Frenchman makes dash for Thailand as Euro betting adventure turns sour


Image: Thairath

SAKAEO: -- While France started the Euros in great style a Frenchman literally ran back to Thailand to escape money lenders in Cambodia.

According to Thai Rath he had won a packet on the Gallic victory in the opening match with Romania but then lost it all - and more - at the Poi Pet casino.

Thai immigration officers stopped him when they saw he had no exit stamp to Cambodia in his passport and wondered why he looked so scared. He managed to break away from officers and make a dash for Thailand but was rounded up.

Thai Rath reported that Andre Moriconi, 32, had gone over to Cambodia on Friday before the opening France vs Romania match at the Euro 2016 soccer tournament and won big on the 1-0 result. But he then tried to play up his winnings and lost it all in the casino. He even tried to sell his watch to pay for his hotel.

Thai immigration talked to him for some time as he tried to enter the country but they pointed out he had no entry or exit stamp for Cambodia just a Thai exit stamp. So they said he must go back. He refused and looked frightened.

After some time he managed to run round officers and make a dash for Thailand. He was soon caught and charged at Klong Luk station with illegal entry and failing to obey immigration officers instructions.

Thai immigration contacted their counterparts in Poi Pet and discovered that the Frenchman was in debt for a considerable amount to a money lender at the casino there before he had fled to Thailand.

Meanwhile Daily News reported that Andre had in fact been in Cambodia for much longer - since the beginning of May, and had lost three million baht at the casino. This was money he had taken with him from Thailand, they said. He had then borrowed more from a money lender at the casino and lost all that too.

Daily News said he had been sleeping at the bus station and eventually been hounded by the money lender to settle the debt. Thinking he would be safe in Thailand he had then tried to get in but due to the irregularities in his passport he was stopped and questioned.

Daily News said he had wailed "I want to go back to France" and Thai immigration had tried to get in touch with his embassy and failed because it was the weekend.

He then tried his dash for freedom.

Source: Thairath, Daily News


-- 2016-06-13

A loser, literally.

Deary me, what is wrong with some people?... but, more startling, how come they're not all pointing at him?

So this loser basically gave up and it's news and warrants a photo shoot!

Edited June 13, 201610 yr by Thailand

he lost 3 million baht, I find that hard to believe and if true where did he get it, perhaps he owes money to others, either way it is all catching up with him..........idiot

What's a Cambodia exit stamp got to do with Thailand? Immigration should only concern themselves with Thai issues.

A money lender at a casino!

You just can't make this s..t up.

What's a Cambodia exit stamp got to do with Thailand? Immigration should only concern themselves with Thai issues.

Casino next to boarder taking care of its interests by means of extending 'team work' across the border comes to mind.

"...know when to walk away, know when to run"

The Gambler - by Kenny Rogers

He always new he would win in the end,

Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em saying comes to minds......

What's a Cambodia exit stamp got to do with Thailand? Immigration should only concern themselves with Thai issues.

Well, I would hope immigration officers would question people who have illegally left another country and are trying to enter their country. Wouldn't you? How far do you think you get in (insert western country here) without valid stamps in your passport?

What's a Cambodia exit stamp got to do with Thailand? Immigration should only concern themselves with Thai issues.

Why speak to something you obviously know very little about?

Win some lose sum a lot

What's a Cambodia exit stamp got to do with Thailand? Immigration should only concern themselves with Thai issues.

Given his circumstances he most likely was planning to get a visa exempt entry and especially at land borders if you exit and return, they check to see evidence that you actually entered & exited the neighboring country.

It is a legitimate Thai immigration issue. Obviously it was a valid warning sign that something was amiss.

Deary me, what is wrong with some people?... but, more startling, how come they're not all pointing at him?

It's called "addiction"...just like smokeing, alcoholism, drugs (and can add on phones these days) along with many other things. He appears to be a compulsive gambler. Those who are not afflicted with it should indeed thank their lucky stars.

Edited June 13, 201610 yr by dotpoom

Don't like the look of that bruiser on the right,what a nightmare.

And that's the last anyone ever heard from Andre . . .

Just remind yourself that those casinos weren't built by losses of the house

Love to know how he won big on a 1-0 result when it was 2-1??

Love to know how he won big on a 1-0 result when it was 2-1??

First Goalscorer

Should have had an Entry stamp for Cambodia, at least.

"...know when to walk away, know when to run"

The Gambler - by Kenny Rogers

He didn't walk away, nor did he run fast enough!!

Deary me, what is wrong with some people?... but, more startling, how come they're not all pointing at him?

It's called "addiction"...just like smokeing, alcoholism, drugs (and can add on phones these days) along with many other things. He appears to be a compulsive gambler. Those who are not afflicted with it should indeed thank their lucky stars.

It's called failure in investment, and it can happen to any investor from the West.

Love to know how he won big on a 1-0 result when it was 2-1??

First Goalscorer

aha thanks for clearing that up.... the reporter actually says "won big on a 1-0 result" which to me actually means the final result not the first goalscorer....still need to brush up on my thaiglish and how it works...lol

"...know when to walk away, know when to run"

The Gambler - by Kenny Rogers

He didn't walk away, nor did he run fast enough!!

The French do not usually listen to country tunes of the US, that's why he missed on this valuable piece of advice...

Stupidity is a part of mankind. Nothing new here.

...gambling is an illness...

...hope he doesn't have any dependents besides himself...

..what a shame...

Deary me, what is wrong with some people?... but, more startling, how come they're not all pointing at him?

Even the police feel sorry for the sad sack.... they just did not have it in them to gloat about doing their jobs....

Edited June 13, 201610 yr by bkkcanuck8

Meanwhile thousands of Farangs murders are still unresolved...