'Deaf' Ukrainian tourist arrested in Phuket is fined Bt3,000 and released

[webfact]

'Deaf' Ukrainian tourist arrested in Phuket is fined B3,000 and released
Wiparatana Nathalang


Chornyi was arrested on Sunday.

PHUKET: -- The Ukrainian man arrested after soliciting “donations” from customers at Central Festival Phuket on Saturday (February 15) has been fined B3,000 and released.


Wichit Police Lieutenant Somboon Malai told The Phuket News that Mykola Chornyi, 30, had been fined B1,000 for disturbing customers and B2,000 for failing to provide his passport when arrested.

He was arrested on Sunday night by the Phuket Tourist Police at Central Festival, after he was videoed by a Phuket News reader on Saturday entering restaurants and dropping small cards on the tables saying he was deaf and asking customers to buy Angry Birds keychains for B100 – or to make a donation.

A few minutes later he walked back collecting the keychains, cards and any donations. The Tourist Police were alerted and arrested him the following day at the mall.

It is still not known whether Chornyi is deaf or not. He showed the Tourist Police a document on his phone which apparently was meant to prove he was deaf, but this was written in Ukranian. He also pointed to his ear, indicating he was deaf, Lt Somboon said.

Lt Somboon sent the photos of the document to the Ukrainian Embassy in Bangkok for staff there to translate and confirm its authenticity, and he is still waiting to hear back.

The Phuket News has learnt that in Russia and other Eastern European countries people often pose as deaf people and do a similar thing on public transport such as buses or trains. They put down small cards saying they are deaf along with small souvenirs and collect up any donations.

Chornyi has since been released.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/%E2%80%98deaf%E2%80%99-ukrainian-tourist-arrested-in-phuket-is-fined-b3-000-and-released-44674.php


-- Phuket News 2014-02-18

[LivinginKata]

3,000 baht fine .... mmmm .... maybe a profitable 'business even allowing for fines

He does not seemed too concerned in the photo, looks quite happy.

[andreandre]

3,000 baht fine .... mmmm .... maybe a profitable 'business even allowing for fines

He does not seemed too concerned in the photo, looks quite happy.

Yeh, but 2000 of that was just for failing to provide his passport...

If he had a passport he only had to pay 1000....bizarre..again/as usual in LOS

[RJF]

3,000 Bhat, that is around 70 Euro? OK, that's one of the brown and one of the blue notes bottom left in the picture and that'll do it then. We'll see him back quite soon I expect. Did they have the smarts to at least confiscate the merchandise or did they wrap it up and send it out with him I wonder?

[canopus1969]

And those dumb Muppet's behind think its a joke !

[Costas2008]

Tomorrow morning he will be distributing his cards again.

The only difference....this time he will carry his passport with him.

[FritsSikkink]

They should have deported him because he was working without a permit

[crazykopite]

So they are waiting to hear if he is deaf or not but in the meantime he has been dealt with by being fined 3,000 baht wonder how much he made !!!! AMAZING THAILAND !!!!

[SamDezeure]

They should have deported him because he was working without a permit

Which planet are you from? Would love to know which country considers begging a "job"... do you get social security with that "job"? what diploma's are needed?

almost like saying you need a work permit to breathe... you are converting oxygen into carbon dioxide, so technically you are working :/

[laurentbkk]

The Phuket News has learnt that in Russia and other Eastern European countries people often pose as deaf people

As well as many cities in western Europe , Paris , London , Madrid, Berlin etc ......

[DoctorG]

Couldn't they just make a loud sudden noise behind him to verify?

[Dap]

"and B2,000 for failing to provide his passport when arrested."

So much for being given time to present his passport. All things

considered, I think he got off quite lightly.

[brit1984]

Couldn't they just make a loud sudden noise behind him to verify?

or whisper in his ear some romantic compliments about his mother

[sam sen]

- you'd think it would be pretty easy to work out of he was deaf or not.

- pardon me?

[keestha]

Seeing at least 9 100 Euro (4300 Baht) bills on that table, among other foreign currency bank notes. Suggests he makes pretty good money, especially if being hit with only a 1000 Baht fine providing he carries his passport. I am amazed they let him off so lightly. The guy also does not seem to be ashamed at all, looking straight into the camera. Wonder what other people in his social network are doing for a living, if he is not concerned at all they will find out.

Even if he is deaf, he looks young and able bodied to me, perfectly fit to do any type of work that doesn't require too much communication. My suggestion to him would be to go back to Ukraine, and lay bricks or wash dishes.

[sirchai]

It is still not known whether Chornyi is deaf or not. He showed the Tourist Police a document on his phone which apparently was meant to prove he was deaf, but this was written in Ukranian. He also pointed to his ear, indicating he was deaf, Lt Somboon said.

His "deafness" makes me "speechless.".

[Damian Barrett]

So I take it he has a work permit then ?

[Donnie Brasco]

Betcha he speaks fluent Romany ;-)

[RuskiCat]

Been to Kiev many times, never been approached by "deaf" begger on the metro or bus. But in NYC it's a daily thing...

[Pib]

I think we just found a new job all of us farangs in Thailand can make money at....just be sure to keep a couple thousand baht handy to make an occasional donation to the BIB. Good thing I "read" about this job opportunity; if it had been on TV/Radio news I wouldn't have "heard" it. See I'm practicing my new job already.

[12DrinkMore]

Strange,

why aren't they pointing at his ears?

[wanderluster]

how are we suppose to know which one in the photo is the ukrainian... ???? no one is pointing

[realenglish1]

You know if they do their damned and if they don't their damned. Give the guy and police a break here. He was fined and I am sure warned So move on to other pressing issues

[dictater]

They should have deported him because he was working without a permit

Which planet are you from? Would love to know which country considers begging a "job"... do you get social security with that "job"? what diploma's are needed?

almost like saying you need a work permit to breathe... you are converting oxygen into carbon dioxide, so technically you are working :/

He's earning money in Thailand, therefore its a job. If you don't have a work permit you are not allowed to earn money here, end of story, even if that money is coming from another country.

[bander]

3,000 baht fine .... mmmm .... maybe a profitable 'business even allowing for fines

He does not seemed too concerned in the photo, looks quite happy.

He is happy, 3000.- bath fine is only one hour "work", tomorrow he is back with his angry birds in another shopping mall :-)

[Jubes]

That's now set a precedent, build a boat in you're backyard then sell it whilst pretending you're deaf

[transam]

I think the BiB are the deaf ones.............This place must be the laughing stock of the planet.

Is he here on an ED visa.............?.........

[wvavin]

Just see how stupid is the law enforcement in Thailand. Try doing this in Singapore and he would learn his lesson the very hard way!

[FritsSikkink]

They should have deported him because he was working without a permit

Which planet are you from? Would love to know which country considers begging a "job"... do you get social security with that "job"? what diploma's are needed?

almost like saying you need a work permit to breathe... you are converting oxygen into carbon dioxide, so technically you are working :/

Learn to read:

asking customers to buy Angry Birds keychains for B100

[kwaussie]

Let off a gun shot blank behind him and see if he jumps!