Pattaya Tour Company Scam Uncovered By Angry Foreign Customers

[zigistar]

There used to be a LEE TOUR on Soi Post Office - been there over 20 years, Is this the same outfit?

NO this have nothing to do with them....

[harrry]

I don't imagine travel insurance would be much good either. If the Agent did not submit the airline tickets why would he do any different with travel insurance?

If you are travelling from Australia then there is No, Zip, Nil travel insurance. An insurance company will not touch you at this point in time. You travel to thai at your own peril.

If you are traveling from Australia you are covered by the Travel Compensation Fund www.tcf.org.au

That is totally wrong as a result of the lastest political unrests travel insurance companies will not cover you to thailand and as a result of government warning the Aust government wpe thier hands of you. Thailand is a blacklisted place

This is total misinformation. Go to the website of any Australian travel insurance company if you do not believe me./ eg http://www.chitravelinsurance.com.au/downloads/Thailand_CivilUnrest.pdf

As it says they will pay claime expect those arising from the unrest.

Please check your facts before stating lies.

[balo]

I always find the cheapest tickets online !

Why?

I search for it , google is your best friend.

Just forget agents , they need fees to survive. Do it yourself , its easy and you will never get scammed.

[dangman]

i feel sorry for them too.

i wonder how these scammers live with themselves.

it's easy to say don't go to pattaya, or just book online..

but that lack of compassion reminds me of the scammers.

[neverdie]

LOS - Land Of Scams.

[PoorSucker]

Use plastic, book on line etc etc.

You must be living somewhere else than Thailand.

Have you tried as a Falang to get a Credit Card in Thailand.

[SurfRider]

.

"Have you tried as a Falang to get a Credit Card in Thailand."

Yes! - as mentioned previously, it's very simple!

Some Thai banks offer a Debit Card that can be used on-line-- it functions just like a Credit Card. Here's Bangkok Bank's blurb on their on-line card:

"With a Be1st Visa Debit Card you can make cash withdrawals at ATMs across Thailand and the world, and use it shop at any store in the world displaying a VISA sign. You can also use it to shop securely online."

.

[invex]

.

"Have you tried as a Falang to get a Credit Card in Thailand."

Yes! - as mentioned previously, it's very simple!

Some Thai banks offer a Debit Card that can be used on-line-- it functions just like a Credit Card. Here's Bangkok Bank's blurb on their on-line card:

"With a Be1st Visa Debit Card you can make cash withdrawals at ATMs across Thailand and the world, and use it shop at any store in the world displaying a VISA sign. You can also use it to shop securely online."

.

@SurfRider,

Dont believe it for 1 satang. They promised me that (use the debit card with the Visa sign for purchases outside of Thailand) for a long time ago and I can CONFIRM you; IT DOESN'T WORK. I just got back from the bank in CM to complain about it, after being to New Zealand. Not one shop or business in NZ accepted the card. I tried everywhere and with business normally accepting every card. NOT ONE; they all commented: this card is NOT VALID in our country. The same for Europe, USA and Australia. Nobody accept that debitcard for payment. ATM is OK every where.

[dumball]

And yet another rusty nail to add to the previous, "How many hundreds ?" Will it never end , does none of them have a single iota of an idea what they are doing to THEIR COUNTRY , sorry , stupid question .

[roiethome]

1, Scams happen in every country, not just Thailand.

2, Plastic gives a guarantee, I got ripped off in Singapore and used HSBC to credit back for dodgy deal

3, If no plastic go straight to airline and get service without a scam

[SurfRider]

.

"Dont believe it for 1 satang. They promised me that (use the debit card with the Visa sign for purchases outside of Thailand)"

Invex,

The original focus of the post was about using the Bangkok Bank VISA debit card on-line - Have you attempted to use it for any on-line Internet purchases? - and if so, what happened?

.

[TAWP]

The bank tried to issue me a debit card three times that was supposed to work online, the girls said. It did not.

Called the support and they said only credit cards for BKK Bank work online, NOT the debit cards.

