'We were cheated' say Dutch-Thai family in Phuket

Thai customs officials say they'll examine the case of a visiting Dutch-Thai family in Phuket, who say a travel company in Bangkok scammed them out more than B200,000.

PHUKET – January 20,2013; The family say the Bangkok firm charged the money for five return plane tickets between the Netherlands and Phuket, and for a hotel booking in Phuket for the five members of their family, amounting to around B240,000.

But the travel company never sent the tickets or booked the hotel, and has since refused all attempts to contact them, they say.

After buying new tickets, the family have arrived in Phuket with only B50,000 left between them.

On Friday, the family – Peter Neberd and his wife Jiraporn Pajobchan, their son, and Mr Peter’s parents – visited Phuket’s tour guide registration office to get help with a claim against the travel company.

Full story: http://www.pattayada...mily-in-phuket/

-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-01-21

And this is a surprise to whom?

Why would a family use a tour / travel company for tickets and hotels this day in age?? You can do it all by yourself directly with an internet connection, credit card and a couple of mouse clicks!

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

Why would a family use a tour / travel company for tickets and hotels this day in age?? You can do it all by yourself directly with an internet connection, credit card and a couple of mouse clicks!

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

Over 60% of Thailand's GDP comes from exports. In comparison tourism covers about 6%.

It's sad how since this happened in Thailand, Thailand gets a bad name for itself and tourists. But if this had happened in the US or anywhere else this wouldn't have even been news.

Why would a family use a tour / travel company for tickets and hotels this day in age?? You can do it all by yourself directly with an internet connection, credit card and a couple of mouse clicks!

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

Over 60% of Thailand's GDP comes from exports. In comparison tourism covers about 6%.

The tourism industry employs around 4,300,000 people in Thailand, either directly, or indirectly, and legitimately, or otherwise. That's about 11% of the population. The employment that the tourism industry provides to Thai's is vital to Thailand.

Another crucial statistic is the overseas money the tourism industry brings into Thailand. That "6%" you are talking about is about 570 billion baht - not small money for Thailand. That puts a lot food on the tables here.

Tourism/hospitality is an extremely important sector for Thailand and it amazes me that they are doing very little to combat their rapidly growing competition in the region.

They are losing a lot of their market share and, currently, all they are doing about it is marketing to emerging economies, which is fine for propping up tourism arrival statistics, but as a long term stategy is not sustainable.

Also, this demographic of tourists are not big spenders like westerners, that 570 billion baht will be decreasing, rather than increasing. That leaves a shortfall in past GDP figures.

Thailand continues to nothing to compete by improving their tourism products and services at their own peril.

It is a bit stupid for a Dutch family to buy the tickets in BKK when they are cheaper in Holland.

The tourism industry employs around 4,300,000 people in Thailand, either directly, or indirectly, and legitimately, or otherwise.

Asked a queston but brain wasn't working properly.

Why would a family use a tour / travel company for tickets and hotels this day in age?? You can do it all by yourself directly with an internet connection, credit card and a couple of mouse clicks!

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

Over 60% of Thailand's GDP comes from exports. In comparison tourism covers about 6%.

Fair enough Kananga, but make no mistake that the benefits of Thailand's exports are region restricted (and even worse, controlled by Thailand's old elite.) Let's see how places like Pattaya, Phuket, or other islands such as Phi Phi, Lanta, or Lipe would fare if people simply stopped coming. As of now, Thailand has the third lowest unemployment rate in the world. This is due to the country's service sectors. Without people, there's no one to serve, that's all I was saying.

The tourism industry employs around 4,300,000 people in Thailand, either directly, or indirectly, and legitimately, or otherwise.

How much of them work for only Thai tourists?

I don't know. Are you suggesting there are more Thai tourists, domestically, than foreigners?

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

You say Thailand should be careful and then take the Philippines as an example of good behavior?!??

Why would a family use a tour / travel company for tickets and hotels this day in age?? You can do it all by yourself directly with an internet connection, credit card and a couple of mouse clicks!

