george Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Alleged Aussie perfume thieves out on bail in Phuket Check-in counters at Phuket International Airport. File photo. MAI KHAO, PHUKET: -- A young Australian couple accused of stealing three bottles of perfume from a duty-free shop at Phuket Airport have been released on bail, but must remain in Phuket while their court cases are heard. Police identified the couple as 21-year-old Nathan Robert Hinds and his 16-year-old fiancée, whose name cannot be reported because she is a minor. The couple were arrested by Tah Chat Chai Police on November 28 for allegedly shoplifting three bottles of perfume from the King Power duty-free shop in the departure lounge of Phuket International Airport. The couple were awaiting their return flight to Australia after a 10-day holiday in Phuket when the alleged theft occurred. Their plans changed abruptly when the pair were arrested with the perfume, valued at 22,000 baht. The cases of Mr Hinds and his betrothed will be forwarded to the Criminal and Juvenile Courts respectively, Tah Chat Chai Police say. Phuket Juvenile Observation and Protection Center director Sukhaporn Udomsin said the young Australian woman was turned over to her mother and an Australian diplomatic officials after depositing 30,000-baht bail last Monday morning. A source at Phuket Provincial Court said Mr Hinds was released on 100,000 baht bail the following day. He will have his first court hearing this Friday. How long the minor will have to stay in Phuket will be up to the Juvenile Court, which has yet to receive the case file from police, Ms Sukhaporn said. King Power also has to be contacted to see whether they want to press charges, she said. “It will be up to the prosecutors whether or not to press charges. I can’t tell how long they will be in Phuket, but normally cases involving foreigners don’t take too long,” Ms Sukhaporn said. Tha Chat Chai Police duty officer Lt Col Sarit Bodnongsang said the couple are accused of conspiring to steal the perfume by slipping the bottles into each others' bags. Because the alleged crime took place at night, they will face more serious penalties than for daylight shoplifting if convicted. Both deny the charges, he said. Their passports have been seized, Immigration has been informed and the pair will not be allowed to leave the province, he said. With more than a week having passed since their arrest, it appears the case is not off to a swift start through the Thai criminal justice system, however. Tha Chat Chai Police duty officer Sarit Bodnongsand told the Gazette today the case would stay with the police for the full two weeks allowable before it is forwarded to the courts. Thus far the plight of the Aussie couple has failed to generate the kind of media attention back home as that of confessed beer mat thief Annice Smoel, a mother of four who walked out of the popular Aussie Bar in Patong with a beer mat in May this year. After spending two nights in jail, Ms Smoel’s plight caused a media sensation in Australia and around the world after it was reported that she would face a long period of separation from her children over what she claimed was an innocent ‘prank’. After the case hit the Australian and international media, Ms Smoel was subsequently released when she confessed to one charge of theft and was allowed to leave Thailand – about a month after her arrest. Her fine of 1,000 baht was paid by Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop. The case of Mr Hinds is also notable in that it involves a King Power duty-free shop. There have been several allegations of a scam operating out of King Power shops at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. In what also became worldwide news reports, the shoppers, all tourists, were accused of shoplifting, then forced to ‘negotiate’ a settlement in order to catch their departing flights. The British Embassy has warned its nationals transiting though Bangkok Airport not to move items around in the duty-free shops prior to paying for them as this could result in arrest and imprisonment, the BBC reported in July. Thus far, no allegations of such scams at duty-free shops at Phuket Airport have been reported. -- Phuket Gazette 2009-12-09 [newsfooter][/newsfooter] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langsuan Man Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 21-year-old Nathan Robert Hinds and his 16-year-old fiancée, They ought to put the girls parents in jail for allowing her to go overseas with an ADULT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basinboy Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 (edited) "Because the alleged crime took place at night, they will face more serious penalties than for daylight shoplifting if convicted.:???????? TIT No not heard a word about it. My secretary's son goes to the same school as the Aussie bar mat thief and she actually met her for the first time last week at a school function, her assessment of the tea leaf..."as rough as hessian underpants" Edited December 9, 2009 by basinboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagwan Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 21-year-old Nathan Robert Hinds and his 16-year-old fiancée,They ought to put the girls parents in jail for allowing her to go overseas with an ADULT Assuming that Australian law is the same as UK law, there is nothing illegal in this. I believe I am right in saying that persons over the age of 16 can apply for a full adult passport. My research has found nothing that suggests that those under the age of 18 need to get parental permission. Consensual sex with a person above the age of 16 is legal although that person has yet to reach the age of discretion. The Government of Australia may of course have other ideas. I agree with your sentiments but then, to my regret, I hear myself saying things I first heard uttered by my father. I guess the time has come for me to don his mantle and be a silly old b****** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadoo Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Wasn't there a scam with King Power before where Farangs were being falsely accused - dragged off to some remote hotels threaten etc etc unless they handed over