I am not sure what police you went to down south but I reckon your most legal and logical (to the US authorities) would be.
1- Return to Koh Tao and get a report filed with the TOURIST Police, NOT the regular guys.
2- Return to Bangkok and report the situation truthfully to your Embassy.
Lost/stolen passports UNIVERSALLY require verifiable evidence that it has actually been reported to the local police.
Trying to manipulate the story with your embassy to make you look less of a dickhead will only make you look an even bigger dickhead.
"I despair these days... you buys them books and you sends them to school....."
0
++ Help Requested - Passport Held By Shop Owner ++Stolen / Held US Passport
Started by Packu2, 2008-10-05 13:08
#27
Platinum Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:01:22
thanks for all the quick and informed replies.... now my wife has 2 police friends and a lawyer friend on the case! I hope to get this resolved through these channels without having the embassy involved. I will report the black market thing.... please all..continue to give me your advice - in case my wifes channels come out empty. thanks to all!!!!!!! You got all the advice needed, after that I hope all the best for you, the latest constellation may see you finally paying someone! 
Edited by Samuian, 2008-10-05 15:02:31. #28
Torlae Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:02:50
Well anyway. It seem that the police will get a commotion from this deal as well, im afraid you need to break some typ of deal with Thugs, make sure you know where your passport is located 1st.. still in there office store? Then the Hit will be fast and clean. Or pay 24 K..
Or Just like show some tears that you only have 18 K and your sister is sick back home.(something like that anyways) Good luck Edited by RakJungTorlae, 2008-10-05 15:03:16. #29
Titanium Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:08:20
Isn't the visa as well in your passport? How will it work out on leaving Thailand? Provided he goes to the embassy and reports this without BS them, they will have the channels to talk to the Thai immigration and police, who should be able to get his passport back, failing which he can be issued with emergency documentation. The point is he needs to talk to his embassy as soon as possible who should be able to help him on this ,and this being Thailand, I will bet you this is not the first time they have had to deal with something like this and will know the process to go through to resolve this. He is now walking around without a passport, and if for some reason he gets sprung by the BiB wanting to see his passport (how ever unlikely this is) he could find himself locked up as well.. #30
Senior Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:10:05
Just a guess the Bike rental place is at the top of the High street in Mae haad on the right hand side....? (looking up hill)
If so you wont get it back . Just Tell your embassy the truth... Believe me the police are equally as pissed off with them ,but I'm guessing you as everyone before you signed a rental agreement stating the charges. I feel for you but don't waste your energy accept it and get a new passport its easier than dealing with these Fu"""wits. On another note apart from the a++ hole bike rental did you enjoy Koh tao. #31
Platinum Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:19:04
am very sorry for the op,let it be a lesson to everyone,never leave your passport with anyone.most bike renters i know on samui and phuket always ask for your passport as security,or they ask fo a cash deposit of say 3000baht instead.
I agree you will probably have to return to koh tao to get police report,but what will you say in report(passport lost or stolen,or do you state what is happening at bike shop?Cos if you go back to embassy with the report(passport kept by shop demanding money for scratches on the bike,the embassy might insist you go back and pay,the safety of the passport being your responsibility) Its a tough call,but telling the truth is usually the best way to go. #32
Senior Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:22:53
Just a guess the Bike rental place is at the top of the High street in Mae haad on the right hand side....? (looking up hill) If so you wont get it back . Just Tell your embassy the truth... Believe me the police are equally as pissed off with them ,but I'm guessing you as everyone before you signed a rental agreement stating the charges. I feel for you but don't waste your energy accept it and get a new passport its easier than dealing with these Fu"""wits. On another note apart from the a++ hole bike rental did you enjoy Koh tao. It's so disappointing that as guests in the Kingdom foreigners still get ripped off by these unscrupulous types. Ten years here and I get 6 months free of scams then can get caught again if only for 50baht or so. 24,000 is another kettle of fish. It's no surprise there has been such a lot of interest in your original post as so many get caught. Try the Tourist Police again face to face; see if the shop is registered with TAT or other Tourist Agencies. Please post the outcome of you dilema. #33
Senior Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:38:44
Start with the Tourist Police - 1155 Don't involve police or tourist police, they always support thai and not you. Just go to your embassy and get a new passport or paper to go back your country Go to the touristpolice and don't listen to those idiots they will go with you to retrieve your passport. #34
Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:44:17
Just a guess the Bike rental place is at the top of the High street in Mae haad on the right hand side....? (looking up hill) If so you wont get it back . Just Tell your embassy the truth... Believe me the police are equally as pissed off with them ,but I'm guessing you as everyone before you signed a rental agreement stating the charges. I feel for you but don't waste your energy accept it and get a new passport its easier than dealing with these Fu"""wits. On another note apart from the a++ hole bike rental did you enjoy Koh tao. No its... OWEN BIKE Mae Head Rd. Sairee Beach. (just south of 4 way intersection) As you head north it is on the left - opposite a petrol/gas station and next to Family Mart type place. Edited by Packu2, 2008-10-05 15:47:21. #35
Platinum Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:48:55
Regarding the "scratches" who in the world can prove that they HAVE or HAVEN"T been there before - whom to believe?
