British Tourist Arrested in Thailand Over Alleged Fake One-Star Reviews

A disgruntled British visitor in Thailand has found himself in legal trouble following allegations of seeking revenge through online means. According to The Metro, 21-year-old Alexander was apprehended for purportedly posting false negative reviews about a restaurant in Phuket.

The situation arose when Alexander reportedly attempted to use the restaurant as a shortcut but was denied entry for not being a patron. In response, he allegedly rallied his friends to inundate the establishment with one-star ratings, causing its overall rating to drop significantly from 4.8 to 3.1 stars.

Understandably distressed by the sudden influx of negative feedback and its potential impact on their business, the restaurant owner lodged a complaint. Subsequently, Alexander was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau at his new residence in Bangkok. The arrest warrant, issued last August, accuses him of a crime termed “entering false computer data likely to cause damage to the general public.”

Despite his protestations of innocence, Alexander now faces legal proceedings in Phuket after being transferred to the Sakhu Police Station.

This occurrence isn’t unique. In 2020, an American tourist in Phuket faced the consequences of Thailand’s stringent defamation laws after being detained for a disparaging TripAdvisor review accusing a hotel of “modern-day slavery.” While the tourist was eventually released following an apology, the incident serves as a sobering reminder for online critics visiting Thailand that even seemingly innocuous reviews can carry serious repercussions.

Defamation constitutes a criminal offense in Thailand, carrying a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.