‘Filipino Hong Kong’ tourist arrested in Phuket for falsifying robbery report

A tourist described as a "Filipino Hong Kong male" was arrested in Thailand for filing a fake police report claiming he was a victim of robbery in Phuket, an online report said over the weekend.

Wong Wai Ki Warwick Taboctabo, 22,  was charged for violating section 173 of the Thailand Penal Code for giving false information to authorities at the Chalong Police Station, the Phuket News reported on Sunday.

The report said the Chalong and Tourist police found the suspect to be a Hong Kong national although he was carrying a Philippine passport.

Taboctabo told authorities that his bag, mobile phone, and laptop were stolen at a restaurant after arriving at Phuket at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday. He claimed that he was only left with 200 baht and no means to find lodgings in Phuket.

A search through his possessions, however, turned out a key card for a room at the Rawai Palm Beach Resort.

Police found a bag of clothes and a mobile phone with Taboctabo's pictures in the room after confirming the suspect's room reservation with the hotel staff.

Taboctabo may face up to three years in jail and/or up to 6,000 baht in fines for falsifying the robbery report. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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