Rajathewa police station Bangkok airport where the extortions are reported to have started
From Andrew Drummond, Bangkok
Pictures: Andrew Chant
The Thai government last night announced a major crackdown at the country’s major international airport following the shakedown of a British couple who had to pay the equivalent of £8000 after being arrested on shoplifting charges.
Thailand’s Ministry of Transport said that if any foreigner got into legal trouble at the airport which involved police they would be escorted by airport officials and Embassies would be notified immediately, in new measures to prevent extortion of tourists.
The crackdown would also include rogue taxis and taxi touts and ‘unofficial Customs arrests’ outside the Customs area at Suvarnabhumi international airport.
British couple say they were forced to stay this hotel while they waited bank transfers from UK
The latest moves follow the case of Stephen Ingram, 49, and Xi Lin, 45, from Cambridge who were arrested at the airport in April and accused of stealing a Givenchy wallet worth £120 from a King Power duty free store at the airport.
The couple claimed they were taken to the airport’s Rajathewa Police station and told that unless they paid some 400,000 Thai baht (£8000) they could be detained for up to a year and even longer if they intended to plead not guilty to the charge.
The scam was nicknamed the ‘Monopoly’ scam because when the couple paid up they were given ‘Get out of Jail’ letters signed by the local prosecutor and local police chief.
The couple denied shoplifting. Stephen Ingrams said today: “We intend to return to Thailand to sue for the return of our cash.”
This case will now be investigated, said Transport Minister Sophon Zarun, and any culprits will be brought to court.
Late last month an Irish scientist Dr. Ashie Norris, 41, was detained and arrested for stealing a Bobbi Brown wax eyeliner worth about £15 at another King Power duty free shop. Dr. Norris who was in Bangkok for a conference at the invitation of Kasetsart University managed to escape Thailand with the help of Thai friends.
She too had approached by a fixer at the local police station hoping to do business.
There have been several arrests a week for shoplifting at Suvarnabhumi airport. King Power insists the cases are genuine and has been putting videos up on its website.
Said Dr. Norris: “ I took two items to the cashier paid with a credit card and left. Then I was stopped by a gang of people saying. ‘You. You ! You! You go to jail for six months! I looked at my receipt and saw I had only been charged for a Bobbi Brown lip tint.”
Thailand’s Transport Ministry Sophon Zarun said: “If anybody has complaints they should take them directly to the Transport Ministry”.
Good stuff! Even though I don’t see it happening on a consistent basis this action taken by the transport minister holds some hope that it will have a domino affect and clean up some of Bangkok’s other scam/tout hotspots. From what I’ve been reading on the net recently Thailand has really let their tourism industry go to the dogs in essential/basic areas. As a previous visitor to Thailand I feel really sorry for the people/families of this beaut country who work hard in this industry being honest and considerate in a corupt state of affairs.
At the same time it is their country.
If Thailand ever had a credible and honest political party which campaigned to bring an end to corruption, criminality and incompetence in the organs of state in this country, it would be interested to see how they would fare.
Something needs to be done, and I fear it will be, but not until after a long, painful and bloody implosion.
The danish government must take some credit for this (- they do not have to worry about interests they have in thailand -) as must thaivisa teakdoor and this forum for not suppressing or trying to control opinions of some posters.
Shame on the one forum that did enforce censorship.
Actually it was the Sunday Times which started it all was it not with a litle help from their friends.
credit to them also but certainly this forum and others helped ( a little help from their friends)
I love the Thai people. I respect the king and the Thai laws. I can’t understand the short sighted outlook of the authorities involved here.Thailand has been suffering from the world recession like every other country. But has added its own bit to the economic problems. It’s political unrest and the police and army’s response to it has left the educated world stunned. Now some petty criminals have made Thailand a laughing stock1 They can’t even control these clowns. The courts should put them in gaol for treason! Everybody that I know is now giving Thailand a miss and going to Vietnam instead. ‘Ferangs’ are just tired of being abused in this ex holiday destination.
Good reporting on these cases Andrew and good to see the government is starting to take things seriously. However, it should be taken into account before taking complaints to the transport minister, as he requests, that he and his political party, Bhumjai Thai, have close links with the owner of King Power.
I also agree with you that the company itself is not likely to be involved in the scam, if that what is happening. They can make far too much money from the stores and, allegedly, even more than that from selling a huge volume of duty free liquor outside the duty free stores. It is more likely private enterprise by KP workers and police. No doubt there is indeed a lot of shoplifting that goes undetected and they get their wages docked for the missing items. Perhaps this started as a means to recover their personal losses and got out of hand. I noticed that the first reports seemed to be about Indian and other Asian victims. Perhaps they had too many problems with Asians who couldn’t transfer enough money for their monopoly cards and decided to target afflent looking Europeans instead. This seems to have raised the stakes because this type of victim is more likely to fight back.
