A Chinese tourist faces a lifetime ban from Thailand after allegedly damaging passport gates at Bangkok Airport in frustration. He’s accused of kicking barriers, verbally abusing officers, and bypassing security, prompting a crackdown on disorderly visitors.
Key Points
- A Chinese tourist was banned for life from Thailand after allegedly damaging airport passport gates and verbally abusing officers.
- The man, identified as Zheng Liwei, reportedly became frustrated with an automated gate at Suvarnabhumi Airport, leading to the incident.
He faces charges for damaging government property, insulting officials, and unauthorized entry, valued at approximately $15,000
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Disruptive Tourist’s Permanent Ban
A 30-year-old Chinese tourist, identified as Zheng Liwei, has received a lifetime ban from re-entering Thailand following a disruptive incident at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The alleged offenses occurred on Wednesday afternoon while Zheng was attempting to clear immigration for his flight back to China. He reportedly became frustrated with the automated passport control system, leading to a violent outburst where he kicked and damaged two automated gates. This severe penalty underscores Thailand’s growing intolerance for disorderly conduct among foreign visitors.
Airport Altercation and Charges
The incident unfolded as Zheng struggled with the automated passport gates. Witness accounts and video footage suggest he repeatedly slammed his travel document on the reader before resorting to kicking the barriers, ultimately forcing his way through without proper clearance. Immigration officers intervened, and reports indicate Zheng then proceeded to verbally abuse the officers in Chinese, including a deeply offensive insult, before attempting to advance on them. His wife reportedly intervened, pulling him back.
Legal Repercussions and Damaged Property
Following the airport disturbance, immigration officers have filed formal complaints against Zheng. The charges include damaging government property, with the estimated cost of the two damaged automated gates amounting to approximately 480,000 baht (US$15,000). Additionally, he faces charges for insulting officers on duty and passing through a security checkpoint without authorization. This case is indicative of a broader Thai governmental effort to curb instances of foreign visitor misconduct.
Source : Chinese tourist banned from Thailand for life after kicking, damaging US$15,000 auto-gates
