British Couple Fights Bangkok Airport Extortionists

[JetsetBkk]

Shouldn't the title of this thread be "British Shoplifters Get Caught On Video"?

[sorry if that has been suggested already, but I've read only this page.]

[mca]

Deputy chairman (King Power) Chulchit Bunyaketu said the group last Wednesday asked the embassy to explain the facts to the British press following a theft in Suvarnabhumi Airport's duty-free area, which is under King Power's management.

A British couple was charged with stealing a wallet. They have since complained to the UK media they had to pay Bt200,000 extra on top of Bt200,000 bail to have the charges dropped and urged British tourists not to patronise King Power duty-free shops.

Chulchit told a press conference yesterday that the case had caused damage to both King Power and Thai investigators.

He insisted King Power's closed-circuit TV clearly showed the couple at the scene and said the footage could be viewed on King Power's website. Regarding their complaints about being cheated out of extra money, he said this happened the world over whenever people sought help from the wrong channels. False reports will tarnish Thailand's image.

http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/07/22/hea...es_30108055.php

Let's say fpr the sake of argument assume that the couples' story post arrest is true and they're not lying.

When will King Power stop bleating on about their guilt and that bloody video? Are they really that dumb? That's not the bloody point. If these 2 did steal the wallet and ended up paying an appropriate fine and were deported with a "Do Not Come Back" stamp on their record I for one as a fellow Brit would applaud it.

If KP really wanted to stop the rot in their sales they think is partially caused by this they could try issuing a statement along the lines of

"KP abhors the alleged corruption of certain officials regarding their treatment of suspects not in line with Thai law after their arrest...etc"

But oh no. That'd be too simple. Instead we get a pile of what makes the roses grow. " Sought help from the wrong channels"

Wrong channels being the in the custody of the RTP then.

And that old chestnut "Tarnish Thailand's image."

Khun Chulchit. Sadly I feel that the the way the powers that be have been dealing with things the past few years in Thailand there isn't enough Brasso in the world to polish this baby up.

[monoli87]

A British couple who were falsely accused of shoplifting in Bangkok airport and were forced to pay £8,000 in bribes to secure their release are to take legal action for compensation.

Nearly a half million baht...

Thaivisa baht convertor = 449,943 THB

Rathnayaka confirmed that he met them in the cells on the morning of Sunday, April 26, and arranged the "bail". The police kept the couple's passports. Rathnayaka then escorted Ingram and Xi to the Valentine Resort,

Valentine Resort Bangkok:

900 Baht/night

I wonder if it's not a bribe...... 449,943 THB what the system that government approved to scam someone with extremely fine......

or if the authority is corrupted.... then, it's so filthy rich...... i think, taking bribe such like 1000 or 2000 baht....can be forgiven.... because sometimes policeman is hardly poor....

but for this behave.... it's really lust of money....

Edited July 22, 2009 by monoli87

[somchaiq]

British couple fights Bangkok airport extortionists

Two tourists were held by an airport gang until they paid up £8,000

Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin were falsely accused

of stealing from a shop at Bangkok airport. Photo: Michael Sheridan

A British couple who were falsely accused of shoplifting in Bangkok airport and were forced to pay £8,000 in bribes to secure their release are to take legal action for compensation.

They were the victims of an extortion racket that has ensnared other foreign travellers at the airport, which handles most of the 800,000 British visitors to Thailand every year.

Stephen Ingram, 49, and Xi Lin, 45, both technology professionals from Cambridge, were detained by security guards as they went to board Qantas flight QF1 to London on the night of Saturday, April 25.

They were accused of taking a Givenchy wallet worth £121 from a King Power duty-free shop and were handed over to the police. An official release order from the local Thai prosecutor’s office subsequently conceded there was no evidence against them.

They were freed five days later after a frightening ordeal in which they said they were threatened and held against their will at a cheap motel on the airport perimeter until they had handed over the money.

The bribes were paid to an intermediary named Sunil “Tony” Rathnayaka, a Sri Lankan national in his fifties who works as a “volunteer” interpreter for Thailand’s tourist police (motto: “To serve and to protect”).

“Our main motivation is to protect other innocent British tourists from being caught up in this nightmare,” said Ingram last week. “We intend to take every legal means to recover our money and obtain justice.”

