Foreigner Beaten By Tuk-Tuk Drivers After Not Paying Extortionate Fee At Karaoke Bar

[webfact]

Foreigner Beaten by Tuk-Tuk Drivers after not Paying Extortionate Fee at Karaoke Bar

- A word of warning if you ‘want to do it your way’

James Austin Farrell May 8, 2013

CHIANG MAI: -- CityNews – A foreign man was badly beaten by tuk-tuk drivers late April after the driver had taken him to a karaoke bar where he was charged 17,000 baht for a few drinks and forced to pay lest he suffer the consequences.

The man, a Chiang Mai long-term expat, explained that on the night, “I had a tuk-tuk driver, one man from the karaoke and two girls – one being the manager – escort me to the ATM. After some polite bartering I paid the karaoke place 4,000 from the 17,000 they had asked, a bit over priced but I thought a payment I could do for me being silly enough to get myself into that situation.”

But he then says the tuk-tuk demanded 2,000 for his fee. A fee that had not even been discussed.

“The next thing his friend turned up and they said they would escort me to the police station.”

They took him into some land nearby the karaoke bars on Chang Klan Road (close to Chiang Mai Land) and beat him up.

Full story: http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=1771

-- City News 2013-05-08

[udonthani1]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

[lemoncake]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

[metisdead]

An off topic baiting post has been removed.

[peterdarby]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

How would they help? I suspect the hotel management would take a dim view of a foreigner getting beaten up on their premises.

[tingtongfarang]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

How would they help? I suspect the hotel management would take a dim view of a foreigner getting beaten up on their premises.

If you not a hotel guest, why would management take any view? You see many people running over to help when people get belted?

worked for a friend of mine in a similar situation, he walked in the hotel and the security did,nt allow the thai guys in...friend also was,nt a guest so he walked through and out the door on the next soi.

Edited May 8, 2013 by tingtongfarang

[lee b]

Always a bad idea to go to these bars. especially by tuk tuks who are on the bars pay roll

[lovetotravel]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

I've done this many times. From Rio to Zanzibar to Vietnam, etc. Works very well. Especially if you are their guest or about to be.

They know the scams and will help their customers.

[SteeleJoe]

If you not a hotel guest, why would management take any view? You see many people running over to help when people get belted?

Once upon a time, I worked in 5 stars (here and abroad). I personally believe in such a scenario, staff would indeed prevent someone from being assaulted in the hotel or even at its entrance, regardless of whether they were a guest (or without even attempting ascertain that). I base it on some experience somewhat analogous to this, but obviously I can't prove it would be the case in every or even most instances.

You wouldn't expect that of your staff?

Edited May 8, 2013 by SteeleJoe

[jacko45k]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

The case he mentioned, I believe the men were actually guests at the hotel, whether they would get involved with non-guests is an unknown.

I thought those girlie bar scams were a banana republic thing....stick to the western oriented places or those you know. Where you have no fear of the police, you can get away with these things.

Edited May 8, 2013 by jacko45k

[lemoncake]

If you not a hotel guest, why would management take any view? You see many people running over to help when people get belted?

Once upon a time, I worked in 5 stars (here and abroad). I personally believe in such a scenario, staff would indeed prevent someone from being assaulted in the hotel or even at its entrance, regardless of whether they were a guest (or without even attempting ascertain that). I base it on some experience somewhat analogous to this, but obviously I can't prove it would be the case in every or even most instances.

You wouldn't expect that of your staff?

In the hotel and outside are 2 very different scenarios, do not you think?

[connda]

I had the <deleted> beat out of me by a drunk tuk tuk driver the first year here in CM. Scams happen and you pay them off and learn. Don't have the money????? Then maybe you get beat up. If you can not remember anything else -- remember the number on the tuk tuk. They all have one.

Second thing -- Don't go to Thai Karoke bars. Massive rip offs and primarily for Thais. If you do go, go with a group of Thai family members or real Thai friends that you trust. If fact, don't go to Karoke bars, expensive 'massage' establishments, or any other questionable night-life spots with a tuk tuk driver. These guys are on the payroll and will expect compensation by you sport.

And considering the 'Run to a safe 5 star hotel' idea. Temporary fix and probably not a bad one, especially if you have remembered that tuk tuk number. The cops will get involved. But even if the guy gets caught, don't think it's over! It's not! My dear pasty white Farang fellow traveler, you might not be able to recognize them on sight, but I guarantee they will recognize you, and that they will eventually find you. And when they do my friend, it ain't gonna be a simple beating you get -- if you get my drift. My best friend's brother got his eye taken out by some not-so-nice people that tend to be involved in a lot of these scams. Got a good international hospital insurance policy?

