Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport could give you a nasty shock if you go browsing in the duty-free stores – be careful if you handle any items as you could end up getting arrested and having to pay a hefty fine before you can leave the country
Worth remembering if you’re flying in or out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport – there is apparently a dangerous scam operating within the airport that targets tourists browsing in Duty Free shops. The BBC reports a specific incident where a British couple were accused of shoplifting and then held in an airport hotel until they handed over thousands of pounds to the police to secure their exit from the country. The British Foriegn and Commonwealth Office’s website gives this advice on its Thailand Travel advice: “You should also be careful to observe demarcation lines between shops and stalls, particularly in market areas and at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Taking items from one shop’s area to another is likely to be treated by shop staff as suspected theft. You may be arrested by the police and asked to pay a substantial fine and/or face imprisonment.”
The Danish Embassy has also issued a formal warning to its citizens after a similar incident occurred involving a Danish national this year. There has been several other anecdotal incidents reported on messageboards like ThaiVisa.com too. This situation is another damaging blow for Thailand’s reputation amongst tourists and expats alike, and until the authorities stop this sort of harassment and lack of appeal to occur, the practical answer seems to be to avoid the duty free shops in Bangkok airport.
See also Bangkok Scams And How To Avoid Them.
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