Patong –
A Chinese tourist was caught lying about an alleged 20,000 Baht snatch-theft by a taxi motorcycle taxi rider in Patong before later confessing the lie to police.
The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that after midnight on Thursday (February 8th) they were notified by a concerned citizen that a Chinese tourist had been the victim of an alleged snatch theft in front of a hotel on the Phang Mueang Sai Kor Road.
Police arrived at the scene to find a man identified only as Mr. Sing, 37, a Chinese national. He told police that the suspect was wearing a jacket in the style of a taxi motorbike rider. The suspect allegedly snatched 20,000 Baht from him before he sped away on a motorbike.
Police checked CCTV footage and eventually found the motorbike taxi rider. He told police that after he dropped off the Chinese tourist they were unable to agree about the taxi fee. They then started to argue over the fare before the taxi rider left. He did not snatch 20,000 baht from the tourist.
The Chinese tourist later admitted to police that no one snatched 20,000 Baht from him and that he had made up the allegation to “get back” at the taxi driver because he was angry about the taxi fare being what he thought was too high. The exact taxi fare was not disclosed to the press.
The Chinese tourist is now likely to face multiple legal charges, including possible defamation charges which in Thailand carry strict financial penalties and long possible jail terms.
