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How did my personal details get shared after booking flights, insurance, and accommodation in Thailand?
Nov 8, 2021
4 years ago
Pauline *******
ORIGINAL POSTERYesterday I booked flights and today I'm doing enquiries for insurance and accommodation and I have received this email! Just wondering how my details were obtained. Has anyone else got this. I've only been in communication with hotel, insurance co.,and airline app. Strange!
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expressed concern over receiving unsolicited emails after booking flights, accommodation, and insurance in Thailand, wondering how their personal information was obtained. The community speculated various sources for this information leak, including hotels, airlines, or even insurance companies, suggesting that agencies in Thailand may share users' details for referral commissions. Some comments pointed towards possible spam practices, while others offered recommendations to ignore such messages. There were also discussions regarding the reputation of the Thai Visa Centre, indicating that while they may reach out directly, they are generally considered a reputable service.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Lisa *******************
Me too. I just ignored it, but yes, weird.
Jason **********
Ive used them for 3 years really professional and helpful.
Michael *******
@Jason *********
Could you pm me their prices. I'm +55..Jason **********
@Michael ******
Ok just messaged you.Reply to
Jason **********
Reply
Maxim ***********
I don't know if this particular email is a scam or not, but Thai Visa Centre do contact people this way. So could be them or could be a scam copycat. The only way to know is to contact them on their official FB or Line and ask them directly. Having said that, Thai Visa Centre are very reputable and do deliver everything that they promise. They are probably the most legit visa agent in Thailand.
Noel ***********
@Maxim **********
I agree everything is legit with them. I have used them for the past 4 years. You won’t go wrong: Reply to
Noel ***********
Reply
Max *******
Best to Ignore this message and delete
Dionis ******
Privacy and personal identifiable information are not respected much in Thailand. It's spam so no matter how respected and legitimate the business is these practices are wrong.
Noel ***********
I would highly recommend Thai Visa Centre to you. They are very professional and will help you lots. Take Care.
Pikey *********
Should of done everything before you booked flight ✈️
Michael ********
If you are going through page asq.in.th or aq.in.th.
Its not an official page and belongs to Thai Visa I believe.
The writing at the bottom of the page showing company has been faded
Its not an official page and belongs to Thai Visa I believe.
The writing at the bottom of the page showing company has been faded
Daniel **********
I had this too!
Mark ******
Snap, I had it too and only booked SHA Hotel and insurance at weekend.
Jan ****
You contacted your hotel through the sha hotel list website... I did they same and didn't even verified my enquiry and got the same email.
Steve *******
It's from the AQ link you filled in. Just book through Agoda, you dont get any of that shit and you get instant booking confirmation
Steve *******
Stear clear of that, book sha+ hotel throught agoda, intstant confirmation and insurance through arawan namak, instant confirmation
Nathan ******
I got one last night and deleted it....spam
Nikk ******
Yeah I got it and deleted it. I'm pretty sure my AQ hotel gave works with them off commission
Nick ****************
The travel agent or airline you booked with sold your details onto the visa agency. It's common in SE Asia, when you check into an hotel as a lone western male reception send your details and room number to a local escort agency, hence the phone call, "hello I am from Mr Kim . He has asked me to welcome you and show you something. May I come to room XXX please?
Michael ********
@Nick ***************
i dont see how its airline nowadays most people book online.Got to be hotel or Thai insurance agent
Christopher ********
@Nick ***************
never happened to me despite having visited Bangkok maybe 50 times in thirty years.Maybe I am staying at the wrong hotels? This *did* happen in China (during the heydey pre-crackdown by Winnie the Pooh though)
Nick ****************
@Christopher *******
indeed I was referring to one of my trips to Korea!Reply to
Nick ****************
Reply
Sam *********
FB sold ur email to them based on ur activity here
Jaye ********
Thia Visa are world class.
Michael ********
@Jaye *******
yes apparently but *********************************************************************************************************************************************************
*******
/05/american-thai-wife-arrested-operating-an-illegal-visa-business-in-bangkok-using-fake-stamps/Maxim ***********
@Michael *******
The article title is factually incorrect. It was a Cannabis story in which terms like "Visa" were used as a PR stunt for the new chief in command (a reputation PR stunt). Thai Visa Centre never stopped operation (nor did anyone gets investigated for his stamps, it's fake news). The lady that got "busted" is still working for Thai Visa Centre. They are still delivering hundreds of Visa to foreigners every week. They have an office in Bangkok which I have visited before. My friend was waiting for his passport from them (volunteer visa) when the bust happened. Not only did he get his passport delivered a few days after the bust, but they gave him free 90 days report for the full year (it's usually 500 baht every 3 months). These are the facts. Whether or not you accept such facts is up to you.Michael ********
@Maxim **********
read what i said earlier, it was a shakedown pure and simple. I know what the real facts were not what was written in the news, or reported on the TV.Yes i know Grace is still working there.
Maxim ***********
@Michael *******
Your OP was not necessary. They are world-class and we both know how stupid this story was. Grace is the most honest Thai agent ive ever spoken to.Michael ********
@Maxim **********
Why ? they are the best but there are always risks, everybody spouting off they are world class. When we all know its not 100% above board.The Admins in this group will never promote agencies, we allow the questions.
Now the original question is why is this company spamming me ?
Why because they own the website that looks like the official website.
Dont know which i dont like the most spammers or agents.
