Danish Embassy Warns Against King Power Dutyfree

[martin81]

Now the danish embassy also warns agains the King Power/police scam:

It is in danish but is a warning about a danish woman that had to pay 65000 DKK(11000 USD) to police because she showed a lipstick to a friend. Maybe she took the lipstick across the shop border. It is not quite clear

Here is a google translation:

Danes warned against airport police in Bangkok

Published 20.07.09 kl. 14:01 (GMT+1)

Be careful if you shop in stores in the international airport in Bangkok. You risk being arrested and charged of corruption of Thai airport officials.

That is the warning from the Danish Embassy in Bangkok, who knows a young Danish woman who recently had problems at the airport.

"Be careful with the stores where there is open space, and it seems that you can freely move around," says Mads Beyer, who is deputy head of the embassy in Bangkok, to DR News.

Claims for money

He says that the woman had taken a mascara or lipstick, and would show it to a fellow passager, who was just nearby. Without knowing it the unfortunate woman crossed a shop invisible border and was snatched by the police.

"The police who carried out the arrest, and a translator seemed very aggressive and let know that they must have a lot of money to help," says Mads Beyer, adding that the police clearly expresses that it can be a lengthy and difficult process if you do not choose to pay, says deputy head of DR News.

The embassy does not want to give details about the case, but according to BBC News has more visitors every month problems with the police at the airport.

Two British passengers were among others threatened that they would be thrown directly in the notorious Bangkok Hilton prison, where they had to wait two months before the case was handled, if they did not pay 65,000 kroner to the police and an interpreter to get " help "in this case ..

Woman convicted of shoplifting

The Danish woman who was taken with makeup in hand, was convicted of shoplifting.

The embassy does not want to say hviken punishment she received, but Mads Beyer says that the typical punishment is a fine of 300-400 Danish kroner, and that it could two years of conditional imprisonment.

Beyer urges people first and foremost to take care not to cross a border store with something in his hand. Will is taken, the tourists refuse to give in to threats from the police, whose officers require bribes.

- If people in trouble, it would be a good idea to contact the embassy. We are available to help when there are unpleasant things, "says Mads Beyer.

- I can not guarantee that you do not get an unpleasant experience and a fright. But we are in a legal community, which ceteris paribus will have a trial. And we urge them to not be true to help to contact his embassy.

The Danish Embassy will now make contact with embassies from other EU countries to see how big the problem is and what we might do about it

Source (in Danish language)

Earlier story: British Couple Fights Bangkok Airport Extortionists

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

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/British-Coup...po-t276538.html

[george]

Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam

Bangkok airport duty free

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok's showcase new international airport is no stranger to controversy.

Built between 2002 and 2006, under the governments of then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the opening date was repeatedly delayed.

It has been dogged by allegations of corruption, as well as criticism of the design and poor quality of construction.

Then, at the end of last year, the airport was shut down for a week after being occupied by anti-government protesters.

Now new allegations have been made that a number of passengers are being detained every month in the duty free area on suspicion of shoplifting, and then held by the police until they pay large sums of money to buy their freedom.

That is what happened to Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin, two IT experts from Cambridge, as they were about to board their flight to London on the night of 25 April this year.

They had been browsing in the duty free shop at the airport, and were later approached by security guards, who twice asked to search their bags.

Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin

Mr Ingram and Ms Xi were told they had to pay £7,500

They were told a wallet had gone missing, and that Ms Lin had been seen on a security camera taking it out of the shop.

The company that owns the duty free shop, King Power, has since put the CCTV video on its website, which does appear to show her putting something in her bag. However the security guards found no wallet on either of them.

Despite that, they were both taken from the departure gate, back through immigration, and held in an airport police office. That is when their ordeal started to become frightening.

Interpreter

"We were questioned in separate rooms," Mr Ingram said. "We felt really intimidated. They went through our bags and demanded that we tell them where the wallet was."

The two were then put in what Mr Ingram describes as a "hot, humid, smelly cell with graffiti and blood on the walls".

Mr Ingram managed to phone a Foreign Office helpline he found in a travel guide, and was told someone in the Bangkok embassy would try to help them.

The next morning the two were given an interpreter, a Sri Lankan national called Tony, who works part-time for the police.