Ignore whatever the tellers or staff tell you, they have no clue it seems.

[exrockstar]

A sad story.

I used Lee Tour in Soi Post Office many times when I lived in Pattaya in the late 80's. I know Khun Sue well and her husband. Like many others, I stopped using agents when it became easy to buy flights online.

However, while outside the country earlier this year, I had a problem with my credit card and needed to buy some tickets to UK, so I called Lee Tour, as my old favourite agent and they booked the flights for me. When I got home, a week or so later, I wanted to upgrade one of the tickets. When checking the airline website I could see the booking but could make no changes. I called the airline, they advised the flights had not been paid for. I called Lee Tour and they asked if I could wait a week, before they paid. I had plenty of time before the flights, so I said OK. I guessed they had cash flow problems. Next time I looked the flights were paid for.

What Lee Tour have been doing is inexcusable. I can only think that their business was declining over the years due to the internet, that was why they moved out of Soi Post Office to Naklua, which although cheaper rent probably brought less customers. So, gradually they got more stretched for cash and resorted to delaying payments to airlines.

What a shame, good people that took a wrong turn in life trying to survive and it caught up with them.

[invex]

.

"Dont believe it for 1 satang. They promised me that (use the debit card with the Visa sign for purchases outside of Thailand)"

Invex,

The original focus of the post was about using the Bangkok Bank VISA debit card on-line - Have you attempted to use it for any on-line Internet purchases? - and if so, what happened?

.

@ SurfRider

It doesn't work neither online nor at any shop in a foreign country.

Maybe we can call it a scam haha

[SurfRider]

.

"It doesn't work neither online nor at any shop in a foreign country ,,, Maybe we can call it a scam haha"

Extremely doubtful that the largest bank in Thailand is running a scam and nobody else has complained except you -- you seem to be the only one who knows anything about it. Sounds like you have some personal grudge against Bangkok Bank. I suspect you haven't even tried to use the card on-line. In fact, maybe you don't even own such a card!

If you have evidence of a rejected on-line transaction, why don't you post it? -- Or better yet, try to do an on-line transaction NOW and post the evidence of the rejection.

.

[invex]

.

"It doesn't work neither online nor at any shop in a foreign country ,,, Maybe we can call it a scam haha"

Extremely doubtful that the largest bank in Thailand is running a scam and nobody else has complained except you -- you seem to be the only one who knows anything about it. Sounds like you have some personal grudge against Bangkok Bank. I suspect you haven't even tried to use the card on-line. In fact, maybe you don't even own such a card!

If you have evidence of a rejected on-line transaction, why don't you post it? -- Or better yet, try to do an on-line transaction NOW and post the evidence of the rejection.

.

@ SurfRider

No, I not have the Bangkok Bank debit but the Kasikorn debit. However, they all use the same (card) system. I not say that Bangkok Bank in scamming the people, read my post better please.

Why should I do he test? I tested it for at least hundreds of times in many different countries and YES, yesterday I complaint again about it at the Kasikorn main office at Thapae road, CM for the 3rd time. Go there and ask the customers service. YOU should do the test to convince yourself and report back here. Please go to NZ, Australia, USA and Europe and check by yourself if you not believe me. I think it would be better for everyone. We are here to help each other, right? You might have a different opinion but thats your problem, not mine. I am NOT on this board to bring incorrect statements and I do hope most of us feel the same about this.

[ansari0909]

Just another enterprising company that got caught.

Why not declare the COMPANY NAME (if it is caught) in order to save others to be victimized? God knows what's the secrecy.

[SurfRider]

.

invex,

You ask "Why should I do the test?"

Very simple - you made a claim that you're unwilling to prove. You're misleading people in this Forum by presenting information that you won't back-up with evidence.

"We are here to help each other, right?"

Yes, but you're making claims that it's possible that two of the largest banks in Thailand might be involved in a Credit Card scam, yet you're unwilling to provide any evidence to prove your claim.

You don't seem to understand that the subject was about making on-line transactions, not about events in New Zealand or wherever.

