Banged up: Thai prison nightmare exposed by British tourist

[Justanotherone]

if only western prisons were like that, maybe, just maybe, they might never want to return...

 

do same for illegals, instead of hotel rooms

[Kerryd]

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

Grow up man, supposed to have been in the Army

Yeah I had to laugh at that. "4 toilets that they had to clean with cold water". Poor snookums.

And eating from trays that were washed on the floor. "Waaa - they don't have proper high-temperature, restaurant grade dishwashing machines to wash the food trays."

And they had to wash with "little bowls of cold water". You'd think "cold water" would be a luxury in a place with little or no ventilation and definitely no air con.

And despite supposedly being broke and in a cramped prison cell he claims they weren't allowed out of except for 1 hour a week, he was living soley of the "small pot noodles" one guy was selling in a corner of the cell.

I'm shocked he wasn't able to "bribe the guards to move some prisoners to other cells" and "buy cleaning supplies" and "bring in food" and "send messages to his mum" the way he claimed he'd done in the Pattaya jail.

And don't they normally search prisoners and look for contraband - like smart phones ?

He claims he got one smuggled in, hidden in a package of baby wipes and then what, hid it in his "prison wallet" when he was transferred to the IDC where they apparently didn't bother searching him (or confiscating his phone if they did search him).

I'm starting to think all those movies and books and stories from other prisoners about how bad things are is total fiction !

And he never once mentioned having to fight anyone for anything. I guess that only happens at Bang Kwang ?

[Kerryd]

5 minutes ago, Justanotherone said:

if only western prisons were like that, maybe, just maybe, they might never want to return...

 

do same for illegals, instead of hotel rooms

Our Military Detention Center was seen as pretty harsh, to the point that anyone who went there really did not ever want to go there again.

Not like Thai prisons. But stand by your bed room inspections everyday.
Then station jobs (sweeping/mopping common areas, cleaning bathrooms and whatever else the staff ordered you to do.

Then out to the yard to dig holes. And fill in holes. And dig more holes. All with the staff screaming at you non-stop.

And strictly regulated meals. No talking to other detainees. Sit at attention until told to eat. 30 minutes to finish then turn in your tray.
Marching (double-time) everywhere you go.

And if you are in your cell when it's not "lights out" - you are sitting "at attention" on the edge of your bed. No laying down or reading a book.

And you had to EARN privileges, like being allowed to talk to another detainee during meals.

You were there to be PUNISHED, not make friends and do each other's nails.

And from what I heard, no drugs. No gangs. No "illegal" activities or gang rapes or "shiving" other detainees. Extremely hard discipline and punishment for anyone breaking the rules though.

And if our regular prisons operated like that you can bet there wouldn't be a lot of repeat offenders.
 

[black tabby12345]

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

comfort level - location dependent

 

Can you allow me some question.

More than 2 decades ago, I have read a book written by the ex-convicts(did his time in  Hotel California; max security stockade) after his conviction as the drug case fixer in that same state(he was previously a successful businessman selling European cars).

 

And that author said that high security prison often has the part of the area named Gun Point; at which the convicts can get shot on the spot without warning.

It is said to happen when the prisoner does something violating  prison rule.

 

Have you heard of this?

You seem to know well about America's correctional institution.

[Jerry777]

Where is the Go Fund Me payment link? He needs reparations

[black tabby12345]

56 minutes ago, proton said:

 

They are all overstayers, this is the detention centre and not an ordinary prison

 

Thank you for your correction.

Immigration offence is one thing.

Common Crime is another.

Big difference:

Immigration rule violation alone,  makes no real victims.

While the latter(usually/often) does.

[roo860]

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Oh, see! He got corrected for breaking Thai law. How sad for him. Maybe he got a few buck for the article as compensation for his terrible experience. Guess Brits just have to learn the hard way, right? Seems like they are the only ones to publish these stories too. probably the need to complain gene.

Seems like you have posting <deleted> gene.

[har0165]

" However, his dreams crumbled in November when a spat with an ex landed him in hot water in Pattaya."

 

Going into business with a girl you met in Pattaya will never end well. 

She has all the leverage in this country, the moment she's had enough of you, you're screwed.

