November 13, 2020

Andrew Campbell 

Travel website Tripadvisor posted a warning label on November 11 about the Sea View Resort on Koh Chang island in Thailand. The hotel had launched legal action against an American traveler, Wesley Barnes, over leaving a negative online review in July.

Earlier, Wesley Barnes wrote and complained online about his dispute with unfriendly staff over a corkage fee at the Sea View Resort and Spa Koh Chang and being mistreated like modern-day slavery.

Subsequently, Mr. Barnes was charged with Thailand's strict anti-defamation laws. He was arrested and detained 2 days in jail. Later he was freed after giving a public apology.

According to Tripadvisor’s statement, even if the hotel has been exercising its legal rights under Thailand's law, it is necessary to warn users of researching travel plans of such dispute.

Photo:Webshot.