' We Were Cheated' Say Dutch-Thai Family In Phuket

[USNret]

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

Never had travel insurance. Never lost my money. Never booked through a BKK agency.

[sunshine51]

"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."

Welcome To Thailand.

[jacko45k]

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.

There are more guarantees and protection against this in Europe etc, think IATA.

Most issues come from companies going bust.

And yes it would be news.

In Thailand there are fewer protections and it seems anybody can set themselves up as an agent.

It certainly isn't the first time I have heard of one taking money and failing to supply the tickets.

Perhaps you expect them not to complain?

Edited January 22, 2013 by jacko45k

[Hunter88]

Now let me get this straight. If I plan a trip from Sweden to Egypt, I should but the tickets form a travel company in Egypt. Maybe Sweden would be another choice. Or maybe one in Pakistan.

[Andre0720]

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!?

Not so sure if this fellow needs to learn how to read.

If so, and he does take the time, you could take the same amount of time time to learn how to write responses in a more gracious way.

[raybal5]

....................... in the US when buying a ticket to anywhere and paying cash gets you red flagged by Homeland Security....

That's a result of the hysterical reaction by the US Government to the WTC bombing which itself is complicit in.

[crazydrummerpauly]

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.

So why not name them to help all other tv members ?

[bender92]

Five of them couldn't go online and find plane tickets and hotels?

[pcliff069]

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.

Thanks for brightening up an otherwise dull day

Haven't heard a statement like that since the Soviet Union claimed to have nil employment

[Hans Sierhuis]

Thailand is heading hard towards South Africa style. Just waiting for the car hijacks here and it will be very similar places..last time for those people visiting Thailand like myself. Their smile, can't stand it anymore..laughing is not sincere here, 22 years been enough...

[Jimi007]

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.

Can you guys name and shame??

I use a couple of travel agents in CM and would like to know if they are the one of the ones you are referring to??

If you can't on here please send me a message.

Cheers

Naming and shaming is not allowed on the forum.

So why not name them to help all other tv members ?

Asked and answered...

[NoshowJones]

When I first came to Thailand, myself and my girlfriend (now my wife) went into a travel agent in Phitsanulok, I wanted to know the cost of a flight, after I was told, I thanked the assistant then started to walk away, she said something to me in Thai I asked my GF what she wanted, my GF said I had to give the assistant 300 Baht, I asked why, my GF said I had to pay it for asking the price of the flight.

After that I refused to use travel agents for a time, then I decided to go into a travel agent alone with the intention of telling the assistant to get lost if she told me I had to pay 300 Baht. It never happened, and has never happened since.

It couldn't have been a scam, or my GF would have known, I wonder if that travel agent in Phitsanulok is still in business, surely not, I can just imagine someone going into that place and asking the price of a flight prepared to pay 300 Baht for the privelage, even a Thai person, but again TIT.

[bulldogtwo]

And no mention of the tavel comany's name? Whats up with that, who's protecting whom?

[LivinginKata]

And no mention of the tavel comany's name? Whats up with that, who's protecting whom?

This has already been answered. Name & shame is not allowed on this forum due to the tough Thai laws on defamation. So this rule is to protect Thaivisa from legal action.

[Markaew]

Welcome to Thailand!

[Markaew]

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.

Typical. Grab the money and run. Thai specialty.

[navara]

Lieve mensen,

Ik wens jullie veel sterkte, doch ik ben bang dat de vogel is gevlogen. Volgende keer gewoon thuis bij een net reisburo boeken, al ga je maar naar de Bijenkorf in Amsterdam.

Dear people,

I wish you a lot of strenght, however I am affraid that your money is gone. Next time book at home.

[NamKangMan]

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.

Thanks for brightening up an otherwise dull day

Haven't heard a statement like that since the Soviet Union claimed to have nil employment

It's well documented that the tourism industry and hospitality sectors employ around 11% of workers in Thailand. That's 1 in 10 people that have a job that is related to the tourism and hospitality industry. Of course, these figures do not take into account the sex industry.

Given that the majority of staff working in tourism and hospitality are minimum wage staff, most sending money back home to their family, can't you see how important this sector is to Thailand.

Thailand's tourism industry just simply can not keep surviving on it's past reputation. That's not enough anymore.

Thailand needs to compete, and improve their tourism products and the services, thus raising the tourist's overall satisfaction of their holday here, or face a declining market share and increasing unemployment, and all the social implications that come with it. Eg. rising crime.

[Jimi007]

And no mention of the tavel comany's name? Whats up with that, who's protecting whom?

Wow, I answered that just two posts before your post. And it was answered at the end of page 2... For a complete view of TV forum rules, see here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

Edited January 22, 2013 by Jimi007

[evanson]

I'm always nonplussed by the Tourists Make Up An Insignificant Amount Of Thailand's GDP brigade. If this is so, why do they (TAT et al) go to such lengths to attempt to mitigate bad news for tourism here?

[evanson]

Of course, these figures do not take into account the sex industry.

Which is illegal/non-existent here

[ALFREDO]

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

I looked some time ago in the Internet with Flight Booking sites, as, http://www.kayak.com/

and others and sometimes you are than LINKED to the cheapest Offer which was more than once, A THAI COMPANY and a RUSSIAN COMPANY. So, its possible, if you choose the cheapest way.

I would visit the travel agency with some hired Taxi boys whom I bought Baseball bets and Baseballs before and play some Baseball inside!

http://www.thephuket...huket-36491.php

Edited January 22, 2013 by ALFREDO

[ALFREDO]

what the heck , these people are dutch , why did they even think of going to thailand when they could go to Bali, did not their dutch freinds tell them about the fantastic dutch connections in Beautiful bali or dont they even read there own history books.

Why would they even think of going to a dump like thailand , something fishy in this story

Because the wife of the Dutch is Thai !

[bangkokpoppys]

I don't know anyone that books trips in the destination country unless you're there staring into the eyeball of others

"Hey Honey - would you like to go to Yangon this weekend?"

"Sure, let's find a company there to book our flights and accom with."

???

Aint gonna happen!

Agree with the insurance, one event usually pays for the premiums in spades.

[ALFREDO]

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

Seems to me they were not using a great deal of common sense AT ALL! If I knew that the cost of new tickets was going to be XXX and after that I only had 50K Baht, I would be reexaming the prudence of even coming. Even with the relatively inexpensive costs here in Thailand that is not enough money to do much more than sit by the pool and eat khao pad every day. Those funds should have been used to save for the next holiday and write this one off.

Are grandfather, grandmother, father, all Dutch and Thai wife + child.

Surely someone, or all have a credit card / ATM card. With the quote, have "only" 50,000 Baht with us, they for sure, just trying, a bit naive,

to get the lost money back faster!

[SanSaiExPat]

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.

Some folks can never pass up a chance to drag down the USA even when It has noting to do with the topic. This America bashing has become second nature to you. You probably don't even realize your guilty of it. Pity.

[gdk]

And this is a surprise to whom?

that are Dutch people they like to have the cheapest rates

[mok199]

wow if i ran to the media every time i was ''ripped off''....i would be a celebraty....suck it up.....

[bumpkin]

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.

Oh yes it would. Although you are probably correct about the USA.

[rbrooks]

Welcome to Thailand, LOS (Land of Scammers).