British dad jailed in Thailand for 'abducting' son who 'asked to be taken away'

[rooster59]

British dad jailed in Thailand for 'abducting' son who 'asked to be taken away'

By Sarah Arnold

 

Jodie Smith last week tried to recover nine-year-old Joleon from his Thai-born mum (Image: Press People)

 

A British dad poses with the son he had been attempting to bring home when he was jailed in Thailand for abduction.

 

Jodie Smith last week tried to recover nine-year-old Joleon, allegedly snatched by his Thai-born mum.

The carer, 41, was held at Bangkok airport on Wednesday.

 

Sean Felton, of charity Abducted Angels, was detained days later.

 

Full story: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-dad-jailed-thailand-abducting-12083653

 

Mirror: 2018-02-25

 

 

[geovalin]

The Scottish article is better than the Mirror's one

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2278541/edinburgh-dad-jodie-smith-jail-thailand-rescue-son-joleon-kidnap/

[Get Real]

I guess he broke the law. He has to go trough family court just like everybody else have to do in most of the countries I am aware of.

 

Just a sneaky one trying to take an illegal shortcut.

[Thaiwrath]

 They then tried to marry in Thailand, but the official stopped the ceremony when Jintra admitted she was already wed under local laws to another Brit.

 

 

Another classy Thai female. 

[Tradewind777]

Thailand is a signatory of The Hague Convention and as such once the processes are completed, Thailand would have to send the child back to UK. However, lengthy legal challenges are possible and it can drag out indefinitely and if she can argue the case effectively (sometimes perps get away with falsehoods), she can get away with it.

 

Jodie was however in the wrong to take the law into his own hands and bypass the processes for which he is in hot water.

 

It’s a dreadful case of possession being nine tenths of the law.

[colinneil]

Yes i feel for him, but at the same time, what he did was crazy.

He honestly thinks Thai officials would be on his side, no way, Thai mother wins every time.

 

[evadgib]

Any Brit in his shoes should see here:

https://fnf.org.uk/

Edited February 25, 2018 by evadgib

[darksidedog]

Extremely sad situation and shows the inadvisability of doing anything in Thailand when you do not have all of the correct legal documentation in place. I sympathise with this guy and wish him the best of luck. Also hope the mother gets the karma that she deserves.

[FritsSikkink]

11 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Yes i feel for him, but at the same time, what he did was crazy.

He honestly thinks Thai officials would be on his side, no way, Thai mother wins every time.

 

 

Thai mother doesn't win everytime

[Sonhia]

I feel for this guy. I have both a son and daughter, unfortunately born in Thailand, and know full well from bitter experiences, the feeling of being held back as a father, the anxiety, frustration, the not knowing, dealing with the carefree attitude of the Thai mother, who normally pushes the children onto the grandparents, in most cases, and using the father as a friend with benefits to  simply extort money from, so they can wear gold, or have the latest smart phone with the fake accessories, trying to be high so. You cannot make a silk purse from a pigs ear, but they try!

 

I've been there. .!

 

I personally would never take either my son or daughter from their respective mother, not unless the welfare of the child was/is at risk.

 

However, more assistance should be made available to foreigne fathers. As in my case, the British Embassy did very little to assist me and in fact, my Sons British passport was registered in my family name, but the Embassy allowed his British name, as stated on my sons Thai birth certificate, to be changed to his Thai name, even after I refused to allow his name to be changed! The British Embassy should pull its tongue out and focus more on its own citizens!

 

Those many fathers, out there, will know what I'm taking about.

 

As for taking the matter to a Thai court, I've been there too. A waste of time, money, frustration etc. I'm a farang. Lowest of the low!

 

I fully appreciate the fathers actions, but feel that placing him in jail, is yet another slap in the face for foreigners. Ok, it is  abduction, but it's his own flesh and blood, and he probably was doing it for a very good reason?! Let's face it, Education in Thailand is sub standard, future outlook is bleak etc and although the U.K, is not a perfect place,  it is, however, a much better place compared to here. FACT!

 

Some may ask, "Why do you stay?" Because of my children, and for no other reasons at all. I could run, but I man up, unlike the locals, and try to be a part of my children's life, although much restricted! 

 

I wish the father, in this report, plus all all those other caring fathers the best, but it is a struggle. 

 

 

[MaeJoMTB]

22 minutes ago, Tradewind777 said:

Thailand is a signatory of The Hague Convention

They never signed.

[MaeJoMTB]

15 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Any Brit in his shoes should see here:

https://fnf.org.uk/

It's a worthless organization, you need to pay to even view the website.

[Kadilo]

Yes i feel for him, but at the same time, what he did was crazy.
He honestly thinks Thai officials would be on his side, no way, Thai mother wins every time.
 

Not just in Thailand but almost anywhere.


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[sanemax]

As the Child had already been living in the U.K. , I'm quite surprised that there were any issues with him returning .

  

[Kadilo]

I feel desperately sorry for him as I do many single fathers all over the world in a similar position. There are great organisations such as FNF but at the end of the day if the female wants to break you she will.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[Briggsy]

I wonder if the child was just travelling on an emergency travel document. I would imagine the son was not holding his passport when he was playing in the street where his dad found him. This may have put airport officials on alert.