Last week Rathnayaka admitted in a telephone interview that he had received cash and money transfers amounting to more than £7,000 from the Britons. He said the money was for police bail and for a payment to a figure he called “Little Big Man” who could withdraw the case against them.

“In Thailand everyone knows it’s like that,” he said. “They can go to jail or they can just pay a fine and go home. It is corruption, you know?”

Rathnayaka also agreed that the “bail” — about £4,000 — was never returned to Ingram and Xi. Thai law says bail should be refunded.

In a detailed statement the couple said they were first detained at an airport office of the tourist police and later taken to cells at a police station in an isolated modern building on the fringes of the airport.

Rathnayaka confirmed that he met them in the cells on the morning of Sunday, April 26, and arranged the “bail”. The police kept the couple’s passports. Rathnayaka then escorted Ingram and Xi to the Valentine Resort, a lurid pink motel a few hundred yards from the runways. They were to remain there for four days.

During that time, Rathnayaka warned them not to tell anyone about their plight, especially the British embassy, lawyers, friends, family or the press.

However, on April 27 they sneaked out of the hotel and found their way to the embassy, where they met Kate Dufall, the pro-consul.

According to the couple, she told them the embassy could not interfere with the Thai legal system and put them in contact with Prachaya Vijitpokin, a lawyer.

Vijitpokin and a colleague, Kittamert Engchountada, of the Lawyers Association of Thailand, urged them to stay in the country to fight the case and have since assembled a dossier for potential prosecutions.

However, Ingram said the couple were so terrified by this stage that they decided to meet the demands for money, which they raised by bank transfers from Britain direct to Rathnayaka’s account. The Sunday Times has copies of the transactions.

Ingram and Xi were put on a British Airways flight to London early on Friday, May 1, having received their passports with official documents from prosecutors and police stating that no charges were to be brought against them.

They have said they are willing to return to Thailand and testify to try to stop the extortion if the government will guarantee their safety.

That could become a priority for Thailand, which has suffered a series of blows to its tourist industry through economic and political upheaval.

Inquiries last week established that Rathnayaka and his accomplices have continued preying on tourists who end up in police custody after being accused of theft from the airport duty-free shop. “I am just helping people,” he explained. “I don’t get paid to do this. All the embassies know me.”

Officials at the Danish embassy confirmed that a Danish woman fell into Rathnayaka’s hands about two weeks ago and was allowed to leave Thailand only after handing over more than £4,500.

When a Sunday Times journalist posing as a businessman in trouble contacted Rathnayaka last week, the first thing he said was: “If it’s a case, for example, of shoplifting at the airport duty-free then I can help. Bail is 100,000 baht (£1,800).” He later declined an interview, saying the Sri Lanka embassy — which employs him as an interpreter — had told him not to speak.

The Foreign Office said consular officials had offered to raise the case with the Thai authorities at the time but had been asked by the couple not to intervene.

A spokesman for King Power duty-free said the company had strict rules for evidence to be submitted to the police in shoplifting cases, but added: “We cannot control what happens after that.”

-- timesonline.co.uk 2009-06-28

Stealing in any way is a crime! You can find details on this case at Kingpower Website

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

There are also 2 other cases of shoplifting reported in very detailed PDF Files and with the CCTV Video.

The other "Crime" is being stupid enough to get a Freelance" Translator" to help. The correct way should be calling your Embassy. They got what they have asked for.

[loong]

Stealing in any way is a crime! You can find details on this case at Kingpower Website

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

There are also 2 other cases of shoplifting reported in very detailed PDF Files and with the CCTV Video.

The other "Crime" is being stupid enough to get a Freelance" Translator" to help. The correct way should be calling your Embassy. They got what they have asked for.

Yes, we know all about King Power's version of events, the link has already been posted umpteen times!

The Embassy cannot help, they can only supply a list of lawyers, so calling them achieves very little.

I don't think that they got a freelance translator to help, he was the middle man, the spokesman for the police to extort money.

I don't think that they really asked to pay 8000 pounds extortion money. In reality, they were given no real choice!

[Maejo Man]

The bribes were paid to an intermediary named Sunil "Tony" Rathnayaka, a Sri Lankan national in his fifties who works as a "volunteer" interpreter for Thailand's tourist police (motto: "To serve and to protect").

