Visitng Prisoners

[MSingh]

I just read one of the Books by an Irish Guy who was inprisoned in Jail for 8 years here, i couldn't put the Book down & read it inside 5 hours.

Anyway, today i thought i'd have a look if there was any kind of support Groups for these people & found the below but my question is, has anyone ever visited anyone in Jail here, do you think it would be a good idea to or do you think it should be just left alone ??

I do think i'd like to do something good & make a few visits but wondered about others opinion & any one else's actual experiences..

Thanks for your replies.

http://www.phaseloop.com/foreignprisoners/...s-thailand.html

[Neeranam]

http://www.foreignprisoners.com/

[chickenslegs]

Sorry, no personal experience, but here’s my 2 satang worth anyway.

I’m sure there are some innocent individuals in prisons here and all over the world. Regardless, it could do no harm to visit a prisoner and provide some human contact – especially a foreigner in a Thai prison where conditions are grim (I think that is generally accepted) and contact with people of their own nationality is scarce.

Personally, I would be loathe to visit a prisoner convicted of certain crimes, but wouldn’t criticize anyone else for doing so.

The problem I have with some of the prison visitors’ organizations is their undertone that:

1) Lawfully convicted offenders are in fact innocent - all victims of conspiracy.

2) All human beings are entitled to their freedom – regardless of what they have done.

3) The death penalty should be abolished – no exceptions.

I believe the British Embassy has details of British citizens who have asked for visits. Perhaps others have similar lists.

[Andiamo]

http://www.foreignprisoners.com/

So sad to read about the death of a UK citizen in the prison in Laos reported on the above website on 14 May 2008. He looks terrible in the photo and the conditions sound horrific. Nobody deserves to die like that IMO - regardless of the offence.

In response to the OP, if you would like to visit foreigners in Thai prisons, you should contact your Embassy and speak to the relevant Consular officer. They should be able to provide you with a list of men and women who may have requested visits and you can then volunteer and go.

Or, I know at Bangkok Remand Prison and Lard Yao Mens Prison there is a Thai official at each who assists foreign visitors. However, it is better to know a name and Building number prior to your visit. Please be aware that all visitors must dress appropriately and respectfully i.e. no shorts, singlet vest Tshirts and no showing too much skin etc.

You will also need to take a copy of your passport and on the day before your visit, fill out a visit form at the prison and submit this. For this you will need to know the name of the prisoner and his/her Building Number. It may take some time and is usually better to go early morning.

Personally I think if anybody has spare time, a visit would help alleviate the prisoners time and give them a brief respite from being incarcerated. You may also wish to buy some food or fruit in the shop.

Hope that is helpful.

Andiamo

Edited May 25, 2008 by Andiamo

[MSingh]

Thanks for your replies all..

[Andiamo]

You are welcome msingh.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Andiamo

[ClaytonSeymour]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

[MSingh]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

For me personally Clayton, i didn't start the thread to discuss or condone people's crimes..

Anybody for example who committed sexual Crimes i would personally want to rot in hel_l.. But there are others i think who have commited crimes & are completely aware & are remorseful, yet have just been given some serious punishment that although they should have thought about it before they done it, i think are extremely harsh & i think it would benefit both the Prisoner & the Visitor doing the visit..

Still not sure if i will decide to do it though if i'm honest but am siding with doing it..

[ClaytonSeymour]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

For me personally Clayton, i didn't start the thread to discuss or condone people's crimes..

Anybody for example who committed sexual Crimes i would personally want to rot in hel_l.. But there are others i think who have commited crimes & are completely aware & are remorseful, yet have just been given some serious punishment that although they should have thought about it before they done it, i think are extremely harsh & i think it would benefit both the Prisoner & the Visitor doing the visit..

Still not sure if i will decide to do it though if i'm honest but am siding with doing it..

Out of interest, how could you be sure that the prisoner was completely remorseful?

I firmly believe in serious & harsh punishment - if a prisoner doesn't fear a return to prison; the punishment has failed.

