I lived in Thailand with my Thai wife and our 2 children up until 2018 when I was caught with some cannabis. Court fined me 4000 baht but Immigration deported me and told me I'm blacklisted fro 100 years. Now we live back in the UK.

 

Since the law on cannabis has now changed in Thailand would it be possible to be removed from the blacklist? And if so how would I go about this?

 

I'd really like to be able to travel with my kids back to Thailand sometime. They are half Thai after all and shouldn't be denied knowing that side of their family and culture because of my mistake.

 

Thanks for your help and advice.

what stamp did immigration put in your PP? 100 years sounds a bit unlikely

17 minutes ago, proton said:

what stamp did immigration put in your PP? 100 years sounds a bit unlikely

There wasn't any mention of it in my passport. I tried to fly back a month after I was deported and wasn't allowed in. It was then I was told I was blacklisted and for how long. I then had a lawyer speak to immigration who confirmed it. The lawyer was extremely surprised I was blacklisted for so long for such a small thing saying that long would normally be for murderers etc but it is what it is.

A good immigration lawyer can appeal for the blacklisting to be removed on compassionate grounds. There would be a fairly good chance of success. It is past the three year minimum period until such an appeal will be considered, the offence was relatively minor (although any drug offence in Thailand is serious) and you have a Thai wife and children. The kind of well connected, experienced lawyer who gives you the best chance of success will likely not be cheap.

you might be ok. they let thousands of people out of jail and revoked outstanding warrants. 

 

get your wife to sherlock holmes it for you. 

You obviously need a lawyer. 

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You obviously need a lawyer. 

The lawyer I used before I was not very impressed with so I got in contact with another firm I found on the internet. They were confident they could overturn it but quoted me 800k baht which is way more than I'd like to spend (Particularly with a lawyer I know nothing of other than an internet search). This was very shortly after the law had changed though.

 

I was hoping maybe someone else might have been through something similar and be able to recommend a good lawyer at a more reasonable price.

54 minutes ago, Jonesy456 said:

I'd really like to be able to travel with my kids back to Thailand sometime. They are half Thai after all and shouldn't be denied knowing that side of their family and culture because of my mistake.

As far as I can read, they are not denied travel to Thailand. Neither is your wife. It´s just a matter of if you will put your money where your mouth is and pay up so they can see and experience what you just explained. But, in reality, I think it´s you that want´s to come back. 

40 minutes ago, Jonesy456 said:

I was hoping maybe someone else might have been through something similar and be able to recommend a good lawyer at a more reasonable pric

http://www.chaninatandleeds.com/thailand-drug-offenses.html

Are those who had criminal records due to marijuana zeroed, or just been pardoned?

 

 

The freeing of prisoners seems to indicate that the decriminalisation was 'back dated' - so I think you have a good chance of removing the blacklisting.

 

I used Mazars for my initial visa and work permit, and was impressed by their legal team - could be worth a try.

1 hour ago, DrJoy said:

http://www.chaninatandleeds.com/thailand-drug-offenses.html

Based on their website, this seems like a competent criminal defence firm. However, they are unlikely to be a good choice when needing someone with high level connections in Immigration.

2 hours ago, Jonesy456 said:

I was hoping maybe someone else might have been through something similar and be able to recommend a good lawyer at a more reasonable price.

Long ago, I knew someone, but not now. You could try offering the lawyer who quoted 800,000 baht a deal such as the following:

• 50,000 baht non returnable to cover expenses; and
• 350,000 baht in escrow that they will receive only if the blacklisting is removed within six months.

I actually see their quoted high price as being a good sign that they can likely get it done. Also, in my mind, I already expected it would cost you at least US$10,000. (Well connected lawyers are expensive, and there will likely be some necessary greasing of wheels.) That said, fees for these things are usually negotiable.

Change your name and get a new passport. I know a Thai who has done that at least twice. Will the fingerprints on arrival be an issue? Not sure. Cheaper option than 800k to a shark lawyer IMO. Worth a try and you get to choose a new name ???? 

 

 

6 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Change your name and get a new passport. I know a Thai who has done that at least twice. Will the fingerprints on arrival be an issue? Not sure. Cheaper option than 800k to a shark lawyer IMO. Worth a try and you get to choose a new name ???? 

