TThanabalasingam BalakrishnanMy wife and I stayed at Anona Beachfront Resort Patong from 30 October to 3 November 2025, and our experience was truly exceptional — not only because of the wonderful hotel, but because of the remarkable care shown by Ms. Peemai, the Resort Manager, along with the outstanding professionalism of the Patong Police.
From day one, Ms. Peemai impressed us with her warmth, sincerity, and genuine concern for every guest.
Unfortunately, on 1 November, we faced a very distressing situation. Around 8:50pm outside Jungceylon Mall, two foreign scammers approached us, spoke about scalp-care products, and lured us into a herbal shop they were working with. Inside the shop, surrounded by several people, we were pressured into buying herbal products worth 22,000 THB in cash. They even attempted to push another USD 2,500 worth of items before we realised we were being scammed.
The next morning, we informed Ms. Peemai, who listened sincerely and immediately guided us on the correct steps — report to the Tourist Police first, and then proceed to the Patong Police Station. Her advice was precise and extremely helpful.
The Patong Police handled our case with seriousness and full commitment. Even though we were leaving Phuket the next day, the officers assured us they would try their very best — and they truly did. That same evening at 8:30pm, five officers accompanied us back to the area. They waited discreetly until one of the scammers appeared. The moment he did, they acted swiftly, detained him, and brought us back to the shop to gather evidence — photos, videos, herbal items, licences, and documents. They also arrested two shop staff involved in the scam.
At the station, the individuals confessed. Thanks to the officers’ dedication, we recovered 100% of our money — 22,000 THB.
We were also informed that legal action will follow against both the scammers and the herbal shop.
The next morning, when we thanked Ms. Peemai, she praised us for not giving up and for taking the matter seriously. She told us that by taking action, we helped protect other tourists from falling victim to the same scam — and that our efforts contribute to making Phuket safer for everyone. Her words meant a lot to us.
She also reminded us, wisely:
If strangers approach you on the street with unusual conversations, simply walk away and do not engage.
Despite the unfortunate incident, the exceptional support from Ms. Peemai and the remarkable professionalism of the Patong Police completely changed our experience for the better. Their sincerity, commitment, and care truly stood out.
We highly recommend Anona Beachfront Resort Patong.
People like Ms. Peemai, and officers like the team who helped us, make Phuket a safer and more welcoming place for travellers
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