Bangkok airport scam

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dragonman

dragonman

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There is much about this online, but I post this as a warning to all AFF'ers.

Two youngish friends (mid-20's) buy a pack of cigarettes at the airport duty free. They do not get a receipt nor do they ask for one. They are detained by airport security and accused of shoplifting. Cost one of them 20000 baht to get out of there. The other (who actually paid for the cigarettes) was arrested and is being held on bail of 200000 baht.

Moral of the story - buy nothing from Bangkok duty free, or if you do get a receipt.
 
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Friends of yours that had this happen to them??

This story has been going around for years already. I buy duty free smokes at BKK all the time, no problems. I have NEVER had them not provide a receipt. I always pay by credit card.

There was a lot of press about similar stories earlier in the year and Kingpower actually released some security video of some shoplifters too... was a long thread on the FT royal orchid plus forum about it
 
dazz81 said:
Friends of yours that had this happen to them??

This story has been going around for years already. I buy duty free smokes at BKK all the time, no problems. I have NEVER had them not provide a receipt. I always pay by credit card.

There was a lot of press about similar stories earlier in the year and Kingpower actually released some security video of some shoplifters too... was a long thread on the FT royal orchid plus forum about it
Click to expand...

Happened this week - google it and you will find other recent accounts.
 
I really dont believe the Kingpower duty free scam story-it really would be stupid and ruin their business.However if you are foolish or unlucky enough to be picked up by Thai police that is another story.
On this last visit I did notice for the first time signs in some of the smaller shops headed "Warning for Smugglers"
Basically it went on if you were found with unpaid goods you could pay the shop fine of 5-10 times the price of the goods or you would be handed over to the police.Definite inference that once the police were involved your costs go up dramatically.
 
serfty said:
I read closely, aware of the issue earlier this year. It was different enough to think it was new.

dragonman, Can you provide a URL to this story as all me searches do is bring up the major story from earlier this year or stuff like this:

Airport Duty Free - Bangkok Tourist Traps - VirtualTourist.com
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This one caught my eye today
BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam

For the sceptics out there - this is not "friends of friends". I can provide names - but am reluctant to do so without their permission. My post was simply a heads up to say it is still happening. I will be in Bangkok next week and I will avoid their duty free shops I can tell you.
 
i would say pay by credit card. they have to give you a receipt then, at least a copy of you CC voucher.
 
I have always been given a receipt. I generally pay by credit card but there has been a few times where I have paid by cash.
 
JohnK said:
I have always been given a receipt. I generally pay by credit card but there has been a few times where I have paid by cash.
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I am sure you have - but young kids getting rid of the rest of their baht may not be so wary.
 
Hi Guys for your info Bangkok airport through out has cameras with Biometrics so when your buying your cigarettes and you don't get a receipt look up and smile. I am sure you can prove you were at the counter. Also 700Million BAHT duty free business does not risk their lively hood for a pack of Cigarettes but hey it a great story.
 
I've found in Thailand I get a recepit for absolutley everything, even if I don't want one! (even KFC, McDonalds etc)
 
ptroiano said:
Hi Guys for your info Bangkok airport through out has cameras with Biometrics so when your buying your cigarettes and you don't get a receipt look up and smile. I am sure you can prove you were at the counter. Also 700Million BAHT duty free business does not risk their lively hood for a pack of Cigarettes but hey it a great story.
Click to expand...

What is your point. Am I lying? Is that what you are saying? It happened THIS WEEK. Thanks so much for your helpful input.

Edited to add - I posted this originally as a heads up - why I let myself get upset by a 3rd time poster is beyond me.
 
I don't think anyone is doubting the story.

Thailand is a corrupt country. Anyone who thinks differently is kidding themselves. I have to deal with scams everyday I am on holiday and most people in Thailand will try to pull one scam or another over the falang. I have seen it time and time again including the highway patrol pulling over falangs only on motorbikes and fining them 100 baht(sometimes more depending on how much Mekong whiskey they need) for just being a falang. Well that is the only reason that makes any sense.

I know a falang guy who runs a bar and a few times he has had these official looking people come over and ask for 20,000 baht for a license so he can play music on the radio/ghetto blaster. What rubbish! His wife, who is Thai by the way, questioned them and stalled and they never bothered to come back. There are some people who get scared and pay these 'bribes'.

How about the sweet looking 8-9 year old girl walking up and down the street sellng fluoro wristbands for 20 baht? Guess what? She works for the mafia. Surprised? Or what about that woman with 2 young kids sleeping on the footpath on Sukhumvit Road near Soi 20-22. I gave her 50 baht the first time I saw her because I felt sorry for her and her kids. The next night she was there again and I notiiced she was counting a wad of Thai baht. Guess what? It is now 3-4 years later and she is still sleeping on the footpath in the same place with her kids. She is also employed by the mafia.

I had better stop now in case people think I am being biased. Thailand is not a place for naive people. Newbies, especially young ones, shoiuld always travel with someone with more experience. And I am back there again in 4 weeks time hoping not to lose my wallet, mobile phone or my sanity....
 
And I back everything JohnK has said.Just one addition-the kids the woman is with possibly are not even hers.This happens particularly on Sukhumvit rd from Nana to Soi Cowboy.
 
Thanks for your feedback but I know a little more than what I am about to let on. Outside the airport I agree it could be a little on the wild side with corruption, but make no mistake the biometrics that are used now at all international airports don't miss much. Bangkok is a major transit point and it would be very unwise for airport staff to pull off some stunts for the purpose of making a few bucks. If they are selling goods without receipts they would make more money just selling it than getting someone in the cough for making up some fairy tale about them stealing. As for receipts I always get one when I buy even a coke at the food court. If you break any minor law at any airport usually they will escort you to a ATM and make you pay an on the spot fine which I have seen happen at YSSY.
But in most instances you will be able to get consular assistance at the airport and hand over nothing until your instructed by Australian Consulate in our instance.
 
ptroiano said:
Thanks for your feedback but I know a little more than what I am about to let on. Outside the airport I agree it could be a little on the wild side with corruption, but make no mistake the biometrics that are used now at all international airports don't miss much. Bangkok is a major transit point and it would be very unwise for airport staff to pull off some stunts for the purpose of making a few bucks. If they are selling goods without receipts they would make more money just selling it than getting someone in the cough for making up some fairy tale about them stealing. As for receipts I always get one when I buy even a coke at the food court. If you break any minor law at any airport usually they will escort you to a ATM and make you pay an on the spot fine which I have seen happen at YSSY.
But in most instances you will be able to get consular assistance at the airport and hand over nothing until your instructed by Australian Consulate in our instance.
Click to expand...

And if the airport security people are corrupt? Maybe that's why some countries are posting travel advisories for their citizens with particular reference to these kind of cases at Bangkok.
 
I think the point is that people need to be wary when travelling to Thailand and countries like it.... don't get me wrong I love the place and I have my own apartment set up in Bangkok.

This story may have come out this week, but this TYPE of story has been coming out for DECADES in Thailand. It is nothing new, and nothing will change probably in our life times. Be aware of what's going on around you and what you are doing and you will be fine. Hundreds of thousands of people buy duty free in Thailand every year and hundreds of thousands come home with no problems.
 
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