Help: My son has been arrested for overstay

[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

So how do detainees make calls or contact if their phones are not with them?

The detention rooms used at the airport for denial of entry (charged at 800 baht per night, and allowing phones and belongings to be kept) have nothing to do with the Immigration Detention Centre, which is a third world jail. 

[lamyai3]

9 hours ago, Jim7777 said:

Yeah like I said above I don’t know for sure about that I’ve never been in IDC before but I have seen reports posted online.  I don’t know maybe some of them are different maybe they have different facilities.  I don’t know about IDC like I said above except for reports I’ve read and what I’ve heard.  

Your information may be well intentioned but it's inaccurate. Post #48 from @007 RED describes the conditions in the IDC (Immigration Detention Centre), you're getting this confused with the on-site rooms at the airport used for detaining people who are denied entry while awaiting a flight out.

 

It's a sad indictment of the country that even the windowless airport dormitories used for detention are worse than a lot of prison facilities in the west (in spite of a charge of 800 baht per night, or 100 baht an hour), but this has nothing to do with the IDC, where conditions are condemned around the world as being atrocious. 

[JustAnotherHun]

6 hours ago, elviajero said:

If he can’t pay the court fine he can be put in prison until he pays. And remain in the IDC indefinitely until he can fly out.

Does Thailand really hold you in this detention hole for years if you don't have the funds to fligh out? Unbelievable!

[Sticky Wicket]

7 hours ago, bazzer said:

My son is a U,K. Resident, would happen if there were no funds available to pay fine and flights.

How did he get caught Bazzer? 

How did he contact you? They normally take your phone away 

 

[elviajero]

14 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said:

Does Thailand really hold you in this detention hole for years if you don't have the funds to fligh out? Unbelievable!

Yes it does. As do many other countries.

[Sticky Wicket]

Just now, elviajero said:

Yes it does. As do many other countries.

Amazing what this country gets away with considering it openly advertises itself as a 'tourist' destination.

[ubonjoe]

This topic just got shorter after after I had to remove several inflammatory posts and replies to them.

[Skallywag]

I would be interested in knowing how the "son" is communicating with the OP?  How would the "son" make an international phone call from Jail?  Will UK embassy help with communication? 

 

Someone mentioned getting 40,000 baht to the "son" in jail -you wouldnt want to do that to someone in a cell with 20-40 other inmates correct? I assume you would go to the detention center/jail and ask to pay the person's fine?  How would the "son" make flight arrangements from jail? Someone else would make the flight arrangements while he is in jail correct?

 

Edited April 6, 2019 by Skallywag

[JustAnotherHun]

37 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Yes it does. As do many other countries.

Wich ones? North Korea?

[pattayadude]

if I were you, if you can afford it,I'd be on the first flight to Bangkok with $5000 in my pocket, in cash, to pay for fines and possible extra expenses (a personal debt to a friend, unpaid bills, unpaid rent etc) and this way, I'd will be able to take control of the whole situation and clear everything if I were there in person.from far its almost impossible or too difficult

 

If he lived there for a long time, chances are he has accumulated stuff. someone has to get in his apartment and pack up his belongings to take back to UK, notify landlord or roommates about ending his stay in the apartment and that would be You as he will only be allowed to go straight to airport from the detention center, once all fines are paid and his one way direct flight to UK booking is proved to authorities

Edited April 6, 2019 by pattayadude

[scorecard]

57 minutes ago, Sticky Wicket said:

Amazing what this country gets away with considering it openly advertises itself as a 'tourist' destination.

How's that? Because it's a tourist destination (as are 90% of the countries in the world) are you suggesting that nobody should be detained for breaking the law?

 

In the case of folks caught overstay (which is considered very serious in many countries, Australia just one example is very serious about this subject) if they are released back into the community they will never re-appear, meaning that that country has not been serious in protecting it's citizens from folks who have broken laws. 

[scorecard]

1 minute ago, pattayadude said:

if I were you, if you can afford it, be on the first flight to Bangkok with $5000 in your pocket, in cash, to pay for fines and possible extra expenses (a personal debt to a friend, unpaid bills etc) and you will be able to take control of the whole situation and clear everything if you are there in person.from far its almost impossible or too difficult

 

If he lived there for a long time, chances are he has accumulated stuff. someone has to get in his apartment and pack up his belongings to take back to UK and that would be You, with all respect sir

 And if there is a rented apartment very soon the rent will be overdue and there's another issue to take care of. And it's possible the landlord will change the locks and not allow access untilt the rent is all up to date. 

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, pattayadude said:

if I were you, if you can afford it,I'd be on the first flight to Bangkok with $5000 in my pocket, in cash, to pay for fines and possible extra expenses (a personal debt to a friend, unpaid bills etc) and this way, I'd will be able to take control of the whole situation and clear everything if I were there in person.from far its almost impossible or too difficult

My first thought too, although in hindsight I wondered if being there personally flashing money around under the policemen's noses might make the process more expensive. I might try liaising with British consular officials at the UK end initially to see what the progress is, with a likelihood that getting over to Thailand with sufficient funds may become necessary. 

[Sticky Wicket]

5 minutes ago, scorecard said:

How's that? Because it's a tourist destination (as are 90% of the countries in the world) are you suggesting that nobody should be detained for breaking the law?