 

 

No way that will work these days as most to all immigration including Thailand uses facial recognition. 

Sad story, wish you luck.

I find it a bit odd though that for a "4000B crime" you got 100y blacklist. Did something else happen at Immigration?

 

Your wife and kids are of course free to go. And speaking of wife, how does she cope with all this? I think she should come to Thailand and set wheels in motion: talking to Immigration, contacting lawyers, perhaps trying to get attention on social media. The kids are legally Thai, I assume, the fact that they cannot have their father with them because of a minor offence which is not an offence anymore should have some weight.

(assuming it was for personal use)

3 minutes ago, nightfox said:

No way that will work these days as most to all immigration including Thailand uses facial recognition. 

I guess that depends on how long it's been since he last attempted to enter Thailand and when they introduced the biometrics systems.

 

1 hour ago, arithai12 said:

Sad story, wish you luck.

I find it a bit odd though that for a "4000B crime" you got 100y blacklist. Did something else happen at Immigration?

 

Your wife and kids are of course free to go. And speaking of wife, how does she cope with all this? I think she should come to Thailand and set wheels in motion: talking to Immigration, contacting lawyers, perhaps trying to get attention on social media. The kids are legally Thai, I assume, the fact that they cannot have their father with them because of a minor offence which is not an offence anymore should have some weight.

(assuming it was for personal use)

Thanks. Nothing else happened - I was calm and polite throughout and it was for personal use. To meet me I expect you wouldn't think I'd been on the wrong side of the law or even that I like a smoke.

 

Wife and kids can go and have but the kids are still very young so miss their Dad while Mum has her hands full looking after them alone. Kids have UK and Thai passports. Wife took it really well considering she had to sell / pack up everything alone while looking after small children while I applied for her UK visa. We have a good life here so she's not desperate to move back or anything but would like to visit more often and have me there to help with the kids etc.

 

Changing passport etc won't work as my finger prints are in the system. I actually changed my passport anyway before trying to go back before just because I didn't want the deportation stamps for all to see but was pulled aside when scanning my fingers.

7 hours ago, proton said:

what stamp did immigration put in your PP? 100 years sounds a bit unlikely

100 years is the standard when blacklisting someone in Thailand.

Blaclisted due to Cannabis

 

Are you sure it wasnt because of your spelling?

Would recommend 

 

http://www.htoosi.com

 

During my time in Thailand, this lawyer office helped me a lot to solve business problems as well private matters. Good relations to the Immigration also. Fair prices. 

You knowingly broke the law as it stood then and were probably aware of the consequences if caught. You rolled the dice and lost. Maybe a good lawyer could get the blacklisting removed but it'll cost you. Tough, but there is only one person to blame.

18 minutes ago, ThaiFelix said:

Blaclisted due to Cannabis

 

Are you sure it wasnt because of your spelling?

Seriously?

 

Nice to see some decent replies elsewhere. 

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

You knowingly broke the law as it stood then and were probably aware of the consequences if caught. You rolled the dice and lost. Maybe a good lawyer could get the blacklisting removed but it'll cost you. Tough, but there is only one person to blame.

 I don’t see him blaming anyone but himself. 

43 minutes ago, ThaiFelix said:

Blaclisted due to Cannabis

 

Are you sure it wasnt because of your spelling?

 

Topic title has been corrected. 

7 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Change your name and get a new passport. I know a Thai who has done that at least twice. Will the fingerprints on arrival be an issue? Not sure. Cheaper option than 800k to a shark lawyer IMO. Worth a try and you get to choose a new name ???? 

 

 

A name change might make matters worse considering the marriage license and children's birth certificates. Can he talk to the Thai embassy for some reconciliation?

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

You knowingly broke the law as it stood then and were probably aware of the consequences if caught. You rolled the dice and lost. Maybe a good lawyer could get the blacklisting removed but it'll cost you. Tough, but there is only one person to blame.

He doesn't need a lecture, it's obvious from his existing posts he regrets what he's done. 

You need to speak to an attorney because you had a criminal conviction.

But I will take a guess.  You were charged  by the specific law at that time.  Which has nothing to do with now.  So your ban will probably be upheld.  But you can get an attorney to try to appeal it

wing it...fly in and see what happens.

While your changing your name, see if you can get your fingerprints changed too unless you are lucky not ever to have had them taken here.