Intimidated Russian couple ask Royal Thai police to join Thailand’s Witness Protection Programme

[Accidental Tourist]

There is something more to this story...as it been told

[richard_smith237]

4 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

For those too lazy to search and would prefer to make snide and ignorant remarks, here are a few facts, just one paragraph from the document of the Special Witness Protection Bureau:

 

[snipped for brevity].

 

This naivety to this extent is perhaps only surpassed by a pair of foreigners wanting witness protection in Thailand in the first place !!!..  

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

They obviously have a lot of faith in the Thai system, didn't even know they had a witness protection system.

Not for foreigners anyway...

[Lemsta69]

1 hour ago, WebGuy said:

I didn't know crypto could be cashed out in one of the exchange currency kiosks.

yeah that's weird isn't it? but maybe this particular exchange booth does special favours for certain clients. an "under the counter" OTC trade LOL.

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, Inala said:

Does Thailand actually have a witness protection program? As Caucasians, how would they be incognito anywhere in Thailand?

I think they would probably have a better chance of survival returning to Russia and joining Putin's general mobilisation than they will have in Thailand's witness protection program, if in fact one is available.

Or put it another way, seems to me that any 'witness protetcion' activity would be ripe for corruption, leakage of info., etc.

[Aussieroaming]

They can join Putin's "We need you!" campaign. 

[Photoguy21]

5 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Witness protection ? In Thailand ? They wont stick out much ! Can't see that deal happening unless they have far more info on the Russian mafia than they are saying

The Russian Mafia have a lot of control outside of Russia itself. From what I seen their reach is extensive and manipulate many things in Kazakhstan.

[anandra]

5 hours ago, plus7 said:

As you see the gang consist of russians, kazakh and ukrainians.

Bad, but still the way to show that nations can be friends!

Their passports mean nothing all of them were enthnic russians

[Iamfalang]

They are in my village selling Papaya Salad (Somtam)!!!!!   I asked them if he had any water and he said I only sell WOUDKA........ That was the first red flag.

 

 

[LudwigK]

Thailand degenerates more and more to a basin for criminals.

[Dont confuse me]

I can see the RTP relieving them of a few $ then  giving a free flight home or if the envelope is thick enough a country of their choice.

As for witness protection? Realistically where on earth would they set them up? Pattaya, (full of Russians) ? Phuket same problem as Pattaya, Hua Hin wouldn't take long to be identified there, or one of the islands? (Which are all run by corrupt officials) or how about a little village in Issan? Blend in with locals lean to speak the lingo?

It just ain't gonna happen.

[PETERTHEEATER]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

........and brought to Ko Samui, on foot of a Provincial Court arrest warrant.........

Warning! This guy can walk on water........????

[sead]

Better to hire 2 Muay Thai bodyguards. I've seen some in Pattaya. Not to be messed with

[Hockeybik]

7 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Witness protection ? In Thailand ? They wont stick out much ! Can't see that deal happening unless they have far more info on the Russian mafia than they are saying

I think it's safe to say there is a bit lost in the translation of "witness protection" to or from Thai.

[steven100]

8 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

For those too lazy to search and would prefer to make snide and ignorant remarks, here are a few facts, just one paragraph from the document of the Special Witness Protection Bureau:

 

The Law “the Witness Protection Act BE 2546” (2003) provides for two strategies.

I doubt the Wagner Mercenaries' are worried about that Act .....    

[geisha]

My ideas of course. Why, if sitting in relative safety of a coffee shop with people around did this happen? Did they agree to meet there to make a deal on bitcoins and they got scammed ? If they were totally innocent , wouldn’t they get to the police asap ? We’re the couple being blackmailed ? 
Too many dark areas  around this story. Also, maybe they asked for police protection and there has been a misunderstanding in language ? 
As for Russian mafia, from what I’ve heard over the years and some pretty obvious evidence ( bars and clubs with Russian girls ) I’ve asked a  neighbor  years back in Phuket how those girls could work nights openly , and he who spent lots of time in bars said they were Russian mafia owned.

Ive also wondered about all the Russian girls in the Pattaya malls with advertising for condos.    So those criminals are still there ? 

[PoorSucker]

13 hours ago, Inala said:

Does Thailand actually have a witness protection program? As Caucasians, how would they be incognito anywhere in Thailand?

I know some hill tribe villages in Northern Chiang Mai where they could be "missionaries", really highso life for the Russians. 

