Suvarnabhumi To Provide Waiting Room For Airport Shop Stealers

[george]

AoT to provide waiting room for airport shop stealers

By John Le Fevre

SUVARNABHUMI (thaivisa.com): -- People accused of theft at Suvarnabhumi Airport will now be detained in a special room to wait for ambassadors of their own country to come and negotiate under a plan by Airports of Thailand (AoT).

The AoT said providing a special holding area will prevent any attempts at swindling, after local and foreign media reported foreign tourists were being falsely accused and forced into paying large sums of money to have erroneous charges against them dropped.

The AoT said an investigation had shown that no AoT staff were involved in swindling tourists and hypothesized that the complaints resulted from arrested shoplifters complaining to the embassies for expenses paid for assistance in clearing their cases.

Since the middle of last month newspapers, television reports, bloggers and radio stations around the world have been issuing warnings to tourists traveling to Thailand of alleged scams operating at Bangkok’s national airport.

Since the story first broke of two English tourists being falsely accused of shop stealing from Duty Free stores operated by the King’s Power Group and required to pay large amounts of money to secure their release, other tourists and foreign governments have repeated the warning.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has been plagued by corruption allegations since before it was opened, with taxi touts with "broken meters", false guides, shake-downs by suspect customs officers and baggage thefts just the tip of the iceberg.

The Thai Government has threatened a crackdown on scams operating at the airport but, apart from recently ordering baggage handlers to wear uniforms without pockets and vowing to install more CCTVs in the luggage handling area, has done little else.

Ireland is the latest country to issue a warning to its nationals to "be extremely careful" when browsing at Suvarnabhumi Airport, after England and Denmark issued similar warnings over the last few weeks.

Almost all of the tourists who have come forward and complained of having money extorted from them to have allegedly trumped up charges against them “go away” have reported dealing with a Sri Lankan volunteer translator named “Tony”.

According to newspaper reports, “Tony” instructs those who have been detained to pay up to 400,000 baht (about$US11,800) — half for bail and the other half for his "fees" – for an offense that normally results in a 3,000 baht (about$US88) fine, or spend months in jail waiting for the case to go to court.

-- thaivisa.com 2009-08-10

[brahmburgers]

People accused of theft at Suvarnabhumi Airport will now be detained in a special room to wait for ambassadors of their own country to come and negotiate under a plan by Airports of Thailand (AoT).

I doubt that's the case. More conceivable; "....wait for an embassy representative...."

It's doubtful Ambassadors would be shuttling the many hours back and forth to Suwanboom, each time there's a detainee.

Question: Where's Sri Lankan Tony going to hang? Perhaps he'll be sitting in the corner of the special room with his head bowed low, sneaking glances at the accused, while winking and holding out his hand and snapping his fingers. While whispering loudly, "hey Mr. Man, I can get you out of this mess in a Bangkok minute. You don't need to wait for no stuffy embassy person. Let's just go to the ATM and you transfer a mere 400,000 baht to me, and you get your passport back and we all act like nothing happened. Ok man? No problems, I want to be your friend."

"If you don't pay up, hey I don't care. It's just you might wind up in a Bangkok jail for the next two years. Up to you."

Edited August 10, 2009 by brahmburgers

[basjke]

Question: Where's Sri Lankan Tony going to hang?

Guess he has to look for a new job now.

[brahmburgers]

Question: Where's Sri Lankan Tony going to hang?

Guess he has to look for a new job now.

I'd venture Tony would have no trouble finding another gig in Thailand. He may just saunter down to another part of the airport and set up another spiders web.

One sad part of this seedy business is, athough AOT claims none of its employees are involved in the extortion (how would AOT know anyway, do their hundreds of employees fill out signed forms swearing they're good little boys and girls?) - head scam artist Tony (and his cop friends) appear to have slid off the hook.

In other words, in classic Thai style, there's acknowledgment of possible wrongdoing, but no one will get tangibly punished. If any cops or KP staff are found to be working with Tony (perish the thought!), then at worst they'll get a reprimand, and possibly assigned to a different department. Where's the real investigation and clean-up that's needed? Ooooops, sorry, for a brief moment I forgot I was in Thailand. Real investigations and tangible repercussions for wrongdoing don't exist, certainly not for anyone in uniform.

