Foreign couple loses 100,000 baht to Muay Thai trainer in Phuket

A foreign couple exposed the fraudulent behaviour of a Muay Thai trainer and his Chinese wife in Phuket, who tricked them into a visa scam, resulting in a 100,000 baht loss.

The 29 year old Czech victim, Vit Musilik, and his 26 year old Chinese wife, Xiao Feng Kang, urged officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to help them retrieve the 100,000 baht from the owner and trainer of a Muay Thai gym in Phuket.

Musilik explained that his Chinese wife came across an advertisement for a Muay Thai training course in Phuket. The advertisement emphasised that the gym also offered visa renewal services to each trainee.

Musilik stated that he and his wife were interested in the course because her visa was due to expire in seven months. Xiao contacted the gym through the owner’s wife, who is also a Chinese national.

Following discussions, the couple visited the gym for a free trial lesson. Impressed with the training, they agreed to pay 8,000 baht per month for the course and 100,000 baht for a one-year visa. The gym owner’s wife also offered an additional three-month visa extension.

Musilik said they handed over their passports to the gym owners for renewal, and the passports were returned a few days later. Although there were no new visa stamps, they did not suspect any fraud, as the gym was well-known and reputable.

Many fall for scam

Unfortunately, Musilik was arrested seven days later for overstaying his visa. The couple had to travel to Malaysia to obtain an emergency visa extension and, upon returning to Thailand, confronted the gym owners to request a refund.

According to the couple, the gym owners refused to return the money and even threatened to call the police to have them arrested. They reported the issue to Wichit Police Station and the Tourist Police, but no progress was made on the case.

Musilik revealed that the gym owner’s wife later offered them a five-year tourist visa for 200,000 baht but they refused, fearing another scam.

Musilik also expressed concern for the safety of his wife, who is two months pregnant, as the gym owner is a powerful figure in the province. Xiao said she was particularly saddened by being scammed by a fellow Chinese national.

Musilik claimed that many others had fallen victim to this Thai-Chinese couple, who had managed to evade arrest and charges due to their influence in the area.

Police officers recorded the couple’s complaint and stated they would coordinate with Wichit Police Station for further legal proceedings.