Help: My son has been arrested for overstay

[Sticky Wicket]

10 minutes ago, yuiop said:

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.

I always carry 30/40k in my arse pocket for 'just in case' scenarios

[UKJASE]

i know the guy who has been nicked, and he has only been nicked for overstay, nothing else.  he was not involved in anything criminal.

 

i went to see him yesterday in hua hin police station, and will go again today.  he was in court yesterday, and fined 1000 baht for something, and he will be held in hua hin over the weekend, then he is unsure (as he couldnt follow what was being said, as his thai is not very good).

 

maybe it is bangkok next?  

 

do most people think the best way to get flown out of IDC as quick as possible is to transfer the money to embassy in bangkok?  i know his dad (the OP) has been in touch with them already.  do people on here agree that will be the quickest way?  i can make payment at this end too if that will hurry things along, but to me the embassy method seems more efficient and reliable i would think........

 

What do you guys think?  ubon joe??

[roo860]

i know the guy who has been nicked, and he has only been nicked for overstay, nothing else.  he was not involved in anything criminal.
 
i went to see him yesterday in hua hin police station, and will go again today.  he was in court yesterday, and fined 1000 baht for something, and he will be held in hua hin over the weekend, then he is unsure (as he couldnt follow what was being said, as his thai is not very good).
 
maybe it is bangkok next?  
 
do most people think the best way to get flown out of IDC as quick as possible is to transfer the money to embassy in bangkok?  i know his dad (the OP) has been in touch with them already.  do people on here agree that will be the quickest way?  i can make payment at this end too if that will hurry things along, but to me the embassy method seems more efficient and reliable i would think........
 
What do you guys think?  ubon joe??

Had a mate a few years ago who had a severe stroke in Thailand, needed to get back to UK. Got the embassy involved in bkk, money transferred to embassy from UK. They were brilliant, was assessed at hospital in bkk. Was there for a week, a nurse accompanied him to UK.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, UKJASE said:

i know the guy who has been nicked, and he has only been nicked for overstay, nothing else.  he was not involved in anything criminal.

 

i went to see him yesterday in hua hin police station, and will go again today.  he was in court yesterday, and fined 1000 baht for something, and he will be held in hua hin over the weekend, then he is unsure (as he couldnt follow what was being said, as his thai is not very good).

 

maybe it is bangkok next?  

 

do most people think the best way to get flown out of IDC as quick as possible is to transfer the money to embassy in bangkok?  i know his dad (the OP) has been in touch with them already.  do people on here agree that will be the quickest way?  i can make payment at this end too if that will hurry things along, but to me the embassy method seems more efficient and reliable i would think........

 

What do you guys think?  ubon joe??

Basically the faster he gets a flight booked the faster he will be back to UK. Just keep it with the embassy and follow their directions.

[007 RED]

1 hour ago, UKJASE said:

i know the guy who has been nicked, and he has only been nicked for overstay, nothing else.  he was not involved in anything criminal.

 

i went to see him yesterday in hua hin police station, and will go again today.  he was in court yesterday, and fined 1000 baht for something, and he will be held in hua hin over the weekend, then he is unsure (as he couldnt follow what was being said, as his thai is not very good).

 

maybe it is bangkok next?  

 

do most people think the best way to get flown out of IDC as quick as possible is to transfer the money to embassy in bangkok?  i know his dad (the OP) has been in touch with them already.  do people on here agree that will be the quickest way?  i can make payment at this end too if that will hurry things along, but to me the embassy method seems more efficient and reliable i would think........

 

What do you guys think?  ubon joe??

I would strongly recommend that either the OP or you deal with the Consular Officials at the British Embassy in Bangkok regarding providing funds to support the OPs son's return flight.

 

The Consular Officials deal with this sort of problem on a very regular basis so have both the experience and the contacts at the IDC to ensure things are dealt with 'smoothly'.  Equally, and perhaps more importantly, they will ensure that the money is properly deposited and accounted for - there is a potential danger that funds might go missing if deposited directly by yourself or the OP.

Edited April 6, 2019 by 007 RED

[007 RED]

4 hours ago, Skallywag said:

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?

 

FYI ..... The OP's son was apprehend in Hau Hin and presumably initially taken to the local police station and put in a holding cell.  At that stage his personal possessions, including his phone, would not be taken away.  Hence he would be able to call his parents or others so long as his phone had enough charge and credit.  His possessions will however be taken away once he arrives at the IDC in Bangkok.

