the .pdf file. The security followed him to a toilet where he got rid of the wallet in a toilet bin.

The couple contacted the press in the U.K. because they paid 8,000 GBP in bribes and felt cheated. That is a different matter.

The Thai Police probably couldn't prosecute, and have a case because;

1. The Video footage is not conclusive.

2. The wallet was not discovered 'on' their persons (it was disgarded).

However they could have fingerprinted the wallet (too much effort).

I am not saying that scams do not happen in KP duty free especially the 'free gift' placed in the plastic bag trick. But this case seems conclusive. The couple were thieves and ended up paying the price. 8,000 GBP for a 121 GBP wallet.

Just deserts IMHO.

This video is wortless in court. It shows nothing.

A thief is someone who has the stuff still in his position, not somewhere in the toilet!

Pardon!

[brahmburgers]

The video camera angle looks too good. The alleged action all takes place in the center of the shot. Does KP have multiple cameras all over, in order to get details of every display case?

From the actions of the 2 people on the video, it does look like a theft by experienced shoplifters. However, I'm not convinced it's not a contrived video (Thais are big on reenactment). Just weeks ago, there was the purported photo of Carradine in the cheapo hotel closet which looked to many as being being contrived for manipulative reasons (in that case; to get a photo that would sell more newspapers).

The woman in the KP security footage looks different; slimmer face, different hairstyle, younger physique, from the op photo. When were those respective photos taken?

Even if the Brit couple were guilty, the shakedown method of getting payment is criminal, and all involved in that crass process, be it KP personnel, cops, the Sri Lankan, etc - should be severely reprimanded.

As for the Irish woman, it's yet another black eye for Thailand's image as a tourist destination. There are just too many scam-looking incidents involving King Power, for KP to have much credibility. I predict more of the same. After all (in the view of the people getting big chunks of money), if it works to get thousands of dollars from each scammed tourist, then it will continue as long as possible, and so what (in their view) if it ruins innocent peoples' vacations, and the image of Thailand as a tourist destination.

[MaiChai]

My girlfriend was listening to Thai radio in Bangkok and this KP thing has been happening to Thais too. She said that it had not come out before because people were afraid of those in power who control this. Now the stories with foreigners has broken, the Thais who have also been targeted are coming forward to tell their stories. Girlfriend tells me that they opened lines to the DJ and about six or seven people called in to tell their stories. This is rather ironic as Thais don't steal or shop lift; I mean you can generally leave motorbike helmets, etc, with worrying about people stealing them. In this respect Thailand is very good. Thus its quite evil to lock people up like this and only release them when they post large tea money. One lady was saying the law was wrong in that it could be abused in this way and she said all Thais should go and live in Europe where the law is fair! She said the law needed to be changed. This lady bought two cartons of cigarettes and another two were slipped into her bag. She said she is quite rich and does not need to steal; she tried to make a fuss by saying it was the shop assistant who did it and nothing to do with her!

If they continue this scam, foreign governments may advise their citizens not to visit Thailand on holiday, on the basis that you personal liberty is at risk (eg being thrown in jail and not being released if you don't pay up).

Edited July 5, 2009 by MaiChai

[LuckyFive8888]

Forget about KP faking the video and sort, these couples seems guilty on my opinion; i also have cctv in my shop where some shots/angle on the cameras making me look younger and more handsome anyway, big companies like KP do not make these things up unless you are a celebrity (i suppose). all i can say is that they did it and some police wants to make money out of it, like typical traffic police in thailand (sorry, BIB).

What we have to complain about are the taxi harassing farangs just outside gate 3, man, can someone please reports these hooligans!

Edited July 5, 2009 by LuckyFive8888

[baht&sold]

Wallets case:

http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/pop_case2.html

Cigars case:

http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/pop_case1.html

Personally not a fan of KP (dubious associations with Mr Thaksin and now Mr Newin) but balance is due regardless.

[jackdanielsesq]

B&S - thanks for the headsup.

Finally we appear to be getting down to balanced reality instead of all this sensationalism.

BR>Jack

[crocodilexp]

But I do think that you will agree that there is only 2 possible scenarios here.

1. The couple did not steal the wallet, but were extorted of 8000 Pounds to secure their freedom.

2. The couple did steal the wallet and paid 8000 pounds for the prosecutor to decide that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

I cannot see that it can be anything but a case of extortion or corruption whether they are guilty or not.

This sums up the whole case. Even if the couple was clearly guilty, the case is no less damning for Thai authorities.

People in question don't fit the profile of shoplifters -- they are upper-class professionals, well connected and not exactly poor. Let's assume for a moment they did steal the wallet. Kleptomaniacs exist. If they did it, wouldn't they happily take the bribe as a way out, and keep quiet about it? They could assume Thais have solid evidence, and the damage to their careers would be immense.

Thais want us to believe the story was "we steal for fun, we get caught, we pay to get out (whew, that was close!)... and then we draw publicity to out theft". Perhaps they're the rare breed that shoplifts for fun, yet considers corruption repulsive.

Now, take this case and multiply by 10, 100 or however many different reports of the similar scam exist. All those thieves want to be outed publicly once they got off the hook (with no chance of getting money back)... and last December, Suwarnabhumi was closed due to a snowstorm.

Edited July 5, 2009 by crocodilexp

[ParadiseLost]

Cigars case:

http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/pop_case1.html

To me this could have been an honest mistake - the 'thief' has just finished sorting his bags out, stands up and spots the cigars - a free gift! Perhaps he is only guilty of stupidity; he should have asked if the cigars were a gift...