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Phuket Tourist Trickery Scores 300,000 Baht, Enough to Make You Sick
By Sert Tongdee Friday, February 3, 2012
PHUKET: A group of Chinese tourists has ripped off a Phuket business over a bout of food poisoning that afflicted some of their members on Phuket.
The Chinese tourists were paid 300,000 baht for their silence to protect Phuket's reputation. But when they returned to China, the tour group broke their promise, spreading their story about food poisoning on Phuket around nine newspapers - and they may have even been paid to do it.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha heard the alarming tale of the treacherous tourists today from Yin Young Waie, Phuket manager of Pacific Holidays, who was shocked to find the tourists had gone back on their word.
It was he who paid over the 300,000 baht in compensation that was supposed to buy the silence of the group over their food poisoning.
Eleven of the group of 41 went to Patong Hospital the day after eating at a restaurant near Simon Cabaret in Patong. Three of them were treated for diarrhoea. None were admitted.
But the group threatened to expose Phuket to damages, and in the interests of retaining Phuket's reputation, the substantial amount of compensation was paid.
Now Phuket's Governor Tri has had translations made of the articles in the Chinese newspapers and will ask the Foreign Ministry to tell the complete story, so that the citizens of Chengdu in China learn the truth.
The trouble is, some of them may laugh.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Bt 300.000 is a fair compensation for 11 people needing hospital treatment.
That probably leaves them about Bt 20k per person for pain, suffering and disrupted holiday after they paid their hospital bills.
They have every right to be compensated AND to speak up. I'm glad they did and would like to know the name of the restaurant.
I wonder if anyone thought of sending the health inspectors to this particular restaurant instead of reading translations.
As if Phuket didn't have more pressing issues to bring to the attention of the ministires in BKK.
Posted by
Steve C.
on
February 3, 2012 18:41
So restaurants on Phuket can serve whatever they want, if people get sick, they just pay them a little to be quite and continue !
Shall some die before the restaurants are checked and controlled by the right authorities ??
Phuket is closing itself down !
Posted by
karsten
on
February 3, 2012 18:50
I agree with Steve, the vomiting thing is the global amount of the bill from Patong Hospital; but maybe is to have been to See Simon, that made them vomit ...no one knows really
Posted by
vomito
on
February 3, 2012 19:01
I fail to see why the Gov would get involved in asking the Foreign Ministry to tell the whole tale. It's obvious what went on, the restaurant owner simply thought that a payment under the table to keep them quiet would do the trick.
What Gov Tri should do is have the restaurant inspected and closed until it comes up to an acceptable hygiene standard.
Don't complain when other complain - do something constructive about it and then less people will complain.
Well done for the Chinese for making this public - that's one less chance we have of getting food poisoning by simply avoiding the place like the plague (not pun intended).
Posted by
Graham
on
February 3, 2012 19:08
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha , maybe bribery and corruption works in Thailand, it does not work overseas. The Chinese did not have a face to loose, but Phuket lost it's face. Sum num na.
Posted by
Dun
on
February 3, 2012 19:31
Maybe the title should be, "Chinese tourists act like tourist area Thais and jump on the scamming gravy train"
The Thai government gets involved to perpetuate the myth that there are no problems in the area. What a dream.
Posted by
Relic
on
February 3, 2012 20:20
How can corruption ever stop when even the Gov is at it? Almost as funny as the Aussie woman who complained when the police turned down her bribe when she tried to get out of the Great Bar Mat Theft. Amazing what gets covered up here- There's a deathly silence over two serious incidents which occured in Patong this week as well. Pressure from above?
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
February 3, 2012 20:27
Editor Comment:
Why is it, Mr Ree, that you know about these ''incidents'' but never tell anyone? Yet you expect - possibly through some kind of miracle - that All Will Be Revealed. How odd.
And how is the Gov ''at corruption''? Enough accusations without basis, please.
"Phuket's Governor Tri has had translations made of the articles in the Chinese newspapers and will ask the Foreign Ministry to tell the complete story, so that the citizens of Chengdu in China learn the truth."
Why on earth would he do that? The complete story is that they were compensated for their "inconvenience" (I guess that's where they spent a fair amount of time) on condition that they didn't tell anyone.
So does the Governor think the citizens of Chengdu, or of anywhere else, will agree with this?
The place in question should be closed down immediately until it has passed a health inspection.
Posted by
Eric
on
February 3, 2012 21:41
Editor Comment:
If the people who went to Patong Hospital told the doctors and nurses where they went to eat, the restaurant is highly likely to be subjected to a Public Health inspection. Closure would only come if there was some chronic problem rather than as a result of an isolated case.
Not to blame him for the unfortunate poisoning, but I say -- lesson learned. I hope Yin Young Waie might now consider that it's better to invest your money into improving the quality of your guests' experiences rather than trying to pay them off to suppress the bad ones. With Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, blogging and more media-savvy people around the world (China even!) buying people's silence is bound to be a futile effort in the long run. I'm at a loss, really, as to why and how he thought the Gov could help him now!
