Travel Tips The Adventures of Roman Wanderaugh - THAILAND LOST THE PLOT Part 3 - March 2009

Chris Hill contributor - National Radio Text Service

Thailand's mistreatment of foreigners who overstay their Visa can result in their death. In our previous column we mentioned that visited a prisoner in the Pattaya, Thailand jail who was American. When we were at jail they said they didn't know where he was and had no paperwork on him. -

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Sunday March 1, 2009

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THAILAND? - You Be The Judge

In our previous column we mentioned our meetings with Chris Hill a former major in the Rhodesian military who moved to Thailand in 1998. While there he became involved in helping foreigners who got tangled up in the Thai legal system. He also suffers from a life threatening health problem caused by an illegal pipe on a dock in Pattaya, Thailand that leaked a deadly gas and caused the deaths of three of his partners.

From the previous column we visited a prisoner who was American. When we visited the Pattaya jail they said they didn't know where he was and had no paperwork on him. When we walked outside Hill pointed out that all the new cars that were owned by police were missing form the parking lot. He noted that came about after an film crew from Italy did a story about it and corruption.

Hill then figured out where the missing prisoner might be. When I asked Hill about the 2004 incident and the situation he replied from our Q: (questions with his A: (answers).

Q: What happened to the guy from Texas?

A: It was Paris Texas, his name was Lloyd Powell.

Q. How long did he stay in jail: (1) entire stay

A: When you saw him he had been there 12 days. Plus A further 3 days following quite a few more calls to the embassy folk to extract digit. (2) after we visited him on June 22nd? From Soi 9 where I visited him he was taken to Soi 8 for two days awaiting transport to BKK's International Detention Center. If he has no ticket = and if as with other countries there is no support / fund raising for a ticket - well he could be there for years or until 3 days after he gets an air ticket.

Q: What is the legal MAXIMUM length of time an American should be in jail for a seven-day (is that correct?) overstay?

A: Well, the fine is (for any overstay 2000 baht less 200 baht per day if he has been in jail awaiting trial) In my literally hundreds of overstay cases - I have NEVER seen a custodial order linked to the overstay. OK if they cannot pay the fine they pay it off at 200 baht per day in jail. So maximum stay would be 10 days.

Q: In how many days should it take for the US Embassy get involved after an American citizen is jailed for overstay?

A: Most embassies get involved on the same day we inform them they have a national in jail or involved in an accident. The Iranians usually have a consul drive to Pattaya within 24 hours of notification for example. Brits have a guy on the ground here, as do the French, the Austrians and even the Russians.

Q: What was the offense of the American that was murdered in the jail?

A: Overstay.

Q: How long was he there before being murdered?

A: 10 days.

Q: Was he beaten to death?

A: Yes.

Q: Was he beaten because as you say he was difficult to handle?

A: Don't know.

Q: How old was he?

A: 27.

THAILAND LOST THE PLOT Part 2

THAILAND LOST THE PLOT Part 1

Thai Police Harass Tourists

The Burning Down of The Thai Embassy

The UCB bank has come under scrutiny as they charged a tourists credit card more than he signed for on several cash withdraws. The bank advertises that they do not charge a fee for cash withdraws. When the matter was brought to the attention of UCB management in Phnom Penh they said the problem was with the tourist's bank in their country.

The tourist contacted his bank and was informed that the problem emanates from Cambodia as they also do not charge a fee for cash withdraws. The tourist has been dealing with his bank for over 12 years with no problem. The problem with the Cambodian bank surfaced after they made a personnel change.

Here's our tip if you have made cash withdraws at any of the UCB banks in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh check your statements. If there are discrepancies contact your bank and report it.