They were taken by Tony to meet the local police commander - but, says Mr Ingram, for three hours all they discussed was how much money they would have to pay to get out.

police station

Mr Ingram and Ms Xi were taken to meet the local police commander

They were told the charge was very serious. If they did not pay, they would be transferred to the infamous Bangkok Hilton prison, and would have to wait two months for their case to be processed.

Mr Ingram says they wanted £7,500 ($12,250) - for that the police would try to get him back to the UK in time for his mother's funeral on 28 April.

But he could not arrange to get that much money transferred in time.

'Zig-zag' scheme

Tony then took them to an ATM machine at the police station, and told Ms Lin to withdraw as much as she could from her own account - £600 - and Mr Ingram then withdrew the equivalent of £3,400 from his account.

This was apparently handed over to the police as "bail", and they were both made to sign a number of papers.

Later they were allowed to move to a squalid hotel within the airport perimeter, but their passports were held and they were warned not to leave or try to contact a lawyer or their embassy.

"I will be watching you," Tony told them, adding that they would have to stay there until the £7,500 was transferred into Tony's account.

On the Monday they managed to sneak out and get a taxi to Bangkok, and met an official at the British Embassy.

She gave the name of a Thai lawyer, and, says Mr Ingram, told them they were being subjected to a classic Thai scam called the "zig-zag".

Their lawyer urged them to expose Tony - but also warned them that if they fought the case it could take months, and they risked a long prison sentence.

After five days the money was transferred to Tony's account, and they were allowed to leave.

Mr Ingram had missed his mother's funeral, but at least they were given a court document stating that there was insufficient evidence against them, and no charge.

"It was a harrowing, stressful experience," he said.

The couple say they now want to take legal action to recover their money.

'Typical' scam

The BBC has spoken to Tony and the regional police commander, Colonel Teeradej Phanuphan.

They both say Tony was merely helping the couple with translation, and raising bail to keep them out of prison.

Tony says about half the £7,500 was for bail, while the rest were "fees" for the bail, for his work, and for a lawyer he says he consulted on their behalf.

In theory, he says, they could try to get the bail portion refunded.

Colonel Teeradej says he will investigate any possible irregularities in their treatment. But he said any arrangement between the couple and Tony was a private affair, which did not involve the police.

Letters of complaint to the papers here in Thailand make it clear that passengers are regularly detained at the airport for alleged shoplifting, and then made to pay middlemen to win their freedom.

The Danish Embassy says one of its nationals was recently subjected to a very similar scam, and earlier this month an Irish scientist managed to flee Thailand with her husband and one year-old son after being arrested at the airport and accused of stealing an eyeliner worth around £17.

Tony told the BBC that so far this year he has "helped" about 150 foreigners in trouble with the police. He says sometimes he does it for no charge.

The British Embassy has also warned passengers at Bangkok Airport to take care not to move items around in the duty free shopping area before paying for them, as this could result in arrest and imprisonment.

-- BBC 2009-07-20

[Electra]

At last, an unequivocal warning that it is the Thai police who pose a threat to passengers.

Let the smiling hypocrites that constitute what passes for the authorities in Thailand wriggle their squirming little way out of that one.

Well done the Danes, at least they have laid the allegation where it truly belongs unlike the weasely British embassy who seemingly prize a pusillanimous approach to the Thai over and above their responsibility to their own citizens.

[manuchaomk]

it's a shame for every thai national.

Is this the right way to help the local tourism ?

Is this the right way to respect thetourists ?

[rippedoff]

Coming here you get rippedoff and now even leaving. Amazing Thailand land of smiles. Ha Ha.Only when they have the chance to ripp you off.Green shirts here we come.

[Hanimal]

Presumably this is quite a recent scam? Haven't heard of AOT supporting the gang e.g. Pointing out that the arrests were legitimate. I would think that they would want to avoid this kind of publicity.

[CWMcMurray]

easy enough...

I will never buy anything or enter the duty free stores in the airport. I would gather that if you never enter the store you cant be accused of shoplifting.

Perhaps not a real solution to the problem, but it is certainly the one I will use.

[thetravellingcat]

hah just read about this on BBC news. they must be getting desperate.

[ukrules]

Now the 'official channels' are giving out warnings maybe someone will do something about this. I doubt it, but we live in hope.