 

Regarding funds to facilitate the OP's son's return to the UK once he has been transferred to the IDC in Bangkok.  All money is taken away from the detainee when they arrive at IDC.  The money is held an account under the detainee's name by the IDC admin department.  Any money sent for his air fare is also held in that account.  When the detainee needs money for their air fare or to purchase additional items (e.g. additional food, water, soap, blanket etc) they can have the cost debited from their account.

 

The IDC has a link with a number of travel agents who attend the IDC, as and when required, to make arrangements for the return flight.  The agent has to work with the Immigration staff to ensure that the flight is approved and that Immigration transport arrangements can be made to get the detainee to the airport in time for departure.

[007 RED]

9 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

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

FYI .... Whilst the OP's son is in the custody of the police in Hua Hin he would be allowed to have his phone and make calls so long as the phone has enough charge and credit.  Once he is transferred to the iDC in central Bangkok all his possessions will be taken away, including his phone.

 

If a detainee wishes to make a phone call there are 'pay phones' available that use special tokens.  The tokens are obtained from the admin office and the cost of the tokens are debited against the detainees account.  No money in the account means no token and hence no phone call.

 

The reason for taking away detainees phones is to prevent detainees taking photos of the inside of the IDC.  Something that the authorities don't want circulating on social media.

Edited April 6, 2019 by 007 RED

[Vacuum]

4 hours 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).

Four years overstay. My guess is that he don't have any cash or "ATM money".

[Jim7777]

9 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

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

I’ve seen reports actually on this forum from people literally inside Immigration Detention posting about it and saying that they were currently in there at the moment they posted.  I saw one guy on here from somewhere in Europe I forgot which country he was from posting on the forum from inside an Immigration Detention cell.  He actually posted a picture of what he referred to as “the prison room” he was currently in.  Well, the picture he posted of his “prison room” looked more like a college dormitory room.  I even remember commenting that his so called “prison room” looked better than some of the living conditions for a lot of Thai people.

 

Again I don’t know about IDC I’ve never been there I live here legally and I’ve never known anyone who’s been in there.  All I know about IDC is what I’ve seen posted online.  And it doesn’t sound like the conditions in IDC are that bad at all, nothing at all like an actual Thai prison which is really horrible.  But I don’t know maybe IDC has different facilities maybe some of their facilities are better and maybe some aren’t so nice.  I’ve only seen a few reports online about IDC, and I’ve never heard that it’s like a real Thai prison.

 

I do know that Thai prisons really are everyone’s worst nightmare but I’ve seen a lot posted about IDC that didn’t seem that bad and I’ve read a lot of posts from people actually in IDC who still had their cell phones with them actually inside the IDC cell.  

 

It didn’t sound like the Hilton or the Marriott or any place I’d want to be but it didn’t at all sound like how 007 Red described it, but like I said I don’t know how IDC works if you end up in that system so I could be wrong.  I just know what I’ve seen people post in the forum actually from inside Immigration Detention.    I at least do know that there have definitely been people inside IDC who had their smartphones, that is at least true for sure.  I can’t personally speak to what it’s like in there because I’ve never been in there but I have seen reports that are very different from what 007 Red described.  

 

The answer to your question is that their phones are with them, I’ve actually read posts on this forum from people posting from inside Immigration Detention.  But of course there maybe different IDC facilities with different rules I don’t know that’s not exactly something I keep up with lol are the conditions in Immigration Detention.  

Edited April 6, 2019 by Jim7777

[Jim7777]

10 minutes ago, 007 RED said:

FYI .... Whilst the OP's son is in the custody of the police in Hau Hin he would be allowed to have his phone and make calls so long as the phone has enough charge and credit.  Once he is transferred to the iDC in central Bangkok all his possessions will be taken away, including his phone.

 

If a detainee wishes to make a phone call there are 'pay phones' available that use special tokens.  The tokens are obtained from the admin office and the cost of the tokens are debited against the detainees account.  No money in the account means no token and hence no phone call.

 

The reason for taking away detainees phones is to prevent detainees taking photos of the inside of the IDC.  Something that the authorities don't want circulating on social media.

Okay that at least sounds like it’s probably right.  Maybe the conditions aren’t so bad until they are transferred to the Central IDC facility.  That sounds a little more accurate based on what I’ve heard and read on this forum.  

Edited April 6, 2019 by Jim7777

[007 RED]

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Some report being taken to an ATM by the guards (for a fee, of course).