You're fortunate that you're not in a court of law where you would be held accountable for your statements

.

[somtampet]

There's a hole in your bucket dear Thailand , dear Thailand , seems more like the whole bottom is rapidly disintegrating .

This does not happen in any other part of the world.Are you mad ?????

[somtampet]

A sad story.

I used Lee Tour in Soi Post Office many times when I lived in Pattaya in the late 80's. I know Khun Sue well and her husband. Like many others, I stopped using agents when it became easy to buy flights online.

However, while outside the country earlier this year, I had a problem with my credit card and needed to buy some tickets to UK, so I called Lee Tour, as my old favourite agent and they booked the flights for me. When I got home, a week or so later, I wanted to upgrade one of the tickets. When checking the airline website I could see the booking but could make no changes. I called the airline, they advised the flights had not been paid for. I called Lee Tour and they asked if I could wait a week, before they paid. I had plenty of time before the flights, so I said OK. I guessed they had cash flow problems. Next time I looked the flights were paid for.

What Lee Tour have been doing is inexcusable. I can only think that their business was declining over the years due to the internet, that was why they moved out of Soi Post Office to Naklua, which although cheaper rent probably brought less customers. So, gradually they got more stretched for cash and resorted to delaying payments to airlines.

What a shame, good people that took a wrong turn in life trying to survive and it caught up with them.

Sorry,good people dont do that,the post should have read despicable people with no respect for others

[scania]

[twitter][/twitter]

would travel insurance pay out if you get scammed?

I guess because they went to the cops, a travel insurance would have to pay for a new ticket. But like all insurance companies it could take a long time. The scary thing is that they let this bastard go, maybe to make some more cash? I guess he won't wait for any cops and I'm pretty sure that he knows some of them pretty well.

I hope that all will find a way to get their tickets back. It's so easy to check it out, right after booking.

All you need is to call the company to ask them if your name's on the passengers list for flight ##### to Ripfarlangoffland, or elsewhere. They'll have the confirmation right after the ticket is paid. Another, very easy way would be to book on line, or at a place where they issue real tickets, not just a piece of paper.

Well!!!!!! When is the ticket NOT A PIECE OF PAPER???????? Do they have plastic tickets?? ;-)

Although I feel sorry for those people.

[invex]

.

invex,

You ask "Why should I do the test?"

Very simple - you made a claim that you're unwilling to prove. You're misleading people in this Forum by presenting information that you won't back-up with evidence.

"We are here to help each other, right?"

Yes, but you're making claims that it's possible that two of the largest banks in Thailand might be involved in a Credit Card scam, yet you're unwilling to provide any evidence to prove your claim.

You don't seem to understand that the subject was about making on-line transactions, not about events in New Zealand or wherever.

You're fortunate that you're not in a court of law where you would be held accountable for your statements

.

------------------------

TAWP

Posted Yesterday, 14:21

The bank tried to issue me a debit card three times that was supposed to work online, the girls said. It did not.

Called the support and they said only credit cards for BKK Bank work online, NOT the debit cards.

Ignore whatever the tellers or staff tell you, they have no clue it seems.

-------------------------------

Read above what another (TAWP) says about this.

For me I am done; some people on this board have lost a "screw" I think.

Again SurfRider, you better do a test by yourself , THAT would be a normal thing. And... SurfRider,instead of posting those irritating nonsense blabla, POST THE RESULT, OK! And please BTW SurfRider, the result only. We don't need your blabla. One of the coming days OK? Thanks SurfRider.

[simon43]

I have a Bangkok Bank Visa debit card that was provided to me several years ago for use in online transactions. Using it online is rather hit and miss. I managed to get my Paypal account linked to this card, and I usually have no problems in paying by Paypal, so long as my bank account has sufficient funds.

If I use the card online for direct payments (not via Paypal), the purchase is rejected on about 50% of occasions. But is actually because the website in question has blocked online payments from Thailand, due to the fact that the country is bursting with online scammers and other such 'scum' using stolen credit cards!

