Thai hotel agrees to drop charges against US man who faced jail over bad reviews

• Koh Chang hotel to drop charges in exchange for public apology
• Wesley Barnes held under defamation and computer crime laws

A hotel in Thailand has agreed to drop charges against an American guest who faced up to five years in jail for posting negative reviews - as long as he issues a public apology for his comments.

The hotel, on the holiday island of Koh Chang, filed a complaint against American teacher Wesley Barnes in August after he posted what the hotel said were false and defamatory write-ups after a row over a 500 baht ($16) corkage fee.