Tourist Police “save The Day” In Hotel Safe Box Drama.

[britmaveric]

Tourist Police “save the day” in Hotel safe box drama.

A fascinating case now from the Bella Vista Hotel located between Soi’s 7 and 8 in Central Pattaya. An American tourist, Mr. Daniel Torres Jnr. From California, USA was preparing to leave the hotel in the early hours of the morning to take a flight back to America from Bangkok.

He realized that his valuables including his passport were locked inside a safe box at reception. A sign indicated that the safe boxes can only be accessed between 8am and 9pm. It was 9.20pm when Mr. Torres went to reception to recover his travel document and other items. The receptionist told him that he cannot access the safe which requires two keys, one from the Hotel guest and the other from the Manager who was not prepared to bend the rules even though Mr. Torres would not be able to fly without the passport.

After repeated requests, the hotel refused to open the safe so Mr. Torres decided to go to the Tourist Police. Police Captain Punlop took up the case and placed a call to the hotel. He claimed hotel staff were extremely impolite and confirmed that the man would have to change his travel arrangements as the safe would not be opened until 8am which is 4 hours after the group were due to leave the hotel. The Captain summoned the assistance of Pattaya Police Station where a senior officer also became involved and placed a call to the hotel. He also claims that staff used inappropriate language.

At this point officers decided to visit the Hotel. They entered and staff members appeared apprehensive when they saw the number of officers and journalists who received word of the developing case. It wasn’t long until the Duty manager arrived and the safe box was opened. Mr. Torres checked out and made his way to Bangkok to catch his flight.

Although this story appears somewhat one-sided it is hard to apportion blame on the Hotel as staff were only following rules which, if broken, could have led to termination of employment. However the Tourist Police have dealt with a number of similar cases and will be contacting local hotels over the next few days to appeal for more leniency in similar cases where contents of a safe box are required urgently.

-Pattaya City News

Monday 24th September 2006

[Pattaya_Fox]

Tourist Police “save the day” in Hotel safe box drama.

A fascinating case now from the Bella Vista Hotel located between Soi’s 7 and 8 in Central Pattaya. An American tourist, Mr. Daniel Torres Jnr. From California, USA was preparing to leave the hotel in the early hours of the morning to take a flight back to America from Bangkok.

He realized that his valuables including his passport were locked inside a safe box at reception. A sign indicated that the safe boxes can only be accessed between 8am and 9pm. It was 9.20pm when Mr. Torres went to reception to recover his travel document and other items. The receptionist told him that he cannot access the safe which requires two keys, one from the Hotel guest and the other from the Manager who was not prepared to bend the rules even though Mr. Torres would not be able to fly without the passport.

After repeated requests, the hotel refused to open the safe so Mr. Torres decided to go to the Tourist Police. Police Captain Punlop took up the case and placed a call to the hotel. He claimed hotel staff were extremely impolite and confirmed that the man would have to change his travel arrangements as the safe would not be opened until 8am which is 4 hours after the group were due to leave the hotel. The Captain summoned the assistance of Pattaya Police Station where a senior officer also became involved and placed a call to the hotel. He also claims that staff used inappropriate language.

At this point officers decided to visit the Hotel. They entered and staff members appeared apprehensive when they saw the number of officers and journalists who received word of the developing case. It wasn’t long until the Duty manager arrived and the safe box was opened. Mr. Torres checked out and made his way to Bangkok to catch his flight.

Although this story appears somewhat one-sided it is hard to apportion blame on the Hotel as staff were only following rules which, if broken, could have led to termination of employment. However the Tourist Police have dealt with a number of similar cases and will be contacting local hotels over the next few days to appeal for more leniency in similar cases where contents of a safe box are required urgently.

-Pattaya City News

Monday 24th September 2006

Yes he should have emptied his box within the permitted hours. On the other hand what a disgraceful inflexible approach from the hotel staff.

Not a good excercise for customer relations, but with the attitude displayed by them it looks as though they couldn`t care less. One to avoid methinks.

[johng]

the safe which requires two keys, one from the Hotel guest and the other from the Manager

If 2 keys are required, then why on earth does the "manager" not hand over his key to the staff maning the front desk while he's off duty ? that way guests could access their deposit boxes 24 hours per day

[Pattaya_Fox]

the safe which requires two keys, one from the Hotel guest and the other from the Manager

If 2 keys are required, then why on earth does the "manager" not hand over his key to the staff maning the front desk while he's off duty ? that way guests could access their deposit boxes 24 hours per day

I suppost that it is all down to seniority.

Many of the hotels infact operate an 8.0 p.m. `curfew` for the boxes which is ridiculous, as many people need access to their money and or valuables in the evening as they are going out.

If the hotels invested in providing in room safe facilities (some do) it would save them the problems associated with safety deposit boxes and their guests could access their cash etc when it is convenient for them.

Even some of the brand new hotels do not provide in room safes and I see this as a missed opportunity both for them and their guests.

[libya 115]

A friend of mine on a two week stay in Pattaya experienced exactly the same situation in the Flipper Hotel on Soi 8. He was {lucky?} and paid a 2000 baht 'fine' to release his passport and travel documents etc. after 2100 hours.

Actually; if I were staying in a hotel, I would not deposit my personal valuables in a safety deposit box. They are extremely vulnerable to attack or robbery, by either outsiders or dishonest staff.

I think it is far safer hiring a safety deposit box at 1000 baht per month; there is a 24 hour place on Walking Street, the safety boxes are as safe as the Bank of England; bomb-proof and 24 hour security.

Plus; there was a hotel on Soi Bukhaew, whose safety boxes were all forced open last year, it made the news and this forum, several holiday-makers lost everything.