British Man Arrested in Bangkok for Negative Restaurant Reviews
Arrest follows a flood of fake one-star reviews on Phuket restaurant
A British man, Alexander, 21, was arrested in Bangkok for allegedly orchestrating a campaign to flood an Italian restaurant in Phuket with false one-star reviews.
The incident began in 2022 when Alexander sought to use the restaurant as a shortcut to his accommodation, but was denied access by the owner because he was not a paying customer.
In retaliation, Alexander reportedly had friends post negative reviews, dropping the restaurant's rating from 4.8 to 3.1 stars.
The restaurant owner filed a complaint with the Sakhu Police Station in Phuket's Thalang district, citing financial and reputational damage.
The Central Investigation Bureau arrested Alexander on May 9 at his new apartment in Bangkok.
He faces charges of 'entering false computer data likely to cause damage to the general public' as per an arrest warrant issued in August 2023.
Alexander has denied the charges.
The incident began in 2022 when Alexander sought to use the restaurant as a shortcut to his accommodation, but was denied access by the owner because he was not a paying customer.
In retaliation, Alexander reportedly had friends post negative reviews, dropping the restaurant's rating from 4.8 to 3.1 stars.
The restaurant owner filed a complaint with the Sakhu Police Station in Phuket's Thalang district, citing financial and reputational damage.
The Central Investigation Bureau arrested Alexander on May 9 at his new apartment in Bangkok.
He faces charges of 'entering false computer data likely to cause damage to the general public' as per an arrest warrant issued in August 2023.
Alexander has denied the charges.
