Australians behaving badly overseas

[Prawn_86]

Not sure if it is due to an increase in travel, or more media attention, or both, but there seems to be lots of news stories recently about Australians being arrested overseas, for various bad behaviour.

We can use this thread to keep track of it all and comment on this behaviour.

[Prawn_86]

Annice Smoel's story has been fairly big here in Aus.

She was jailed for stealing a bar mat and then abusing the Thai police and officials.

More details here:
http://www.aussietravellersforum.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=27

And here:
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25516749-5014090,00.html

I think she bought it upon herself, because originally she was complaining about the bad jail conditions, and then her story emerged. If she hadnt gone to the media in the first place, and just apologised it probably would have been fine.

[Prawn_86]

An Aussie navy officer was arrested on arrival at Heathrow a couple days ago. He ended up pleading guilty to whatever it was he was charged with (assault i think).

Not a good look for the defence forces.

[Prawn_86]

A man in Thailand was also arrested for eating donuts in a store before paying for them. Unlike Annice Smoel, he didnt kick up a fuss and was released when he apologised.

[Prawn_86]

LIGHT-hearted pictures have emerged of an Australian flight attendant who was jailed for 18 months after placing bomb threat notes on a plane he was working on.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25520902-5014090,00.html

He was jailed for 18 months by a British court. Who cares if he was tired or stressed, as his lawayers tried to argue, its not a smart thing to do, surely he must have been aware of the consequences.

[Siamsusie]

An Aussie navy officer was arrested on arrival at Heathrow a couple days ago. He ended up pleading guilty to whatever it was he was charged with (assault i think).

Not a good look for the defence forces.
Agreed Prawn, actually it is terribly sad, I wonder whether the demon grog had anything to do with it. One of the no no places for playing up are on the planes and quite rightly as well, and lets face it its a long old haul sitting next to a drunk particularly one that is awake lol::cool:

[Siamsusie]

A man in Thailand was also arrested for eating donuts in a store before paying for them. Unlike Annice Smoel, he didnt kick up a fuss and was released when he apologised.
I have been guilty in Coles or Woolies for drinking a cool drink and placing the article in the shopping trolley for checkout to see and to pay for., but of course it is stealing until paid for. Its too dangerous doing this in another country and I have had to curb my bad habits on many occasions:rolleyes:

[Prawn_86]

I have been guilty in Coles or Woolies for drinking a cool drink and placing the article in the shopping trolley for checkout to see and to pay for., but of course it is stealing until paid for. Its too dangerous doing this in another country and I have had to curb my bad habits on many occasions:rolleyes:
Is it really stealing though if you intend on paying for it? Obviously its hard to prove intent though.

For example, at a restaurant you pay after your meal, and thats not considered stealing...

[Siamsusie]

Is it really stealing though if you intend on paying for it? Obviously its hard to prove intent though.

For example, at a restaurant you pay after your meal, and thats not considered stealing...
Very true Prawn, I guess it is "the intent" issue. Probably better in a host country to ere on the side of caution.:confused:

[~kev~]

Not sure if it is due to an increase in travel, or more media attention, or both, but there seems to be lots of news stories recently about Australians being arrested overseas, for various bad behaviour.

We can use this thread to keep track of it all and comment on this behaviour.

I am guessing that it is just normal Aussie behavior. They are known all over the world as a rough and rowdy bunch.

[tintin]

Not sure you would call this behaving badly, but the media surely made it out so. After winning a tournament in Asia , the aussie cricket team pushed and jostled with the organisers and the person awarding the trophy! He happened to be a power broker and the media raised a storm on this, Symmo's later actions surely add credo to this, as in the carrebian tour.