British tourist 'threatens hotel staff over lost key card' in Thailand
A British tourist allegedly threatened hotel staff over his lost key card in Thailand.
David John Stuart Wilden, 27, from Manchester, was enraged when he was told to pay 500 baht to replace the lost card at the J.A. Plus Hotel in the resort town of Pattaya.
The Brit sparked alarm as he allegedly went on a rampage and threatened employees in the lobby.
CCTV footage on July 4 shows the holidaymaker arguing with staff at the reception desk.
He then reached across the counter, reportedly to attack a receptionist named Ae, before storming off without his passport.
Shaken staff lodged a complaint at the local station, fearing he might return.
The following day, David complained to police, claiming the hotel had confiscated his passport and asking officers to help recover it.
But police said they were suspicious and contacted the hotel, with staff explaining that the passport had been left behind when the tourist ran off after the confrontation.
David was then handed over to officers to be fined 1,000 baht (22.49 GBP) for 'causing fear and alarm to others'.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Suthiraphan Tapsri said the tourist expressed remorse over his actions.
He said: 'He wanted to bring a basket of flowers to apologise, but I told him it was unnecessary.
‘I asked only that he sincerely repent and never do this to anyone else again.
'We recorded his details before allowing him to return to the hotel to collect his passport. He also paid the hotel 500 baht to cover the cost of the lost key card.'
Hotel manager Kanyapaksorn Teeratanapitak said: 'We want the tourist to be prosecuted for what he did.
‘As for the passport, which he left behind, he can collect it in person once the legal proceedings have concluded.
‘We kept it safe because we know it is an important document for him.'