Arkady. Welcome. I think the fixer was getting bored with accepting laptop computers in lieu of cash. But seriously I sort of predicted early on that if there was an enquiry that Sri Lankan fixer would take the rap. However hope springs eternal on a practice which is after all taking place in different forms all over the country. It even happened to me and a film crew 15 years ago after a car accident (No other vehicle involved). They had us by the short and curlies, so to speak, with a massive film budget at stake.
Arkady: Explanatory note: We has just finished filming ‘Lord of the Golden Triangle’ in the Shan States and the crew had a four day break before shooting the final interviews with the DEA and ONCB in Bangkok. I sent the crew down to Koh Samui. When I arrived the following day I saw they had hired one of those grotesque giant jeep thingies. Going along the notorious winding and hilly stretch between Chawaeng and Lamai the steering went. I kid you not. The jeep rolled and came to a halt on top of us (driver was thrown clear) on the edge of a cliff. I was saved by the roll bar.
Driver was the cameraman/director. Had serious back injury. We complained to the jeep hire company. He brought in his friendly policeman. We huffed and puffed and the more we huffed and puffed, as is usual, the higher the price went. (The lads had handed over their passports). We had to pay to continue with the film. In the end insurance paid though.
Cameraman was taken off docs to become director of ‘Coronation Street’ – a soap which has been running in Britain, well it seems like since the invention of TV.
Wonder what Ena Sharples, God rest her woolly stockings, would have made of Pattaya.
Probably not a lot. But Mike Balwin used to love the place
Here follows the latest King Power statement. I also include ‘Notes to Editor’ , which are not normally made available to the public, as it is allegations therein on which Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin say they are making allegations of falsification of evidence
For Immediate Release
Thailand’s Duty Free Operator provides clarity concerning the British couple’s alleged theft at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand
24 July 2009 – Bangkok: BBC news recently published a story about a British couple who said to have “fought Bangkok Airport extortionists” earlier this year and cited Suvarnabhumi Airport of Thailand and King Power Duty Free Company Limited (KPD). KPD has examined the facts related to the incident, and states clearly that it has no involvement in the alleged “zig-zag scheme” perpetrated by members of the Thai police as reported by the BBC.
Regarding the 20 July BBC story entitled “Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam,” King Power Duty Free Company Limited (KPD) has investigated the incident and assured the public that the company has filed a thorough and meticulously-documented report with the proper authorities.
In order to clarify the facts related to and allegations resulting from this case, KPD sent out a detailed explanation of the events surrounding this incident to related organizations such as the British Embassy, including the aforementioned CCTV footage, which can be viewed at KPD’s website: http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/pop_case2.html
Mr. Sombat Dechapanichkul, Group Managing Director of King Power Duty Free Company Limited (KPD) said that, “KPD would like to assure the public that each and every theft report
filed by KPD follows all applicable legal procedures. KPD files such reports only when the company has either clear and incontrovertible evidence of, or a credible witness to, each incident of theft. As a plaintiff in this particular case, KPD has the right to file a legitimate theft report, an unfortunate situation which we must routinely confront, as we face an average of 2-3 shoplifting cases per month. In addition, KPD always follows the strictest legal procedures, makes well-considered decisions in each particular case, and upholds the highest standards in keeping with our status as a prestigious retail business serving international passengers and travelers, as we endeavor to uphold the good image of both our proud company and the tourism industry in Thailand.”
Mr. Sombat further states that, “King Power Duty Free Company Limited has operated duty free shops in Thailand for more than 19 years. We have served countless airport passengers with honesty, integrity and professionalism at all times. The company has received the highest independent industry awards in recognition of the excellence of our service to our customers and our endeavors on behalf of the airport’s passengers. At the same time, the company has both the right and the duty to protect itself against theft, in accordance with the applicable laws in Thailand, which are similar to those of every other country in the world.”
—-
Notes to the Editor
Explanation of the events surrounding the British couple’s alleged theft, as investigated by King Power Duty Free:
On the night of April 25, 2009, Mr. Stephen Thomas Ingram and Ms. Xi Lin were caught on CCTV airport security cameras placing an expensive Givenchy wallet into Ms. Lin’s handbag. Having thus determined that a theft had occurred within the shop, the security staff reported the incident to the Airport Tourist Police. Subsequently, the couple was positively identified in a restaurant located at the west end of the terminal building. At that point, the couple was attired in different outerwear than they had worn while in the King Power shop, and were seated at separate tables in the restaurant. Airport Tourist Police officers identified themselves and followed legal procedures in conducting a search of the female (later identified as Xi Lin) and her possessions at her table. As the police approached the female, the male (subsequently named as Stephen Thomas Ingram) was observed getting up from his table and departing the restaurant. Security staff followed him as he hurriedly entered a men’s restroom. The stolen Givenchy wallet was soon located by security staff, abandoned in a trash bin at the entrance to the restroom that Mr. Ingram had entered. The couple was charged with theft and escorted to the police station under the jurisdiction of Rachathewa for further statements.
For more
Call me Trigger, but should the police not have checked the wallet for Steven Ingram’s finger prints? As I believe this wallet was not touched by Mr.Ingram in the duty free shop?