OH MY GOD>>>I JUST REALISED WHO THAT IS>>>ITS TONY FROM CHANG MAI TOURIST POLICE he is a crook. but that still doesnt convince me that they did not steal the wallet. TONY is a legend in chang mai.

Unfortunately Aussiejohn you are completely incorrect in your "realisations". The "Tony" you refer to is a Thai national and not Sri Lankan, and for obvious reasons I will not mention his Thai name here. Try to have some more rational realisations in future.

[Hawk]

I have just noticed that Xi Lin(or someone who resembled her) actually was walking towards the cashiers desk before the video cut out.

The video did not show whether the woman walked straight out or whether she went to the desk. Look again everyone before passing judgement!

More Thai monkey business it seems to me. Why cut the video as she was walking towards the cashier?

And as for the Irish woman, you can't make out any details as she is standing at a counter that is far away from the camera, really it could be anyone, so how can they possibly see a small tube of eyeliner?

The more I see and hear the more I realize that many, many of the staff at KP are in on this scam, and KP is just trying to cover up for everyone involved.

I have found that Thais are compulsive liars, it seems to be a trait that thy are born with.

[Mario2008]

Posted by Mai Krap, here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/King-Power-C...00#entry2887500

http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/07/22/hea...es_30108055.php

King Power concerned over damage to reputation

By The Nation

Published on July 22, 2009

Will ask embassy what action it is taking on UK pair

King Power International plans to submit a request to the British Embassy asking what action it plans to take regarding a disgruntled UK couple.

Deputy chairman Chulchit Bunyaketu said the group last Wednesday asked the embassy to explain the facts to the British press following a theft in Suvarnabhumi Airport's duty-free area, which is under King Power's management.

A British couple was charged with stealing a wallet. They have since complained to the UK media they had to pay Bt200,000 extra on top of Bt200,000 bail to have the charges dropped and urged British tourists not to patronise King Power duty-free shops.

Chulchit told a press conference yesterday that the case had caused damage to both King Power and Thai investigators.

He insisted King Power's closed-circuit TV clearly showed the couple at the scene and said the footage could be viewed on King Power's website. Regarding their complaints about being cheated out of extra money, he said this happened the world over whenever people sought help from the wrong channels. False reports will tarnish Thailand's image.

He said the company's duty-free shops had experienced a few cases of shoplifting each month this year.

At a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reportedly expressed concern over a BBC report on this most recent case.

Airports of Thailand president Serirat Prasutanond supported King Power's assertion that the couple did steal an item but said their bribery complaint was outside of AOT's responsibility.

Regarding remarks by the prime minister about reports of lost or damaged luggage, Serirat said AOT's responsibility was limited to the check-in and loading process inside the terminal. Airlines load the bags onto the planes themselves, and that is where the losses and damage occur. Therefore, airlines must be held responsible for that, not AOT.

Meanwhile, King Power is suffering a decline in sales volume, due to the domestic political turbulence and type-A (H1N1) influenza. This year's sales are down 30-40 per cent so far.

[robbiecia]

This story did make it on to the local news.

A reporter was sent to interview the head honcho at the police station in question.

When asked some awkward questions by the reporter, the bigwig did seem uncomfortable.

He then said it was nothing to do with them.

He then said it must have been the dodgy interpreter from Sri Lanka who is responsible for the scam.

He managed to say this with a straight face

[mrtoad]

Posted by Mai Krap, here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/King-Power-C...00#entry2887500

http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/07/22/hea...es_30108055.php

King Power concerned over damage to reputation

By The Nation

Published on July 22, 2009

Will ask embassy what action it is taking on UK pair

King Power International plans to submit a request to the British Embassy asking what action it plans to take regarding a disgruntled UK couple.

Deputy chairman Chulchit Bunyaketu said the group last Wednesday asked the embassy to explain the facts to the British press following a theft in Suvarnabhumi Airport's duty-free area, which is under King Power's management.

A British couple was charged with stealing a wallet. They have since complained to the UK media they had to pay Bt200,000 extra on top of Bt200,000 bail to have the charges dropped and urged British tourists not to patronise King Power duty-free shops.

Chulchit told a press conference yesterday that the case had caused damage to both King Power and Thai investigators.

