When drug users get hooked

News > Crimes

Two foreign tourists who admitted buying and using narcotics in Thailand risked going to the police to report an alleged blackmail scam by their dealers

Published: 6/06/2011 at 03:06 AM
Newspaper section: News

Foreign tourists hunting for drug thrills while on holiday in Thailand are being warned that the risks go beyond the usual legal and health ramifications. Police are warning they also face extortion by the gangs from whom they buy the narcotics.

Thitirat: Says restaurant was a front.

The warning follows the arrest of three members of a gang in Chiang Mai last week after two holidaymakers lodged complaints with police that they had been blackmailed by drug dealers.

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About the author

: Writer: Wassayos Ngamkham; Position: Reporter

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DickFarang
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Discussion 12 : 06/06/2011 at 05:24 PM12
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In August 2010 a freshly elected female Belgian senator, Kim Geybels, and her partner got involved in a similar scam in Thailand and she had to resign when her story became publicly known.

Apparently she (wrongly) assumed that her status granted her immunity abroad and that the Royal Belgian Embassy in Bangkok had to support her.
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nowayout
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Discussion 11 : 06/06/2011 at 04:55 PM11
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Should check all restaurants and bars owned by Thais or Thais with Thai wife throughout Thailand.
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Yasoboy
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Discussion 10 : 06/06/2011 at 01:56 PM10
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Should check all restaurants and bars owned by Farangs or Farangs with Thai wife throughout Thailand. I believe there are more such restaurants and bars are opened as a front for their drug and other illegal businesses. Especially Guesthouses on the islands and northern part of our country. Good work police. And keep going.
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samesame
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Discussion 9 : 06/06/2011 at 01:45 PM9
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An interesting article on how to beat corruption and bribery perhaps Thailand should try it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13616123
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mphilips
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Discussion 8 : 06/06/2011 at 01:38 PM8
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Credit where credit's due. Good job by the Thitirat and the Chiang Mai police.
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raimund
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Discussion 7 : 06/06/2011 at 12:42 PM7
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Very good job. This shows that drug dealers can be arrested without shooting them. Thaksin could learn a lot from Pol Maj Gen Thitirat .
Now tourists will trust police more. If Phuea Thai is serious about getting rid off drugs it should start in their home turf.
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massein
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Discussion 6 : 06/06/2011 at 10:27 AM6
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This is good news. Keep up the good work.
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beer_sing
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Discussion 5 : 06/06/2011 at 10:22 AM5
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Three Cheers! for the great police work. Well done.
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dao
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Discussion 4 : 06/06/2011 at 09:16 AM4
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Good Job Police . Keep it up .
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 3 : 06/06/2011 at 08:36 AM3
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It’s good to see that the police arrest some criminals from time to time. Maybe they should also check if some local influential persons are involved in any illegal activities. And if they find any hopefully they get also arrested.
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