Its is Mr.Ingram’s assertion, if my memory servies me well, that the wallet was not produced until quite some time after his arrest. That an attempt was made to force his hand down on to his wallet which had been laid on his laptop.
Who are the “credible witnesses” King Power talk about? Security guards who just might get a kickback every time they hand a tourist over to the police for extortion?
Problem is everyone knows who is at the heart of the scam but since he has already reported that it is not his responsibility if suspects utilise ” unusual channels ” to obtain resolution I suppose, like all Thai officials caught extorting, his version will be officially supported even if he is eventually transferred to another post.
These guys are so crooked they couldn’t lie straight in bed but kudos to you and your ilk for making it more difficult for them to operate carte blanche against farang, guilty and innocent.
Philip Murphy from Ireland has highlighted two very interesting background stories on Ireland and how and when the Irish company Aer Rianta were kicked out.
http://www.moodiereport.com/pdf/twr_15.pdf
http://www.forbes.com/global/1999/0809/215030a.html
Never once has KP commented on the “escape” monies squeezed from the couple.
King Power have not publicly criticised police/prosecutor for not pursuing this case.
In addition there are now serious allegations being made in the UK in relation to the editing of the video ‘British couple’ and KP’s explanation of events.
I am informed that the Thai Ambassador to the UK is now involved and is assisting in the return of cash, initially the ‘bail money’.
Stephen Ingram says he did not get a receipt for the bail money as none was written.
If King Power were really genuine, it would long ago have realized that corrupt policemen & judicial officials are badly compromising its public image - and aditionally undermining its attempts to secure its premises. If suspects were arrested in a more professional manner, it might actually be possible for KP to make sound prosecutions that send a message to the light-fingered.
Can you elaborate or direct us to articles concerning those serious allegations,or are they not yet in the public domain?
Thanks.
Cant be specific because this is a matter for litigation. But there is a claim that the vdo was edited. The KP statement is being heavily contested on almost every sentence.
I have a full and lengthy statement from the couple in question as does the Sunday Times and BBC. But they may wish to keep a few things up their sleeve.
Am I missing something here?
BKK Post says King Power was accused by previous transport minister on 17th June of stealing 16 billion baht from the government by using unpaid for floor space at Suvarnabhumi for four years Yet Khun Vichai appears to have not been arrested yet. Only a bunch of fahrangs for a lipstick and a wallet. Will thing’s change now P.C. Seripisuth is back on patrol? Don’t think so! Perhaps surveillance video can be used to check the actual amount of floor space being stolen?
This story about the BKK airport scam is everywhere now. I know a financial firm who deals with high net worth clients advising people not to shop at the King Power duty free and beware of the Thai police. They sent a alert to all their clients. Thailand better wake up. These high net worth tourist that are the very people you want to visit and invest in Thailand.
Has there been progress, Andrew, given the Thai Ambassador’s involvement, on the Ingram case
The British Embassy are sticking to their remit.
Ingram sent a colleague to Bangkok to get back his bail. The local police agreed apparently providing an Embassy official witnessed the transaction. The Embassy said this was not within their duties and did not do so. Stephen Ingram did not get his money back.
I think you have to bear in mind that the British Embassy were involved in the early stages and asked if the British couple wanted to take the case up officially (and all that that concerned). Their offer was declined.
Here follows the official line:
“We cannot pay the bail for British nationals or get their bail money returned to them. The British Embassy can put British nationals needing legal advice in contact with English-speaking lawyers, but cannot act directly for them. This is, in part, because embassy officials are seen by the courts as an external third party. A lawyer however is a representative of the accused acting within the local legal framework, recognised by the courts and able to act on their clients’ behalf. We consistently advise BNs that there is no alternative to engaging a lawyer if they want to pursue a local legal matter.
“We often raise consular cases with the local authorities where BNs in jail face problems, but cannot intervene if our assistance is refused by the BNs concerned.
“Since their return to the UK, Deputy Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant and embassy officials have raised the case of Mr Ingram and Ms Lin with the Thai police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Airport Director. We have also changed our travel advice to warn other travellers of potential difficulties at the airport”
This is no longer a hot story of course
So perhaps the Thai way has prevailed and the matter sorted without any loss of face being shown.
We will never know. But that’s how it normally works . Let the fuss die down thn qietly deal with it.
I wonder why this is not a hot story anymore.
I have been waiting with breathless anticipation in hopes of seeing Mr. Ingram on some sort of show like Breakfast with Frost proclaiming his/their innocence. I wonder what they are keeping up their sleeves?
A Givenchy wallet perhaps?
It is not dead yet.
The Thai PM went to the airport and told them to clean up the scams.
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2009/08/pm-hits-out-at-scam-brokers/comment-page-1/#comment-264
http://www.dfnionline.com/article/King-Power-plans-clearer-signage-1859001.html
Don’t hold your breath. Sounds like more CYA. TIT.