I think someone was telling 'porky pies'.   The nearest ATM to the main Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok is about half a km away, in the busy financial district.

 

I can imagine the detainee wearing an orange jump suit, handcuffed and shackled (ball and chain) being escorted by 2 armed guards to the ATM down busy pavements with his ATM/CC clenched between his teeth.

 

Just did not happen.

[Tayaout]

19 minutes ago, Jim7777 said:

I’ve seen reports actually on this forum from people literally inside Immigration Detention posting about it and saying that they were currently in there at the moment they posted.  I saw one guy on here from somewhere in Europe I forgot which country he was from posting on the forum from inside an Immigration Detention cell.  He actually posted a picture of what he referred to as “the prison room” he was currently in.  Well, the picture he posted of his “prison room” looked more like a college dormitory room.  I even remember commenting that his so called “prison room” looked better than some of the living conditions for a lot of Thai people.

 

Again I don’t know about IDC I’ve never been there I live here legally and I’ve never known anyone who’s been in there.  All I know about IDC is what I’ve seen posted online.  And it doesn’t sound like the conditions in IDC are that bad at all, nothing at all like an actual Thai prison which is really horrible.  But I don’t know maybe IDC has different facilities maybe some of their facilities are better and maybe some aren’t so nice.  I’ve only seen a few reports online about IDC, and I’ve never heard that it’s like a real Thai prison.

 

I do know that Thai prisons really are everyone’s worst nightmare but I’ve seen a lot posted about IDC that didn’t seem that bad and I’ve read a lot of posts from people actually in IDC who still had their cell phones with them actually inside the IDC cell.  

 

It didn’t sound like the Hilton or the Marriott or any place I’d want to be but it didn’t at all sound like how 007 Red described it, but like I said I don’t know how IDC works if you end up in that system so I could be wrong.  I just know what I’ve seen people post in the forum actually from inside Immigration Detention.    I at least do know that there have definitely been people inside IDC who had their smartphones, that is at least true for sure.  I can’t personally speak to what it’s like in there because I’ve never been in there but I have seen reports that are very different from what 007 Red described.  

 

The answer to your question is that their phones are with them, I’ve actually read posts on this forum from people posting from inside Immigration Detention.  But of course there maybe different IDC facilities with different rules I don’t know that’s not exactly something I keep up with lol are the conditions in Immigration Detention.  

Being denied entry at the airport is not illegal and the detention facility are not the same. 

[007 RED]

1 hour ago, Jim7777 said:

I’ve seen reports actually on this forum from people literally inside Immigration Detention posting about it and saying that they were currently in there at the moment they posted.  I saw one guy on here from somewhere in Europe I forgot which country he was from posting on the forum from inside an Immigration Detention cell.  He actually posted a picture of what he referred to as “the prison room” he was currently in.  Well, the picture he posted of his “prison room” looked more like a college dormitory room.  I even remember commenting that his so called “prison room” looked better than some of the living conditions for a lot of Thai people.

 

Again I don’t know about IDC I’ve never been there I live here legally and I’ve never known anyone who’s been in there.  All I know about IDC is what I’ve seen posted online.  And it doesn’t sound like the conditions in IDC are that bad at all, nothing at all like an actual Thai prison which is really horrible.  But I don’t know maybe IDC has different facilities maybe some of their facilities are better and maybe some aren’t so nice.  I’ve only seen a few reports online about IDC, and I’ve never heard that it’s like a real Thai prison.

 

I do know that Thai prisons really are everyone’s worst nightmare but I’ve seen a lot posted about IDC that didn’t seem that bad and I’ve read a lot of posts from people actually in IDC who still had their cell phones with them actually inside the IDC cell.  

 

It didn’t sound like the Hilton or the Marriott or any place I’d want to be but it didn’t at all sound like how 007 Red described it, but like I said I don’t know how IDC works if you end up in that system so I could be wrong.  I just know what I’ve seen people post in the forum actually from inside Immigration Detention.    I at least do know that there have definitely been people inside IDC who had their smartphones, that is at least true for sure.  I can’t personally speak to what it’s like in there because I’ve never been in there but I have seen reports that are very different from what 007 Red described.  

 

The answer to your question is that their phones are with them, I’ve actually read posts on this forum from people posting from inside Immigration Detention.  But of course there maybe different IDC facilities with different rules I don’t know that’s not exactly something I keep up with lol are the conditions in Immigration Detention.  