Protect yourself.

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, har0165 said:

" However, his dreams crumbled in November when a spat with an ex landed him in hot water in Pattaya."

 

Going into business with a girl you met in Pattaya will never end well.

 

Done it twice.....dumb or what?.....first time was so, so........second time I'm onto a winner.

[Mises]

This story has more holes in it than a Swiss cheese

e.g. Remarkably, the British tourist managed to smuggle a phone inside, hidden in baby wipes

 

Must have been a big pack that none of the police or guards took notice of.

Where did he hide the charger?  Where did he plug it in?

No one robbed him of it.

[sambum]

19 hours ago, The Old Bull said:

Sounds a little harsh for a few days overstay. Maybe the old squeeze has contacts in the BIB and contrived to do him in.

Normally it's 500 baht a day fine:-

 

"In order to depart Thailand, it will be necessary to pay an overstay fine. The fine for overstaying a visa is 500 Baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht. The fine is payable to the Immigration Bureau, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Immigration office, or other departure point."

[Beat666]

20 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Probably in the minority, but IMHO, that's exactly how prison should be.  Punishment, not the comfy stay like in the USA.

 

 

Fully agree.👍

Here in Switzerland, criminals and illegal immigrants just laughing at the police, when they get arrested. Why?

They can expect a nice cell with TV, etc. Below a picture of a prison cell in Zurich .

They are well taken care of, meals prepared as to there wishes, free therapies, paid work, etc.

Stay out of troubles in Thailand, guys. It has been like that since my first trip to Thailand in the 90`s and it will prevail like that even in the future, if not harsher.

 

[stevenrossvanduyn]

5 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

The problem there is that some who have minor offenses are put in with monsters. Being locked up and not enjoying freedom is a hard thing. It doesn't have to be inhumane.

Need to seperate the killers with the violent people in one prison and the others in another prison

[Will B Good]

17 minutes ago, Beat666 said:

Fully agree.👍

Here in Switzerland, criminals and illegal immigrants just laughing at the police, when they get arrested. Why?

They can expect a nice cell with TV, etc. Below a picture of a prison cell in Zurich .

They are well taken care of, meals prepared as to there wishes, free therapies, paid work, etc.

Stay out of troubles in Thailand, guys. It has been like that since my first trip to Thailand in the 90`s and it will prevail like that even in the future, if not harsher.

 

 

 

• Switzerland:

• Switzerland’s recidivism rate is around 22%-30% within three years after release, depending on the type of offense and methodology used.

• The Swiss system emphasizes rehabilitation, restorative justice, and reintegration of offenders into society.

• United States:

• The U.S. recidivism rate is significantly higher, with about 68%-70% of released prisoners being rearrested within three years and 77% within five years.

• The U.S. system focuses more on punitive measures, which can lead to challenges in reintegration, contributing to higher recidivism.

[teeyai]

19 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

In January 1945, with the Soviet army approaching, Nazi officials ordered the camp abandoned and sent an estimated 60,000 prisoners on a forced march to other locations. When the Soviets entered Auschwitz, they found thousands of emaciated detainees and piles of corpses left behind.

 

And even today, the Germans are still ashamed of what they did to people.  Yes, they were people just like them.

And now they treat their prisoners in a humane way. Afraid that anyone would remind them of these events.

"Do not do to others what you would not want done to you” is a fundamental principle of fairness and empathy known as the Golden Rule. It means that you should treat others with the same kindness and respect that you would like to be treated with." Also the same way to define 'being civilized'.

If anyone here would agree to see his son or daughter treated the way this guy was treated, for a fault that would not even make eyebrows raise, well that would mean that this person disagrees with Confucius, and would celebrate this life lesson taught to one of his children.

Shame on you....

 

Compassionate Decent human Being .

20 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Probably in the minority, but IMHO, that's exactly how prison should be.  Punishment, not the comfy stay like in the USA.

 

 

No Words to Describe Someone with a blanket opinion like this . Brain washed is a start. Someone tries out a joint and ends up there, on Over stay Ends up in Hell on Earth . Throws a punch to defend themselves from an attacker That proves Fatal and ends up in Hell . Millions of people locked up in Terrible situations all around the world Which You wouldn't agree to if it where your child or parent but throw out blanket comments like that. Classy !

