British Man in Trouble in Thailand for Taking a Phone
Introduction
A British tourist, Rory McColl, is in Thailand. He is 37 years old. Police stopped him on March 9. They say he took a phone from a bar. He says it was a mistake.
Main Body
On his first night in Bangkok, Rory went to Khao San Road. He drank alcohol. He lost his own phone. He picked up another phone from the bar. He thought it was his phone. Bar workers called the police. The police arrested him. Rory says he tried to give the phone back. He called the owner. The owner talked to him at first, then stopped. The police say there is no record of a mistake. They sent the case to a prosecutor. Rory stayed in a cell for two nights. The cell had a concrete floor and a plastic bottle for a pillow. He paid about £1,000 to get out of jail. But the police took his passport. He cannot leave Thailand. He lives in a hotel in Pattaya for seven weeks. A court hearing is on April 28. In Thailand, this crime can mean one to five years in prison and a fine. Rory's lawyer says he may get three years if the charge is not dropped. Rory's parents are in Scotland. They are worried. They say the situation is scary. A man said he was a lawyer and asked for money. Rory paid him. Now his real lawyers think it was a trick. The UK government is helping Rory.
Conclusion
Rory waits for his court date. He cannot go home until the case ends. This story shows that taking a phone, even by mistake, can be a big problem in Thailand.