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

Over 60% of Thailand's GDP comes from exports. In comparison tourism covers about 6%.

The tourism industry employs around 4,300,000 people in Thailand, either directly, or indirectly, and legitimately, or otherwise. That's about 11% of the population. The employment that the tourism industry provides to Thai's is vital to Thailand.

Another crucial statistic is the overseas money the tourism industry brings into Thailand. That "6%" you are talking about is about 570 billion baht - not small money for Thailand. That puts a lot food on the tables here.

Tourism/hospitality is an extremely important sector for Thailand and it amazes me that they are doing very little to combat their rapidly growing competition in the region.

They are losing a lot of their market share and, currently, all they are doing about it is marketing to emerging economies, which is fine for propping up tourism arrival statistics, but as a long term stategy is not sustainable.

Also, this demographic of tourists are not big spenders like westerners, that 570 billion baht will be decreasing, rather than increasing. That leaves a shortfall in past GDP figures.

Thailand continues to nothing to compete by improving their tourism products and services at their own peril.

I dont doubt any of that. I was merely contesting this comment "without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it! "

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

You say Thailand should be careful and then take the Philippines as an example of good behavior?!??

What?? I simply stated that that the Philippines and Myanmar are "nipping at their heels" in building up their tourism industry. Absolutely no where did I make mention of the behavior of the Philippines in comparison to that of Thailand. Jayzus Chrayste eh, learn to read, or take off why don't ya eh!?

Sounds like they did not have any travel insurance as well. Never a good idea to travel without insurance.

I had the same thing happen with a Thai tour agency in Chiang Mai. I decided to use a travel agency because of the complicated itinerary I had (7 flights in 10 days), AND, sad to say, the agency was recommended by TV posters in Chiang Mai; so I thought it was safe.

They took my money (58,000 baht) but never booked or issued the tickets for two airlines. I only found out the scam when I called the airlines a few months later to re-confirm my flights. Neither air carrier had never heard of me. I called the travel agency and they said they'd fix it right away. No action. When I continued to press them, they stopped taking my calls or answering my emails.

Barely weeks before the flight, I finally used a friend's phone to call them and spoke to new customer service clerk who didn't know me. Rather than ask to speak to the manager (who wouldn't take my calls) I gave the following message for her to pass on: "I am taking a bus next weekend to Chiang Mai, and I plan to show up on your doorstep with my receipts and the Tourist Police. You can avert this by issuing my tickets immediately."

The agency waited a full four days right up until the night before I was to leave for Chiang Mai, and issued the E-tickets by email. I immediately called the airlines to confirm. I also asked them if my travel agency could cancel my tickets and booking directly with the airlines at any time before the trip, without my involvement or notice to me. The answer was affirmative, causing me to live in fear and trembling right up to flight time, expecting that the rug might be pulled out from under me at the last minute. The last week before my trip, I called both airlines every day, and the last day, every couple of hours.

A real traveler's nightmare that took months, untold hours, and about 100 phone calls to sort out.

Sadly, this travel agency continues to operate.

Probably a tad peeved that the "protection "money he's been paying in connection with his business interests ,didn't do what it said on the tin !

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

You say Thailand should be careful and then take the Philippines as an example of good behavior?!??

What?? I simply stated that that the Philippines and Myanmar are "nipping at their heels" in building up their tourism industry. Absolutely no where did I make mention of the behavior of the Philippines in comparison to that of Thailand. Jayzus Chrayste eh, learn to read, or take off why don't ya eh!?

Riiiiiight the sentences above don't imply at all that Thailand will lose visitors to The Philippines (where police corruption violence and rip offs are hundred times worse)

But talking about reading comprehension, when did a million visitors to Burma most of which where Asians and Thais become "nipping at the heels..."?

Anyway I don't know why I'm bothering answering an obvious troll, carry on.

Why would a family use a tour / travel company for tickets and hotels this day in age?? You can do it all by yourself directly with an internet connection, credit card and a couple of mouse clicks!

