oh my ....... he needs 3 months in jail , 50,000 baht fine and community services ....... for a pack of goat cheese..

...while Thais get a 500 Baht fine for an attack with a deadly weapon?

It's normally just an official caution in Melbourne, Australia for 1st offence and if the value doesn't exceed $100 (AUD) Admit the offence and the caution will be issued at the police station.

Or go to court, plead not guilty, have free lawyer and after wasting money and time get fined, which you can not pay( unemployed) and keep on stealing

hmmmmmmmmm……………………...evidently there is something about cheese

only just yesterday “ the 2012-13 Global Retail Theft Barometer said retailers reported a surge in the theft of high value fresh food – including meat, cheese and fresh coffee – as a result of the economic downturn “

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/12/shop-thefts-rise-economic-downturn-bites

It's always pointed out not to point a finger at others in Thailand because it's considered rude and they obviously don't like it. So then why the hell they do it to others if they don't want it to be done to them? And it's not an excuse that they do it to arrested individuals. You said don't do it so don't do it. I like Thais but they are so childish.

"I like Thais but they are so childish."

For some reason an analogy involving a pot and a kettle comes to mind.

Anyway, not everyone can be as mature as the folks in the Thai Visa Whiners & Moaners Brigade.

Let's have a hand for the prize whinner

It's always pointed out not to point a finger at others in Thailand because it's considered rude and they obviously don't like it. So then why the hell they do it to others if they don't want it to be done to them? And it's not an excuse that they do it to arrested individuals. You said don't do it so don't do it. I like Thais but they are so childish.

In some western courtrooms, victims are regularly asked to formally identify whether the perpetrator is present by pointing at them, and this action goes into the trial record. The pointing gesture is a non-issue. However, what concerns me more is that this pointing thing is often used here as a means of eyewitness identification during the investigation phase. Now that's a problem: one victim, one suspect, no options. I'm very curious to know whether the Thai police use line-ups in other cases (not this one) where the suspect was not caught in the act but rather some days (or months) later. I did my masters research on eyewitness identification (using simulated petty crimes), and you'd be surprised how often an innocent person is identified with complete confidence by a victim.

so he managed to escape the security camera's also until now... seems cheesy to me

I feel violated.

If he had done this in USA swat team would have kicked his door in and he would get 2 years in jail.

If he was black and he had done this in USA probably now be dead.

At Pattaya Police Station Mr. Janalik claimed he has lived in Pattaya for 15 years.

And had a valid work permit for shop lifting. 15 years..hmmmm.....365 x 15....one pack a day makes it into a lot of cheese.-

I feel violated.

You poor sucker!-

Ever heard of sarcasm?

You're new to TV, aren't you? As a person who has devoted his life to sarcasm I should warn you that employing it on TV involves a major risk. Let's just say that a healthy majority here are "literalists," for lack of a more brutal and clinical description.

It's often advisable to append a warning:

That will teach him for trying to pull the wool over their eyes.

All speculation but with the two bags of shopping on the table might we guess that he bought +1,000 Baht worth of stuff and felt "entitled" to a little cheesy bonus?

If she suspected him before there's a fair chance she was right but to save his/her face did noting until she was sure and had proof.

It will be interesting to see the resultant fine/punishment he gets compared to 500 Baht's worth of stabbing a farang.

Is a slob T-shirt and ill fitting shorts with glasses on a neck-chain compulsory uniform for criminal farang in Pattaya?

Is the theft of an individual pack of cheese a newsworthy story? Obviously theft is wrong but not much of an story here.

He was just kidding, and now he's looking sheepish.

He's looking goatish actually!!

Thailand has goat's cheese??

Indeed it does!

Thailand has choplifters?

Indeed it does!

I GUARANTEE his fine will be more than a Thai would get for...oh, I don't know...STABBING A FOREIGNER.

innocent. Americans don't know what goat cheese is and don't want to. Someone is getting his goat. Singhajerry

Well, he is obviously not the brightest bulb in the room. But, one wonders how the court system differentiates between Thai nationals and foreigners. Most Thais seem to get let off with a slap on the hand, and a 500 baht fine, even for serious offense like assault, and armed robbery. So, wonder how this dim foreigner will be treated? The judicial system here is completely broken. The judges have neither judgment nor courage. And they continually release criminals who deserve to be locked up for a very, very long time. What do they do? Head back out to the street to commit more crime. Often violent.

There is an obvious explanation...

He is a "Cheese Head"...Green Bay Packers fan...

lock him up (forever) and end his reign of terror

today goat cheese... what next?... parma ham

He was just kidding, and now he's looking sheepish.

He's looking goatish actually!!

That's baaaaad, I herd.

Is this a news story I mean <deleted> is this drivel and the pointing stuff well it's the same as everything here childish Buster Keaton Harold Lloyd slapstick moronic behaviour like their TV wooooouup boing that's their standard. Welcome to Thailand

Once the payoff to the BiB is made and some serious restitution to Khun Siriporn , the old chap will likely be seen on Soi Cowboy looking for a good price on a cold on at one of the entertainment venues. Case closed.

Second offence, could be heading home to the U.S.

Lets hope so. We have way too many of this type giving farangs a bad name.

I come on TV just to see someone pointing at a purp. It tells me all in well in the land of smiles.

Maybe he did it. Maybe he didn't.

However, this is an old man we're talking about and this store heavily relies on expat custom to sell items like goat cheese.

It might have behooved them to treat him with just a teeny little bit more respect.

Guys, I know this lady K'Siriporn personally and I have to say she is a specially friendly and lovely person. She told me this problem before, Mr. American Czech is not alone farang here who forages her store.

I know personally more people from Europe who lives from shoplifting. They steal goods, then try to sale 50%. This works, especially in drink sector, cause bars very enjoy to buy expensive drinks in half price.

So we are up set or not, but this is the real life here.

So a guy is walking down the street carrying a long pole. someone says "are you a pole vaulter?"

the guy replies "no, I'm Czech, but how did you know my name is Walter?"

Silly old goat!

I had two computer stores as well as a supermarket in the UK, I gave up due to the constant battle against shoplifters, and moved to Thailand. I lost £80,000, although insured (Insurance Company refused to pay), in a robbery in one of my computer shops. We caught the same gang breaking in after we replenished the stock and they got a fine of £11.00 payable at £2.00 a week out of their dole money (which of course was topped up due to their hardship!). So I always report shoplifters when I see them.

there is a chance he just forgot to pay but better lock him up just in case as a deterrent

proceeds from re-selling goat's cheese in the black market might be funding terrorism