One should NEVER EVER give a passport or a substantial "security" deposit... here the scam starts already, once done - things keep moving - Embassy is only good for the issue of a new passport, police may be ableto smooth out things, usually they are "in" too! Which, in the worst case scenario even could make the "deal" even dearer! So you wrote you made the move with a "lawyer" and the police - GOOD LUCK! #36
Platinum Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:49:38
Just report it as stolen...effectively it has been since it is no longer in your possession. If you have to confront the shop owner again tell her that the passport is the property of the US Government and you will inform the embassy that she has stolen it if she doesn't return it and that the US Government will report her to the police and press criminal charges against her for theft of US Government property. I don't think she will want to deal with that. But you may have to back all this up with your original 10,000 baht offer. I've been asked by the Thai police for my passport on a number of occasions. I refuse to hand it over saying it belongs to my government and am allowed only to hand it over to a consular officer. Never had to give it up yet. He handed it over therefore not stolen. She has nothing to deal with and she knows it #37
Member Posted 2008-10-05 15:52:05
[/quote]
So you wrote you made the move with a "lawyer" and the police - GOOD LUCK! [/quote] thanks...these are friends of friends of my wife. If this fails I will follow the advise of others here and get a new paspsort and then go to Thai Immg. I have until Oct 17. Thats when I am returning home for an extended vacation. #38
Senior Member Posted 2008-10-05 17:45:06
Better tell the truth to the embassy, I'll bet they read these forums, scanning for this sort of story.
#39
Incredible Member Posted 2008-10-05 18:05:37
Next time, rent from a falang.  Thailand would be a paradise if falang ran the place...too bad there was never any colonization here. Joke of the day, you ain't got a clue mate. If Thailand was a Farang run country, not many Farangs would come here, they wouldn't be able to afford it so easily, and if they could why would they come here, there would be less poor people to exploit, they'd all be on the Social Security just like they are in Farang run Countries. Yeah don't tell me, there would be millions of single men travelling thousands of miles from all over the globe to visit temples.  Dream on! 
#40
Member Posted 2008-10-05 18:47:16
Next time, rent from a falang. Thailand would be a paradise if falang ran the place...too bad there was never any colonization here. Joke of the day, you ain't got a clue mate. If Thailand was a Farang run country, not many Farangs would come here, they wouldn't be able to afford it so easily, and if they could why would they come here, there would be less poor people to exploit, they'd all be on the Social Security just like they are in Farang run Countries. Yeah don't tell me, there would be millions of single men travelling thousands of miles from all over the globe to visit temples. Dream on! I didnt say frang govts. I said farangs! You know like you and I! You didnt come for the temples?! #41
I am here, where are you? Posted 2008-10-05 18:52:58
I too, would tell the British Embassy everything.
Edited by TEFLMike, 2008-10-05 19:03:49. #42
the horrible member Posted 2008-10-05 18:59:04
This is commom amongst the rental mafia, in pattaya my friend sank a jet ski and they wanted 300.000 baht, he played the game and told them ok ,keep my pasport and ill be back with the money tomorrow,. he went to bangkok to the embassy, reported it stolen and got a replacement,. been back 4 times since, no problems, but aviods that beach area like the plague !.
#43
the horrible member Posted 2008-10-05 19:01:29
I too, would tell the British Embassy everything. 