I regularly purchase web domains from a UK company, and their policy is to deny all online purchases from Thailand. They implemented an exception for me because my purchase history was sound.

You may have more success if you connect via a VPN with a UK/USA IP address. But even this can still fail since the card is issued in Thailand.

Simon

[SurfRider]

.

"you better do a test by yourself, THAT would be a normal thing ... POST THE RESULT, OK!"

I don't have a Thai Credit Card and don't need one, so I couldn't do the test if I wanted to.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON YOU!. You're the one who claims to have a Thai CC but still refuses to provide evidence that any on-line transaction was rejected. You could still do a transaction NOW to validate your RIDICULOUS claims, but you won't.

You seem to forget that this thread was about trying to help people who were scammed in Pattaya find a way to book on-line, so they wouldn't be scammed again by a travel agency.

This issue was about a Bangkok Bank on-line credit card, not about Kasikorn. You attempted to hi-jack the thread because of some petty gripe you have with your local bank. It was never about something that you claim happened to you in NZ, Australia, or anywhere else.

Wake up and smell the coffee! -- And stop wasting people's time by trying to divert attention from this thread to your petty gripe with your local bank.

.

[BWPattaya]

Reminds me of a "friend" here who came with two suitcases full of cash. He was an insurance agent in the North East of England who took customers' money for policies that he never arranged.

Of course, those who continually berate Thais never mention people like this.

[selftaopath]

n arrest warrant for Khun Sutirar is being prepared and is expected to be issued on 18^th June

Just to give Khun Sutirar the time to make the money and himself disappear.

Legal and police system without hope.

Ya know I was just thinking it might be better - really - if there were NO "police" in Thailand. I mean seriously what do they do???? They are the armpit of society. Well maybe it's a toss up between them, politicians, and army Generals.

Pathetic.

A mate of mine in BKK has a similar situation. The "bloody incompetent boobs" (BIB) charged he for their services which ultimately amounted to NOTHING.

What a place.

[invex]

.

"you better do a test by yourself, THAT would be a normal thing ... POST THE RESULT, OK!"

I don't have a Thai Credit Card and don't need one, so I couldn't do the test if I wanted to.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON YOU!. You're the one who claims to have a Thai CC but still refuses to provide evidence that any on-line transaction was rejected. You could still do a transaction NOW to validate your RIDICULOUS claims, but you won't.

You seem to forget that this thread was about trying to help people who were scammed in Pattaya find a way to book on-line, so they wouldn't be scammed again by a travel agency.

This issue was about a Bangkok Bank on-line credit card, not about Kasikorn. You attempted to hi-jack the thread because of some petty gripe you have with your local bank. It was never about something that you claim happened to you in NZ, Australia, or anywhere else.

Wake up and smell the coffee! -- And stop wasting people's time by trying to divert attention from this thread to your petty gripe with your local bank.

.

This is my last post on this thread because some posters here have more than one screw loose.

Correction: all screws loose.

On top they have a very short memory and they are writing the direction where the wind comes from at that very moment.

SurfRider, it was YOU who came up with this Debit card issue, remember your post?

Quote SurfRider #113

Posted 2010-06-15 05:08

"Buying tickets on line is all very well "if you have a credit card"... Not everyone in the world has a credit card, so they use Travel Agents to purchase tickets for them."

Some Thai banks offer a Debit Card that can be used on-line, the same as you would use a Credit Card. Here's Bangkok Bank's blurb on their on-line card:

"With a Be1st Visa Debit Card you can make cash withdrawals at ATMs across Thailand and the world, and use it shop at any store in the world displaying a VISA sign. You can also use it to shop securely online. "[/i]

and this post...

Quote SurfRider #128

Posted 2010-06-15 11:36

"Have you tried as a Falang to get a Credit Card in Thailand."

Yes! - as mentioned previously, it's very simple!

Some Thai banks offer a Debit Card that can be used on-line-- it functions just like a Credit Card. Here's Bangkok Bank's blurb on their on-line card:

"With a Be1st Visa Debit Card you can make cash withdrawals at ATMs across Thailand and the world, and use it shop at any store in the world displaying a VISA sign. You can also use it to shop securely online."

