Bangkok Airport Scam-King Power Answer the Critics
The King Power duty free outlet at Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi) has recently been at the centre of an alleged scam involving the theft of duty free goods. Although the story has been reported for sometime locally and regionally now it seems that it finally making international headlines with the BBC Asia Pacific correspondent Jonathan Head joining the fray.
Make no mistake about it shoplifting is theft, which is a criminal offence in Thailand and is certainly not to be condoned. King Power just like any other business is entitled to protect their assets from thieves. In Thailand they do this by using CCTV and security staff.
What is more worrying however is the suggestion in the various allegations that complicity in the arrests between King Power staff and the Thai Police along with a middleman of Sri Lankan origin, named Tony have led to Thai nationals gaining monetary reward from their actions. In short a scam.
To date the only actual evidence available publicly apart from the accounts offered by the alleged thieves, is CCTV footage supplied by the company on their web site along with an explanation of their actions. While this action by King Power is to be commended it unfortunately does not explain why the alleged thieves were treated the way they were by the Thai police and the mysterious middleman "Tony."
Sadly extortion does happen in Thailand but at this moment in time there is no evidence available to suggest that King Power staff are part of the alleged Bangkok airport scam.
1 comments:
There are too many reports of similar incidents emanating from several countries (including Britain, Germany and Denmark) that puts the lie to King Power Duty Free claims.
Whether it is a corporate endeavor or solely a money generating scheme by staff, security and/or police what really matters is the fact that travellers are put at risk of incarceration in jails renowned for their soul destroying conditions. This is not just a little scam such as increasing prices to tourists.
Consider that:
(1) Checkout staff have placed goods in bags for which they did not charge the customer;
(2) The British couple were searched and nothing was found on them;
(3) The British couple were cleared following investigation by Thai authorities;
(4) The British couples passports were retained during the investigation and returned - they didn't 'escape'.
The CCTV footage on the web site has dubious value. I have three cameras mounted on my vehicle (in VietNam) and judicious selection of which cameras output can make it tell one story that differs from another camera.
Bottom line? Until Thai authorities complete their investigation stay clear of King Power and all duty frees at Bangkok International Airport.
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