considerable sums of money - sounds a lot like this again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAWP Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Not really - the 'scam' (only referring to the case that was brought up previously here) was in-fact not a scam at all, as we could all see from the surveillance tapes. The 'scam' part would be how organized the system was to allow people to pay their way out of the trouble. So next time I am sure the couple is more than happy to go to jail instead. No? And I doubt this is a 'scam' in the sense that they did in-fact steal perfume valued 22k baht and no negotiation has been reported taking place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Not really - the 'scam' (only referring to the case that was brought up previously here) was in-fact not a scam at all, as we could all see from the surveillance tapes. The 'scam' part would be how organized the system was to allow people to pay their way out of the trouble. So next time I am sure the couple is more than happy to go to jail instead. No?And I doubt this is a 'scam' in the sense that they did in-fact steal perfume valued 22k baht and no negotiation has been reported taking place. Yes, totally agree. Still has to be proven of course that they did shoplift, but to me it sounds like it at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatherF Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 And I doubt this is a 'scam' in the sense that they did in-fact steal perfume valued 22k baht and no negotiation has been reported taking place. How do you know that they did in-fact steal perfume valued 22k baht? were you there? As far as I know, they have not gone to trial yet, nor have they been found guilty! FF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 The laws that need to be followed are the laws of the country they are in. I don't know if Thailand views a 16 year old girl with a 21 year old man in the same manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAWP Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 And I doubt this is a 'scam' in the sense that they did in-fact steal perfume valued 22k baht and no negotiation has been reported taking place. How do you know that they did in-fact steal perfume valued 22k baht? were you there? As far as I know, they have not gone to trial yet, nor have they been found guilty! FF Since the news isn't about they proclaiming their innocence nor about any alleged scam, which is what the post I was answering to will derail this topic into if it isn't nipped in the bun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatherF Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 They have not even entered a plea yet, nor have they been charged! FF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAWP Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 They have not even entered a plea yet, nor have they been charged!FF Yes-yes 'all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law' as the tv-series says... You are welcome to put money down if you think they are innocent. Oh, that is right, that isn't legal to do here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 "Because the alleged crime took place at night, they will face more serious penalties than for daylight shoplifting if convicted.:???????? TIT That is the norm but usually applies to house breakins due to the fact that there is more of a chance of someone being home at night and as such a confrontational/dangerous situation happening. Guess it applies to any theft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatherF Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Yes-yes 'all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law' as the tv-series says... You are welcome to put money down if you think they are innocent. Oh, that is right, that isn't legal to do here... I think there maybe a clue in the title of this thread, as in "Alleged"? FF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkidlad Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 The laws that need to be followed are the laws of the country they are in. I don't know if Thailand views a 16 year old girl with a 21 year old man in the same manner. Do you really think the Thai government care about a pair of 'farangs' just because she's 16. She's legal in Oz so why would they care? She's not one of their precious own citizens who they bend over backwards to protect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 It's a general statement about how governments conduct their affairs. Go ahead and try some of our 'legal' stuff in Iran for a starter. I agree that Thailand doesn't probably care, but they can sure throw a spanner in the works when need be. This might just be one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsiaCheese Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 21-year-old Nathan Robert Hinds and his 16-year-old fiancée,They ought to put the girls parents in jail for allowing her to go overseas with an ADULT It so happens that the minimum legal age for -- uhm -- holding hands is 16 years in a good number of countries. And the guy's not exactly her grandfather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 I still buy in King Power but I do make sure that I never venture outside the shop boundaries unless I have the fresh purchase receipt in my hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navalator Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Thus far, no allegations of such scams at duty-free shops at Phuket Airport have been reported. RIGHT! Not until now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Thus far, no allegations of such scams at duty-free shops at Phuket Airport have been reported.RIGHT! Not until now! Why do you presume this is a scam, and not theft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sedeflonga Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Wasn't there a scam with King Power before where Farangs were being falsely accused - dragged off to some remote hotels threaten etc etc unless they handed over considerable sums of money - sounds a lot like this again. Just what I thought when I read the headlines.