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The gist of the scam is that a salesperson will slip something into your shopping bag at duty free outlets letting you believe that it a free gift from your purchase of duty free goods... You will then be detained by airport security officials for shoplifting and asked to pay a large sum of money to be released... and this was precisely what happened to a Malaysian couple at the Bangkok International Airport in early April 2009...
Unique Suggestions: The couple involved insist that they have not shoplifted and the wife put the package into her shopping bag as it was a gift from her puchase... The couple then called the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok... After much hassle, they will let off with a small "fine"...
Fun Alternatives: The much publicised scam was serious and damaging enough to Thailand that the Tourist Authority Of Thailand in Malaysia issued these guidelines to would be travellers to Thailand:
Do not assume that duty-free shops give away free gifts... If you see something you have not bought being put together with items you have paid for, please clarify with the cashier or shop personnel so that misunderstandings would not arise... Always make sure that the items in the bag are the ones stated on the receipt...
All duty-free shops are monitored with CCTV cameras, so if goods are “accidentally” taken out of any outlet without payment being made, security personnel from the control room will immediately notify the shop concerned for necessary action...
Should you be accused of shoplifting, do contact the Malaysian Embassy for help or ask the police to put you through to them... You can also contact the Thai Tourist Police at 1155 to get an English-speaking officer to help you... In fact, you can dial 1155 for any emergency, medical and otherwise...
If you feel that you have been victimised through this incident, you should make a police report in Malaysia or make a report with the Royal Thai Embassy (or whichever embassy is relevant) once you get home...
As for Thailand, the local Tourism Authority Of Thailand office cannot investigate without an official complaint... However, it must be noted that in cases where the Malaysian Embassy officials are called in, victims have been given a proper explanation of the “offence” they have purportedly committed... The Malaysian Embassy would ensure that justice is done and that no Malaysian is unfairly prosecuted and persecuted...
The best precaution to take is never shop for duty free goods at any of Thailand's airports...
Updated Apr 14, 2009
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Bangkok Airport duty free is not cheap. You are far better to buy duty free at the shops in the city and then collect at the airport in airside.
You will save heaps this way.
Food at the airport is expensive as well
Fun Alternatives: Checkout the prices at the duty free shops in town and buy there, much cheaper
Written Apr 30, 2007
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Bangkok airport has quite possibly the worst, most outrageously expensive duty free section of all the airports I've been to. Along its 800 meter length are dozens of 'King Power' stores each virtually identical to the next and all selling the same designer crap such as watches and cameras, alcohol, souvenirs, perfume and cigarettes for vastly inflated prices. None of them sell music CDs, videos or any normal brand items you'd see anywhere else. The Thai souvenirs are the biggest scam of all often selling stuff at a 500%+ markup over the price in any Bangkok market. For example I bought a leather wallet in a market for $3 which was on sale in the airport for $28!
I urge anyone travelling to avoid this place like the plague. Most travellers can get a VAT refund at the airport so there's precious little here to shop here anyway.
Written Aug 24, 2002
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Airport Duty Free tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bangkok locals.
Write a ReviewBangkok airport has quite possibly the worst, most outrageously expensive duty free section of all the airports I've been to. Along its 800 meter length are...
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