American Hotel Guest / Big Trouble in Koh Chang

[rct]

This kerkuffle is now worldwide news, just google the guys name. Amazing the trouble Wesley Barnes got himself into in this Land of Smiles. The below article even links his previous arrest record and actual prosecution report in the US, showing wild behavior related to alcohol. (all this is very sad)

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/th ... nal-record

The wonders and scariness of the internet. With simple clicks one can read the arrest record, pull up his address on Zillow and look inside where he lived in KC MO. Might be a future episode of "Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand", "Banged Up Abroad" etc. already have the film locations scouted.

OK back to the quiet life in Udon with Trump the only other big story today.

[tamada]

I anyone's running out of cash and a legitimate excuse to stay longer in Thailand, just publish the name of the Thai school that employed Mr Barnes questioning the rigor of their pre-employment screening procedures.

[papafarang]

Seems the law here states even if his accusations are true he can still be prosecuted and jailed

[jackspratt]

Some pretty well deserved slaps of The Thaiger in the comments section of their linked story.

If it is the same guy (and there are some doubts raised), how is an offence in the US even remotely relevant to what he is alleged to have done in Thailand?

As for Thailand criminalising criticism of a commercial entity .....

[sometimewoodworker]

Seems the law here states even if his accusations are true he can still be prosecuted and jailed

He absolutely can.

It demonstrates that public criticism here is very dangerous. The libel and slander laws are really harsh and harshly enforced. Along with the point that they are absolute with truth being no defence.

People who haven’t paid attention to the fact that they are not in their home country and that the laws are different will have problems.

Note the statements under are not directed at any, or intended for, poster on UM

That “you” think “you” should have free speech is irrelevant.
That “you” think “your” countries laws are universally correct is wrong
There are quite a few chauvinists, almost all caucasian and many from America who demand the all the benefits of home who find out they are “not in Kansa anymore”, who get a swift education quite possibly along with free board and lodging.

[tamada]

Some pretty well deserved slaps of The Thaiger in the comments section of their linked story.

If it is the same guy (and there are some doubts raised), how is an offence in the US even remotely relevant to what he is alleged to have done in Thailand?

As for Thailand criminalising criticism of a commercial entity .....

Precedent? The Pattaya Soi 6 bar killer had killed in 'merica before.

Anyway, Thailand long-stay awaits the person who can name and shame the school.

[pipoz4444]

OK, so Defamation is a criminal offence in Thailand and carries a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison, along with a possible fine. Again, the laws are different in many Countries from those of Europe, USA and or Australia. That doesn’t mean they are wrong. It just means one should understand what they are and abide by them. What is the saying, “When in Rome do as the Romans Do”.

As to the Law vs Commercial issues, in some non-western countries, if you write a Cheque that bounces, then you go to Jail until it is paid or you may even be sentenced to a lengthy time behind bars. Apparently, it is also a criminal offence in the UK to knowingly bounce a cheque, but most likely with less onerous implications.

Different governments have different views on what is right for their respective people, cultures and the like and also how their respective commercial interest should interface with the Laws of the Land.

Our Hotel guest should have assessed where he was and understood the boundaries.

pipoz4444

[noosard]

No winners
Just tourism the main loser ie bad advertising
but then again any free adverts

[papafarang]

Not good for trip advisor either , what with so many fake reviews already and now we all know that no one will post bad reviews about any hotel,bar,restaurant no matter how bad it is. Flea pit hotels could pass themselves off as 4 star ,take your money and if you say anything on trip advisor you could end up in jail.

[glalt]

This entire squabble started when the guy refused to pay a corkage charge. Most places have rules about bringing in your own booze. He won that battle because management backed down and he didn't pay. When he sobered up, he should have apologized for being such a jerk. Instead he chose to bad mouth the place. He deserves to get whatever penalty is handed out. No sympathy here.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

OK, so Defamation is a criminal offence in Thailand and carries a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison, along with a possible fine. Again, the laws are different in many Countries from those of Europe, USA and or Australia.

Whew! This suggests that Canadian/New Zealand law is operational in many countries such as in Thailand. Chaiyo!

[rct]

Bad mouth in one review is acceptable, if accurate and fair facts are presented.

Turning his petty vendetta into an ongoing campaign to discredit and damage the hotel and team, is not ok.

Which to me seems to resemble what he did at Waldo's, get drunk and show bad behavior and create problems in a hostelry causing him to be expelled, to then come back and fire a gun from the comfort of a white Audi. Amazing people were not hurt or killed. But also amazing the charges appear to then be dropped.

The US arrest report was an interesting read.

[sometimewoodworker]

Bad mouth in one review is acceptable, if accurate and fair facts are presented.

You are wrong. Defamation is against the law in Thailand.

Showing that the accusation is true is no defence.

The offended party can take action with a single instance.

[Mosquito]

Read that this got resolved.

Does remind me of my 2 gun firing in public arrests/detention.
1. 1976 urban hwy with a pellet gun shooting birds, 16 years old at the time.
2. 1978 (18 years old), this one on my permanent police record. Target shooting with a 22 in a public park, it was after midnight with a few friends. GF's parents weren't happy, having to collect their daughter at the police station.
Qualifier, Big Island of Hawaii and definitely would be considered country living.

[pipoz4444]

Looks look the issue is "temporarily" resolved and on the backburner.

Re. Now Mr. Barnes, who reportedly loves and works in Thailand..............He promises to contact the media throughout the world................" Hmm

Its not as though Mr. Barnes has a great media audience, throughout the World, or one that will listen to him or even wants to for that matter and or not one that will readily publish what he has to say

Likely Mr. Barnes will soon break that promise when his visa does not get extended. My advice to him is, to pack a "Carry on" , pre-order a grab taxi and be ready to depart for & from Surarnabhumi, on that date that is stamped in his Passport.

Lets face it, Mr. Barnes started the issue, by refusing to pay a simple Corkage Fee on booze that he brought to the restaurant to save a few $$, which by the way is also a common service fee, payable in many restaurants & hotels, all over the place, given you wish to take your own Booze into them. Some will not even allow you that option. The fault was that of Mr. Barnes, not the Restaurant Management or the Hotel Operator.

All I can say is, what a typical "F..W.." who didn't have the sense to realize where he was. Thailand will be better off without Mr. Barnes. , who buy the way, do not help the "Image" of the long staying Farang in Thailand.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/118664 ... paign=news

pipoz4444

[maaka]

he has to apologise also to hotel staff, and the Tourism Commissions, or some such named organisation, and if he does The hotel will drop the case..