Posted by
Lana
on
February 3, 2012 22:15
The only "chronic" thing about issues like this on Phuket is that the Businesses in question are virtually never named in local media.
This was the case with the Legionella infection in the XXX Resort in Patong and this restaurant is not being named either. We have to read about it in foreign media.
Why is that ? It's obvious the owner does not dispute the incident so I doubt any legal action for defamation would apply.
Posted by
Steve C.
on
February 3, 2012 22:28
"Now Phuket's Governor Tri has had translations made of the articles in the Chinese newspapers and will ask the Foreign Ministry to tell the complete story, so that the citizens of Chengdu in China learn the truth."
The whole story and truth? That a group tour were taken to a restaurant where several contracted food poisoning, and then a payment was made for compensation? Unfortunately, if the Governor himself can't differentiate between compensation and bribery, what chance for solving any of the other ills that areas of Phuket suffer from.
Posted by
Phil
on
February 3, 2012 23:05
Editor Comment:
I didn't know that you were personally acquainted with the Governor, Phil. That's the only way you'd know what was going on in his mind. It never ceases to amaze me how people with no involvement in a situation manage to ascribe motives and have such a complete understanding of human behavior, no matter how sketchy the published information.
"Eleven of the group of 41 went to Patong Hospital the day after eating at a restaurant near Simon Cabaret in Patong. Three of them were treated for diarrhoea. None were admitted." Do the math only 3 treated, that is B100,000 each, none admitted, so not serious. Maybe China now knows this is the LofS Land of Scams. Beware more Chinese doing to the Thais what some of the Thais have been doing to the tourists for tears.
Posted by
Sandy Shores
on
February 4, 2012 09:14
Oh dear Mr Ed we have got out of the wrong side of the bed again haven't we. WHen I do put specifics you edit them to suit your mood - when I don't you whinge just as much. Woodward and Bernstein would hang their heads in shame. Never let the truth interfere with a good story I guess.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
February 4, 2012 11:13
Editor Comment:
Total nonsense, Mister Ree. Please tell us about the ''incidents'' you claim took place, or cease your idle and defamatory blather.
"Editor Comment:
I didn't know that you were personally acquainted with the Governor, Phil. That's the only way you'd know what was going on in his mind. It never ceases to amaze me how people with no involvement in a situation manage to ascribe motives and have such a complete understanding of human behavior, no matter how sketchy the published information."
I can't really see why you think I've alluded to acquaintance with the Governor, and 'no matter how sketchy the published information' is surely an admission of your poor investigative journalism skills?
Posted by
Phil
on
February 4, 2012 12:37
Editor Comment:
if you can't win the argument on principle, make it personal, eh, Phil? Start with accusations you can't sustain, then blame someone else for your ignorance. Pathetic, really.
dont they have foodpoisoning in china?, would anyone in china give a damn about it if it would happen there? editor. i still enjoys ur repleys..
Posted by
frog
on
February 4, 2012 13:20
Editor Comment:
Oddly enough, food poisoning knows no boundaries. People make mistakes everywhere from time to time.
"Editor Comment:
if you can't win the argument on principle, make it personal, eh, Phil? Start with accusations you can't sustain, then blame someone else for your ignorance. Pathetic, really."
You print an article, invite comment, and when individuals do so, you fall back on non-relevant defensive criticism and lessen further your editorial credibility.
I do accept that English might not be your first language, which is perhaps the reason you fail to actually read and grasp the content of not only my own posts, but that of others also.
Posted by
Phil
on
February 4, 2012 13:31
Editor Comment:
Your comment had little to do with the article, which is about food poisoning, and a lot to do with your malignant approach, which is nastier, but fortunately an isolated case.
I think we must be reading different articles. The one that I read and commented on was about the 'treacherous' act of some Chinese tourists who having contracted food poisoning at a restaurant, reneged on a 'deal' that supposedly bought their silence.
Had the article focused more on the actual source of the food poisoning and steps to prevent recurrence, my comments would have been different.
"Now Phuket's Governor Tri has had translations made of the articles in the Chinese newspapers and will ask the Foreign Ministry to tell the complete story, so that the citizens of Chengdu in China learn the truth."
So what is the Foreign Ministry going to tell the good citizens of Chengdu?
Posted by
Phil
on
February 4, 2012 19:31
Editor Comment:
Without having read the Chinese language articles, I would reckon from the level of indignation that they must be wildly exaggerated, otherwise there would be no point in the Governor and the Ministry becoming involved.
Three people with the runs, but not serious enough to admit to hospital, from a party of 41? .As food poisoning occurs everywhere, doesn't really seem newsworthy to me.
Perhaps you missed the car crash that killed five people or some of the other life and death issues of the day?
"Editor Comment:
Perhaps you missed the car crash that killed five people or some of the other life and death issues of the day?"
No, like many others I didn't miss it. The irony is that you chose to spend most of your editorial input to a tourism related issue, rather than the ongoing road safety issues. Anyone can make throw away comments and criticism, but what are you, as a media source, actually doing to promote safety
"Without having read the Chinese language articles, I would reckon from the level of indignation that they must be wildly exaggerated, otherwise there would be no point in the Governor and the Ministry becoming involved. "
What, you haven't read these articles, but you 'reckon'? Yet you allude to some degree of knowledge of their impact. Sad person.
