In a Thai jail ...

[Smiles]

You may recall a post a few weeks back describing an experience in a Thai court written by a farang teacher in Samut Prakhan.

It was in regards to an ex-student of his who had been charged with a crime, and whose parents asked him to attend the proceedings for a bit of extra moral support.

At the time only the first 3 parts of this most interesting story were available (it was being written in "real time" on http://www.thai-blogs.com ).
Now the story is complete, with a guilty verdict, some tearful moments, and a visit to a Thai jail where the prisoner (and student and friend) is incarcerated. He has had had rape attempted, has lost his girlfriend, has been supporting his baby girl and parents etc etc etc.

Part 1 - 3: 'A Day in a Thai Court' ( http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blo ... &tb=1&pb=1 (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&title=a_day_in_a_thai_court&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) )

Part 4: 'Judgement day' ( http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blo ... &tb=1&pb=1 (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&p=1331&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) )

Part 5: 'The courthouse lockup' ( http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blo ... &tb=1&pb=1 (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&p=1335&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) )

Part 6: 'Back at the Thai Courthouse' ( http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blo ... &tb=1&pb=1 (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&p=1341&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) )

Part 7: 'A Thai Prison' ( http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blo ... &tb=1&pb=1 (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&p=1342&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) )


Cheers ...

[mikelele-old]

Thank you for posting the updates on that blog. It is both fascinating and heartbreaking.

[Bob]

Thanks, Smiles, very interesting. I hope I don't dream about the place tonight.

[travelerjim]

Thank you Smiles for sharing this website....

The writings of the blogger are most interesting and very well done.
The links to other blogs and video-blogs on Thai Life are good to view too.
Thanks again,

TravelerJim

Three Cheers...for Smiles!!!

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Very hard read. You want to reach out.

Very hard read. You want to reach out.

Nothing to stop you doing so.

When you are in Bangkok take a taxi over to the 'Bangkok Hilton' and visit someone, you do not have to know them personally.

There are many farangs imprisoned there who would welcome a visitor and likewise many Thais who have not had a visitor for years.

The visit is only for a very short time but believe me when I say that it will stay with you for the rest of your life.

How much tip is appropriate for short time?

[bucknaway]

I would hate to go to a jail and uplift the day of a killer or drug dealer or Pedo... :(

Exactly! If they're in jail, they were convicted of a pretty serious crime. Better to use that time visiting an orphanage or AIDS hospice, IMHO.

Exactly! If they're in jail, they were convicted of a pretty serious crime. Better to use that time visiting an orphanage or AIDS hospice, IMHO.

On this occasion I beg to differ at least on the prison visits.

A few of us from my office go over to 'The Hilton' once a month taking books and other bits and pieces.

Many of the prisoners there are still awaiting a trial despite the common myth that all the inmates have been convicted.

Two months ago a German and an Australian inmate were both released when the prosecution for their trials withdrew - through lack of evidence in the case of the German and in the case of the Australian he was able to prove he was in Jakarta at the time of the alleged offence ( Their cases were not connected).

I would however wholeheartedly endorse your suggestions that visitors spend a few hours visiting either an orphanage or a hospice, not many people realise just how valuable these type of visits can be for both the morale of the staff and the people they are helping.

[mikelele-old]

It may be that some who are guilty of whatever they were incarcerated for are really repentant and want to be better people than they were when they went in. I disagree that once a criminal always a criminal. And maybe a compassionate visit from some complete stranger might just be the thing that turns the tide for them. Who knows? It may be possible. I think that we must believe that people can choose to change to be better and I think we should do whatever we can - no matter how small or slight, to help. IMO =)

Very hard read. You want to reach out.

Nothing to stop you doing so.

When you are in Bangkok take a taxi over to the 'Bangkok Hilton' and visit someone, you do not have to know them personally.

There are many farangs imprisoned there who would welcome a visitor and likewise many Thais who have not had a visitor for years.

The visit is only for a very short time but believe me when I say that it will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Im interested. So you can just turn up?

[pronto]

On this occasion I beg to differ at least on the prison visits....
I would however wholeheartedly endorse your suggestions that visitors spend a few hours visiting either an orphanage or a hospice....
Thank you for this perspective Naughty, and yours too Mikelele. Can you offer any info in the way of protocol in inquiring and arranging such a visit?

[mikelele-old]

I'm sorry that I cannot advise you on this as I do not live in Thailand and am not well versed with these protocols. Perhaps others on this board would be more in a position to do so.

Good luck. I'm think that if you do get to visit, it may mean a lot to some people who've been in there.

Can you specify that you would like to visit an inmate who is wrongly-convicted, being held by the military junta indefinitely without trial, or a reformed criminal with a heart of gold? Or do you have to talk to any old unrepentant drug dealing child raping cunt who might show up at the window?

[mikelele-old]

thank god for it

A lot of Canadians in South East Asian jails.

A good start.