[onnut]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

thats a bit harsh mate, I find it funny that these guys can get millions out of people. it all boils down to greed, if you really think that you are going to make so much money out of buying something over the phone, then I think you have the problem.

Michael was left to rot, he diserved jail time but not that.

RIP Michael Newman

[onnut]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

For me personally Clayton, i didn't start the thread to discuss or condone people's crimes..

Anybody for example who committed sexual Crimes i would personally want to rot in hel_l.. But there are others i think who have commited crimes & are completely aware & are remorseful, yet have just been given some serious punishment that although they should have thought about it before they done it, i think are extremely harsh & i think it would benefit both the Prisoner & the Visitor doing the visit..

Still not sure if i will decide to do it though if i'm honest but am siding with doing it..

Out of interest, how could you be sure that the prisoner was completely remorseful?

I firmly believe in serious & harsh punishment - if a prisoner doesn't fear a return to prison; the punishment has failed.

in this case..... there was not a return, was there? if we have a Laos guy behind bars in the UK he would be taken care of, it does not matter what he did.

[ClaytonSeymour]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

For me personally Clayton, i didn't start the thread to discuss or condone people's crimes..

Anybody for example who committed sexual Crimes i would personally want to rot in hel_l.. But there are others i think who have commited crimes & are completely aware & are remorseful, yet have just been given some serious punishment that although they should have thought about it before they done it, i think are extremely harsh & i think it would benefit both the Prisoner & the Visitor doing the visit..

Still not sure if i will decide to do it though if i'm honest but am siding with doing it..

Out of interest, how could you be sure that the prisoner was completely remorseful?

I firmly believe in serious & harsh punishment - if a prisoner doesn't fear a return to prison; the punishment has failed.

in this case..... there was not a return, was there? if we have a Laos guy behind bars in the UK he would be taken care of, it does not matter what he did.

No there wasn't a return, but he was the one who chose to break the law there. Their prison system is clearly a very hard environment, he should have thought about that when he was perpetrating his crimes - som nom na.

Unfortunately, prisoners in the UK are well taken care of. I'm in a reasonable mood today, but if I get started on that subject; that will change for sure.

[ClaytonSeymour]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

thats a bit harsh mate, I find it funny that these guys can get millions out of people. it all boils down to greed, if you really think that you are going to make so much money out of buying something over the phone, then I think you have the problem.

I certainly agree with your comments re: greed, but we should also remember that con artists such as Mr Newman often target the vulnerable & disadvantaged. I've more sympathy for his victims - I wonder how many of them are sympathetic towards him?

Michael was left to rot, he diserved jail time but not that. Whilst I agree he didn't deserve to die - he did indeed deserve a harsh punishment & not the cushy stay that he would have enjoyed if he'd been returned to a UK holiday camp.

RIP Michael Newman

[damocletian]

You sound a delightful man Clayton and I sincerely hope you do not become a victim of circumstance and be wrongly prosecuted for a crime not of your making. Because if you did, I am certain your sanctimonious words will come back to haunt you as you ponder your miserable fate.

Luckily, I also am of a reasonable frame of mind but I suspect you probably don't even know the meaning of the word.

To err is human, to forgive is divine.

I have read a sample of your posts and must conclude that either you are an invention or a very lonely individual incapable of any empathy necessary to forge a meaningful relationship.

Edited May 26, 2008 by damocletian

[bulmercke]

I just read one of the Books by an Irish Guy who was inprisoned in Jail for 8 years here, i couldn't put the Book down & read it inside 5 hours.

Anyway, today i thought i'd have a look if there was any kind of support Groups for these people & found the below but my question is, has anyone ever visited anyone in Jail here, do you think it would be a good idea to or do you think it should be just left alone ??

I do think i'd like to do something good & make a few visits but wondered about others opinion & any one else's actual experiences..

Thanks for your replies.

http://www.phaseloop.com/foreignprisoners/...s-thailand.html

You are referring to Colin Martin's book: "Welcome To hel_l".

Incidentally after his release he returned to Thailand and went back to Klong Prem and visited a few of his fellow inmates who were still incarcerated.

His is a shocking story.