Edited August 10, 2009 by brahmburgers

[Xangsamhua]

Is this a joke? Are we going to have a VIP lounge, a Royal Orchid lounge and a shoplifters' lounge? Will it have a buffet?

Is this really AoT's answer to the growing problem of scamming at the airport?

Does AoT seriously believe this? The AoT said an investigation had shown that no AoT staff were involved in swindling tourists and hypothesized that the complaints resulted from arrested shoplifters complaining to the embassies for expenses paid for assistance in clearing their cases.

This is from "Not the Nation News", surely.

[bf2002]

Did it occur to anyone that these people actually stole and were then scammed by someone else? We forget Thailand is full of questionable foreigners too....notice all the imprisoned drug dealers with their sad stories...sure they are in terrible jails but do you seriously think they are all innocent (many are guilty and some have even admitted to it).

It is possible these people are shoplifters who were scammed based on the common knowledge that "tea money" buys you out of trouble in Siam, but then they realized they overpaid....or like any thief, once they are out of trouble, they will resort to dishonesty to try to get back when someone stole from them, i.e. "excuse me, but they stole money from me (the shoplifter)."

[Mobi]

Is this a joke? Are we going to have a VIP lounge, a Royal Orchid lounge and a shoplifters' lounge? Will it have a buffet?

Is this really AoT's answer to the growing problem of scamming at the airport?

Does AoT seriously believe this? The AoT said an investigation had shown that no AoT staff were involved in swindling tourists and hypothesized that the complaints resulted from arrested shoplifters complaining to the embassies for expenses paid for assistance in clearing their cases.

This is from "Not the Nation News", surely.

What do you expect them to say?

Admit they are involved?

From the country where everyone from the Prime Minister down lies, even when there is incontrovertible evidence to the contrary?

This is not the LOS (Land Of Smiles) - it is (LOL) the Land Of Lies.

It is expected - nothing more, nothing less.

[noahvail]

Question: Where's Sri Lankan Tony going to hang?

Well, I doubt they'll string him up in Sri Lanka

[Mario2008]

Did it occur to anyone that these people actually stole and were then scammed by someone else? We forget Thailand is full of questionable foreigners too....notice all the imprisoned drug dealers with their sad stories...sure they are in terrible jails but do you seriously think they are all innocent (many are guilty and some have even admitted to it).

It is possible these people are shoplifters who were scammed based on the common knowledge that "tea money" buys you out of trouble in Siam, but then they realized they overpaid....or like any thief, once they are out of trouble, they will resort to dishonesty to try to get back when someone stole from them, i.e. "excuse me, but they stole money from me (the shoplifter)."

If the couple are guilty or not is not being disucussed here. There are already several topics on that, so lets keep that question of of here and focus on the action of the AoT.

[Scott]

Unless the AOT employees are sleeping on the job, they are responsible for knowing what is going on in their shop. They are, therefore, guilty. In most places, I think the charge would be conspiracy.

Surely if drowsy tourists can see the million-and-one scams going on, an employee should be able to as well.

[selftaopath]

Question: Where's Sri Lankan Tony going to hang?

Guess he has to look for a new job now.

I'd venture Tony would have no trouble finding another gig in Thailand. He may just saunter down to another part of the airport and set up another spiders web.

One sad part of this seedy business is, athough AOT claims none of its employees are involved in the extortion (how would AOT know anyway, do their hundreds of employees fill out signed forms swearing they're good little boys and girls?) - head scam artist Tony (and his cop friends) appear to have slid off the hook.

In other words, in classic Thai style, there's acknowledgment of possible wrongdoing, but no one will get tangibly punished. If any cops or KP staff are found to be working with Tony (perish the thought!), then at worst they'll get a reprimand, and possibly assigned to a different department. Where's the real investigation and clean-up that's needed? Ooooops, sorry, for a brief moment I forgot I was in Thailand. Real investigations and tangible repercussions for wrongdoing don't exist, certainly not for anyone in uniform.

Ah yes, and some are suggesting that LOS stands for Land of Scams. Or was it Land of Swindlers ?

