PM orders probe into suspected fraud as 2,000 Japan-bound tourists stranded at airport

[webfact]

PM orders probe into suspected fraud as 2,000 Japan-bound tourists stranded at airport
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha has ordered a probe into a company that left some 2,000 tourists stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday night after they had paid for a trip to Japan.

 

The tourists were left waiting at the airport as the staff of Wealthever, the company arranging the Songkran trip, failed to turn up. Wealthever reportedly was in the business of selling vitamin supplements.

 

Prayut on Wednesday said at least 2,000 tourists were suspected to have been duped. 

 

He urged Thais people not to be gullible.

 

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

 

He said the legal process in this case would commence only after the fraud victims file lawsuits. 

 

The holidaymakers reportedly paid between Bt15,000 to Bt20,000 to the firm for the three-day trip to Japan from April 13 and 15.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30312102

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-12

[ratcatcher]

The Prime Minister is the Jack of All Trades...and Master  etc, as he seems to be ordering probes into everything which surely ought to be the purview of his lower ranked colleagues. Top down...

[otherstuff1957]

This is all over Thai news and social media.  It was advertised as a trip lead by 'Ajarn Shogun', a rather chubby, androgynous young woman.  I wonder if Ajarn Shogun was smart enough to flew the country with her takings or if she was planning on paying off the police?

Edited April 12, 2017 by otherstuff1957

[PatOngo]

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

However, farang are fair game.

[Sphere]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

PM orders probe

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

But before the situation turned more chaotic, Minister of Tourism Kobkarn Wattanawarangkul was alerted and stepped  in by holding a meeting with authorities concerned at the airport.

 

Micromanaging the country. 

 

[kannot]

Only one person we can trust here....................the fortune  tellers, at least that way we  know its "definitely a  load of  crap" as opposed to "might be a  load of crap"

[onemorechang]

Oh,  people Scammed in Thailand.

What ever next. 

( a little bit of own medicine never hurt  )

[NCC1701A]

note to scammers. make sure your scam flies under the PM's radar. (pun intended)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NCC1701A]

"He urged Thais people not to be gullible.

 

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

 

So there is not going to be a election after all?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Maybe he should instead have ordered a probe into what the police did with this case in the past two weeks since Cathay Pacific warned them that some kind of fraud was afoot with this specific company.

 

[colinneil]

He urged Thai people not to be gullible  

Great to see the PM has a sense of humour.

[ezzra]

Similar to the berry picking jobs in Scandinavia and other scams Thai like to

perpetrate on the unsuspecting and good natured country men and women....

[Bullie]

That's over a million Euro's. Nice little nestegg to toddle off to another Asian country with, under an assumed name.

Can't help it, I'm a little impressed.

[kannot]

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

"He urged Thais people not to be gullible.

 

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

 

So there is not going to be a election after all?

Thailand land  of  the free....................nutha  lie

[MaxLee]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He urged Thais people not to be gullible.

 

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

 

 In other words, the tourists' fault................

[jimstar1]

2000 at the Airport Stranded I would have oved to see that

 

[jimstar1]

Just now, jimstar1 said:

2000 at the Airport Stranded I would have oved to see that

 

Sorry Loved to see that

[Panda13]

Everybody has to believe in something... I believe I'll have another beer.

[Sphere]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He urged Thais people not to be gullible.

 

Yes, but Gullibles Travel(s).

[EnlightenedAtheist]

3 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

The Prime Minister is the Jack of All Trades...and Master  etc, as he seems to be ordering probes into everything which surely ought to be the purview of his lower ranked colleagues. Top down...

He can thus LOOK almighty, benevolent, omnipotent, a hero ... With him and ... others and the prevalence of hero movies, everything is carefully marketed. Why would you need an election if all looks as if everything is well taken care of by him? The question remains whether or not he is almighty, benevolent, omnipotent and the multitude of people below him exploiting are ...

Edited April 12, 2017 by EnlightenedAtheist

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

The Prime Minister is the Jack of All Trades...and Master  etc, as he seems to be ordering probes into everything which surely ought to be the purview of his lower ranked colleagues. Top down...

I hear ya, but... he has no choice, police lacks initiative (among other traits), and he can show off how caring for his Thai people he is.

[bkk75]

3 hours ago, Harrykrabi said:

Excellent story. Thais being cheated and scammed. Makes a change from the heartache and devastation they usually wreak on farangs. Absolutely love this karma.

 

It goes both ways.  Farangs who don't use their brains when making deals, marrying bar girls, etc results in similar disappointment.  Let's not Thai bash.

[RigPig]

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

 

He would know!!

[EnlightenedAtheist]

47 minutes ago, MaxLee said:

 

 In other words, the tourists' fault................

Charlatans exist in all countries, but tourists are often lulled to believe that this is an amazing country of people who smiles. And if one dares to question their honesty, they will lose face, which is not acceptable,... Damned if you do and damned if you do. There are --like everywhere-- some very decent people in LOS, but I am not gullible to think that all are amazing. Wish the schools and the govn'ts would be proactive. 

Edited April 12, 2017 by EnlightenedAtheist

[wanderluster]

if he wants thais to be checking everything then i suggest they start with his buying submarines from china and buying hugely expensive trains again from china

[rmacee]

A 3day trip to Japan in peak Songkran period for 15000/20000 bt ..are they having a laugh ...you bet they are ...

 

'If it is to good to be true ...etc'  kiss your money goodbye ..wonder if you could pay for the trip at 7/11??

[elgordo38]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

Wrong statement to the wrong audience. Ah the sweet smell of bahts is in the air. 

[elgordo38]

2000 a goodly number to catch the PM's attention all voters no doubt with a dash of elite which of course are election contributors. Who above all else want something for nothing. 

[heybuz]

Wealthever       Weal  thever

[Emster23]

“Thais believe too easily. Don’t trust anything before checking otherwise you will be cheated,” he said. 

 And how, pray tell, are they to check? Defamation and computer crimes act are so onerous here. Post about a crooked company (even if true) and bang! get hit with a law suit.

 So really, how the heck is the average Thai to check? If by some odd chance a cop happens to be tipped off by member of public who does check, what might be outcome of visit by police? Maybe a free bogus ticket?