According to reports, an American man, after writing negative online online reviews about a hotel in Thailand, is two years behind.
Wesley Barnes, who works in Thailand, was arrested on charges of damaging the reputation of Sea View Resort on Koh Chang Island. The Telegraph reported.
Barnes allegedly wrote reviews on multiple sites in which he claimed he had dealt with “unscrupulous staff” during a recent visit to a popular resort destination that “behaves like they don’t want anyone here”.
At least one Trip Advisor review that accuses the hotel of “modern-day slavery” has been removed for violating the site’s guidelines.
“The owner of Sea View Resort complained that the defendant had posted inappropriate reviews on the TripAdvisor website at his hotel,” Koh Chang Police Colonel Thanapon Tamesara said. The agency told Francis-Press.
The hotel said it had taken legal action against the former guest to prevent further reviews from being posted.
“We chose to file a complaint to serve as a deterrent, as we understand that it may continue to write negative reviews weeks later for the foreseeable future,” the hotel said.
In addition to the failed reviews, Barnes was also accused of fighting with staff over non-payment of carcass fees for Booze, the report said.
Barnes was taken into custody and returned to Koh Chang, where he was detained shortly before being released on bail.
If convicted, Barnes could face up to two years in prison and a fine of, 6,329 (or 200,000 baht), the report said.
He did not respond to a request for comment, AFP reported.
Thailand is notorious for its anti-defamation laws, which have long been criticized by human rights groups.
In December 2019, a Thai journalist was sentenced to two years in prison for criticizing a chicken farm on Twitter.
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