He insisted King Power's closed-circuit TV clearly showed the couple at the scene and said the footage could be viewed on King Power's website. Regarding their complaints about being cheated out of extra money, he said this happened the world over whenever people sought help from the wrong channels. False reports will tarnish Thailand's image.

He said the company's duty-free shops had experienced a few cases of shoplifting each month this year.

At a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reportedly expressed concern over a BBC report on this most recent case.

Airports of Thailand president Serirat Prasutanond supported King Power's assertion that the couple did steal an item but said their bribery complaint was outside of AOT's responsibility.

Regarding remarks by the prime minister about reports of lost or damaged luggage, Serirat said AOT's responsibility was limited to the check-in and loading process inside the terminal. Airlines load the bags onto the planes themselves, and that is where the losses and damage occur. Therefore, airlines must be held responsible for that, not AOT.

Meanwhile, King Power is suffering a decline in sales volume, due to the domestic political turbulence and type-A (H1N1) influenza. This year's sales are down 30-40 per cent so far.

No surprise here, these corrupt pieces of shit are more concerned about image rather than due process of law. As usual it's blame someone else time -preferably a foreigner. If the Govt had some balls, which it doesn't, KP should not even be operating in the airport:along with AOT, is a shambles from top to bottom, but it's okay -someone else is to blame.

It's about time these prats realised that their ongoing scams, incompetence and idiocy is, or should I say has, turned this country into a laughing stock.

[beerchang]

I've seen the video and it would appear that she is a thief. I read on TV that the wallet was found in a rubbish bin, sorry I don't know this as a fact. But I did see her take it to the other side of the display, put it down, open her bag and put it in. That's not how to shop!

I would like to know exactly what would have happened if they had said "we're not giving you any money, let's let a judge decide". I understand that they were scared but no wallet was found on them. What would have happened if they refused to pay? I believe, even in Thai law, that only a judge can send you to prison. There isn't a policeman in the world that can put you in prison is there? Detain in a cell yes, but prison? They got £7,500 from these two. Even if, without the stolen item, they were found guilty, what would have been the sentence? Fine (how much for lifting a wallet)? Imprisonment? Must be a member on TV who knows Thai law. Siam legal isn't it?

Perhaps embassies could issue the warning 'If your gonna shoplift and get caught, let the legal system deal with it and don't pay the extortionist scumbags'

I wouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly about their guilt. Did you see her leave the shop in the video? The letter accompanying that video on KP's website says it is shown quite clearly, but I only saw a woman walking towards what appears to be the cashier's desk before the video cut off. I question myself as to what happened, I can't be sure, the picture is just not clear enough. No wallet found on them? Too many loose ends there. Are you sure the couple in the video are the same people who all this fuss is about? You would expect that at least that minor detail could be established before they're convicted on TV!

Why would they agree to provide 'The Times' with photo's of themselves and tell them their story? They've paid the extortion money, no one would ever know about what happened if they had just gone about their business as usual when they returned to the UK.

Nope. Didn't see her leave the shop but come on dude! You see the way she took it to the other side of the display, put it down, open her bag and put it in? I did, and as I stated, that's not how people shop is it?

And surely if it wasn't them KP would be inline for libel action against them? Oh dear...what on earth am I saying? TIT and all! I need to lay down.

But really. Can TV's legal experts answer my original question?

[hughben]

He said the company's duty-free shops had experienced a few cases of shoplifting each month this year.

Mmmm the Sri Lanken admitted around 160 cases in April alone on the Drummond website.

[beerchang]

Ok, I've posted this on 2 other threads, hope that's not a bad thing but I would like an answer if possible, plus it's on topic. here goes:

I've seen the video and it would appear that she is a thief. I read on TV that the wallet was found in a rubbish bin, sorry I don't know this as a fact. But I did see her take it to the other side of the display, put it down, open her bag and put it in. That's not how to shop!

I would like to know exactly what would have happened if they had said "we're not giving you any money, let's let a judge decide". I understand that they were scared but no wallet was found on them. What would have happened if they refused to pay? I believe, even in Thai law, that only a judge can send you to prison. There isn't a policeman in the world that can put you in prison is there? Detain in a cell yes, but prison? They got £7,500 from these two. Even if, without the stolen item, they were found guilty, what would have been the sentence? Fine (how much for lifting a wallet)? Imprisonment? Must be a member on TV who knows Thai law. Siam legal isn't it?