Are you hurt bad my friend? I truly hope not. You learned a lesson. Wipe the blood off and consider yourself a wiser person. And never let things that should stay a minor incident escalate into something that can become life-threatening.

Enjoy the remainder of your stay.

Edited May 8, 2013 by connda

[tiz435]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

If you are not a local, agreed this is a good idea. Could always pay for a room instead of paying the local mafia in a worst case scenario. Would work at any decent 3+ star hotel where foreigners stayed.

[lemoncake]

tingtongfarang, on 08 May 2013 - 15:32, said:

worked for a friend of mine in a similar situation, he walked in the hotel and the security did,nt allow the thai guys in...friend also was,nt a guest so he walked through and out the door on the next soi.

I find it very hard to believe that security did not allow Thai guys to enter hotel.

I also do not know too many hotels with walk through and exists on both sides, kind of compromises the security just a little bit

[Minnehaha]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

How would they help? I suspect the hotel management would take a dim view of a foreigner getting beaten up on their premises.

Its true. I had to use this strategy last year in Yangon. I was being blackmailed by a former Burmese business partner and he showed up with 10 mafia types and 4 policeman! And I was already in the lobby of a 5 star hotel, as I had a group of businessmen in a conference room upstairs and I was getting ready to give a presentation. I was not staying at the hotel and the staff did not know me. They simply swarmed around me when these thugs showed up. They politely isolated the cops and robbers and their security walked them to the front door. I went upstairs, no questions asked. No large hotel wants blood on its floors under any circumstances. In this case the hotel was safer than the police station!

[apalink_thailand]

A long term expat got into a tuk tuk and let him take him to a bar he didnt know? That's a pretty nube thing to do. Never follow a tout or a tuktuk driver ANYWHERE !

[monkeycountry]

“It was all captured on a CCTV camera and I have got the option to press charges,” he says, “but retribution does not thrill me. I just want to warn others.”

I wouldn't worry about retribution, but spending several days in a police station pressing charges, knowing all the time that at best the attackers will get a 500 baht fine, would deter me too.

Since the tuk tuk mafia is running that town, and other towns, the only thing to do is stay away from them at all times. Just like one would stay away from any organised crime gang. And no, it is not just a few bad apples, virtually every tuk tuk driver in the country is a scumbag!

[lemoncake]

tiz435, on 08 May 2013 - 16:23, said:

lemoncake, on 08 May 2013 - 14:53, said:

udonthani1, on 08 May 2013 - 14:51, said:

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

If you are not a local, agreed this is a good idea. Could always pay for a room instead of paying the local mafia in a worst case scenario. Would work at any decent 3+ star hotel where foreigners stayed.

Mafia is usually very forgiving, they just pack up and leave.

In case you were not sure it was sarcasm

[aaron76]

The more I get these stories in my inbox, the more positive I am that I made the correct move getting the hell out of Thailand.

[Jean Pierre Jacquot]

You call this a long-term expat???? Or did he just discovered very recently that there are some night entertainment places downtown? Not that I feel sympathetic towards him, but still, what a greenhorn...

[harrismac]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

How would they help? I suspect the hotel management would take a dim view of a foreigner getting beaten up on their premises.

If you not a hotel guest, why would management take any view? You see many people running over to help when people get belted?

I for one would help. Extortion is a bullsh*t racket, and anybody who tries it, especially with a fellow ex-pat would get the living crap beat out of them. I would have dared the tuk tuk driver to have tried that with me. I'd beat his as* in front of the BIB.

[lemoncake]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

How would they help? I suspect the hotel management would take a dim view of a foreigner getting beaten up on their premises.

Its true. I had to use this strategy last year in Yangon. I was being blackmailed by a former Burmese business partner and he showed up with 10 mafia types and 4 policeman! And I was already in the lobby of a 5 star hotel, as I had a group of businessmen in a conference room upstairs and I was getting ready to give a presentation. I was not staying at the hotel and the staff did not know me. They simply swarmed around me when these thugs showed up. They politely isolated the cops and robbers and their security walked them to the front door. I went upstairs, no questions asked. No large hotel wants blood on its floors under any circumstances. In this case the hotel was safer than the police station!