[trainman34014]

Are we supposed to feel sorry for him ?   If he married the wrong Woman it's not our fault.   If he broke Thai Law it's not our fault.

 

If he used his brain to make better choices this wouldn't have happened.   Thailand is a great place to be if you behave properly and make the right choices !

[Ben Zioner]

11 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

Are we supposed to feel sorry for him ? 

Not if you are exempt of compassion.

 

And make sure you pay you 2024 tax. I don't want to feel compassion for you. 

[Taboo2]

Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

You are not in the UK Soy boy!  Take the pain like a Thai man!  The Thais seem to do just fine.  

You are a soft, pampered western whimp!

 

Man up!

[Taboo2]

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Probably in the minority, but IMHO, that's exactly how prison should be.  Punishment, not the comfy stay like in the USA.

 

 

He is a Brit...genius!

[Taboo2]

20 hours ago, TedG said:

I disagree.  

Why mention the USA,.,,,the more run is from the UK....not America! 

[Taboo2]

16 hours ago, KhunLA said:

You story has a few holes in it.  Most states, DUI is a misdemeanor.

 

Police don't set bail, a judge does.  You wouldn't get put in general pop at country jail for traffic ticket.

 

Nice try ... not really 

Why are you guys going back and forth over the USA prison system?  This more run is from the UK.  Not America!!!

[Hellfire]

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Probably in the minority, but IMHO, that's exactly how prison should be.  Punishment, not the comfy stay like in the USA.

 

 

Such a disgusting comment

[Taboo2]

1 minute ago, Hellfire said:

Such a disgusting comment

The urge to default to the USA is weird.....for someone who is from the UK.  

 

Read the article...he is a Brit!  Not a Yank!

[Nick Carter icp]

20 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Strange how the descendants of 1945 are treating the Palestinians at this very moment. 

 

A sitting Prime Minister has an international warrant for war crimes, yet, just like in 1945, governments / people sit back and do nothing.  UN stands for "Useless Numpty's." 

 

Over 45 thousand dead, mostly women and children, in an area 40kms x 20kms.  The Gaza Strip is nothing more than a kill zone.   

 

There's no hope for humanity.  We will always repeat the past. 

 

    The descendants of the 1945 victims of Nazis are making sure that it never happens again .

   Palestinians in 2025 want to continues where the Nazis left off in 1944.

Israel are taking steps to make sure that it doesn't again .

   Supporting Palestinians will make history repeat itself 

[Nick Carter icp]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

His Thai adventure began with hope and ambition in April of the previous year, as he planned to settle and start a business. However, his dreams crumbled in November when a spat with an ex landed him in hot water in Pattaya.

Police, alerted to his visa status, arrested him and dragged him to court, claiming he had overstayed by a few days.

 

   I do think that there's more to the story than he's letting on .

What did the spat with his ex involve ?

Did he do anything that warrants being arrested ?

Was there any violence involved and that's why he got arrested ?

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Beat666 said:

Fully agree.👍

Here in Switzerland, criminals and illegal immigrants just laughing at the police, when they get arrested. Why?

They can expect a nice cell with TV, etc. Below a picture of a prison cell in Zurich .

They are well taken care of, meals prepared as to there wishes, free therapies, paid work, etc.

Stay out of troubles in Thailand, guys. It has been like that since my first trip to Thailand in the 90`s and it will prevail like that even in the future, if not harsher.

 

Careful, someone will tell you 'he's a Brit', although our replies have nothing to do with the person in OP, but the prison system.

 

That's cushy cell 

[KhunLA]

36 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

He is a Brit...genius!

My reply isn't about the person in the OP, but the prison system.

31 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

Why are you guys going back and forth over the USA prison system?  This more run is from the UK.  Not America!!!

I was replying to a BS reply to me, not about the OP.

1 hour ago, teeyai said:

Compassionate Decent human Being .

No Words to Describe Someone with a blanket opinion like this . Brain washed is a start. Someone tries out a joint and ends up there, on Over stay Ends up in Hell on Earth . Throws a punch to defend themselves from an attacker That proves Fatal and ends up in Hell . Millions of people locked up in Terrible situations all around the world Which You wouldn't agree to if it where your child or parent but throw out blanket comments like that. Classy !