Perhaps embassies could issue the warning 'If your gonna shoplift and get caught, let the legal system deal with it and don't pay the extortionist scumbags'

They would have been charged and put in a holding cell for months until their trial. If they were found guilty they would have done time. If they were found innocent, which is unlikely because of the tape, they would be set free.

Whoa, how did I miss your post? (well obviously I didn't, but saw when I scrolled up to the top, otherwise would have replied to you before Dagon). May I ask if you are a Thai law expert without causing offence? I ask because you say held for months. The Ozzie beermat girl wasn't held for months was she?

Call it my need to know .

Edited July 22, 2009 by beerchang

[Maejo Man]

King Power concerned over damage to reputation

Meanwhile, King Power is suffering a decline in sales volume, due to the domestic political turbulence and type-A (H1N1) influenza. This year's sales are down 30-40 per cent so far.

That's the best news I've heard all day!! Naturally blame it on H1N1 and domestic problems

[Mario2008]

1 off topic, anti Thai post and the response to it have been deleted.

[Mario2008]

King Power concerned over damage to reputation

Meanwhile, King Power is suffering a decline in sales volume, due to the domestic political turbulence and type-A (H1N1) influenza. This year's sales are down 30-40 per cent so far.

That's the best news I've heard all day!! Naturally blame it on H1N1 and domestic problems

That isn't me you are quoting, but the article from The Nation.

[loong]

May I ask if you are a Thai law expert without causing offence? I ask because you say held for months. The Ozzie beermat girl wasn't held for months was she?

Call it my need to know smile.gif .

This case was fast forwarded because of the international uproar it caused. If her story had never been reported, she'd probably still be stuck in Thailand awaiting a court hearing.

[beerchang]

May I ask if you are a Thai law expert without causing offence? I ask because you say held for months. The Ozzie beermat girl wasn't held for months was she?

Call it my need to know smile.gif .

This case was fast forwarded because of the international uproar it caused. If her story had never been reported, she'd probably still be stuck in Thailand awaiting a court hearing.

Cheers 'uncle', but you say 'probably'. I would like to know what happens if you just say no to these creatures and demand proper legal process while contacting your embassy, who must (should?) act. Plus demanding they contact the press to get immediate coverage. Big news this stuff now, internationally. Thai extortionists threatening tourists. There's such a thing as going too far and these 'protecters and servers' have done that IMO.

[aussiejohn]

The bribes were paid to an intermediary named Sunil "Tony" Rathnayaka, a Sri Lankan national in his fifties who works as a "volunteer" interpreter for Thailand's tourist police (motto: "To serve and to protect").

OH MY GOD>>>I JUST REALISED WHO THAT IS>>>ITS TONY FROM CHANG MAI TOURIST POLICE he is a crook. but that still doesnt convince me that they did not steal the wallet. TONY is a legend in chang mai.

Unfortunately Aussiejohn you are completely incorrect in your "realisations". The "Tony" you refer to is a Thai national and not Sri Lankan, and for obvious reasons I will not mention his Thai name here. Try to have some more rational realisations in future.

In the original account and the BBC account the intermediary is referred to as a Sri Lankan Man named "Tony". You are right...Point taken. Edited July 22, 2009 by aussiejohn

[samtam]

I think some people must need their monitors cleaned, the video was not in the least bit 'grainy' on my computer. It clearly shows them shoplifting and they have already admitted its them (or at least him) in the video.

It clearly shows "them" shoplifting....identifying by what method? I can't see either of their faces.

They have already admitted its them (or at least him) in the video. I missed that - can you provide source of his uncoersed admission?

I have posted on the BBC website and asked if the couple have any response to the CCTV footage, and the letter from King Power. I thought these might have been questions JH would pose to the couple to make his article appear fair and balanced. So I wanted to be sure that they were admitting guilt to the theft, but outraged at the fine, and how it was collected.

I think this is an important distinction that needs to be clarified, especially as far as KP are concerned, and which would help them improve their tarnished image.