[CLUBBER]

13 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

For those too lazy to search and would prefer to make snide and ignorant remarks, here are a few facts, just one paragraph from the document of the Special Witness Protection Bureau:

 

The Law “the Witness Protection Act BE 2546” (2003) provides for two strategies. 1. General Provision Strategy This is the more common strategy. According to the Section 6 of the Act, in a case where a witness loses his or her security, a competent official from criminal investigation, interrogation, prosecution or the Witness Protection Bureau, as the case may be, shall desire for the witness protection measures as deemed appropriate or as requested by the witness or other concerned party. Where necessary, the said person may request a police officer or other official for protection and this must be subject to the witness’s consent. Protection measures may include arrangements for a safe place for the witness; or change of name/ family name, domicile, identification, and information that would reveal the identity of the witness as appropriate, and the personal status of the witness and the nature of the Criminal case. The protection of witnesses in general doesn’t apply to the witness only but can also be used for those related to the witness. In a case where a witness’s husband, wife, progenitor, descendant, or person with a close relationship to the witness is affected by the person becoming a witness and would lose security, he/she may request the competent official to design or arrange for measures as deemed appropriate, taking into account the consent of that person. Protection measures may include arrangements for a safe place for the witness; or change of name/ family name, domicile, identification, and information that would reveal the identity of the witness as deemed appropriate, and the personal status of the witness and also the nature of the criminal case. 2. Special Protection Measures A witness in the following [types of] cases may be eligible for the privilege of special protection measures: – A case under the law on narcotic drugs, money laundering law, anti-corruption law, or customs law. – A case related to national security under the Penal Code. – A sexual offence under the Penal Code relating to the luring of a person for the sexual gratification of another. – A criminal offence in the nature of organized crime under the Penal Code, including any crime committed by a criminal group with a well-established and complicated network. – A case punishable with at least ten years of imprisonment. – A case that the Witness Protection Bureau deems appropriate to arrange for protection. Whenever there are explicit circumstances or suspicion that a witness has lost his/her security, the witness or other concerned party, a competent investigation official, competent interrogation official or competent criminal case prosecution official shall apply to the Minister of Justice or his appointed official to arrange for special protection measures, subject to the witness’s consent.

I got bored after the second sentence it’s just too long to read , I guess I’ll just make some snide remarks ????

[BTB1977]

The thai witness protection program consist of no pointing.  That way no one knows who you are. 

[Silencer]

How would the witness protection program apply to a tourist or visitor (assuming they aren't citizens or permanent residents)? Wouldn't the host government reject the request and tell them to return to their home country and get protection there, if necessary? Even if needed for trial, they can return for it, if they felt safe to do so.

[d4dang]

14 hours ago, WebGuy said:

I didn't know crypto could be cashed out in one of the exchange currency kiosks.

seems you can but you will be on CCTV and on borrowed time

[Mickmouse1]

On 9/30/2022 at 7:57 AM, Jonathan Swift said:

For those too lazy to search and would prefer to make snide and ignorant remarks, here are a few facts, just one paragraph from the document of the Special Witness Protection Bureau:

 

The Law “the Witness Protection Act BE 2546” (2003) provides for two strategies. 1. General Provision Strategy This is the more common strategy. According to the Section 6 of the Act, in a case where a witness loses his or her security, a competent official from criminal investigation, interrogation, prosecution or the Witness Protection Bureau, as the case may be, shall desire for the witness protection measures as deemed appropriate or as requested by the witness or other concerned party. Where necessary, the said person may request a police officer or other official for protection and this must be subject to the witness’s consent. Protection measures may include arrangements for a safe place for the witness; or change of name/ family name, domicile, identification, and information that would reveal the identity of the witness as appropriate, and the personal status of the witness and the nature of the Criminal case. The protection of witnesses in general doesn’t apply to the witness only but can also be used for those related to the witness. In a case where a witness’s husband, wife, progenitor, descendant, or person with a close relationship to the witness is affected by the person becoming a witness and would lose security, he/she may request the competent official to design or arrange for measures as deemed appropriate, taking into account the consent of that person. Protection measures may include arrangements for a safe place for the witness; or change of name/ family name, domicile, identification, and information that would reveal the identity of the witness as deemed appropriate, and the personal status of the witness and also the nature of the criminal case. 2. Special Protection Measures A witness in the following [types of] cases may be eligible for the privilege of special protection measures: – A case under the law on narcotic drugs, money laundering law, anti-corruption law, or customs law. – A case related to national security under the Penal Code. – A sexual offence under the Penal Code relating to the luring of a person for the sexual gratification of another. – A criminal offence in the nature of organized crime under the Penal Code, including any crime committed by a criminal group with a well-established and complicated network. – A case punishable with at least ten years of imprisonment. – A case that the Witness Protection Bureau deems appropriate to arrange for protection. Whenever there are explicit circumstances or suspicion that a witness has lost his/her security, the witness or other concerned party, a competent investigation official, competent interrogation official or competent criminal case prosecution official shall apply to the Minister of Justice or his appointed official to arrange for special protection measures, subject to the witness’s consent.

Indeed,many here are ignorant most likely of low education and intellect.However, they come here  only to criticise anything Thai and try to show off their " superiority " over the Thais.