Yeah, hotel security told police to go away

Whats next? pigs can fly

[AdamRich]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

I've done this many times. From Rio to Zanzibar to Vietnam, etc. Works very well. Especially if you are their guest or about to be.

They know the scams and will help their customers.

You have had to do it "many times" in many different places? You must have mark written all over you.

[lemoncake]

I for one would help. Extortion is a bullsh*t racket, and anybody who tries it, especially with a fellow ex-pat would get the living crap beat out of them. I would have dared the tuk tuk driver to have tried that with me. I'd beat his as* in front of the BIB.

Yes i am sure you would, just for some reason when foreigners get belted on daily basis, no one seems to jump in, but stand around and watch:whistling:

[tingtongfarang]

tingtongfarang, on 08 May 2013 - 15:32, said:

worked for a friend of mine in a similar situation, he walked in the hotel and the security did,nt allow the thai guys in...friend also was,nt a guest so he walked through and out the door on the next soi.

I find it very hard to believe that security did not allow Thai guys to enter hotel.

I also do not know too many hotels with walk through and exists on both sides, kind of compromises the security just a little bit

windsor hotel...often they refuse entry to thai females ...hookers or not, i dont imagine they would allow 2 thai guys covered in tattoos and 2 kg of amulets hanging around the neck.

[Chao Lao Beach]

And then when a victim goes to complain the Thai Police ask local jurnos to take images of you passport and publish them all over the internet.

Disgusting pricks.

[F4UCorsair]

Tell them the cash is in your hotel room at any 5 star hotel. Once safely inside, the hotel will help. Happened to a thwarted jet ski scam attempt in Pattaya.

How and why hotel will help?

How would they help? I suspect the hotel management would take a dim view of a foreigner getting beaten up on their premises.

Some years ago I took a taxi, shared with a woman who arrived on the same flight, from Da Nang to Hoi An in Viuetnam I negotiated a fee to drop her at her hotel and me at my hotel, and he drove to hers first. She gave me her share, and I thought I'd be paying when he dropped me at my hotel, but he demanded a LOT more then and there, and told me to walk to my hotel. I refused, so he reached into his cab and spun around with a taser trying to zap me. I grabbed my dufffel bag and pinned him against the side of his cab, and within 10 seconds, on the command of somebody in reception who saw the incident, the huge iron gates were swung closed, and security descended on him.

He was left in no confusion about his position if he persisted, so they gave me a head start of several minutes before they would let him out. He was paid nothing for the trip, and copped a belting with my duffel bag for his trouble, so hotel staff, in my experience, will assist, and I wasn't a guest at their hotel. Of course that wasn't Thailand, but............

Edited May 8, 2013 by F4UCorsair

[tingtongfarang]

tingtongfarang, on 08 May 2013 - 15:32, said:

worked for a friend of mine in a similar situation, he walked in the hotel and the security did,nt allow the thai guys in...friend also was,nt a guest so he walked through and out the door on the next soi.

I find it very hard to believe that security did not allow Thai guys to enter hotel.

I also do not know too many hotels with walk through and exists on both sides, kind of compromises the security just a little bit

windsor hotel...often they refuse entry to thai females ...hookers or not, i dont imagine they would allow 2 thai guys covered in tattoos and 2 kg of amulets hanging around the neck.

So all thugs have tats and Buddha amulets? is that the door policy?

They refuse entry to Thai females? is that also a policy what you you think?

Its is WIndsor in Soi 4 right? hotel in brothel central of Bkk?

soi 20

I used to go there often for meetings (ngo work shops)

It has nothing to do with my thoughts.....female ngo,s were often questioned at the door when trying to enter and not allowed until their reasons for being there were cleared.

[Bob12345]

So all thugs have tats and Buddha amulets? is that the door policy?

They refuse entry to Thai females? is that also a policy or what you you think?

Its is WIndsor in Soi 4 right? hotel in brothel central of Bkk?

Well, most people can recognize scum and hookers from a mile away, especially when you work in a hotel in Thailand. Its not just tats, but also the way they dress, act, and look.

Imagine some foreigner walking in at your hi-so hotel late at night, sweating like a pig with scare in his eyes, and two pieces of obvious shit walking next to him or just behind him keeping a close eye on him. Do you think they are going to give him a thanks for the investment advice, or do you think they are following him for another reason?

[bendywire]

Buy a drink and pay for it and then buy the next one and so on. Don't wait till the end of the night because that's when you will get scammed.