"Three people with the runs, but not serious enough to admit to hospital, from a party of 41? .As food poisoning occurs everywhere, doesn't really seem newsworthy to me."
So if these 'three' people died, then it's just c'est la vie? I suggest you change your profession, maybe look towards something more suitable that doesn't tax your mental capacity too much. Can you use an iron?
Please employ staff who when acting under your job title, actually understand both what has been written, and the comments of others. Also, a grasp of what could be considered free speech might be a plus......
Posted by
Phil
on
February 5, 2012 00:11
"Without having read the Chinese language articles, I would reckon from the level of indignation that they must be wildly exaggerated, otherwise there would be no point in the Governor and the Ministry becoming involved."
This from the Editor of a globally read on-line Phuket newspaper, defending the action (or lack of) of local politicians in their attempt to discredit the complaints of Chinese tourists.
Posted by
Phil
on
February 5, 2012 00:36
Editor Comment:
This is actually in response to your question, Phil: ''So what is the Foreign Ministry going to tell the good citizens of Chengdu?'' Not much point in asking questions if you don't like to hear answers.
"PHUKET: A group of Chinese tourists has ripped off a Phuket business over a bout of food poisoning that afflicted some of their members on Phuket."
Note, 'ripped off a Phuket business over a bout of food poisoning'. OMG, somebody actually complained about possible life threatening lack of food hygiene........
Posted by
Phil
on
February 5, 2012 00:40
"Three people with the runs, but not serious enough to admit to hospital, from a party of 41? .As food poisoning occurs everywhere, doesn't really seem newsworthy to me."
So why did you publish it? Oh, where I live, food poisoning doesn't actually occur everywhere. You live in Laguna?
Posted by
Phil
on
February 5, 2012 00:46
"Editor comment:
Three people with the runs, but not serious enough to admit to hospital, from a party of 41? .As food poisoning occurs everywhere, doesn't really seem newsworthy to me."
So why did you report it? You need to take responsibility for your reporting, because at the moment you are biased beyond belief. Have a good think about what a newspapers objectives are, and ask yourself if you actually fit in that bracket. Lastly, don't confuse yourself with such luminaries as Bob Woodward etc, as these individuals of investigative journalism had courage and ethics which drove their story seeking. Yours doesn't actually have a bracket, other than 'read/sad/bin'. Man up, or go back to collating adverts.
Posted by
Phil
on
February 5, 2012 01:03
Editor Comment:
The small outbreak of food poisoning led to a far more newsworthy story, Phil - a deal to save Phuket's reputation that involved 300,000 baht, a deal that was quickly broken. I am not confused. But you seem to like mixing your Weeties in with your soup.
I agree the editor is again way out of line and attacking readers for personal reasons while ignoring the real issue.
I also agree with the Chinese and applaud any action that exposes Thailand as a nation that depends on lies and fallacy to lure tourists, other than sex tourists that is.
Posted by
Media Watcher
on
February 5, 2012 07:54
Editor Comment:
I don't attack readers for ''personal reasons,'' Mediawatcher. Readers can see for themselves where the problem lies. In your case, it's an obsession with sex and lies.
This is so funny, hearing about the poor Chinese getting food poisoning. as said earlier, 3 out of 41 with the runs and no hospitalisation? Maybe they got the runs from eating too much good food in Thailand, chinese food is so full of toxins, poisons, heavy metals, gutter oil, malignant bacteria, chemicals etc etc.
Posted by
Ian G
on
February 5, 2012 09:21
Out of curiosity, are restaurants ever inspected for standards of hygiene? Routinely? In 17 years of visiting Phuket & with some friends in the restaurant business, I have never heard of such. I have seen many restaurants with toilets next to kitchens with only a single door barrier. That simply would not be acceptable in many West European countries & I suspect USA & Australia.
Posted by
Logic
on
February 17, 2012 17:06
Editor Comment:
Logic, there's a "Good Health'' award that goes into most places. To be perfectly frank, I'd much rather have the Thai approach of buying fresh every day and cooking largely in the open, where diners can see what's happening to their food. Thai standards are fantastic. Once the kitchen goes behind closed doors and the refrigerator becomes important, then you have problems. Perhaps you haven't read the stories I have about what chefs in Australia and the US have done to the food of people they don't like? Thai standards are superb.
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Bt 300.000 is a fair compensation for 11 people needing hospital treatment.
That probably leaves them about Bt 20k per person for pain, suffering and disrupted holiday after they paid their hospital bills.
They have every right to be compensated AND to speak up. I'm glad they did and would like to know the name of the restaurant.
I wonder if anyone thought of sending the health inspectors to this particular restaurant instead of reading translations.
As if Phuket didn't have more pressing issues to bring to the attention of the ministires in BKK.
Posted by Steve C. on February 3, 2012 18:41