Baht Bus Thief Foiled

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS:

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Bus Number 500 Steals 500 Baht from a Norwegian Tourist and Pays the Price

 

An interesting case now from the Tourist Police Mobile Unit located on Walking Street. The Baht Bus cooperative who operates over 700 Baht buses here in Pattaya last year implemented a customer complaint response unit which has proven extremely effective in solving disputes between Tourists and buses.

 

In this case the complaint service was put into practice by the Tourist Police after they received a complaint from Mr. Pal Hageencen from Norway and his family who employed the services of Baht Bus number 500. The journey began at the View Talay Condominium in Jomtien to Big C in North Pattaya, however an exact price for the journey was not agreed upon by both parties. At the conclusion to the journey, the taxi driver quoted 60 Baht but Mr. Hageencen only had a 500 Baht note on him. He passed it over and he then claims the taxi driven by Khun Sor aged 45 then drove off without giving back the change.

 

The Tourist Police contacted the Baht Bus Cooperative who located the Baht Bus in question which made its way to Walking Street. The Driver initially claimed that he thought he was given a 50 Baht note but this did not explain why he allegedly drove off without receiving the extra 10 Baht. Eventually the driver admitted he had driven off with the 500 Baht note which was duly returned to Mr. Hageencen who, despite the attempted theft, gave the driver 60 Baht to him for the journey.

 

Khun Sor is now suspended from driving pending a further investigation.

[Guest catawampuscat]

good story with happy ending..

 

I have had the problem of giving a 20 baht note for a 10 baht fare and the dirver not wanting

to give change back.. If you keep you arm in the window it is unlikely he will drive off and injure you but it would be foolish if something happened..best idea is to have correct change or forgot about the 10B change....

 

Most drivers are honest but when a farang asks how much and hands over a bill, many will just

smile and keep it.. It is small money but can be annoying ..

[Guest gonefishing]

While on baht bus crime, users of baht buses should be aware that there have been a number of pickpocket thefts from passengers (Thai and farang) by groups of katoeys; the modus operandi is pretty simple (sit close to the mark, jostle, pick pocket, pass on contents, etc), so it pays to keep your hand in your pocket and protect your "valuables"!

 

Many Thais in Pattaya listen to FM 101.25 (Mike Shopping Mall Radio) and the victims of muggings / pick-pockets / robberies will often phone there to report being robbed before calling the police; it is not unusual for the perpetrators to be caught soon after, usually by motor-bike taxi drivers listening to the radio while waiting for a fare. Despite their appearance and driving habits (?) they are often surprisingly community-minded, but since they see themselves as modern-day "cowboys" they are loath to join up as volunteer police, despite approaches from the Pattaya police.