Beware of Thailand Airport Scam: "Zig-zag"

Aussies warned of Thai airport false arrest 'zig-zag' scam
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,25853058-661,00.html

AUSSIE travellers are being warned of a scam in which foreigners are falsely arrested at airports and forced to hand over thousands of dollars.
British, Irish and Danish tourists have already fallen victim to the extortion, knows as the "zig-zag'' scam, in the duty free section at Bangkok and Phuket airports.

A British couple who were detained on a false shoplifting charge met with senior police and were forced to pay 7500 pounds as ''bail'' to secure their freedom and for a lawyer who consulted on their behalf.

Spending time in jail over beer mats and doughnuts:

Earlier this year, Annice Smoel, a mother-of-four from Montrose, spent four nights in a Thai jail accused of stealing a beer mat in Phuket.

A Sydney school teacher Sean Kearney also revealed he was locked up in Thailand after being accused of stealing a doughnut.