FIVE Israeli tourists on Phuket have been accused of attempting to defraud insurance companies by making false reports about lost cameras, telephones, a laptop and perfume.
The five have been allowed to go free because police were told ''the case might damage relations between Thailand and Israel.''
Police Lieutenant Colonel Preecha Jongserm, of Patong's Kathui Police Station, said officers became suspicious after the five tourists - three men and two women - went to the police station, one by one.
The five arrived on Phuket from Samui by bus yesterday morning.
One by one, each went to the police station and each reported items lost. An officer became suspicious when he noticed they were all staying at the same hotel.
When police went to the unnamed hotel to check each of the five rooms, they found the allegedly missing items.
One of the Israelis told a policeman by way of explanation, ''Oh, I have two laptops, and two cameras . . . '' But the officers did not believe them, Lt. Colonel Preecha said.
The five were taken to the police station. Lt. Colonel Preecha said he called the Israeli embassy in Bangkok and told officials there what had happened.
He said he was told that, because it was a first offence, it would be appropriate for the five to be warned, and allowed to go.
Anything more might ''damage relations between Thailand and Israel,'' Lt. Colonel Preecha said he was told.
The five were given a strict warning and allowed to go. Lt. Colonel Preecha told Phuketwan ''This kind of thing happens too often. A lot of police time is devoted to attempted scams by tourists.''
Police would often have to double-check on these kinds of claims, he said.
''Tourists should know that it's dishonest to claim for items unless they have been genuinely lost or stolen.''
Police did not pursue a case for charging the five with making false reports.
A spokesperson at the Israeli embassy in Bangkok confirmed the circumstances of the case. She said she believed it was the first case of its kind involving Israelis.
The number of Israelis coming to Thailand has risen to 140,000 a year, and appears likely to keep on growing. Establishment of Jewish centres and kosher food outlets in Thailand's most popular tourist destinations has allowed more Israelis to travel.
Attempts to defraud insurance companies are thought to be fairly widespread, especially among young travellers who run short of cash.
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Police Lieutenant Colonel Preecha Jongserm, of Patong's Kathui Police Station, said officers became suspicious after the five tourists - three men and two women - went to the police station, one by one.
The five arrived on Phuket from Samui by bus yesterday morning.
One by one, each went to the police station and each reported items lost. An officer became suspicious when he noticed they were all staying at the same hotel.
When police went to the unnamed hotel to check each of the five rooms, they found the allegedly missing items.
One of the Israelis told a policeman by way of explanation, ''Oh, I have two laptops, and two cameras . . . '' But the officers did not believe them, Lt. Colonel Preecha said.
The five were taken to the police station. Lt. Colonel Preecha said he called the Israeli embassy in Bangkok and told officials there what had happened.
He said he was told that, because it was a first offence, it would be appropriate for the five to be warned, and allowed to go.
Anything more might ''damage relations between Thailand and Israel,'' Lt. Colonel Preecha said he was told.
The five were given a strict warning and allowed to go. Lt. Colonel Preecha told Phuketwan ''This kind of thing happens too often. A lot of police time is devoted to attempted scams by tourists.''
Police would often have to double-check on these kinds of claims, he said.
''Tourists should know that it's dishonest to claim for items unless they have been genuinely lost or stolen.''
Police did not pursue a case for charging the five with making false reports.
A spokesperson at the Israeli embassy in Bangkok confirmed the circumstances of the case. She said she believed it was the first case of its kind involving Israelis.
The number of Israelis coming to Thailand has risen to 140,000 a year, and appears likely to keep on growing. Establishment of Jewish centres and kosher food outlets in Thailand's most popular tourist destinations has allowed more Israelis to travel.
Attempts to defraud insurance companies are thought to be fairly widespread, especially among young travellers who run short of cash.
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A thief is a thief is a thief.
Pity the Israeli embassy was so lenient. It set a very bad example.
Posted by Sir Burr on October 12, 2009 15:33