Illegal Chinese tour guides busted for bribing police

[webfact]

Illegal Chinese tour guides busted for bribing police
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police ensnared two illegal Chinese tour guides operating at Chalong Pier with additional charges after the pair attempted to bribe the officers 100,000 baht to secure their release yesterday.

Locals informed police that Wenheng Wu, 24, and Boran Chen, 25, were displaying Chinese language tour fliers to potential clients on the pier for several days prior to the arrest.

“When the joint arresting team arrived in the morning, we saw the two with the fliers. When a tourist was interested in the package, they were told to just scan the QR code with WeChat and that other details, such as how to pay, could be discussed later,” explained Tourist Police Division 5 Deputy Superintendent Bundit Khaosutham.

“The two were in possession of many types of tour package fliers. However, they did not have work permits.”

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Illegal-Chinese-tour-guides-busted-bribing-police/62095?desktopversion#ad-image-0


-- Phuket Gazette 2015-10-07

[Old Croc]

These two were 'busted' and 'ensnared'.

Is 'nabbed' now out of fashion?

[zaphod reborn]

Only Thais can operate and promote tour scams companies in Thailand. The acceptance of bribes by the BIB is within the discretion of the officers and should be based on the victim's criminal's perceived ability to pay. 100,000 baht was determined to be insufficient in light of their appearance and the fact that they were using QR code, which meant they had mobile devices, computers and a properly developed website for their operations. The Chinese need to learn the Thai way of doing business, if they want to conduct business here.

[webfact]

Chinese illegal guides arrested over B100k Phuket police bribery attempt
The Phuket News


Chinese nationals Wu Wenheng (seated, right), 24, and Chen Boran (seated, left), 25, were both charged for attempting to bribe a Phuket Tourist Police police officer.

PHUKET: -- A Chinese couple arrested for working illegally as tour guides in Phuket have been charged with offering a police officer B100,000 as a bribe to let them go.

Chinese nationals Wu Wenheng, 24, and Chen Boran, 25, were presented to the press by Phuket Tourist Police Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Bundit Khaosutham and Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phuket office Director Santi Pawai yesterday (Oct 6).

The pair were arrested at Chalong Pier after officers, acting on a tip-off, recorded video evidence of the couple handing out brochures and tour packages to tourists.

“Some packages required Chinese tourists to download the WeChat application and scan in QR codes to receive free rewards as incentives,” Mr Santi explained.

“All sales transactions were done online. After we monitored their behaviour and confirmed that they were breaking the law, officers moved in and arrested them.”

While the couple was being placed under arrest, they attempted to bribe the arresting officer by offering him B100,000 to let them go, Mr Santi explained.

“The officer, Snr Sgt Major Surin Pitpan of the Tourist Police, accepted the bribe money so that it could be recorded as evidence, then handed over the money,” Mr Santi said.

Seized from the pair as evidence were tour brochures, printed pamphlets, drink coupon cards and the offending B100,000.

Wen and Chen were both charged with working illegally as tour guides, illegally living in Thailand, and attempting to bribe a police officer.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/chinese-illegal-guides-arrested-over-b100k-phuket-police-bribery-attempt-54435.php


-- Phuket News 2015-10-07

[Jimi007]

I wonder where that 100,000 Baht will end up? I'm sure it's being held as evidence!

[kotsak]

I wonder where that 100,000 Baht will end up? I'm sure it's being held as evidence!

Already siphoned by a hoe higher up

[Neurath]

Where did these fools get the idea that you can bribe police and get away with it when offering less than the next guy? Rookie mistake. Chinese should know better too.

[Pattaya28]

The only part of this story that is of interest is the location of the 100K Baht

And I know for fact that the Chinese scam the Chinese with tours and excursions.

It's dog-eat-dog. Scammers scamming Scammers.

Hilarious really !!

[clockman]

Do they need all these police in the photo. You would think they had arrested a mass murder!

[Ulic]

What were these two thinking, everyone knows Chinese tourists are zero baht tourists here

on package tours and spend no money outside there package tour.

[LivinginKata]

What were these two thinking, everyone knows Chinese tourists are zero baht tourists here

on package tours and spend no money outside there package tour.

Not so true these days. I see plenty of Chinese independant travels staying in quality hotels and quality private apartments.

[KMartinHandyman]

Do they need all these police in the photo. You would think they had arrested a mass murder!

They are all keeping watch over the baht?

[nakhonandy]

What were these two thinking, everyone knows Chinese tourists are zero baht tourists here

on package tours and spend no money outside there package tour.

Not so true these days. I see plenty of Chinese independant travels staying in quality hotels and quality private apartments.

True, there are more of the middle class Chinese appearing that actually do have money.

However the vast majority are on package tours and do not spend.

At least that is my impression around Jomtien/Pattaya.

[tajtom]

Chinese quality just what the Thai people need more Chinese

LOL.... You just love them they are actually terrible tourists

[Nemesis7]

Accepting the bribe itself is an offense in most of the civilized countries.

[silent]

Do they need all these police in the photo. You would think they had arrested a mass murder!

It's one big happy family................ that just won a Chinese lottery.

Edited October 7, 2015 by silent

[steven100]

scammers get the scammers .................

[sweatalot]

I wonder where that 100,000 Baht will end up? I'm sure it's being held as evidence!

From the Koh Tao trial case we know that evidence can easily be used up

[sweatalot]

Accepting the bribe itself is an offense in most of the civilized countries.

Now I get it.

They could not accept the money because they were observed (it was on video)

[NamKangMan]

What were these two thinking, everyone knows Chinese tourists are zero baht tourists here

on package tours and spend no money outside there package tour.

Not so true these days. I see plenty of Chinese independant travels staying in quality hotels and quality private apartments.

They're illegal Chinese tour guides - not independent Chinese travelers.

[NamKangMan]

Accepting the bribe itself is an offense in most of the civilized countries.

Now I get it.

They could not accept the money because they were observed (it was on video)

Someone filming was my initial thought.

In any case, the same police will still be accepting their "tea money" from various estblishments for late opening, no helmet etc etc etc etc.

[Benmart]

If the police do nothing, they are criticized. If they do something, they are criticized. Action or inaction is often an opportunity for the nattering nabobs of negativism, (Thank you Spiro Agnew & William Safire), to refine their skills.

[NamKangMan]

If the police do nothing, they are criticized. If they do something, they are criticized. Action or inaction is often an opportunity for the nattering nabobs of negativism, (Thank you Spiro Agnew & William Safire), to refine their skills.

"If the police do nothing, they are criticized. If they do something, they are criticized." - the reason for that is, the police here are "selectively corrupt."

Like I said, these guys will still be taking their "tea money" from other sources.

Edited October 7, 2015 by NamKangMan

[Somtamnication]

If I worked illegally, Chalong pier would be the last place I would work at. 500m from the police station and Thai "guides" competing.

[Krataiboy]

Weird. My understanding has always been that you would get busted if you ran a business and didn't bung the BIB.

[farangmick]

Do they need all these police in the photo. You would think they had arrested a mass murder!

They are only junior officers wanting a selfie. Only Lt. Col. and above are allowed on the special "Senior Officer Finger Pointing" course.