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STB ‘ready to help’ Vietnam tourist

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is ready to help Vietnamese tourist Pham Van Thoai, who was captured on video kneeling and tearfully begging for a refund from phone retailer Mobile Air, if he wants to pursue the matter further.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is ready to help Vietnamese tourist Pham Van Thoai, who was captured on video kneeling and tearfully begging for a refund from phone retailer Mobile Air, if he wants to pursue the matter further.

STB director of Visitor Information & Experience Choo Huei Miin said the board takes a serious view of errant retailers who “besmirch the reputation of Singapore”.

“We are of the view that the recent unfortunate incidents at Sim Lim Square are the actions of only a few errant retailers and are not reflective of the entire retail industry,” she added.

Amid the negative publicity surrounding the questionable business practices of some Sim Lim Square retailers, the Chinese embassy in Singapore said it had received many reports last year of Chinese tourists encountering fraud when buying electronic goods here. In a statement posted on China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, the embassy also warned its citizens to be aware of fraud when buying mobile phones and other electronic products here.

Meanwhile, Singaporean Gabriel Kang — who had raised, by 10.45pm yesterday, more than S$14,000 via crowdfunding site Indiegogo to buy an iPhone for Mr Pham — said he was aware of reports that the Vietnamese tourist had declined to accept more donations.

However, Mr Kang said he would continue to contact and persuade Mr Pham to accept the money and return to Singapore for a second holiday. Should Mr Pham decline the offer, the fund could be used to compensate other consumers who have suffered from unfair business practices, he added.

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