Thailand: 21-Year-Old British Tourist Arrested Over Alleged Fake Online Review for Restaurant in Phuket, Here’s What Happened
Phuket, May 12: A British tourist landed in soup during his stay in Thailand as he is now facing legal issues for placing an online review. Alexander, age 21, was detained, allegedly for fabricating poor reviews about a restaurant in Phuket, according to The Metro. According to reports, Alexander attempted to use the restaurant as a shortcut to his house but was turned away because he wasn't a customer. Alexander is suspected of working with his friend to flood the restaurant with negative reviews in an attempt to get revenge.
As a result, the restaurant's rating dropped from an exceptional 4.8 rating to an unsettling 3.1 out of 5. In Bid to Attract More Tourists, Thailand Allow Clubs and Bars to Stay Open Until 4 AM in These Regions.
Understandably offended by the unexpected barrage of criticism and worried about how it might affect their business, the restaurant owner lodged a complaint in the matter. Alexander was subsequently taken into custody at his new flat in Bangkok by the Central Investigation Bureau. His arrest warrant, which was issued in August of last year, charges him with a felony for "entering false computer data likely to cause damage to the general public."
Thailand's Strict Defamation Laws
Despite Alexander's insistence on his innocence, he is now being prosecuted in Phuket after being sent to the Sakhu Police Station. For the unversed, defamation is a crime that carries a maximum two-year jail sentence in Thailand. ‘Hallucinating’ Canadian Tourist Opens Thai Airways Flight Door Just Before Takeoff, Arrested.
In a similar instance in 2020, an American visitor to Phuket discovered the harsh reality of Thailand's anti-defamation legislation. He was detained in response to a critical TripAdvisor review that charged a motel with "modern-day slavery." After an apology, the tourist was finally freed, but this story should serve as a warning to internet critics travelling to Thailand about the potential ramifications of even seemingly innocuous remarks.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 12, 2024 11:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).