Now suddenly you change to a CC, while all time you were talking about a Debit Card!

Moreover, you are putting in my mouth many words I have never said. Stop doing that man, it is very low. F.e. among many other things; I have never stated that I have a Thai CC !!!!

Geeeeeezzzzz

Wisdom is the reward for a lifetime of listening ... when you'd have preferred to talk. --D.J. Kaufman

[SurfRider]

.

"This is my last post on this thread" ( Let's hope you keep your word! )

"Now suddenly you change to a CC, while all time you were talking about a Debit Card!"

Apparently you didn't read my first Post on this subject - it was identified in the first post as a Bangkok Bank debit card that functions as a credit card on-line ( see below )

"Some Thai banks offer a Debit Card that can be used on-line-- it functions just like a Credit Card."

You diverted the thread to a Kasikorn card that you couldn't use in New Zealand.

Please have some consideration for the topic and stop wasting people's time with your nonsense.

.

[crazygreg44]

Just wonder - why people do not use online booking available now from almost any airline (or, if too lazy to check all the options/can't find cheap tickets themselves, online travel agencies or ticket search engines) and resort to "offline" travel agencies, especially in Pattaya.

As they book tickets FROM Thailand, guess they live here for a while, and, as such, should be aware that travel agencies in Thailand are rip offs more often than no (or occasionally worse, as in this case).

Even in this day and age, a lot of people haven't got or have been declined Credit Cards. That's one possibility

Pls read my post #37 first.

I live in Thailand year round.

I did not used a CC because I was scammed in BKK with my card before. I stayed at a BKK hotel and paid with my CC. 3 months later I went to Europe and checked my mail. My CC was used in Londen and Tokyo while I was in Thailand and even crossed the border with Laos that very same day. Went to the police, my bank and the CC company immediately. My bank told me I was too late, as one has 1 month only to complain. Registered letters to the bank and CC company, and many calls did not help. I could clearly prove my CC was not stolen nor lost (I still had my original card) and I stayed in Thailand all time and crossed the border with Laos (with my pasport). I lost 4.000 euro (+/- 200.000 Baht) and not be refunded. My bank takes the money from my account immediately. The police told me the scammers just made a completely new card with my name and number on it and signed the back by themselves.

2 unpleasent and expensive things, amounting to about 320.000 Baht I lost.

To all those clever people who give strong words/advice and who think the victems are stupid and have no knowledge: be careful, it might happen to you.

Agreed! Absolutely a helpful warning ! I travel and live in Thailand for 16 years, and I have never used my credit card for paying in a shop,hotel or fueling station ! I only use it on ATM's for withdrawing cash. Despite a lot of friends call me a paranoid, why should i decline my habit, it has probably kept me from my card being hacked and me ripped off . . .

[Rimmer]

UPDATE

Pattaya Tourist Emergency Relief Fund assists Tour Company scam victims

PATTAYA: -- Following our report on Monday on the Tour Company Scam from Naklua which left over 50 foreign customers out-of-pocket after they thought they had purchased flight tickets from the Lee Tour Company to discover that the company had failed to send the payments to the airlines, the group have been working hard to highlight their plight and on Wednesday Afternoon, they were invited to Pattaya City Hall to accept donations of 2,000 Baht each from the Tourist Emergency Relief Fund. Khun Itipon, the Mayor of Pattaya and Khun Monkgol, the Chief of Banglamung District, who is in-charge of the fund, heard that a total of 54 cases have come to light. Donations were handed out to 10 affected individuals who were extremely grateful to the Chief of District and Pattaya Mayor. The arrest warrant for Khun Sutirar from the Lee Tours Company in Naklua is due to be issued on Friday. She was given some time to hand herself in but for now she has yet to appear at the Police Station. The Tourist Police are also involved in the case and will assist in searching for Khun Sutirar when the arrest warrant has been issued.

Pictures HERE

-- 2010-06-17

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