Dutch tourist allegedly escapes bills and steals from many Phuket hotels
A Dutch tourist reportedly evaded paying bills and stole room keys, along with other items, from several hotels in Phuket but remains at large.
The Facebook page Phuket Times reported on Saturday, December 21, issuing a warning to hotels in Phuket…
“Naughty tourist! He stayed at multiple hotels in Phuket and left without paying. He even stole the room key from each hotel.”
The page added in the comments section that the man in question was a Dutch national who was also accused of stealing hotel belongings and other items.
Many Thai netizens shared their opinions on the post, with some recounting their own experiences of being victimised by foreign tourists in Phuket. Comments included…
“Some stay until their last day and then start complaining about the accommodation to claim their money back. They just want free stuff.”
“He might think that security cameras in Thailand are often broken, so he dares to commit crimes.”
“I run an Airbnb, and I’ve had guests stay until the last day of their booking, complain to me, and report my property to the platform until I was forced to issue a refund.”
“Foreign tourists know that Thais often indulge foreigners, so they think they can get away with anything.”
Other netizens criticised hotel owners for being reckless and failing to collect payment from guests in advance. As of now, the Dutchman remains at large. There has been no confirmation on whether if local police have taken any action in regard to the incident.
In a related story reported in April, a Russian couple attempted to avoid paying their bill at a restaurant in Phuket. The Russian man placed a 1,000-baht note in the bill folder but secretly removed it before handing it to the waitress.
When the waitress found no money in the folder, she demanded payment again. The couple denied owing anything, insisting they already paid and even accused the waitress of stealing their money.
Fortunately, CCTV footage captured the couple’s deception, forcing them to pay the bill and issue an apology.