 

In the case of folks caught overstay (which is considered very serious in many countries, Australia just one example is very serious about this subject) if they are released back into the community they will never re-appear, meaning that that country has not been serious in protecting it's citizens from folks who have broken laws. 

You talk as though Thailand is some kind of utopia where nobody breaks rules and every law is adhered to . 

People don't go to jail for murder here, but an overstay of a visa and banged up

I'm mainly talking about the conditions these people are placed in, and sometimes for a considerable amount of time. 

You obviously didn't read about the two men who died recently in these cesspits. One was an old amputee wearing pampers and the other had TB. 

What a wonderful system!

 

[pattayadude]

6 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 And if there is a rented apartment very soon the rent will be overdue and there's another issue to take care of. And it's possible the landlord will change the locks and not allow access untilt the rent is all up to date. 

Agreed, however I did cover the rent issue since I edited my post

[scorecard]

2 minutes ago, Sticky Wicket said:

You talk as though Thailand is some kind of utopia where nobody breaks rules and every law is adhered to . 

People don't go to jail for murder here, but an overstay of a visa and banged up

I'm mainly talking about the conditions these people are placed in, and sometimes for a considerable amount of time. 

You obviously didn't read about the two men who died recently in these cesspits. One was an old amputee wearing pampers and the other had TB. 

What a wonderful system!

 

 Not really the point is it?

[OJAS]

11 hours ago, Jim7777 said:

OP again just so you don’t lose this information in all of the chatter call this number: 02070081500, or call 02-305-8333 and push 141, it’s 4 for emergencies for British Nationals. 

@bazzer - the 02070081500 number is an FCO UK number - so that is what you dial if calling in the UK (except that, if you live in Greater London, you can omit the initial 020).

 

023058333, on the other hand, is the Thai number of the British Embassy in Bangkok - so, if calling from the UK, you need to dial 006623058333.

 

[Sticky Wicket]

2 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 Not really the point is it?

Ok..... Do as I say not as I do. 

A tourist destination should treat tourists/expats with humanity/empathy.

[JackThompson]

4 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

So how do detainees make calls or contact if their phones are not with them?

From what I have read, everything in that facility is done by bribing the guards, or the "head man" in the cell (who partners with the guards, sort of like "agents" in local immigration offices).  Better food, phone-calls, etc - all done via this system.

[Sticky Wicket]

5 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

From what I have read, everything in that facility is done by bribing the guards, or the "head man" in the cell (who partners with the guards, sort of like "agents" in local immigration offices).  Better food, phone-calls, etc - all done via this system.

what???!!! corruption .... in Thailand ???? Better tell Uncle Tu and Big Yolk

[Sticky Wicket]

8 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

From what I have read, everything in that facility is done by bribing the guards, or the "head man" in the cell (who partners with the guards, sort of like "agents" in local immigration offices).  Better food, phone-calls, etc - all done via this system.

How would you have spending power? I would have thought they would relieve you of your personal possessions pretty quickly!

Edited April 6, 2019 by Sticky Wicket

[JackThompson]

1 minute ago, Sticky Wicket said:

How would you have spending power? I would have thought they would relieve you of your personal possessions pretty quickly!

Cash you had when entering, plus any provided by friends, etc.  Some report being taken to an ATM by the guards (for a fee, of course).

[gunderhill]

16 hours ago, FarangDoingHisThing69 said:

Also, giving advice to a criminal is against forum rules.

They should  make "being petty  minded" a  rule too then.

[jacko45k]

7 minutes ago, Sticky Wicket said:

How would you have spending power? I would have thought they would relieve you of your personal possessions pretty quickly!

Did you see or read Papillon?

I believe you give money to guards or need help from outside. It sure sounds glum and not the place to be if you are elderly, infirmed or of a weak disposition. Sounds like they would let you die in there. 

Edited April 6, 2019 by jacko45k

[Lucius verus]

Richard smith237 summed it up well enough.

I will add he must fly back to UK with THAI no other airline acceptable. You will have to pay THAI airfare quoted plus a fine which could be 12000 baht or 20000. Depends a lot on your sons conduct.

The sooner you send the money the sooner he leaves.

[JackThompson]

It should be added, here, that the OP's son will not die if stuck in IDC for a week or two.  Yes, it will suck - but unless he is in very frail health, will come through just fine - and with a story to tell.

[rumak]

OP has really not given much info about son's predicament ( any other reason for arrest BESIDES overstay?)

 

Unfortunately,  if no friend here to assist in the process........ coming here would be the most reliable solution to get son out.  But father probably has no clue how to go about that either.  Tough one if that is the case.  Who to trust ????

[Disaantri]

The plus sign '+' character is designed to indicate that the international dialling number must be inserted, followed by country number and then the individual telephone number less the first '0'. On a smart phone, using the '+' will obviate the need to insert those pesky little numbers yourself (as different countries / operators may do different numbers than the standard '00'), as you travel the world. Glad to have got that off my chest.

[yuiop]

1 hour ago, JackThompson said:

Cash you had when entering, plus any provided by friends, etc.  Some report being taken to an ATM by the guards (for a fee, of course).

It's really a good idea to always have some extra cash on you (or easily available) when you're in Thailand, you never know what is going to happen, it can make your life much much easier and take you out of the sh@t.

[Sheryl]

Does Thailand really hold you in this detention hole for years if you don't have the funds to fligh out? Unbelievable!

Indeed they do.

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