Domestic tourism still takes place in Thailand, where coronavirus numbers are relatively low. The locals and expats mainly go to almost empty resorts on the island of Koh Chang, among others.
But one recent visit to the Sea View Resort on that island Wesley brought Barnes into trouble. He had written some negative reviews about his vacation online.
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‘Reputational damage’
“The owner of the Sea View Resort filed a complaint that the defendant had posted unfair reviews about his hotel on the Tripadvisor website,” Colonel Thanapon Taemsara of Koh Chang Police said to AFP news agency.
He said Barnes was accused of causing “damage to the hotel’s reputation.” He is also said to have argued with the staff about not paying corkage for alcohol brought to the hotel.
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Out on bail
Barnes, who works in Thailand, was arrested by the immigration police. He was held briefly and then released on bail. According to the TripAdvisor review that Barnes posted in July, he came across ‘unfriendly staff’ who ‘pretended they don’t want anyone here’.
Thailand has strict defamation laws. These are also seen as problematic because, for example, companies and influential figures can use the laws to intimidate critics.
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