Wanted New Zealander Arrested in Phuket After 15 Year Absence, Had Drug Charges from Pattaya

[webfact]

 

Phuket – A wanted New Zealander was arrested at Phuket International Airport after he escaped from Thailand 15 years ago and decided to risk returning.

 

The Phuket Immigration Department released more details of the case on Thursday (October 26th). The suspect was later identified only as Mr. Freeman, 40, a New Zealand national. He arrived at Phuket International Airport in the international terminal from Singapore.

 

Freeman was temporarily released after the Pattaya Provincial Court issued an order giving him bail 15 years ago, in roughly 2008. The court order had stipulated that he was banned from exiting the country. He was accused of illegal possession of Category 1 drugs.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2023-10-27

 

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[ukrules]

Isn't there some kind of statute of limitations here?

 

[Pique Dard]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A wanted New Zealander was arrested at Phuket International Airport after he escaped from Thailand 15 years ago and decided to risk returning.

 

for 15 years ago, you could haven  taken that risk, dude! not anymore, nowadays  big brother  got his eye on you everywhere. moreover  he's got a huge memory called cloud that  forgets nothing

[Iron Tongue]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

Isn't there some kind of statute of limitations here?

 

Who knows how Thai law works.  

I do know that in US federal laws, if you pull a runner after posting bail, there is no Statute of Limitations.  You could be found 20-years later and still be tried for that crime.

 

[ChipButty]

He's in line for a long holiday

[Zack61]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

Isn't there some kind of statute of limitations here?

 

Only if you are rich and run over a police officer whilst driving at ridiculous speeds 

 

 

[dpeti73]

Mr Freeman not free anymore

 

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm... Stupid IS what stupid DOES ? Why on earth did he try to come back into Thailand, having got away 15 years ago?

[2baht]

Just now, bbbbooboo said:

Hmmm... Stupid IS what stupid DOES ? Why on earth did he try to come back into Thailand, having got away 15 years ago?

 

    Somtam!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Freeman was temporarily released after the Pattaya Provincial Court issued an order giving him bail 15 years ago, in roughly 2008. The court order had stipulated that he was banned from exiting the country. He was accused of illegal possession of Category 1 drugs

So he kept his passport?

[Homburg]

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

So he kept his passport?

I expect that a brown envelope was utilised at the time.

[RJRS1301]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

Isn't there some kind of statute of limitations here?

 

Unaware of any jurisdiction where statute of limitations once charged and bailed then skipping bail 

Surprised though the information remained in the Immigration system after all this time and the many changes occurring in the data system over that period 

[Olav Seglem]

And still they cant get their hands on Red Bull junior???? :-)

 

[RJRS1301]

1 minute ago, Olav Seglem said:

And still they cant get their hands on Red Bull junior???? 🙂

 

That was convenient and lots of beneficiaries of largesse to not find him

[TheFishman1]

Do you think the New Zealander would’ve changed his name and came into a land border? TIT

[2baht]

He won't be watching the All Blacks in the WC Rugby final!

[Jack Hammer]

45 minutes ago, bbbbooboo said:

Hmmm... Stupid IS what stupid DOES ? Why on earth did he try to come back into Thailand, having got away 15 years ago?

He came back to look for his Haka performance videos he left behind in 2008 

[Jack Hammer]

7 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

Do you think the New Zealander would’ve changed his name and came into a land border? TIT

He could have called himself Fush and Chups. Would of never got caught

[chuang]

54 minutes ago, bbbbooboo said:

Hmmm... Stupid IS what stupid DOES ? Why on earth did he try to come back into Thailand, having got away 15 years ago?

Soi Cowboy 

[Thumbs]

From experience in the court system its a crazy system. Released and passport detained by the police they would take you to the immigration to get extension stamp, then after an initial visit to the court admin office you are given a court date and your passport is returned 

 

this is where immigration get pissed off, you have your passport back and need them to extend your visa, they are used to foreigners leaving the country now so every visit they shout at you to go home

 

then the same thing happens for most of the 12 months probation. If the court dont want him to leave dont give him his passport back and provide court documents for his visa

[soalbundy]

Muppet.

[gerritkaew]

Maby he just come back to Thailand douse he want to turn him self in.

he must trust Thai law and wait for his sentence. 
for the ure off drugs this must be not to long..

honest guy afterall…

[BE88]

6 minutes ago, gerritkaew said:

Maby he just come back to Thailand douse he want to turn him self in.

he must trust Thai law and wait for his sentence. 
for the ure off drugs this must be not to long..

honest guy afterall…

 

And wait for the sentence of a Thai judge?

 

And be waiting to await the sentence in prison maybe in the next two years?

 

I would have cancellated Thailand out of my travel plans forever.

 

[Dexxter]

Is that guy in the photo a member of the All Blacks?

[ChrisY1]

2 hours ago, bbbbooboo said:

Hmmm... Stupid IS what stupid DOES ? Why on earth did he try to come back into Thailand, having got away 15 years ago?

He's a Kiwi..:)

[brianthainess]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He was accused of illegal possession of Category 1 drugs.

Any clue Phuket Post on the amount he was in possession of?

or was he dealing?

I don't condone class A drugs but; What about the new directive of misdemeanors, fined not jailed if it was a small amount. 

I wonder what the sentence is for leaving the country? 

[drgoon]

1 hour ago, Jack Hammer said:

He could have called himself Fush and Chups. Would of never got caught

Fush and chups, not feesh and cheeps lol. The feesh and cheeps got ousted early 😅

[drgoon]

Hope the idiot gets done. You got to wonder about some peoples brain capacity 

[Grumpy one]

He may have been on his way to visit an old flame at the Swiss Sheep Farm in Cha Am 😍

[stupidfarang]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

So he kept his passport?

NZ passports only last 10 years like most countrys.