British tourist stages protest

CHIANG MAI: -- A British tourist camped out in front of Thai Airways International's sales office at Chiang Mai airport yesterday after the airline refused to issue the man a ticket to London, said an airport official.

The Briton, who was not identified, had come with four others to the sales office to collect the tickets for the June 8 flight to London.

He, however, was denied the ticket. In protest, he decided to lie down in front of the sales office.

Suthara Huagsuwan, director of Chiang Mai airport, said he was informed by THAI staff that the insurance company from which the man had bought his travel insurance had yet to pay for the air fare.

The Briton claimed that he was injured in an accident and his medical expenses were also to be taken care of by the insurance firm. The THAI staff have not been able to contact the insurance company because of different working hours.

Mr Suthara said the British consular office was informed of the incident.

Airport staff have placed mosquito traps near the protest site out of concern that the man might fall sick from insect bites or even get dengue fever.

--Bangkok Post 2005-06-04

British tourist stages protest

The THAI staff have not been able to contact the insurance company because of different working hours.

--Bangkok Post 2005-06-04

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Obviously they don`t have access to Fax machines, have never heard of emails, and can`t be bothered making the call outside their normal working hours......On the other hand surely one of his four friends could arrange for the insurance company to contact the airline...........

Assuming his story is real, it would seem to make sense that the British Consul in Chiang Mai would already be on top of it.. .. And, yeah, what of his 'friends'? Some of these pieces don't quite fit together, maybe...

THAI has no responsibility for doing anything for him, it seems from this report. No money, no ticket. It's not THAI's fault, it sounds like, even if the guy did try to blame them.... To me, it sounds like they were actually compassionate and caring.

Who knows what the full story is...

Assuming his story is real, it would seem to make sense that the British Consul in Chiang Mai would already be on top of it.. .. And, yeah, what of his 'friends'? Some of these pieces don't quite fit together, maybe...

THAI has no responsibility for doing anything for him, it seems from this report. No money, no ticket. It's not THAI's fault, it sounds like, even if the guy did try to blame them.... To me, it sounds like they were actually compassionate and caring.

Who knows what the full story is...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If, he was being shipped home by the insurance company ,why was he traveling with friends.A family member of mine was shipped home once (walking wounded also) but the insurance company still had their medico rep accompany her,it is policy in medical repatriations she was told to cover themselves .

Airport staff have placed mosquito traps near the protest site out of concern that the man might fall sick from insect bites or even get dengue fever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is why I love Thailand so much...

totster

They should light up about 2-3 dozen mosquito coils around him to be extra compassionate.

Cant see its Thai Airways problem.

I did however have a run in with a so called Insurance company once and found out that they can be a nightmare to deal with....wont happen again.

Wonder if he will get his air miles?

Wonder if he will get his air miles?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe he must first be higher off the ground than laying on top of it...

To my understanding most foreign outside insurance companies won't pay a jack of a baht for anything here in Thailand.

Thats why Thailand sells their own insurance to pay for these bills.

So if He was smart, get off the ground and use the air ticket to go home and leave Thailand to wonder how to collect their money since its now sort of becomes an international incident.

Besides, he should have had the return ticket already paid for and in his possession. Sounds kinda strange that he would only have a one way ticket here, and now does not have such to go home, unless he did really stayed here for a long spell.

Too many questions on this case if I may say so.

Daveyo

If he's still there today, I'll bet he's on the Tourist Trail now

Hey, maybe a photo or two....

If only I wasn't feeling so lazy on this rainy Sunday...

I wonder how long before he is on overstay - that might get him shifted

No airline in the world would issue a ticket in a case like this.

To my understanding most foreign outside insurance companies won't pay a jack of a baht for anything here in Thailand.

Jack of a baht?

Dave how many satang is one "Jack"?

Here`s an update especially for the sceptics on this one.

According to the Chiangmai Mail of the 11th June the Insurance company paid up for 2 tickets to transport the injured man and his friend back to the UK.

They left on the 8th of June.

To my understanding most foreign outside insurance companies won't pay a jack of a baht for anything here in Thailand.

Jack of a baht?

Dave how many satang is one "Jack"?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't ask