Jim7777 …. I applauded you for trying to help the OP resolve the problem with his son, but with all due respect yesterday you regurgitated the same information, namely the contact telephone numbers for the British Embassy, and how urgent it was that the OP should contact them, in 11 posts. 

 

As it turned out, one of those phone numbers was for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.  Sorry but the repetition was becoming a little boring to say the least, and served no useful purpose to the OP.

 

Forgive me, but you now have started repeating what you posted yesterday about how you have read that the IDC is a nice place and the photos that you have seen of the detention facility. 

 

I, and other TV members have already advised you that the photos you have seen in a different post were taken in the detention facility at either BKK or DMK airport.  These facilities are not run by Immigration, they are run by the airport authority and are in no way representative of the conditions in the main Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in the centre of Bangkok. 

 

The detention facilities at the airports are primarily for short term stays for passengers who have been refused entry into the Kingdom and are awaiting to be flown out.   Yes, compared to the IDC facilities in central Bangkok they are almost 5 star.  Yes, individuals held in the airport facilities are allowed to keep their personal possessions with them (including their mobile phone, laptop etc.), except their passport which is held by security and handed to the airline staff prior to departure.  FYI … The airport authority bills the individual about 800 THB per day for their stay plus cost of meals etc. 

 

I appreciate that you have not been to the Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok so, therefore, you haven't had any first hand experience of this 'wonderful' facility.  Please take it from me thatt it is your worst nightmare, a real ‘hell hole’.  As I said to you in a previous post, it is somewhere that you would not wish your worse enemy to be incarcerated in, and that is saying something.

[Just Weird]

10 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

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

Their detention has to be reported to their Embassy by the police, then it's taken from there.

[Just Weird]

5 hours 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.

Must be true if you're quoting hearsay, then.

[Thailand Outcast]

Firstly, I don't overstay, but let's say I did. 

 

I am confused by some of the information on this thread.

 

I have plenty of money in my bank account to deal with something like this, and plenty of credit in my phone.

 

I don't need a friend to give me money or buy me an air ticket.  I don't need to involve my elderly mother, or other family members. 

 

All I would need is access to the internet, via my phone, and probably a phone charger, and I can buy the air ticket out.

 

When I go to the beach I don't carry anything, except for my Thai license and a towel, so no cash or ATM card, so that would be a problem.

 

If you are independent and have the funds, if they allowed you use of your phone, you could have this sorted out in 10 minutes, and could be taken to the nearest international airport for deportation, although if arrested on the weekend, I believe you have to wait until Monday to go to Court. 

 

Why do they make you rely on third parties for something you can do yourself?  Visits also makes more work for the guards. 

[Sticky Wicket]

1 hour ago, Thailand Outcast said:

Firstly, I don't overstay, but let's say I did. 

 

I am confused by some of the information on this thread.

 

I have plenty of money in my bank account to deal with something like this, and plenty of credit in my phone.

 

I don't need a friend to give me money or buy me an air ticket.  I don't need to involve my elderly mother, or other family members. 

 

All I would need is access to the internet, via my phone, and probably a phone charger, and I can buy the air ticket out.

 

When I go to the beach I don't carry anything, except for my Thai license and a towel, so no cash or ATM card, so that would be a problem.

 

If you are independent and have the funds, if they allowed you use of your phone, you could have this sorted out in 10 minutes, and could be taken to the nearest international airport for deportation, although if arrested on the weekend, I believe you have to wait until Monday to go to Court. 

 

Why do they make you rely on third parties for something you can do yourself?  Visits also makes more work for the guards. 

That's why I always carry 30/40k in my pocket. Never know when it's going to come in handy!

[Thailand Outcast]

1 minute ago, Sticky Wicket said:

That's why I always carry 30/40k in my pocket. Never know when it's going to come in handy!

Or when it can be easily stolen or extorted from you. 

[Sticky Wicket]

been doing it for well over 10 years. I'm very aware of it in my pocket and don't flash it about either

[hailstone]

How old is Son.?. Its his life.Let him sort it out.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[JackThompson]

3 hours ago, 007 RED said:

I think someone was telling 'porky pies'.   The nearest ATM to the main Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok is about half a km away, in the busy financial district.

 

I can imagine the detainee wearing an orange jump suit, handcuffed and shackled (ball and chain) being escorted by 2 armed guards to the ATM down busy pavements with his ATM/CC clenched between his teeth.

 

Just did not happen.

