Tourist Pays Over 24,000 Baht for Overpriced Hair and Beauty Products
In the early hours of September 5, a 32-year-old Indian tourist reported to Pattaya Police in Chon Buri province after being allegedly deceived into buying overpriced hair growth and beauty products for 24,175 baht (approx. £550).
While walking along Second Road near the Baywalk project, Mudasir Ashraf was approached by two men who appeared to be foreign nationals. They persuaded him to purchase hair growth products.
Trusting their claims, Ashraf followed them to a shop within the Baywalk complex, where staff presented two bottles of herb-infused coconut oil, two bottles of shampoo, and two boxes of ginseng soap.
The staff demanded the substantial payment via bank transfer. Ashraf complied but later realized he had been misled and reported the incident to the police.
Police Intervention Secures Partial Refund
Pattaya police documented the complaint and accompanied Ashraf to the shop for a confrontation. Shop staff maintained that the prices were clearly displayed and transparent.
Ashraf argued that the prices were excessively inflated. After discussion, the shop agreed to refund 22,800 baht (US$710), though they warned they might take legal action if their reputation was harmed by the incident.
Ongoing Concerns for Pattaya Tourism
While some victims have secured partial refunds, others have not been as fortunate. Despite previous police crackdowns, such scams continue to operate, raising concerns about Pattaya’s image as a tourist-friendly city.
Local officials are now being urged to conduct comprehensive investigations to prevent similar occurrences and reassure visitors about the city’s safety and integrity, according to The Pattaya News.
Similar Incidents Elsewhere
In a related case, a Phuket clothing store owner is offering 6,000 baht for tips on a foreign woman caught swapping a price tag to pay less.