"Miss Wanwisa asked him to pay for the price of bikini which is 1,790 baht, otherwise he had to pay ten times fine but Mr. Sergay refused, so she reported to police. Mr. Sergay was arrested and charged for stealing at night time. Eventually, he surrendered and had to pay for the price of goods and ten times fine according the rules of department store. Both parties had a compromise on the whole amount and Mr. Sergay paid 10,500 baht at the end. Police took the daily record and released Mr. Sergay."

 

Full story http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000003539

Upon reading the full story and realizing that this man shoplifted the item, then tried to escape with it, and even denied any wrongdoing when he was caught, I think the consequences of his actions were quite reasonable. He was given the choice of paying ten times the price or ending up in a Thai court.

 

If this had happened in the USA, it would have ended up costing him a hell of a lot more than the equivalent of 10,000 baht. He would have been arrested, would have had to post bail to get out of jail, would have had to appear in court, and would have ended up paying a fine and court costs.

 

In this case he received a slap-on-the-wrist and was sent on his way. My opinion is, if anything he ought to be grateful that nothing more came of it. After all, he's the one who decided to try to steal the item. I believe, at least in this case, the punishment fit the crime.

 

 

and in the UK he would have been given a warning and told not to do it again.