[torrenova]

At last, an unequivocal warning that it is the Thai police who pose a threat to passengers.

Let the smiling hypocrites that constitute what passes for the authorities in Thailand wriggle their squirming little way out of that one.

Well done the Danes, at least they have laid the allegation where it truly belongs unlike the weasely British embassy who seemingly prize a pusillanimous approach to the Thai over and above their responsibility to their own citizens.

Agreed but given the "you can't blame the soooo nice Thai people for anything" brigade on here, one truly hopes that none of them work in positions of influence or the law as doing something about this needs people with backbones and balls. Did anyone really believe that the people behind all these scams are anyone but the scamming, cheating, lying Thais who occupy positions of authority and are largely unaccountable ?

Shame on you who back up these corrupt individuals.

[torrenova]

Wasn't King Power supposed to be kicked out in the first place ?

[Texpat]

I wonder if they try these childish games on fellow Thais?

[AnaisNin]

It is about time that all the FM of Asean country comment about King-Power while they are in Phuket enjoying the sun and sea.

[gbswales]

Coming here you get rippedoff and now even leaving. Amazing Thailand land of smiles. Ha Ha.Only when they have the chance to ripp you off.Green shirts here we come.

The government should step in quickly though much of the publicity damage is already done. If visitors to the country are arrested their embassy should be contacted at once and an interpreter provided from there. Shops with invisible borders should be categorically told they cannot prosecute anyone unless these borders are clearly marked or the person actually goes to an exit or a departure gate. There is no point in saying that visitors should accept they are in a foreign country since the local officials appear not to be following even Thai law. King Power should make a statement now.

when will Thailand realise that it's reputation as a tourist destination is important because there are other countries waking up to the idea of tourism - vietnam cambodia etc and once Thailand loses it then it will be hard to recover. Maybe the problem is that Thais are taught about how successful their country is - are they ever told how much of that success is due to tourism and people wanting to live there?

[stuck]

What is the difference between Thailand and Nigeria? The short answer is not much. The longer answer is that most embassies give stern warnings to travelers to alert them that anything done in Nigeria puts you at risk for scams and strong-arm tactics.

How can these lying Thais come out at high levels and tell everyone that they'll investigate? They are in on it.

Corruption in Thailand is not only condoned but encouraged. I had my own taste of it at the airport when the Animal Contol scumbags there held my parrots ransom when my sister brought them into Thailand from the USA. I had to liberate a few hundred dollars from my wallet to free my animals even though the paperwork was ok.

[nakachalet]

george

what do you think of the video shown this evening on channel 5 around 18:20 (bkk time) regarding the british couple who (lady) appeared to have dropped something into her purse?

perhaps, this was an exceptional case different from others who were wrongly accused?

it is something that we all need to reevaluate? right? or do you have another take on this?

[LaoPo]

It's a good thing that the press reports are widening, worldwide, about the "scam-problem" on Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport and warn travelers of what might happen to them, shopping at Kingpower's shops, not knowing of passing (floor)-lines between shops.

Too many Thaivisa members have been busy lately in writing that the UK couple was guilty --or not-, surpassing the frightening and scary situation that passengers (mostly leaving Thailand) are ending up in a horrifying situation, meaning: ending up in a scam that one has to pay absurd amounts of money.

That extortion situation is by far a much larger crime than an eventual theft of a small item.

I am NOT defending people who steal but there should be a police-station involved on the airport who deal with thefts and fine thieves accordingly with a stiff fine of let's say US$ 100, 200 or even 300, depending on the price of the article that was stolen.

Extortion -innocent or guilty- of passengers on an airport and screw enormous sums of money out of them is unheard of and a serious crime also and the Thai authorities, responsible for the airport should act immediately and arrest the people involved.

Secondly, Kingpower should prove that they are completely innocent but, seeing that the press reports are widening, they behaved cowardly so far and did NOT condemn the extortions. Are they sure that some of their staff are involved...or not ?

Did they question their staff, the employees who were working at that particular shop and time ? Not a single word from them.

They simply submitted a video....."proving" that the UK couple was guilty, in their opinion.

That's weak, very weak and they have to face the damage which will be immense.

And: where is the video from the Irish Lady Doctor ? Where is the video of the Danish girl ?

