United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Brit detained in Thailand for posting fake restaurant reviews
A British man could face jail time over a dispute with a restaurant owner in Thailand.
The Brit, identified only as Alexander, was staying in Phuket in 2022 and using the restaurant as a short cut to his condo.
The owner of an Italian restaurant banned him from doing so as he wasn’t a paying customer.
Alexander allegedly decided to take revenge by getting friends to post fake one-star reviews of the restaurant.
Over time, the restaurant’s commendable rate of 4.8 out of 5 stars plunged to just 3.1.
The owner filed a complaint and the 21-year old Brit was tracked down to his apartment in Bangkok and arrested last year.
Defamation carries a prison sentence of up to two years.
During the interrogation, he has denied the charges,” Police Major Jomparit Kaewreung of the Crime Suppression Division said.
A few years ago, an American tourist was charged under Thailand’s anti-defamation laws for posting a negative review of a Phuket hotel.
He later made a public apology and was released.
Related News Stories: BA flight attendant taken off duty after boozy altercation Couple detained in Caribbean over bullets in bag Brit dies in Australia bridge jump Qatar Airways rolls out F1 fan packages BA flight attendants fired for mocking Asian passengers Hilton bands together with the BRIT Awards – TravelMole British Airways returns to Abu Dhabi British Travel Awards winners announced British Travel Awards – TravelMole British Airways first Gatwick to Accra flight touches down
Related News Stories: British Man in Hot Water for 1 Star Restaurant Review : r/Thailand Brit detained in Thailand for posting fake restaurant reviews British Tourist Arrested in Thailand Over Alleged Fake One-Star ... Man charged for cruise ship hoax bomb threat Brit expat arrested in Thailand for bad restaurant reviews Cruise ship crime data released British Tourist Arrested In Thailand For Giving False One-Star ... Thailand arrests British tourist accused of posting fake one-star ... British Man Arrested in Bangkok Over Defamation Claims by Phuket ... New York-Dublin Portal Closed Due To 'Inappropriate' Behavior ...
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations