THAI GEMS SCAM GROUP STILL AT WORK


Thai authorities still ducking and weaving


The Thai Gem Scam Group (the Group) was busy during the week of April 29, continuing its struggle to find any Thai authority that has any responsibility.

The Group had a meeting with at the Headquarters of the Tourist Police on May 1, but rather than leave their offices, the senior officers simply sent us off back to the Tourist Police station at Ratchadamnoen Nok. There, a prolonged meeting was concluded with no meaningful developments and further denials that the Tourist Police can do anything at all. Indeed, any attempt to seek relevant information or offer suggestions on policy improvements was met with further obfuscation and random changes of topic. The Group believes the Tourist Police has been discredited as an institution and calls on the Thai authorities to reform it as soon as possible.

The Group had what appeared to be a more productive meeting with the Committee for Tourist Issues at the National Assembly on May 2. The committee members agreed to meet with us, via our legal representatives, and a productive discussion was held at the National Assembly. The Group is attempting to schedule a follow-up meeting in order to measure the progress of the meeting. No commitments were made at this meeting, and the Group is adopting a “wait and see” attitude until action is taken. Despite assurances that the Committee would try to arrange a meeting by May 8, 2002, the Group has yet to receive any confirmation.

The Thai Gem Scam Group is a group of foreign tourists who have fallen victim to the notorious Bangkok Gem Scam. Its mission is to provide members with accurate information and warnings on suspected corrupt officials. The Group also maintains a website to help victims, mails out daily updates and holds daily meetings. The Group is drafting a series of proposals to combat the scam.

The Thai Gem Scam Group consists of some 100 members, representing 22 countries, who are frustrated by the inability of Thai authorities to stop the Bangkok Gem Scam. This scam is estimated to cost foreign tourists between $USD50 million and $USD100 million per year.


Contact: thaigemscamgroup@yahoo.com


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thaigemscamgroup@yahoo.com