derekjw

The Bridge Club saga continues and they, those brave victims of a raid, incarceration and free bottles of water, were supposed to have their day in Court yesterday, 29th March, to find out if they were going to be prosecuted for "Running a gaming establishment without a licence", Did the intrepid reporter from Thai Visa or Sunday Sport turn up for this 'edge of the seat' thrilling encounter, with Law taking second place to farce? Does anyone that has been following the exciting case that rocked the World some eight weeks ago know the outcome? Well, I don't and I certainly would like to know, so if anybody has an inkling, let us all know, let the World know, I fancy another viral happening like the last one.

DW

Regarding this latest situation, someone really needs to make it explicitly clear what one has to have in one's possession whilst out and about. I, as one of the arrested elderly folk from the bridge club earlier this month, had a laminated copy of my passport with visa details on the back, it was accepted by the arresting officers and it was only when I went to sort out the final (?) paperwork at the station that I handed over the original for inspection.

Something's going on out there, not sure what it is, but it certainly isn't helping anybody. As for the 31 detainees, we are still at large and awaiting our day in Court, but...........

derekjw

Hello readers,

From one of the apprehended -

I am not surprised about this latest news, although I hasten to point out that we did get our bail money back last Wednesday. Everyone has been telling us that there is still a possibility that we may have to go to Court but it was highly unlikely. Of course, being in Thailand, nothing is quite straight forward or logical and now DOPA have advised the media that they are continuing in their attempt to prosecute those at the Bridge Club last Wednesday.

So we continue to wait for notification of our appearance in Court, our bridge has been on hold since the raid and doesn't look likely to continue until everyone involved (and I mean EVERYONE) is satisfied that no laws, however archaic, are being broken. Life continues, meanwhile we have time to reflect on our actions and await our punishment, with our wallets re-imbursed for the time being!!!!

The Land of Smiles has tarnished its image for all involved and, possibly most around the World that watched the News, an amazing incident that beggars belief, but we can only sit and wait and hope that common sense prevails, but will it?

DW

Dear Thai Visa readers,

This relates to the latest episode in the arrest of 30plus bridge players in Pattaya a week ago, the club had a meeting in the Altos Restaurant today, Wednesday, and several things were discussed.

Firstly, most of the arrested players had gone to the police station early in the week and got their passports back, five remaining were asked to go tonight, I was one of those five. I went and signed various documents, was asked to complete a form and was assured by an efficient translator that the fingerprints, photographs and signed admission of guilt would be "lost". I was also told that the case is still open but I shouldn't worry as it was highly unlikely that we would see the inside of a Court.

The meeting at The Altos was pretty much "same; same" and Jeremy Watson confirmed that the Case was still not closed and that there are a lot of "Ifs and buts", but it was likely that only he, as organiser of the day, would be prosecuted for the possession of illegally imported playing cards.

Unfortunately, the lead officer with DOPA will, at this present time, not give up and it was made clear to us that neither the Army or Police were involved in the raid on The Altos last week, only DOPA, although several policemen appeared on the scene, none was actively involved, mere bystanders (Mmmm!).

We haven't got all the answers, nor will we probably ever get any, our bridge has been badly disrupted (Ah bless; I hear you say) and some of the elderly folk (Is 45 classed as elderly?) feel somewhat more vulnerable than before this episode. I have lived here long enough to understand the way things are here in Thailand and have got more cynical as the months creep by, but I, like some of our sympathisers on Thai Visa, feel things can only get better, or I will be on to Richard Branson booking my flight to Mars, Saturn or even Prestatyn, North Wales (oops; sorry!!!).

By the way, thank you to all the 150 plus who wrote in after my interpretation of what happened last Wednesday/ Thursday, the criticisms, witticisms, observations and factual (and fictional) responses were reward in themselves and, if I tell you that we DID get our bail money back, would it surprise some of you?

Enjoy yourselves now, or you may end up playing bridge with other doddering old folk, like Omar Sharif (sadly no longer with us)!!

DW

Dear Readers,

I was one of the criminals arrested on Wednesday last and whilst, at the time, we all couldn't believe what was happening, the army, police and news reporters did enter the Bridge Club premises at about 3pm and loitered with intent, snooping around the games being played and going through the filing cabinets looking for hard evidence of gambling. We were all told later, about 5pm, that we were being arrested and taken to the local police station and that we would probably all have to pay a fine of 1000 baht each, but that we would have to go to Court after being charged.

We were herded into organised baht buses and taken to Pattaya Police Station next to Central on Beach Road, we were ushered into an available room on the 3rd floor and told to wait.

There were 31 in all, various Europeans (including Brits), Australians and a few Canadians. The Bridge Club does have Thai members but they were not there on the day. Two people actually escaped the long arm of the law by fleeing down a curtained off staircase before the move to the Police Station, I assume they are not fugitives from Justice and will not be hanged drawn and quartered for their actions.

