Hua Hin: Free legal aid available nationwide - but can it be accessed by foreigners?

[webfact]

Hua Hin: Free legal aid available nationwide - but can it be accessed by foreigners?

 

Picture: Banmuang

 

Banmuang reported that the lawyers' association of Hua Hin have set up a legal aid desk at Hua Hin police station to offer free legal advice. 

 

The free service is available to suspects, victims and any member of the public who needs it, they said.

 

What they didn't say is if the service is available to foreigners such as expats residing in the city.

 

The project is part of a nationwide plan called "Quick Win" at police stations after a ministerial directive in June. 

 

Picture: Banmuang

 

About 150 stations nationwide - mostly those that deal with many cases - are involved in the scheme that is designed to create greater equality.

 

People can save money on expensive legal fees and visits to courts. 

 

Khunnawat Orsuwan, the chairman of the Hua Hin lawyers' association said that the service will be available at the station from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. 

 

There are 10,000 legal aid volunteers nationwide with 400-500 operating in Bangkok.

 

Some stations that are especially busy with 2000 plus cases a year will have the legal aid service up until 11.30 pm. 

 

Hua Hin station chief Pol Col Thanakorn Wongsirilak welcomed the lawyers to the station yesterday as the service began. 

 

Thaivisa would be interested to hear from any foreign expats who have tried to access the service. 

 

Source: Picture: Banmuang

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-08-15

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[scorecard]

I like the idea and I hope it becomes a solid part of law enforcement and judicial process.

 

Are they all qualified?

 

If it's a volunteer concept, is there a masterplan to ensure each desk is manned every day?

 

Are the lawyers assigned because of nepotism, or by qualifications and experience? 

 

Are the lawyers protected in some way against threats intimidation from rich / powerful locals?

 

Are there solid teps to ensure corruption / gifts are not in the process?

[Satcommlee]

Free "Mediation and Cashier desk", more like!

[Matzzon]

Why does it matter if it´s free for foreigners or not?
 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaivisa would be interested to hear from any foreign expats who have tried to access the service

 Ridiculous! This is Thailand, and they will of course represent their people. 

[Fred31]

1 hour ago, Matzzon said:

Why does it matter if it´s free for foreigners or not?
 

 Ridiculous! This is Thailand, and they will of course represent their people. 

Just like in  britain,.so no surprise there

[balo]

I would be surprised to see any foreigners getting help from them, unless they are Thai citizens. 

[worgeordie]

If they did see foreigners, I bet they would be fed up to the back teeth ,been asked about

TM30 problems.

regards worgeordie

[observer90210]

Of course the service is free....(except for farangs)

 

Of course the service is available for all  (except for farangs)

 

 

 

[Just Weird]

On 8/15/2019 at 12:51 PM, scorecard said:

I like the idea and I hope it becomes a solid part of law enforcement and judicial process.

 

Are they all qualified?

"Are they all qualified?"

What part of lawyers who are members of the Lawyers Association of Hua Hin gives you cause to doubt their qualifications?

[Just Weird]

On 8/15/2019 at 5:48 PM, Matzzon said:

Why does it matter if it´s free for foreigners or not?
 

 Ridiculous! This is Thailand, and they will of course represent their people. 

You're assuming that it is a service restricted to Thais when that has not been stated by anyone!

[Just Weird]

On 8/17/2019 at 11:38 AM, observer90210 said:

Of course the service is free....(except for farangs)

 

Of course the service is available for all  (except for farangs)

Of course, that wasn't stated anywhere, except in your comment.

[Handsome Gardener]

On ‎8‎/‎15‎/‎2019 at 11:04 AM, Satcommlee said:

Free "Mediation and Cashier desk", more like!

Surely the time for a yawning emoji is long overdue

[JulesMad]

On 8/15/2019 at 10:40 AM, webfact said:

The free service is available to suspects, victims and any member of the public who needs it, they said.

Can a farang be a suspect or a victim? Is a farang a member of the public?
If the answer is affirmative, then the free service is available for farang.
Just applying common logic (it is however possible that Thai logic gives another outcome)