[dttk0009]

I don't really want to hold it against KP, but I'm still never setting foot in theirs shops again either. It's not because of them (there's no evidence that they are involved in the scam), but it's because their shops are watched by local scam artists for unsuspecting victims. I'd rather steer clear to avoid a situation like that altogether, and have advised loved ones to do the same. If they really had a problem with it, they should be going to the police who forced half a million baht out of a British couple, not the British embassy.

[xbusman]

A few observations.

I cannot refute or confirm the guilt or innocence of the party involved in the incident described here. It is Thailand after all and the truth of anything is a rare and undervalued commodity. Never believe anything here that you dont see with your own eyes, feel with your own hand, and then check it twice.

I have chatted with a few folks on this airport incident, people who have some experience with airport security world wide. I did not know, and never imagined, that there is a class of criminal that works airports all over the world. In particular, they carefully time their outgoing international flight and with minutes to spare casually wander into a duty free shop and ask to examine items of very high value. They then do a runner, straight to the gate and on board in minutes, just as the doors shut. Something like that would never have occurred to me, but then again I am not smart enough to be that dishonest. This is more common than we might know, and another factor is that many airports will not prosecute if the thief is caught. Bad publicity, overlapping jurisdictions, and also interesting is the fact that duty free shops are not technically in Thailand. When you pass immigrations and are stamped out, you are in effect somewhat in a no mans land regarding legal issues. These things are mostly discussed regarding crimes taking place on bridges between countries but in some regards can happen inside an airport.

So, it might be more common that we know.

I am left to wonder if this is a scam created by some rogue employees or actually has some merit in handling a sensitive problem in the usual Thai way. Somehow all this controversy seems to swirl around either the airport and/or King Power. If there are that many thieves visiting the kingdom, wouldnt we hear something from Siam Paragon or Robinsons? I would think someone would report something somewhere, instead there is only this ongoing "problem" with King Power.

The Norway warning weighs heavily in this, they would not publish that warning lightly. It would certainly bring down the displeasure of their hosts and that is never in the embassy's interest, so they most certainly would have been very careful. If they published this, there must be some pretty strong evidence of foul play somewhere.

You posters are funny, trying to determine the truth of statements, forensics, CCTV analysis, character analysis. Nothing is conclusive in anything posted on this by anyone, we dont, and will never, know the truth. We can agree though that there is smoke in Cobra swamp, keeping an eye out for a fire might be prudent.

[teddy_bare]

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.

I would say they do fit the profile of shoplifters. plenty of similar corrolation as the following:

Reprinted from the National Report on Shoplifting, 1996c, published by Shoplifters Alternative, a non-profit organization and division of Shoplifters Anonymous, Inc., Jericho, NY, 1-800-848-9595.

Is it need, or is it greed...or is itsomething entirely different that tempts approximately 23 million people to steal from retail stores each year. Except for the drug addicts and hardened professionals who steal for resale and profit as a business, most shoplifters are decent people who are otherwise law abiding citizens. The vast majority of adult offenders have no idea about how or why they become a thief, or why they continue to shoplift, even after getting caught.

Retailers, police, prosecutors and judges see thousands of apprehended shoplifters who don't fit the profile of a typical criminal. For example, they don't use shoplifting paraphernalia, they don't use drugs, they carry proper identification, they have no prior criminal record (except perhaps for shoplifting), they don'tassociate with known criminals, they don't steal for resale, they usually have the money to pay for the item(s) they stole, they frequently have a job and a family, they steal things they don't really need and often don't use, they know what they did was wrong and frequently feel ashamed and remorseful. Their overall lifestyle is not that of a typical thief or criminal.

[sibeymai]

There seems to be some confusion amongst posters to this thread as to the guilt or innocence of the two British people. Let me make the following clear:

- the King Power video is NOT conclusive evidence that the crime took place, regardless of what viewers think they see

- the wallet was not found in the possession of either of the accused

- there has been no security camera footage made available showing the accused dumping the wallet in the rubbish bin which is required as evidence that the wallet was in their possession

Being that the KP video is not conclusive evidence and the wallet not being found in the accused possession the police rightly could not press charges as there is NO PROOF that the accused committed the crime. The accused have a document from the police or court rightly proclaiming their innocence.

INNOCENCE, get it ? Meaning NOT GUILTY of committing the crime.

Seems pretty simple really. I'd say in light of the statement King Power made public the two Brits could sue them for libel/defamation.