[dale8]

Hello, the story did not say if they will have an atm inside this room so the people that are detained can pay a small fine and make their flight on time. I will not be looking at any of the shops in any airport in any city as a result of too many stories and it costs too much any way. I will not allow for any misunderstandings in my trips, and it will soon occur to most people that theft should never be attempted as the technology is getting too good in all places. Cheers.

[givenall]

Question: Where's Sri Lankan Tony going to hang?

Guess he has to look for a new job now.

I want to know why tony is not waiting in the especial room waiting for hi ambassador to come and negotiated his release

What a joke

[frankthetank]

From the country where everyone from the Prime Minister down lies, even when there is incontrovertible evidence to the contrary?

Sorry, wrong forum!

I thought you were talking about the U.K.!!

My mistake!!

[frankthetank]

Are we sure this 'Tony' guy is actually from Sri Lanka?

Sounds just like a 'Tony' we once knew in the U.K.

[animatic]

AoT to provide waiting room for airport shop stealers

By John Le Fevre

SUVARNABHUMI (thaivisa.com): -- People accused of theft at Suvarnabhumi Airport will now be detained in a special room to wait for ambassadors of their own country to come and negotiate under a plan by Airports of Thailand (AoT)......

The AoT said an investigation had shown that no AoT staff were involved in swindling tourists and hypothesized that the complaints resulted from arrested shoplifters complaining to the embassies for expenses paid for assistance in clearing their cases.

According to newspaper reports, “Tony” instructs those who have been detained to pay up to 400,000 baht (about$US11,800) — half for bail and the other half for his "fees" – for an offense that normally results in a 3,000 baht (about$US88) fine, or spend months in jail waiting for the case to go to court.

-- thaivisa.com 2009-08-10

Land of Shinola

Bets on whether this WAITING room has no cots, but DOES have an ATM....

No AOT staff involved they say,

so KP hires their own security to watch the stores.

Who vet's these hirees who work beyond the security cordon? AOT security?

Never said that no KP cashiers or CCTV observers and floor guards were in on the scam...

Still it keeps them in the airport and out of the hands of that dodgy local police station and dirt bag hotel.

And of course Tony is a harder sell too from INSIDE. Oh wait he can get a ticket to fly each day and get in too.

Edited August 10, 2009 by animatic

[Familyonthemove]

Unless the embassies are going to have someone on 24 hour standby you're still going to miss your flight.

But it does seem to show that the internet, the embassy warnings and the media have had a positive effect .... even if the real answer - arrest the scammers and any currupt officials - is not going to happen.

But I bet duty free sales will still take a hit?

[cobra]

.... the fine print,

.... Waiting room currently only for Elite Card holders,

please come with us,

Doe !

[jamesjdaly]

The solution is simple......don't shop at Suwannapoom. Easy!!

Edit: spelling

Edited August 10, 2009 by jamesjdaly

[monekyface]

I hadn't heard about the Indian with the cigarettes before this came to my inbox, nor the incident in Dubai:

"Unbelievable, but please be aware..... All those who travel a lot, please be very, very careful. Read ahead...

An Indian was detained in Bangkok for stealing a box of cigarettes in a

duty-free shop in Bangkok International Airport. He had paid for

chocolates and a carton of cigarettes. The cashier put a packet of

cigarettes extra into his bag and he thought it was a free pack. He was

arrested for shop-lifting and the Thai Police extortion price was

30,000 Baht for his release. He spent two nights in jail and paid 500

Baht for an air-conditioned cell, 200-300 baht for each visitor, and

11,000 baht for his final release. The Police shared the money in front

of his eyes. On top of that, he was charged in court and fined 2,000

baht by the magistrate and handcuffed and escorted to his plane. His

passport was stamped "Thief". While there, his relatives requested help

from the Indian Embassy and was told that they are helpless, many

Asians are victimised similarly daily and letters and phone-calls to

the Thai authorities are ignored. He shared a cell with a

Singaporean the first night who paid 60,000 baht for his release. The

second night was a Malaysian national who paid 70,000 baht.

Mind you this was not in a shanty shop in downtown Bangkok but in a

duty free shop at the Bangkok Int'l Airport. BE WARNED. The above 100%

correct information because Mr.Rajan Khera's customer from India faced

exactly the same scenario mentioned above when he was in transit at

Bangkok Int'l Airport coming to Taipei.