If you dont like it there are a few other visa groups which happily promote agents usually because they are involved in the agencies themselves, they will welcome you with open arms
Maxim ***********
@Michael *******
Nobody is promoting agent in this comment section. We're simply trying to help OP figure out the email he got. If anything, you brought the story in a snarky way knowing fair well the sensational aspect of the article. A story that could easily be misinterpreted by people with very little experience. Also, you are old enough to not need an agent, so obv your snobbism toward agents and people who use them is understandable. Let me remind you that the group was created by Garrett. I've been here since Day 1. The reason why he created the group was because the bigger group was run by dictatorial admin with no care for freedom of speech. This group is a safe space for alternative solutions and discussions that don't get censored or closed comments. Promotions of agents have never been allowed, rightfully so. Nothing said here promotes such agent, as mentioned at the beginning of my post. The "if you don't like it here... blabla", is typical, but not impressive. There is no need for doubling down on the snarkiness. You are just an admin, nothing else, not above nor below anyone else.Reply to
Maxim ***********
Reply
Jaye ********
@Michael *******
It was a fake story and remember it well so do most people. Thailand media is full of invention and sensationalism and when they have a big story to tell each day will be a different version from the last one so they rely on people being half crazy or aim to make them behave that way.Michael ********
@Jaye *******
its wasnt fake, it was a shakedown by authorities looking for a bigger action of the pie.Jaye ********
All passport stamps are reflected digitally so guy with passport goes to airport and checks in at Bangkok hotel instead which will be the likely scenario so ask yourself how likely is it they have been using fake stamps for over a 5 years or so? Really is not rocket science and surprised most folk on here actually fall for some of the nonsense these papers come up with each day.
Jaye ********
@Michael *******
it was fake because at the time I had money with them for a service they completed as expected and unless we are talking about another institution this one was very open at the time. Maybe I should read online hack pieces more often and pretend they have more power over me than my own experience but then I would only be as confused as those who read stuff like that so it does feel like the matrix at times.Michael ********
@Jaye *******
i will get you the bangkok post article then. That was just first one popped up.It was also on Thai TV news as well.
Jaye ********
@Michael *******
BP only scribbles down what they are told to so they do not investigate they just report..Michael ********
@Jaye *******
lol discredit anything that doesnt back you up. Channel 5 news i think did good story on it was a lot more detailed than Bangkok post.Thai Visa have reputation for being probably best in Thailand but its not 100 % legal and there have been cases where an immigration officer has been busted and then all his stamps were investigated. No point looking for link you will just say its codswallop
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Frédéric ******************
Throw the message to the spam bin of your mailbox.
Martin ********
I got the same as well. Not impressed really, as clearly one of the websites is milking contact details for their visa agency. For me that's a company to avoid.
Lamboley *******
Thai visa center is serious and give good advices. Just be careful it is not a spam
Shing *****
Did you book you hotel via asq.in.th ?
Pauline *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Shing ****
Im doing flights, hotel and insurance direct. Christopher ********
@Shing ****
not me... Wait a sec, I did the first time link through them. Maybe I even reserved through them. Tired of waiting for a reply I contacted the hotel directly and paid directly though.Christopher ********
I asked the source of this solicitation and for a quick reply ..
"You may have used our booking platform here:
Or made a direct inquiry via:
"You may have used our booking platform here:
****************
Or made a direct inquiry via:
**************************
"Shing *****
@Christopher *******
if you have provided your email address to them, they probably passed that to their partners.Reply to
Shing *****
Reply
Christopher ********
Yes, I got it too and was a little taken aback
Pauline *******
ORIGINAL POSTERGlad I'm not the only one.
Michael ********
@Christopher *******
insurance from Thailand ?Christopher ********
@Michael *******
yes, AXA. Reply to
Christopher ********
Reply
Carl ******
i did get the same from they to
Michael ********
10 % commision to whomever passed them your email if you sign up with them
Phill ******
airline or the booking agent .
Pauline *******
ORIGINAL POSTERJust proves big brother is definitely watching us! Or is it Zuckerberg 😄
Evan ********
Yeah had the same! Bit of referral deals going on I’d say!
Clive ********
Lots of scams at moment ..that's the thai way if they can earn a few baht. Unfortunately.
Jon *****
@Clive *******
Not solely the thai way unfortunatelyReply to
Jon *****
Reply
Adrien **********
My guess is hotel having a deal with the Visa company, small business dont have to care very much with confidentiality here...
Jennifer ********
I've used them, very happy with their service. Strange how they contacted you, though.
Jaye ********
@Jennifer *******
Could be a fake one but there is no way of knowing unless the link shows the correct location and contact details.Reply to
Jaye ********
Reply
Luc ************
Just ignore it.
Pauline *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Luc ***********
Oh I am!Reply to
Pauline *******
Reply
Michael ********
If you enquired from a Thai Insurance company it could well be via them.
If not it can only be hotel.
If not it can only be hotel.
Steve *******
@Michael *******
It's from the 'official AQ link'.Michael ********
@Steve ******
which one ?Steve *******
@Michael *******
The 'official' link for AQ hotels that people have been posting. You have to fill out some details before you can book anything through the link.Michael ********
@Steve ******
yes i dont think its officialSteve *******
@Michael *******
Probably not.Michael ********
@Steve ******
at bottom in faded writing is name of company 5555Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Pauline *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
Maybe so, just a bit surprised, it was in my spam.Reply to
Pauline *******
Reply
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