Teaching And Police Caution For Cannabis Possession

[Jimbob321]

Hi, I've been very seriously considering moving to Thailand in about 3 months and starting a 1-2 year teaching job.

However, a few months ago I was given a police caution for possession of Cannabis, about half a spliff. I'm 25 and it was the only time I have ever been in trouble with the police, not even a speeding ticket.

Should I just put this dream of a new life to one side considering this caution?

TIA

[Ijustwannateach]

If you find the answer to this question, then as far as I know you'll be the first one to know the answer. There's no official guideline, very little information on the whole police clearance process, and no way to ask (as far as I know). Good luck and keep us informed.

[richard10365]

Hi, I've been very seriously considering moving to Thailand in about 3 months and starting a 1-2 year teaching job.

However, a few months ago I was given a police caution for possession of Cannabis, about half a spliff. I'm 25 and it was the only time I have ever been in trouble with the police, not even a speeding ticket.

Should I just put this dream of a new life to one side considering this caution?

TIA

A teacher who smokes pot. I suppose thats pretty much the norm in the USA. If your worried about it popping up on a police check in from the USA then you do have a reason to worry. You couldn't even get in the army now because of that. It really wasn't a serious offense in the USA but in Thailand risk life in prison for the same offense. It's best if you don't do that when you get here.

[PeaceBlondie]

What is a police caution for possession of pot? Where I'm from, the tiniest amount of marijuana puts you in jail with a real, permanent police record. If it's on your criminal record, that's serious. You might get by in Thailand for a couple of years without having to provide a criminal background check. The better the school and job are, the more likely you'll need the police check.

Coincidentally, I just read your post after my daughter the drunk just wrote me. Being a recovering alcoholic at age 26, like her brother was at 16, she says, "I never really was a druggy. Just a drunk." She's studying to become a teacher, like her older sister. Then again, it's just a matter of stupid choices of poisons. But hey, I know a hippie Ph.D. professor who made it through all his degrees smoking pot, and he got away with it. But he's a genius.

[mahjongguy]

A teacher who smokes pot. I suppose thats pretty much the norm in the USA.

There is no such thing as a formal "caution" in the USA. And very few Yanks say "spliff". Presumably he's a Brit.

Regardless, the first step is to get a police report and look to see if the item in question is listed on it.

If it's listed, the only way to know for sure if it hurts your chances for a visa is to apply for one. It's an iffy thing.

[Prakanong]

"What is a police caution for possession of pot? Where I'm from, the tiniest amount of marijuana puts you in jail with a real, permanent police record. If it's on your criminal record, that's serious."

In the UK an many Euro countries you only get cautions if found with a small amount - if anything at all.

The question i would ask is do police cautions show up on background checks - I thought its only for the most stringent in somewhere like the UK and the are the ones where you can not ask for them yourself - anyone?

[mellow1]

If you smoke pot, coming to Thailand would not be a good move. Read stories about people caught.

[LivinLOS]

What is a police caution for possession of pot? Where I'm from, the tiniest amount of marijuana puts you in jail with a real, permanent police record. If it's on your criminal record, that's serious. You might get by in Thailand for a couple of years without having to provide a criminal background check. The better the school and job are, the more likely you'll need the police check.

In the UK cautions are common practice and not a big deal.. A caution is not a criminal record and will not show as such on a criminal record check.

[pattyboy]

What is a police caution for possession of pot? Where I'm from, the tiniest amount of marijuana puts you in jail with a real, permanent police record. If it's on your criminal record, that's serious. You might get by in Thailand for a couple of years without having to provide a criminal background check. The better the school and job are, the more likely you'll need the police check.

Coincidentally, I just read your post after my daughter the drunk just wrote me. Being a recovering alcoholic at age 26, like her brother was at 16, she says, "I never really was a druggy. Just a drunk." She's studying to become a teacher, like her older sister. Then again, it's just a matter of stupid choices of poisons. But hey, I know a hippie Ph.D. professor who made it through all his degrees smoking pot, and he got away with it. But he's a genius.

If you simply received a warning and did not appear in court (or pay a fine?), I doubt you have anything to worry about. As far as getting by for a couple of years without a criminal background check goes...forget it. I understand that criminal background checks are now required before a 1-year visa/work permit is issued. I would agree with the OP who advised you to get a background check done now and see what shows up on it before making too many plans to relocate here. If it's clean, you obviously don't have to worry about being refused a visa for that reason, but this is Thailand, and the authorities can refuse you a visa or work permit for any reason they like (or more likely without giving a reason), so there are never guarantees.