BANGKOK, Oct 9 — A hotel in Thailand agreed today to drop charges against an American guest who faces up to five years in jail for posting negative reviews as long as he issues a public apology for his comments. The hotel, on the holiday island of Koh Chang, filed a complaint against American...
Friday, 09 Oct 2020 02:22 PM MYTBANGKOK, Oct 9 — A hotel in Thailand agreed today to drop charges against an American guest who faces up to five years in jail for posting negative reviews as long as he issues a public apology for his comments.
The hotel, on the holiday island of Koh Chang, filed a complaint against American teacher Wesley Barnes in August after he posted what the hotel said were false and defamatory write-ups after a row over a 500 baht corkage fee. Police detained Barnes under criminal defamation and computer crime laws for two days in September before he was released on bail.
“Under conditions that Mr Barnes shows his sincerity and takes full responsibility for what had happened and remedy the situation, the hotel will be delighted to drop the charge,” the Sea View Koh Chang hotel said in a statement to Reuters. The case brought new scrutiny to Thailand’s defamation and computer crime laws, which human rights activists say are too harsh and sweeping.The hotel wants Barnes to send statements to media, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the US Embassy and the Tripadvisor website this month, apologising and explaining that his poor reviews were written in anger.“I'm sending an email to many media outlets,” Barnes told Reuters. He declined to elaborate.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Germany says Thai king cannot rule from there | Malay MailBERLIN, Oct 8 — Germany’s foreign minister has said that Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn should not be conducting politics from the European country, where he spends much of his time. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas responded to a question by a Greens member of parliament in the Bundestag...
Read more »
American avoids jail over negative TripAdvisor review of Thai hotelIn one review that was taken down, the expat accused the hotel of 'modern-day slavery'. FMTNews
Read more »
Thai army denies Twitter disinformation campaign after takedownsTwitter said it had 'permanently suspended' 926 accounts linked to the Royal Thai Army. FMTNews Thailand
Read more »
Germany says Thai king cannot rule from there | Malay MailBERLIN, Oct 8 — Germany’s foreign minister has said that Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn should not be conducting politics from the European country, where he spends much of his time. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas responded to a question by a Greens member of parliament in the Bundestag...
Read more »
American avoids jail over negative TripAdvisor review of Thai hotelIn one review that was taken down, the expat accused the hotel of 'modern-day slavery'. FMTNews
Read more »
Why Hong Kong's revamped 'love hotels' are about more than just sex | Malay MailHONG KONG, Oct 7 ― Traditionally, rooms in Hong Kong's love hotels can be booked by the hour, but a new take on the concept is currently proving popular with millennials. With most young Hongkongers still living with their parents, these next-gen love hotels offer some private time for intimacy...
Read more »