Logo

Several recent cases of alleged extortion at the new airport are in danger of subverting the entire legal system, and scaring tourists away

Amid embarrassing allegations that police extorted money from a British couple in connection with an alleged shoplifting offence at Suvarnabhumi airport, similar cases are coming to light. Legal consultants and experts believe that if proved true, such scams could subvert the justice system and are no less important than other major corruption cases. The impact of the allegations has sent ripples around the world, with media organisations in the UK and Ireland highlighting the "scams" that target foreign tourists shopping at the airport. King Power duty-free, which denies any impropriety and has posted video online which it says proves customers were shoplifting, has been identified in two cases by foreign media. Some websites, and at least one European travel advisory, are now warning tourists against the shops at the airport.

Official records show a sharp rise in criminal offences at the airport, especially those involving shoplifting, but it is not easy to get a clear picture of the number of cases involving extortion, as legal experts point out.

Sak Korsaengruang, an honorary lawyer from the Lawyers' Council of Thailand, points out that investigating extortion cases is compromised by collusion between the offenders and police officers.

Records at the Ratchathewa police station, which oversees the airport area, show that since 2008 there have been 207 theft cases at the airport. Of these, 78 resulted in convictions, 66 are under police investigation, 10 have been dropped and most of the rest are being handled by prosecutors.

A source who provided help to an Indian woman in April said the offender was accused of stealing an item worth 1,780 baht. However, after intensive negotiations, the tourist had to pay no less than 250,000 baht "under the table" in order for the legal proceedings to be completed quickly so she could return home.

Normally, anyone arrested at the airport is taken to Ratchathewa police station. But the Indian woman was taken to a station on Kingkaew Road outside the airport. They tried to negotiate to reduce her offence by paying back the value of the stolen goods, but the police officer disagreed and said that the case had to go to trial - a procedure that would take several months.

The woman then asked about other possible ways of handling the case. The officer in charge of the bail procedure demanded she pay 250,000 baht (with no chance to bargain the price down because the money had to be paid to several people). She finally paid part of the money demanded before transferring the rest to the officer's account the next day. After the payment, the officer then proceeded with the case, which went to court, where she was fined 4,000 baht. She then returned to the airport and was allowed to fly home.

Other cases during the same period, both at the airport and at other tourist spots, have been handled by a lawyer registered with the Lawyers' Council of Thailand, who responds to calls for help from the embassies.

One case at the airport involved a Western couple, with the husband accused of stealing a mobile phone and some make-up from a cleaner's bag.

After learning that she had been robbed, the cleaner alerted the police, who arrested the man in the airport. But instead of expediting the case, the police detained the man for the maximum period allowed under the criminal code - 84 days.

"The police told me they were waiting for proof of the evidence. So, I asked what the problem was, and they said the brakes had been put on the case, and to remove them would cost 30,000 baht," said the lawyer.

However, the money was not paid and at the end of the detention period the case went to court, where the man was granted probation after he confessed.

But money was paid in the case involving a visiting couple who were arrested in the Thong Lor area for overstaying their visas earlier this year, the lawyer said.

After being arrested, and about to be taken to the police station, the couple tried to contact their embassy for help. Meanwhile, "negotiations for their release" were being conducted, and eventually the couple had to pay the police 10,000 baht in exchange of their freedom before reaching the police station, the lawyer said.

"You will see that such practices don't only take place at the airport, but anywhere in this country," said the lawyer. "It seems minor compared to major corruption cases, but if it doesn't adhere to the course of justice, justice will never be delivered as those committing crimes will never get punished," said the lawyer.

An officer at the airport's Tourist Police unit said these are frightening situations for tourists.

They are taken to court far from home, where they have no relatives or family to help them or give them advice. Because of this there needs to be someone to mediate and speed up the process.

Someone is needed to help with interpretations and who can help at a tourist's trial. The problems that tourists face without such help are what cause them to be willing to pay under the table for help so they can return home quickly.

The tourist police officer also explained that sometimes the goods involved have very little value, and added that tourists should be aware of scammers and avoid touching goods to avoid being entrapped.

Klanarong Chantuek, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), established to probe corruption-related cases involving state officials, said money extorted by officials in exchange for legal compromises to help offenders are just as important as major cases. The country's reputation has already been damaged by publicity from the recent cases, he said. Mr Klanarong said the NACC had recently received complaints of similar allegations, and was now gathering evidence to prepare investigations.

"This is not a small issue and it deserves serious investigation," said Mr Klanarong.

Writer: Amornrat Mahitthirook and Piyaporn Wongruang
Published: 2/08/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Spectrum