You could be correct - it's been too long for me to remember the details.  But street-clothes are doable (do they even issue prison clothes in IDC?), and it's not like some farang is likely to try to "out run" the guards - so no need for shackles.

[JackThompson]

2 hours ago, Just Weird said:

8 hours 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.

Must be true if you're quoting hearsay, then.

Well, "hearsay" = "reports from those who have been there."  Like all the other information here, relayed experience.  I am not sure who would benefit from lying about it. 

 

I suggest you ask some Thais how things "really work" in such circumstances - it could be an enlightening discussion.

[elviajero]

3 hours ago, Thailand Outcast said:

Firstly, I don't overstay, but let's say I did. 

 

I am confused by some of the information on this thread.

 

I have plenty of money in my bank account to deal with something like this, and plenty of credit in my phone.

 

I don't need a friend to give me money or buy me an air ticket.  I don't need to involve my elderly mother, or other family members. 

 

All I would need is access to the internet, via my phone, and probably a phone charger, and I can buy the air ticket out.

 

When I go to the beach I don't carry anything, except for my Thai license and a towel, so no cash or ATM card, so that would be a problem.

 

If you are independent and have the funds, if they allowed you use of your phone, you could have this sorted out in 10 minutes, and could be taken to the nearest international airport for deportation, although if arrested on the weekend, I believe you have to wait until Monday to go to Court. 

 

Why do they make you rely on third parties for something you can do yourself?  Visits also makes more work for the guards. 

I suspect most people caught with a 4 year overstay are on overstay because they haven’t got a pot to pee in. But anyone with money can get out quickly as soon as they’ve been through the court and have bought a flight out.

[balo]

A lot of helpful information here, sadly nothing heard from OP so lets just hope he can use it and send some money to his son. 

[LukKrueng]

11 hours ago, oby said:

https://www.google.com/search?client=avg&q=air+canada+yyz+bkk  air canada does fly this route for many years and partners with many airlines including thai air for this route.  is not direct tho' i know of no airline ever flying direct canada to thailand.  air korea is best airline for this route imo

Seems you didn't read the post I was reacting to so here it is again:

On 4/5/2019 at 9:22 AM, wotsdermatter said:
Ubonjoe is correct.  There are many countries without a national carrier or an airway that has permission to use Thai airspace or use Thai airports or even the capability of flying into Thailand.  Thai Airways was banned from using Canadian airspace and airports because they contravened the agreement between them and was pulling off stunts that were/are acceptable in Thailand but not in Canada, such as removing passengers so that "snobs" etc. could have their seats.  The then Thai government banned Air Canada in a reciprocating act just out of malicious spite and so now anybody flying between the two countries has to have a layover in another country and often change carriers.  Also, just conducted a search and have found statements from every airline that flies into Thailand and all concerned state there are NO DIRECT NON STOP FLIGHTS from anywhere in Canada to Thailand.  Ironically, Air Canada passengers may have to fly Thai Airways from some layover places and, obviously, vice versa.

'nuf sed.
 

I highlighted the actual statements I was reacting to and I'll say it again: I can't recall Air Canada EVER flying to Thailand before, nor any time in the past that there have been direct flights between Canada and Thailand... 

[jacko45k]

16 hours ago, Sticky Wicket said:

That's why I always carry 30/40k in my pocket. Never know when it's going to come in handy!

I have lived here for some years without this being necessary. I would actually call it a bit silly. The only scenario might well be if you are drunk driving home and get stopped, a good amount would be needed to allow you to wobble on your way. 

I have been in some situations where I was substantially pleased not to have so much money in my pocket!

[PoorSucker]

On 4/5/2019 at 11:57 PM, bazzer said:

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

He will stay in IDC until he has funds. 

This is IDC. 

[theoldgit]

On 4/5/2019 at 1:32 AM, richard_smith237 said:

Firstly, after discovering the overstay your son as been arrested, I assume he's either already in the International Detention Center or a Police Cell. 

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's called an Immigration Dentention Centre, I only mention it in case somebody needs to look it up or find directions.  

[ratcatcher]

18 hours ago, Sticky Wicket said:

been doing it for well over 10 years. I'm very aware of it in my pocket and don't flash it about either

 

32 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

He will stay in IDC until he has funds. 

This is IDC. 

 

[samsensam]

18 hours ago, hailstone said:

How old is Son.?. Its his life.Let him sort it out.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

but.. given the length of overstay he doesn't seem that effective about sorting things out for himself.