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

Because some want to use professions to take care of stuff.

Whatever firestar, I'm no troll. Just because I disagree with you doesn't make me a troll. And yes, I stand by my comment in relation to your reading comprehension; I made no comment whatsoever about the behavior of authority in either country.

As far as Myanmar goes, I think you're underestimating it as an upcoming tourist destination and I don't think you're giving it the credit it deserves. Have you been there? I have, last December for almost 3 weeks. Believe me dude, I highly recommend it! So I still disagree with you. And it still doesn't make me a troll. Nope. Not at all.

Probably a tad peeved that the "protection "money he's been paying in connection with his business interests ,didn't do what it said on the tin !

???

Probably a tad peeved that the "protection "money he's been paying in connection with his business interests ,didn't do what it said on the tin !

???

+ 1

It is a bit stupid for a Dutch family to buy the tickets in BKK when they are cheaper in Holland.

Perhaps the Thai wife has a friend in Bangkok who could get them a better deal.

Whatever firestar, I'm no troll. Just because I disagree with you doesn't make me a troll. And yes, I stand by my comment in relation to your reading comprehension; I made no comment whatsoever about the behavior of authority in either country.

As far as Myanmar goes, I think you're underestimating it as an upcoming tourist destination and I don't think you're giving it the credit it deserves. Have you been there? I have, last December for almost 3 weeks. Believe me dude, I highly recommend it! So I still disagree with you. And it still doesn't make me a troll. Nope. Not at all.

Fair enough. Yes I have been to Myanmar numerous times and have spent most of my adult life in Thailand.

Foreign visitor arrivals will undoubtedly rise sharply, if anything as a matter of curiosity but it won't make even a small dent in Thailand's tourist numbers, if anything it might just bring more tourists to the whole region. I also have to strongly disagree when you say " "without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it! " that is just plain misinformed.

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

You say Thailand should be careful and then take the Philippines as an example of good behavior?!??

What?? I simply stated that that the Philippines and Myanmar are "nipping at their heels" in building up their tourism industry. Absolutely no where did I make mention of the behavior of the Philippines in comparison to that of Thailand. Jayzus Chrayste eh, learn to read, or take off why don't ya eh!?

Riiiiiight the sentences above don't imply at all that Thailand will lose visitors to The Philippines (where police corruption violence and rip offs are hundred times worse)

But talking about reading comprehension, when did a million visitors to Burma most of which where Asians and Thais become "nipping at the heels..."?

Anyway I don't know why I'm bothering answering an obvious troll, carry on.

China, Malaysia, Japan, and Russia are its biggest markets,so nobody is worried about the always complaining farangs.

China, Malaysia, Japan, and Russia are its biggest markets,so nobody is worried about the always complaining farangs.

You think Asians dont complain? LOL!

I had the same thing happen with a Thai tour agency in Chiang Mai. I decided to use a travel agency because of the complicated itinerary I had (7 flights in 10 days), AND, sad to say, the agency was recommended by TV posters in Chiang Mai; so I thought it was safe.

They took my money (58,000 baht) but never booked or issued the tickets for two airlines. I only found out the scam when I called the airlines a few months later to re-confirm my flights. Neither air carrier had never heard of me. I called the travel agency and they said they'd fix it right away. No action. When I continued to press them, they stopped taking my calls or answering my emails.

Barely weeks before the flight, I finally used a friend's phone to call them and spoke to new customer service clerk who didn't know me. Rather than ask to speak to the manager (who wouldn't take my calls) I gave the following message for her to pass on: "I am taking a bus next weekend to Chiang Mai, and I plan to show up on your doorstep with my receipts and the Tourist Police. You can avert this by issuing my tickets immediately."

The agency waited a full four days right up until the night before I was to leave for Chiang Mai, and issued the E-tickets by email. I immediately called the airlines to confirm. I also asked them if my travel agency could cancel my tickets and booking directly with the airlines at any time before the trip, without my involvement or notice to me. The answer was affirmative, causing me to live in fear and trembling right up to flight time, expecting that the rug might be pulled out from under me at the last minute. The last week before my trip, I called both airlines every day, and the last day, every couple of hours.