 

One way to do it is to pay off the mother but do it under the "village law" with the involvement of phoo yai, e.g. military officer, phoo yai bahn, etc. Many have done it this way including estranged Thai couples.

 

For those who feel this might happen to them, take physical control of the child's passports now and inform border agencies that the child cannot travel without permission.

[IamRoach]

A 10 year old taking care of a 9 year old, unbelievable. Classy lady as well getting pregnant at just 21 but then already being married to another Brit.

Hopefully this is will be quickly resolved and the child returned to his father in the UK.

[cyberfarang]

No Thai female from a poor background, as far as I know, would leave the security of Britain where the legal system in 99.99% of divorce cases gives preference to a wife and especially a wife and a mother of a child, would return to Thailand to be poor, sorry, no way.

 

Is obvious this woman is being supported by someone and has made plans for an alternative lifestyle that does not include the father of her child. I bet she has met and has another Farlang on the go.

 

Also unless the Thai mother has been given legal custody of the child in Thailand, then the father has not broken any laws by taking his child, with or without the Thai mother`s permission. So why is he in jail? Definitely a lot more to this story then we`re being told.

[sanemax]

1 minute ago, cyberfarang said:

Also unless the Thai mother has been given legal custody of the child in Thailand, then the father has not broken any laws by taking his child, with or without the Thai mother`s permission. So why is he in jail? Definitely a lot more to this story then we`re being told.

Unmarried Fathers in Thailand have no legal rights at all .

 

[hgma]

I was writing something in favor of the father without knowing the facts surrounding this ugly situation so i decided to hope and pray that i will never have to go through this and leave it there as it is!

[EnlightenedAtheist]

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

 They then tried to marry in Thailand, but the official stopped the ceremony when Jintra admitted she was already wed under local laws to another Brit.

 

 

Another classy Thai female. 

Not about class. It is about self-righteousness or fear of the consequences. Probably the latter.

[sanemax]

15 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

No Thai female from a poor background, as far as I know, would leave the security of Britain where the legal system in 99.99% of divorce cases gives preference to a wife and especially a wife and a mother of a child, would return to Thailand to be poor, sorry, no way.

 

Some Thai girls do not think about the future , they just do things without taking the consequences into consideration 

[cyberfarang]

5 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Unmarried Fathers in Thailand have no legal rights at all .

 

According to the report, the couple are married. When she tries to marry her next mug, the same will apply that she is already married as what happened the first time.

 

If she does file for divorce in Britain she will be eligible for free local authority housing, child support and full welfare benefits, the courts and child support agency will impose the guy pays for everything. Whichever way it goes this woman is in a win, win situation, the poor sucker will be sucked dry one way or another and if lucky he may receive limited visitation rights with his son.

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Get Real said:

I guess he broke the law. He has to go trough family court just like everybody else have to do in most of the countries I am aware of.

 

Just a sneaky one trying to take an illegal shortcut.

 

Which unfortunately could be a strong negative about his credibility in the eyes of the court.

 

 

[mok199]

I pray for everyone..this is just a tragic..

Edited February 25, 2018 by mok199
speliing

[sanemax]

3 minutes ago, cyberfarang said:

According to the report, the couple are married. When she tries to marry her next mug, the same will apply that she is already married as what happened the first time.

If she does file for divorce in Britain she will be eligible for free local authority housing, child support and full welfare benefits, the courts and child support agency will impose the guy pays for everything. Whichever way it goes this woman is in a win, win situation, the poor sucker will be sucked dry one way or another and if lucky he may receive limited visitation rights with his son.

Contrary to popular beliefs , being a single Mother on benefits in the U.K, isnt as luxurious as they make it out to be .

    The free housing, could well be a hostel or a run down hotel with other people on benefits

[Benmart]

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

 

Thai mother doesn't win everytime

I agree. These definitive proclamations about cases that have not even taken place, invalidate this premise and question the credentials of the poster.

[cyberfarang]

1 minute ago, sanemax said:

Some Thai girls do not think about the future , they just do things without taking the consequences into consideration 

What planet are you living on? These Thai women are not intelligent, but they are sharp as <deleted> house rats. When Thai women marry and decide to live in the UK, they soon meet other Thais that guide them on how to use the UK system to their advantage, they quickly learn all the tricks. I guarantee this woman has plans and is being supported and guided along the way. Hubby doesn`t stand a chance in this case. 

 

Let this be a warning to other British men that decide to marry Thai women and take them back to Britain with them where they believe they`ll be living in marital bliss with a loyal faithful wife.

[sanemax]

1 minute ago, Benmart said:

I agree. These definitive proclamations about cases that have not even taken place, invalidate this premise and question the credentials of the poster.

Custodial Court cases can take years and even if you do get the Court ruling , its not upheld by any authority , especially for village dwellers

[the guest]

Foreigners do not have rights in Thailand, pure and simple. Something if you have lived here for a long time, should have accepted.