James Sullivan, Yard Lao Prison, Cha-am

[landau]

I'm writing a magazine story on a millionaire named Jim Sullivan who allegelegly arranged his wife's murder in Atlanta back in 1987. In 2002 he was featured on an America's Most Wanted TV show. Someone in Thailand recognized him and soon after he was picked up by Thai police at his condo in Cha'am. He was living with a Thai woman named Chongwattana Reynolds. He was in the Lard Yao Men's Prison in Bangkok for a year and a half and was finally extradicted to Atlanta in March. Now, he's facing the death penalty (trial should begin early next year).

I'm wanting to find out more detail about his time in Thailand. A few questions:

- Have you heard of this case? Was this a big deal in Thailand?

- Can you tell me more about Cha'am? The only description I've read is that it's a "luxury beachside condo community 100 miles south of Bangkok." I'd love to add more detail. Do you know anything about Cha'am?

- Do you know much about Lard Yao Prison? What I've read about the prison is that it's a maximum security facility on the outskirts of Bangkok. Amnesty International says that more than 50 inmates are held in cells built for 20, that the prison is plagued by rats, diseases and rotting food, and guard brutality is rampant. I'm wanting to add a bit of description about what Sullivan's life must've been like in the prison. Anything you know about it would be great.

- Chongwattana Reynolds is a Thai national who lived previously in West Palm Beach. It's not clear whether she and Sullivan actually married, or if they were just living together. To your knowledge, has there been anything in the local papers about her?

Thanks for your help...

- Landau

[stroll]

Male prisoners are secured with a chain and iron 'cannon' ballbetween their legs when transferred between detention centers and other institutions. Rats and cockroaches are not a rare sight in the prisons, and a wellcome food supplement for some (as healthy rats and certain insects are eaten in some provinces, anyway), prison food consists of a rice-mash with not a lot of veges and even less proteins, long timers are prone to nutrient deficiency related deseases. Inmates sleep on the concrete floor and the cells are packed, there won't be a square foot of space left. I am talking in general terms, don't know if Lard Yao gets any worse. The A.I. info is pretty accurate, I would say.

I've heard they are careful not to mistreat foreigners of Western countries, re: brutality.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I'm writing a magazine story on a millionaire named Jim Sullivan who allegelegly arranged his wife's murder in Atlanta back in 1987. In 2002 he was featured on an America's Most Wanted TV show. Someone in Thailand recognized him and soon after he was picked up by Thai police at his condo in Cha'am. He was living with a Thai woman named Chongwattana Reynolds. He was in the Lard Yao Men's Prison in Bangkok for a year and a half and was finally extradicted to Atlanta in March. Now, he's facing the death penalty (trial should begin early next year).

I'm wanting to find out more detail about his time in Thailand. A few questions:

- Have you heard of this case? Was this a big deal in Thailand?

- Can you tell me more about Cha'am? The only description I've read is that it's a "luxury beachside condo community 100 miles south of Bangkok." I'd love to add more detail. Do you know anything about Cha'am?

- Do you know much about Lard Yao Prison? What I've read about the prison is that it's a maximum security facility on the outskirts of Bangkok. Amnesty International says that more than 50 inmates are held in cells built for 20, that the prison is plagued by rats, diseases and rotting food, and guard brutality is rampant. I'm wanting to add a bit of description about what Sullivan's life must've been like in the prison. Anything you know about it would be great.

- Chongwattana Reynolds is a Thai national who lived previously in West Palm Beach. It's not clear whether she and Sullivan actually married, or if they were just living together. To your knowledge, has there been anything in the local papers about her?

Thanks for your help...

- Landau

Won't the US Embassy in Bangkok give you a bit of information ?

[landau]

Thanks, Stroll, for your reply. Confirms what info I have.

dr_Pat - yes, the Embassy is helpful for certain things, but I'm looking for some less 'official' answers/opinions.

Thanks, L

[mowlem]

Ch am is very near Hua Hin. It has been a favourite seaside resort for Thais for many years, but now foreigners are going too. "Luxury" resort...maybe not, by western standards anyway. "Nice" is more appropriatte. A long beach on one suide of the road with two star hotels, cafes etc on the other.