Icelandic businessman facing up to five years in Thai jail says taxi incident was a misunderstanding
An Icelandic businessman facing up to five years in Thai jail over alleged theft has claimed that the incident was a misunderstanding.
Johann Freyr Hallgrimsson, 37, from Iceland, was allegedly drunk when he asked cabbie Pitchapha Saengkhan, 39, to pick him up from a red-light district on the resort island of Phuket on June 22.
The tourist reportedly slept for most of the trip before suddenly waking near the Wat Suwan Khiri Wong temple and asking where his wife was, despite travelling alone.
Pitchapha then pulled over when he suddenly snatched her handbag from the front seat.
Dashcam footage shows the woman trying to get her belongings back from her passenger, seen wearing sunglasses and a white polo shirt.
Fearing the muscular tourist would hurt her, she honked the car horn before a passing van driver then rushed over to help her.
Pitchapha claimed Johann had tried to take her phone and two wallets. He later left the vehicle on his own.
Police launched a search after terrified Pitchapha filed a report later that evening.
He was charged with snatching, punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of up to 100,000 baht.
But Johann, who owns Icelandic construction firm Golfhitaogun, claimed he was checking the driver's bag for his wife's belongings, adding that he never stole anything from her.
Speaking to Asia Pacific Press before his court appearance on June 24, he said: ‘I feel like someone who has become caught up in a major misunderstanding.
‘There are many things about this case that seem unclear to me, and at times I feel as though people are trying to take advantage of the situation or get money from me.'
He said he hailed the taxi and personally entered his destination and hotel into the GPS before falling asleep in the back seat.
‘I woke up when the driver said we had arrived. I panicked because I am used to having my wife beside me, and I asked where she was.'
The tourist claimed the driver's response surprised him and that he became increasingly suspicious when he noticed a wallet and a mobile phone.
‘I initially thought they might belong to my wife. I asked to see the wallet to make sure whether it belonged to her.
‘Her reactions made me even more suspicious, and I feared the worst.
‘When the wallet was finally opened for me, it became clear that neither my belongings nor my wife's belongings were inside.
‘I immediately apologised sincerely and offered compensation because of the misunderstanding.
‘My apology was accepted, and I returned to my hotel.'
But he said he later realised the taxi driver had not taken him all the way to the destination he had entered into the GPS.
‘It was only afterwards that I realised the taxi driver had actually driven me only part of the way to the destination I had entered into the GPS myself.
‘That raised even more questions for me about what happened.
‘I stole nothing. I never tried to take the wallet or the phone out of the car, and I never intended to take anything that was not mine.
‘I only wanted to make sure whether I was looking at my wife's belongings. Those who know me know that I do not do things like this.
‘If my intention had been to take something that was not mine, I would not have been asking for permission to see the items or trying to get explanations.
‘I am simply not that kind of person.'
The Icelander said he felt 'financially exploited' as he was repeatedly told that paying the money was the best option available to him.
He added: 'There was a man who spoke on her behalf. He laughed and said, 'you are going to prison for at least two years. Pay 50,000 baht'.
‘That money does not exist for me.
‘It was repeatedly said to me that this was the best solution for me and basically my only hope.
‘At times, I feel as though I am being financially exploited or that someone is taking advantage of the situation.
‘I think this may be a scam or a cooperation to get money from tourists.
'From my point of view, this case is primarily built on a misunderstanding that has grown far beyond what actually happened.'
Johann maintained that the case had been blown out of proportion and was rooted in a miscommunication.
Ahead of his court appearance, the Icelander said he was placing his faith in God while waiting for the outcome.
He said: 'I rarely ask for help, but I always stand firm on what I believe. I trust God that this will go the way it is supposed to go.'
Police have not publicly addressed Johann's claims as criminal proceedings were ongoing.
The island of Phuket's combination of idyllic beaches and colourful nightlife has seen it become one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.
However, the influx of tourists has caused a surge in violence, depravity and petty crime - with many locals now regretting throwing open the doors to boost the economy.