Edited July 22, 2009 by sibeymai

[DagonKhan]

I'd say in light of the statement King Power made public the two Brits could sue them for libel/defamation.

That would be quite funny actually if they did that, using their rather tarnished pieces of 'official' paper to support their case!

King Power International plans to submit a request to the British Embassy asking what action it plans to take regarding a disgruntled UK couple.

Deputy chairman Chulchit Bunyaketu said the group last Wednesday asked the embassy to explain the facts to the British press following a theft in Suvarnabhumi Airport's duty-free area, which is under King Power's management.

I'm waiting for King Power to summon the British and Danish Ambassadors...

[Oleang]

kingpower (dot) com/2009/popup/pop_case2 (dot) html

[mommysboy]

There seems to be some confusion amongst posters to this thread as to the guilt or innocence of the two British people. Let me make the following clear:

- the King Power video is NOT conclusive evidence that the crime took place, regardless of what viewers think they see

- the wallet was not found in the possession of either of the accused

- there has been no security camera footage made available showing the accused dumping the wallet in the rubbish bin which is required as evidence that the wallet was in their possession

Being that the KP video is not conclusive evidence and the wallet not being found in the accused possession the police rightly could not press charges as there is NO PROOF that the accused committed the crime. The accused have a document from the police or court rightly proclaiming their innocence.

INNOCENCE, get it ? Meaning NOT GUILTY of committing the crime.

Seems pretty simple really. I'd say in light of the statement King Power made public the two Brits could sue them for libel/defamation.

Yes this is essential to understand, even if like me you think the video is genuine and suggestive.

Further that in any case this is extortion in itself which is a criminal offence.

KP might well consider securing it's stock better as extortion tends not go down too well in democratic countries, and is not considered good retail practice.

I woill never set foot inside the place.

[Hawk]

Breakingnews » Breakingnews

Sohpon acts to prevent airport scams

Writer: BangkokPost.com

Published: 22/07/2009 at 05:09 PM

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarun on Wednesday ordered Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to step up measures at Suvarnabhumi and other airports to prevent extortion scams.

Mr Sohpon gave the order during his inspection trip to Suvarnabhumi airport after a British couple clamed they were the victims of an extortion scam after being accused of shoplifting from a duty free shop. The couple's claim was reported by the BBC.

The transport minister was also said to have been criticised by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for failing to keep the airport to international standards.

continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...t-airport-scams

[salty]

Once again kudos to the Danish Embassy for giving the scams maximum exposure and seriously embarassing the airport and the Thai Goverment. Without them it would surely have been the usual mai pen rai.

I would not say it cannot happen again but at least it has made things difficult for these scamming bastards at the airport which is to be welcomed.

[jackspratt]

There seems to be some confusion amongst posters to this thread as to the guilt or innocence of the two British people. Let me make the following clear:

- the King Power video is NOT conclusive evidence that the crime took place, regardless of what viewers think they see

- the wallet was not found in the possession of either of the accused

- there has been no security camera footage made available showing the accused dumping the wallet in the rubbish bin which is required as evidence that the wallet was in their possession

Being that the KP video is not conclusive evidence and the wallet not being found in the accused possession the police rightly could not press charges as there is NO PROOF that the accused committed the crime. The accused have a document from the police or court rightly proclaiming their innocence.

INNOCENCE, get it ? Meaning NOT GUILTY of committing the crime.

Seems pretty simple really. I'd say in light of the statement King Power made public the two Brits could sue them for libel/defamation.

Accepting that the 3 dot points you make above may be correct, are you cognisant with what other evidence the police may or may not have eg witnesses, statements/admissions?

No - of course you are not.

The fact that documents have been issued to demonstrate their "innocence" proves only 1 thing - that they have paid enough money to the correct people.

I have no doubt King Power would welcome a law suit against them for libel/defamation. But we both know it ain't gunna happen - the Ingrams have far too much to lose.

And that really is pretty simple.

If this saga leads to a cleanup at the airport, I am all for it. But it will take long term change in Thailand before the culture of corruption is overcome.

At the same time, hopefully the culture of reactionary and unthinking (ie totally lacking analysis) comments by contributors (most of them very recent) to Thai Visa will become a thing of the past.

But I won't hold my breath - for either event.