LaoPo

[eljeque]

It is good to hear that the Danes are telling their tourists

It would be admirable if the other countries whose CITIZENS are being subjected to this kind of abuse, respond in the same manner.

Maybe the Danes will be a spark

[RAZZELL]

Well, I'm coming to Asia for 3 weeks...only 6 days of which I'll spend in LOS.

I'm off to Bali instead. The writings on the wall....

RAZZ

[thaibkk]

at least now you know why low life policy can afford big villa's and mercedes...

[dasy]

don't forget, hoping is dreaming with your eyes open.

David

Now the 'official channels' are giving out warnings maybe someone will do something about this. I doubt it, but we live in hope.

[ekkamai]

I don't get it. Things seem to be getting completely out of hand. Anarchy.

Please Mr. PM: DO something serious to save the reputation of Thailand. And hurry up.

[Insight]

Undecided on whether the couple are guilty or not, but don't believe King Power (as in the company) to be a part of the subsequent extortion attempts by the police.

This year has given Abhisit plenty of reasons for complete police reform from the top down. As much as it's a daunting task it's starting to cost Thailand dearly.

[thaibreaker]

I was in fact held back for an hour myself by these security guards at my last trip back to my country.

I might have crossed an invisible line or not, but what was in my hand at first, I put back where it belonged, after showing it to my fiancee. Nothing unusual about that in a shop.

If they were watching the cameras, they surely would have noticed that.

I was taken away and searched for almost an hour and accused of shoplifting. A real nightmare.

Luckily, I was able to make my flight, when they couldn`t find anything, and let me go.

They were at first telling me a huge amount of bath I would have to pay to stay out of trouble, but I convinced them that I was broke, and was going home for good.

I can only imagine what others are going through, I was just glad I got off that "easy".

[747man]

Stuck, I had the SAME problem with The scumbags in the Animal control centre when I brought my Dog from The UK 14 Years ago,FOUR of the Bas*ards DEMANDED 5,000 Baht EACH before they would sign the release forms ( All Other Paperwork in Order ) My Thai Wife & I asked The Sh*thouses "What would happen if I refused to pay the TEA Money ) They All laughed and said......Nothing apart from YOUR Dog will just DIE......Heartless Cu*ts.......

[JimmyGreaves]

Link to the video?

[deano00]

Coming here you get rippedoff and now even leaving. Amazing Thailand land of smiles. Ha Ha.Only when they have the chance to ripp you off.Green shirts here we come.

Whilst most countries are looking at how they can tackle reduced tourist numbers in the current recession, you can rely on Thailand to concentrate on coming up with new and imaginative ways to rip off the few tourists who put up with corrupt police and officials, scams, protests, riots, murders, etc. etc. to visit the country. Surely there can't be many more nails required to finally seal the coffin of Thailand's tourist industry

[spidermike007]

I guess this represents as good a reason as any, not to shop in King Power, EVER! Who wants to run the risk of

a scam like this one. What a lowbrow operation. I give the Danes alot of credit for speaking out. Maybe the Thai

authorities will be awakened by this one. The police in this country are perhaps the most corrupt, and least

competent of any group or organization you will run into here. Stay clear of the police, under all circumstances.

The general rule of thumb here is that if a foreigner has ANY interaction here, with the police, it will not turn

out well for them. The police in Thailand do very little law enforcement. It is all about income padding, and

income supplement. It is rarely about crime solving. They are a bankrupt, corrupt, illicit crime syndicate. Not

a law enforcement organization.

[LaoPo]

I was in fact held back for an hour myself by these security guards at my last trip back to my country.

I might have crossed an invisible line or not, but what was in my hand at first, I put back where it belonged, after showing it to my fiancee. Nothing unusual about that in a shop.

If they were watching the cameras, they surely would have noticed that.

I was taken away and searched for almost an hour and accused of shoplifting. A real nightmare.

Luckily, I was able to make my flight, when they couldn`t find anything, and let me go.

They were at first telling me a huge amount of bath I would have to pay to stay out of trouble, but I convinced them that I was broke, and was going home for good.

I can only imagine what others are going through, I was just glad I got off that "easy".

Better tell your story in detail: when, which flight you had, which shop you were in, what poduct you were holding etc.

It might help to solve this scam situation.

LaoPo

[davejonesbkk]

Yeah funny that King Power dont seem so quick with a video of the Danish person...