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemmie Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 (edited) Wow 941 User(s) are reading this topic (672 Guests and 6 Anonymous Users) It is really quiet in Thailand... Don't do the crime if you can't spend the time! Edited December 9, 2009 by flemmie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mythBuster Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 21-year-old Nathan Robert Hinds and his 16-year-old fiancée,They ought to put the girls parents in jail for allowing her to go overseas with an ADULT What a nonsenses. 16 year olds often have more brains than guys asking for a prison terms for their parents. Maybe it is time to close Thailand all together and build concentration camps. As far as I know there are no laws against free will. Some people are however narrow minded. Your simplicity makes me thing "bah". Would a job as missionary do for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mythBuster Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 I do not know which official made the comment about the fact that the justice department is swift if it involves foreigners. If you have ever visited a court house and asked foreigners how long they are hold in a remand prison or (very rare) if released on bail how many times their case is postponed for 12 days and they have to spend a day in court just to get their card stamped they will come up with a complete different idea of Swift. Problem with this couple is too that they do not seem to have too good advisors. The fact that their case have been publicized all over the papers mean that there are no shortcuts. The 100,000 baht bail could have spend more wisely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honoluludave Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Several things come to mind reading this story 1. After all the storys about King Power why even go into their stores? Why take the chance that a scam may happen? They may have some nice stuff but are you really saving that much money buying it there? 2. If they really did steal something what difference does it make if it was daytime or nighttime? 3. Why would any parent let their 16 year old daughter travel internationally w/ her 21 year old boyfriend? It is not so much the age difference but the maturity, life experience, and common sense needed for international travel. Plus she is a little young to be on a 10 day holiday on her own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathanpattaya Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Let's just hope that justice is served in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laocowboy2 Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Not really - the 'scam' (only referring to the case that was brought up previously here) was in-fact not a scam at all, as we could all see from the surveillance tapes. The 'scam' part would be how organized the system was to allow people to pay their way out of the trouble. So next time I am sure the couple is more than happy to go to jail instead. No?And I doubt this is a 'scam' in the sense that they did in-fact steal perfume valued 22k baht and no negotiation has been reported taking place. Leaving aside whether or not they really did lift the stuff (none of us is in a position to know really) the following snippet from the article caught my eye "With more than a week having passed since their arrest, it appears the case is not off to a swift start through the Thai criminal justice system, however. Tha Chat Chai Police duty officer Sarit Bodnongsand told the Gazette today the case would stay with the police for the full two weeks allowable before it is forwarded to the courts". It sounds to me rather as if they were offered the "pay up and get out of jail (free except for 100k or so)" but would not or could not go along. So the MIB are getting back at them by stringing it out as long as possible - point here is to demonstrate that costs of longer stay, lost wages, flying parent out, legal costs are higher than customary brown envelope - so that others will not go the same route, innocent or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazz Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 As I understand a 16 year old can consent to do the deed in thailand but should mar or par subsequently object; you can be looking at a long stretch. TIT I think I have found a safe way to shop at king power. making sure you are in clear camera shot; just wave to one of the assistants, apologise and explain that given their reputation for screaming shoplifter you do not feel safe in their shop. could they get the stuff you want and bring it out with a receipt and change. Once they work out that you will not believe their reassurances and you are serious; they seem only too happy to help. but most of the time its just easier to shop somewhere else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Several things come to mind reading this story1. After all the storys about King Power why even go into their stores? Why take the chance that a scam may happen? They may have some nice stuff but are you really saving that much money buying it there? 2. If they really did steal something what difference does it make if it was daytime or nighttime? 3. Why would any parent let their 16 year old daughter travel internationally w/ her 21 year old boyfriend? It is not so much the age difference but the maturity, life experience, and common sense needed for international travel. Plus she is a little young to be on a 10 day holiday on her own. The second question is easily answered and a factual question: by Thai law if there is theft during nighttime it is a more serious offense than during daytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corona4Me Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Someting sounds a little fishy to me IMHO....and i am not talking about the BG's in Phuket. I don't consider myself a cheap charlie but i have flown out BKK many times and have window shopped alot of the stores and have never seen a 22k bottle of perfume. If i was looking for a $700.oo US bottle of perfume it would not be at the airport.....maybe i been out of the market to long ...LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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