Someone who went through the same ordeal in Dubai. He bought stuff at

the Duty Free upon entering. The girl at Duty Free put a bottle of

cologne in his shopping bag (he did not even see it happen). He was

arrested for stealing ( this is before he even picked up his luggage ).

He sat at the airport jail (where he was harassed for the whole day.

(NO FOOD, NO WATER) for one day and only after he paid a fine (bribe ?

of US 500..). That is all the cash he had in his pocket at the time.

They let him go. These are scams that are happening all over the place.

Please BE CAREFUL! All of this is pre-planned and the people who work

at the airport know who to target.

Unbelievable but apply caution .... the duty free employees intentionally put extra items to scam the passenger... .."

[aeon]

here is a matter of politeness, maybe they don't want to make the sri lankan to loose his face

[visareal]

Question: Where's Sri Lankan Tony going to hang?

Guess he has to look for a new job now.

I'd venture Tony would have no trouble finding another gig in Thailand. He may just saunter down to another part of the airport and set up another spiders web.

One sad part of this seedy business is, athough AOT claims none of its employees are involved in the extortion (how would AOT know anyway, do their hundreds of employees fill out signed forms swearing they're good little boys and girls?) - head scam artist Tony (and his cop friends) appear to have slid off the hook.

In other words, in classic Thai style, there's acknowledgment of possible wrongdoing, but no one will get tangibly punished. If any cops or KP staff are found to be working with Tony (perish the thought!), then at worst they'll get a reprimand, and possibly assigned to a different department. Where's the real investigation and clean-up that's needed? Ooooops, sorry, for a brief moment I forgot I was in Thailand. Real investigations and tangible repercussions for wrongdoing don't exist, certainly not for anyone in uniform.

Ah yes, and some are suggesting that LOS stands for Land of Scams. Or was it Land of Swindlers ?

...or land of scandals and shinwataras..perhaps?

[Nowhereman60]

I think I'll try to steal something from King Power just so I can find out who this SOB Tony is.

[EmU]

Is this a joke? Are we going to have a VIP lounge, a Royal Orchid lounge and a shoplifters' lounge? Will it have a buffet?

Is this really AoT's answer to the growing problem of scamming at the airport?

Does AoT seriously believe this? The AoT said an investigation had shown that no AoT staff were involved in swindling tourists and hypothesized that the complaints resulted from arrested shoplifters complaining to the embassies for expenses paid for assistance in clearing their cases.

This is from "Not the Nation News", surely.

What do you expect them to say?

Admit they are involved?

From the country where everyone from the Prime Minister down lies, even when there is incontrovertible evidence to the contrary?

This is not the LOS (Land Of Smiles) - it is (LOL) the Land Of Lies.

It is expected - nothing more, nothing less.

almost right but I think it should be changed from amaizing thailand to appraising slyland

[Chunkton]

Personally I am pleased to see that all corruption at the airport has now been completely eradicated, even though it probably never existed in the first place.

[BSJ]

Waiting room is an interesting name for a holding cell. In a waiting room one is free to come and go as one pleases......I wonder how that's going to cum across at Stalag Swampie?

[TheMysteriousMrTesla]

Awaiting the arrival of the representative from the British Embassy

Edited August 10, 2009 by TheMysteriousMrTesla

[Springman]

Did it occur to anyone that these people actually stole and were then scammed by someone else? We forget Thailand is full of questionable foreigners too....notice all the imprisoned drug dealers with their sad stories...sure they are in terrible jails but do you seriously think they are all innocent (many are guilty and some have even admitted to it).

It is possible these people are shoplifters who were scammed based on the common knowledge that "tea money" buys you out of trouble in Siam, but then they realized they overpaid....or like any thief, once they are out of trouble, they will resort to dishonesty to try to get back when someone stole from them, i.e. "excuse me, but they stole money from me (the shoplifter)."

What world do you live in? Maybe it will be you next time I will for one will not shop at the Airport

[RKASA]

Who gets the contract for the waiting room ATM?

[spongeman]

Who gets the contract for the waiting room ATM?

King Power perhaps? HeHe

Bet there will not be any CCTV in there, to be released onto Youtube.............