#44
Platinum Member Posted 2008-10-05 19:04:57
US embassy out trumps the koh Tao (tourist) police. Get them on your side and you'll get your passport.
Just had a thought: tell the US embassy you think they (the scammers) are muslim. Edited by Loaded, 2008-10-05 19:06:18. #45
the horrible member Posted 2008-10-05 19:08:47
Start with the Tourist Police - 1155 Don't involve police or tourist police, they always support thai and not you. Just go to your embassy and get a new passport or paper to go back your country Go to the touristpolice and don't listen to those idiots they will go with you to retrieve your passport. #46
Rare Species Member Eating Tough Leaves Posted 2008-10-05 19:16:32
US embassy out trumps the koh Tao (tourist) police. Get them on your side and you'll get your passport. Just had a thought: tell the US embassy you think they (the scammers) are muslim. ...yeah..and also tell them they should phone Dick Cheney, George W. and a few Generals...and ask them to send the 5th Fleet with at least one Carrier... I'm convinced they will give the OP's passport back...  LaoPo #47
Senior Member Posted 2008-10-05 22:08:18
Are US passports fitted with a micro-chip? My British passport is which makes it pretty much worthless on the black market because it is just about impossible to tamper with. The bloke is probably giving you BS about selling it, or if he does try then he might get a surprise when he is offered 0 baht for it. Oh, don't be a numpty again and learn from your lesson. AHEM, those fancy little RFID chips are only to give a SENSE of security to the masses. They have been hacked and the source code has been released. Care to clone a passport, have a look at http://freeworld.thc.org/ . It is a crude example but definitely a proof of concept. #48
Senior Member Posted 2008-10-05 22:15:34
Your passport can NOT be blocked. The embassy can get you a new passport. You should however report this to the embassy that this particular shop owner is blackmailing you for you passport and threatening to sell it on the black market. The US will be very interested in their dealings. The US embassy works closely with the Thai police, and when the US government requests something it is carried through. It is known as politics. Go to America Embassy claim he took it from you with asking to write the passport number. His word against your. #49
Senior Member Posted 2008-10-06 02:56:57
similar thing happened to me......long story but the resolution was that i paid the tourist police a smallish fee to get passport back for me(this was in pattaya and i was in bike accident but was being sorted thru insurance company who had agreed to pay rental people,but they wouldnt give passport back without me paying 10k baht....duh!).
in your case then you could have paid police a few k to negotiate between the two of you and show that you didnt cause 24k damage and say you aint got 24k anyway and if u didnt get your passport then you would notify us embassy of all involved including police.....take there names etc too late now for that so i think you on the right track of involving other police or lawyer who can contact them and re negotiate and even better if they know some high up police to help you in this case.....if all else fails then tell embassy exactly what happened and take there advice telling them about lawyer/police help as you being scammed. if you only caused a few scratches then im surprised they didnt accept the 10k offered especially in desperate low season,they must have edged ther bets that you would pay the 24k...as others before you had. good luck and let us know the outcome..im sure all will be ok whatever,even just get new passport or travelling docs and give them nothing.....the barstads #50
Big Brotha Posted 2008-10-06 05:11:54
Next time, rent from a falang. Thailand would be a paradise if falang ran the place...too bad there was never any colonization here. on an interesting note...my friend and I had a Burmese waitress as we waited for ferryout of hel_l and we both noticed a marked difference in personality and "where with all" she had when compared to almost any thai. I also found the same thing when visiting Cambodia. Thais really are lagging in terms of personality, knowledge, social skills(with foreigners) when comapared to other SE Asians. Its quite noticeable when you have lived here for a while. Thai's are lacking in knowledge and social skills???? either your a troll or F'ing retarded. Your the one who actually left your passport with a motorbike taxi guy!!! Then on top of it you don't know that all you have to do is contact the US embassy and say they are holding your passport and threatening to sell it on the black market. They will get with the police to have it returned and if it isn't done promptly, they will issue you a new one. Your just a dumb "mark" really and someone just took you for the sucker you are. Now I wouldn't have said all that if you hadn't shown how much you deserve it with your ignorant, nonsencial, false comments about Thais. But you deserve all that. |
Sponsored by ... |
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
