Scene of the crime: Suvarnabhumi's legendary shopping concourse

Allegations of an elaborate and expensive extortion scam operating out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport have shaken Western visitors. England’s Sunday Times reports that in this scam, visitors are allegedly accused by airport shop owners of shoplifting, are arrested, detained, and “encouraged” to pay a hefty bribe to be released, which can amount to $13,000 USD.  The Times reports that at least one couple who paid the bribe is taking legal action. 

This scam is thought to be initiated by dishonest shop employees, who drop an unpaid-for item into visitors’’ shopping bags with legitimately paid-for merchandise. Upon leaving the store, a security guard checks the bags, finds the inserted item is not listed on the receipt, and arrest the visitor. 

It has been further alleged that the Thai Tourist Police are in collusion. 

It has also been reported that a similar scam is run out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, in which “yaba” (amphetamine) pills are surreptitiously inserted into the luggage or hand-carry items of Thai women returning from overseas trips. They are then arrested and forced to pay a bribe to free themselves.  

Some sound advice: When traveling through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, be wary of ANYTHING being surreptitiously inserted into one of your shopping bags, pockets, or any other personal item you may be carrying. This could potentially occur inside a shop, or when you’re walking anywhere near a shopping area within the airport.