A real traveler's nightmare that took months, untold hours, and about 100 phone calls to sort out.

Sadly, this travel agency continues to operate.

I'll bet I know the exact agency. My friend was ripped off for 32,000B. I helped him to recover his money but he did it slowly asking only 500B per week and eventually got all his money back. This company is protected by the local police, not tourist police. Would not have had any effect taking the police along with you. This outfit has been doing this successfully now for about 7 or 8 years. Without getting into details I will advise you to never trust tourist police in Chiang Mai. Never

Getting ripped off in Thailand, just another story to add to the list. The Thai's better be careful, the Philippines and Myanmar are nipping at their heels in the ways of tourism, and without tourism, Thailand aint got much going for it!

Careful now.....caaareful! Hey! What did I say? Beeee careful Thailand!

You say Thailand should be careful and then take the Philippines as an example of good behavior?!??

What?? I simply stated that that the Philippines and Myanmar are "nipping at their heels" in building up their tourism industry. Absolutely no where did I make mention of the behavior of the Philippines in comparison to that of Thailand. Jayzus Chrayste eh, learn to read, or take off why don't ya eh!?

Riiiiiight the sentences above don't imply at all that Thailand will lose visitors to The Philippines (where police corruption violence and rip offs are hundred times worse)

But talking about reading comprehension, when did a million visitors to Burma most of which where Asians and Thais become "nipping at the heels..."?

Anyway I don't know why I'm bothering answering an obvious troll, carry on.

@Jobiwankenobi.. Well said mate. Thailand is facing increased competition from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Phils for the tourist dollar. Its set to rise further. With business interests in the Greater Mekong we are seeing first-hand a sharp rise in traffic and travelers who cite "value" as a reason for their new choices. Thai Tourism Authority is the first to agree that competition - from neighbors - has increased sharply. In such circumstances travel agency scams like this one do nothing to help Thailand's efforts to stave off sharp competition.

@Firestar...Importantly, people who do not agree with a one-eyed view of Thailand are not trolls - princess.

Am not sure why one would "send money" across the miles given one can book with reputed brands online (airlines and hotels, taxi and tours) and make payment for an on-the-spot receipt. This leaves a bank audit trail if one is using a card. Have done it a hundred times.

The second alternative is the good old-fashioned way ie: physically visiting a travel agency in ones home country and transacting eye-to-eye with a well-regarded travel agency. In Thailand I've booked and traveled on to Dubai etc....Cash in exchange for a physical air-ticket or printout with status 'OK' and a 'ticket locator number' which can be confirmed directly by the airline.

None of the comments on this blog show that either the first or second alternative was applied where people complain of scams.

"Sending money" reminds me of people sending money to Nigeria to buy oil wells, lotteries and a share in new inventions.

It has has the words "Beg you to rob me" written all over the money transfer !!

It is a bit stupid for a Dutch family to buy the tickets in BKK when they are cheaper in Holland.

Perhaps the Thai wife has a friend in Bangkok who could get them a better deal.

Actually I did wonder at that myself - to be honest I think its much easier and usually much cheaper to buy tickets on line these days.

I stopped using the travel agent I had used for many years because I could still get the same on line for usually anywhere up to a thousand baht or more cheaper (international flights of course). I know its not great for the agents, but stories like this do happen, and unless the flights are on multiple airlines or odd sectoring, using an agent costs more for usually no better service - as you have to push them to get what you want and the best deal anyway, so might as well do it yourself - and be pretty well guaranteed that its not going to be a rip-off like this...airlines still have their own rip-offs, but not like this one...

Cant beleive this & as mentioned the thai wife has ripped the family off

I just had my 8 member family over & one of them is an expert at doing all that flight & hotel booking alL done 2-3 months prior

WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO DEAL WITH A MIDDLE MAN WHERE IT IS MORE OF A DRAMA TO CHANGE THINGS