The club had been raided some months ago, as an angry boyfriend of one of the staff in the restaurant rang the police and told them the players were gambling,, a misdemeanor here in Thailand, however; the Police only reprimanded the main representative of the club, Jeremy Watson, and allowed the Bridge Club to continue playing (which it has, for 22 years, in various establishments), with, what we assumed, was a licence to carry on legally.

Wednesday's actions were caused either by a continued offended boy friend or someone in authority decided we needed to be punished for this heinous crime, the crime of gambling.

In the station, the Police provided us with water only, but some Thai girlfriends were allowed in to supply food and nourishment for the apprehended farangs. During the hours of about 6pm until 3am the following morning we had to provide 5000 baht toward bail, produce a passport or driving licence, which they retained and sign various documents, we had our finger prints taken and were individually photographed, the lawyer we had retained attempted to sort things out for the concerned people and we were only given information when it was necessary. Visits to the toilet were monitored, we were left in the room with a policeman at the only exit and basically waited, twiddling thumbs. There was a suggestion that we should play a game of bridge to fill our time incarcerated in the large meeting room, but humour was gradually being replaced by annoyance, not so much anger, but frustration,

Approaching 3am the harassed lawyer appeared with a senior police official and said that if we all signed the forms (in Thai) admitting that we were gambling we could leave and return later in the morning to go to Court, where we had an opportunity to plead our case. We all duly signed, apart from one of the group who refused to pay the 5000 baht bail money, we went home and duly returned at 10.30 to be taken to court. However, during the night, action had been taken by one of the Bangkok Bridge Club members who knew people in higher places than that of the leaders of this ploy and we were told that we would not go to court that day but all would have their passports and other ID cards returned to them and we would be advised of when the next action was taking place.

At this point in time not all of us are sure what is happening next, we haven't got our bail money back, we may still have to go to court to plead not guilty to "gambling" to reverse our individual signed document admitting guilt (that was not translated for us). They (the police) tell us the fingerprints, photographs and paper work will all be scrapped. The owner of the rooms that were let should be prosecuted for not licencing the premises (not us individually or the Club), we may be charged with using illegal playing cards, but we think that burden will be placed on our Club representative; Jeremy Watson. The crime of gambling will, more than likely, be quashed and we will revert back to free people, allowed to play bridge again, with not a stain on our character. Or will we?

One thing about this whole stupid affair is that it has highlighted the character of Thai police, not in a good way, there were several high-up officers playing God that day and they were wielding power that should not be theirs, we were treated poorly, one 92 year old lady eventually being allowed to leave early with health issues, but we do understand, those of us who have lived here some time, that Thais need to save face and that we were just fodder for the hungry egos in a situation that got out of hand. All of us just want to get back to our lives, I want to catch up on my beauty sleep and we also would like our 5000 baht back, let's see what happens next, eh?, in the Land of Smiles!!!!!

DW

Hi Everybody,

Asking for some help in finding the best place to have my veins done. I have been to PIH on soi 4 and got an "estimate" from them!

It seemed exceedingly high. As I cannot get them done through my Insurance, I am looking for advice and it is always best to ask someone who

has been for treatment or, at least, can recommend somewhere.

Love reading all your responsess about the goings on here, they do make me laugh..

Thanks

DW

The Auction House that caught fire is the competitor to Collingbournes. It is further north, the turn off nearer to Pattaya Neu, still on the dark side though (no pun intended).

I have been in touch with them often about selling things, but they never replied to my requests. Their catalogue seems to

have the same things in week in week out, so, as somebody else commented, they are probably not doing much business.

Not being a conspiracy theorist and having found no information how the fire started, I just hope the clients' goods are

covered by insurance and that the business will still be operating after the clear-up!!

Can't let Mr Collingbourne have all the fun, can we?

Hi everybody,

I cannot believe it, two phones, one wallet and another attempt, three on a baht bus and one in a hospital........

Maybe I am just unlucky, but something has got to be done before Pattaya is totally ruined....

Hi Everybody,

I have just been offered n ESC card to save money on my electricity bills. Does anyone here in Thailand have any experience of these cards

as they sound too good to be true!!!

Keep the comments flowing folks, some are funny, some aren't, but all are worth reading!

Derek

Hi Everybody,

Having read a lot of articles, there seems to be a lot of knowledgeable people connected to this Forum,

so I would like to ask if anybody knows where I could find a wooden booth (or kiosk), either new or second hand,

in Pattaya or its environs. The type I am looking for is the 2m x 2m wooden kiosk that adorns the streets of Pattaya,

selling fastfood or coffee, ice cream etc.,

Thanks in advance of any help with my problem and keep up the good work everyone, the responses to many articles are sometimes very funny and necessary in these times of strife.

Derek W.