A bit off topic comparison.  Are they killing prisoners in Imm detention center for overstay 🙄

 

Give it a rest fellows.  A little reading comprehension goes a long way.

[ThailandGuy]

I just can not believe this happens in such a way when you overstay a few days.  There must be something more to it.

[Stiddle Mump]

19 hours ago, bannork said:

Has our ex squaddie hired a ghost writer for the inevitable novel yet, describing his two weeks of 'hell'?

Don't forget to include:

1. It was the trip of a lifetime

2. Squaddie used to light up the room

3. Squaddie was living life to the full.

 

 

He was the sweetest son his parents could have wished for.

[Reddavy]

On 1/20/2025 at 6:25 PM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

by Bob Scott 

A British tourist revealed the grim conditions banged up abroad in a Thai prison and issued a chilling warning to fellow travellers about the reality of being detained abroad.

 

The 29 year old former soldier, who wished to remain anonymous, endured a 15-day ordeal in two police cells and a Bangkok deportation centre after overstaying his visa, a blunder he deeply regrets.

“The only way I can describe it is hell.”

 

Held with 130 other people in a stifling room devoid of ventilation, he added, “We could only go out for an hour a week.”

The grim picture didn’t end there. Guards would distribute food in trays washed on the filthy bathroom floor using cold water.

 

“Everywhere I stayed was infested with fire ants and cockroaches. The rubbish just piled up in a corner.”

Pictures courtesy of The Daily Mail

His Thai adventure began with hope and ambition in April of the previous year, as he planned to settle and start a business. However, his dreams crumbled in November when a spat with an ex landed him in hot water in Pattaya.

Police, alerted to his visa status, arrested him and dragged him to court, claiming he had overstayed by a few days.

 

“The police were very violent. Two officers ambushed me in a public toilet and beat me. They threw me onto the flatbed of a truck and cuffed me to the side.”

 

Dazed and disoriented, the British man suspected he suffered a concussion and was left in the dark about his fate until Russian cellmates enlightened him about the process.

 

“They lent me money to pay my court fine, otherwise, it would have been much worse.”

 

Packed into a cramped police cell measuring six-by-four feet alongside eight other inmates, he resorted to bribery to make life fractionally more bearable.

 

The prisoners jostled for space and struggled to rest, with no room to lie down properly.

 

“There was a pregnant girl from Laos who was really struggling, always crying with her head on the floor. It was horrible, especially as another cell, the same size, was packed with 13 people.”

 

After eight gruelling days in Pattaya, he was moved to Bangkok’s deportation centre, where behaviour worsened. Sharing four grim toilets with 130 detainees, they relied on a bucket of cold water for cleaning and bathing.

 

Weekends granted an hour of fresh air in a roofless, barred area, barely a respite.

 

“A guy sold pot noodles in one corner. That’s all I’d eat.”

 

 

His mother fought tooth and nail with the British embassy to secure his release, eventually getting him flown home. It cost 500 baht (£11.94) per night for his stay at the deportation centre, plus airfare.

 

Remarkably, the British tourist managed to smuggle a phone inside, hidden in baby wipes, to capture the conditions, the Daily Mail reported.

 

“Once you’re locked in, you have zero contact and no way to access money. Someone outside must fight for you. I’m fortunate I sneaked my phone inside and my mum contacted the embassy, otherwise, I’d still be stuck there.”

His experience served as a stark warning to travellers.

 

“Don’t risk overstaying your visa thinking it’s just a small fine. It’s not worth becoming a victim of this.”

 

 

Bitter from his ordeal, he declared he would never return to Thailand. He criticised the system as a “cash-making scheme” for the government, claiming that tourism, the backbone of Thailand’s economy, exploits foreigners through such detentions.

 

The former soldier’s ordeal serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of visa lapses and the stark realities lurking behind Thailand’s tourist veneer, urging cautious adherence to immigration laws to avoid a similar nightmare.

 

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2025-01-20

 

 

Banged up for a few days overstay……Nahhhh don’t believe it. More to this story than he’s telling for sure