[bulmercke]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

For me personally Clayton, i didn't start the thread to discuss or condone people's crimes..

Anybody for example who committed sexual Crimes i would personally want to rot in hel_l.. But there are others i think who have commited crimes & are completely aware & are remorseful, yet have just been given some serious punishment that although they should have thought about it before they done it, i think are extremely harsh & i think it would benefit both the Prisoner & the Visitor doing the visit..

Still not sure if i will decide to do it though if i'm honest but am siding with doing it..

Out of interest, how could you be sure that the prisoner was completely remorseful?

I firmly believe in serious & harsh punishment - if a prisoner doesn't fear a return to prison; the punishment has failed.

Does this also apply to Thaksin and the other hundred or so criminal members of parliament?

[ClaytonSeymour]

You sound a delightful man Clayton and I sincerely hope you do not become a victim of circumstance and be wrongly prosecuted for a crime not of your making. Because if you did, I am certain your sanctimonious words will come back to haunt you as you ponder your miserable fate. Fact - the vast majority of criminals are not victims of circumstance. I don't see any argument for Michael Newman being a victim of circumstance, rather 'do gooders' who'd rather he'd been returned to the UK to spend his time in one of Her Majesty's 'holiday camps.'

Luckily, I also am of a reasonable frame of mind but I suspect you probably don't even know the meaning of the word.

I know the meaning of reasonable, but it has it's limits & showing sympathy for the majority of criminals exceeds those limits.

To err is human, to forgive is divine. That's your opinion.

I have read a sample of your posts and must conclude that either you are an invention or a very lonely individual incapable of any empathy necessary to forge a meaningful relationship. Wrong on both accounts, though I accept I'm not always the easiest person to get along with - as my Wife & family would testify.

Your comments would suggest that you're either a 'do gooder' or, a current/ex-member of the 'criminal fraternity' - which is it?

[ClaytonSeymour]

I wasn't familiar with Michael Newman's background, so I've just done a bit of research. Quite frankly, I've no sympathy whatsoever - he should have thought about the consequences whilst he was perpetrating his numerous crimes.

Let's hope that his fate is a lesson to any likeminded individuals who are involved/planning similar activities.

For me personally Clayton, i didn't start the thread to discuss or condone people's crimes..

Anybody for example who committed sexual Crimes i would personally want to rot in hel_l.. But there are others i think who have commited crimes & are completely aware & are remorseful, yet have just been given some serious punishment that although they should have thought about it before they done it, i think are extremely harsh & i think it would benefit both the Prisoner & the Visitor doing the visit..

Still not sure if i will decide to do it though if i'm honest but am siding with doing it..

Out of interest, how could you be sure that the prisoner was completely remorseful?

I firmly believe in serious & harsh punishment - if a prisoner doesn't fear a return to prison; the punishment has failed.

Does this also apply to Thaksin and the other hundred or so criminal members of parliament?

It applies to anyone who commits a crime & serves time in prison for it - they should be afraid of committing further crimes out of fear of return.

[MSingh]

You sound a delightful man Clayton and I sincerely hope you do not become a victim of circumstance and be wrongly prosecuted for a crime not of your making. Because if you did, I am certain your sanctimonious words will come back to haunt you as you ponder your miserable fate. Fact - the vast majority of criminals are not victims of circumstance. I don't see any argument for Michael Newman being a victim of circumstance, rather 'do gooders' who'd rather he'd been returned to the UK to spend his time in one of Her Majesty's 'holiday camps.'

Luckily, I also am of a reasonable frame of mind but I suspect you probably don't even know the meaning of the word.

I know the meaning of reasonable, but it has it's limits & showing sympathy for the majority of criminals exceeds those limits.

To err is human, to forgive is divine. That's your opinion.

I have read a sample of your posts and must conclude that either you are an invention or a very lonely individual incapable of any empathy necessary to forge a meaningful relationship. Wrong on both accounts, though I accept I'm not always the easiest person to get along with - as my Wife & family would testify.

Your comments would suggest that you're either a 'do gooder' or, a current/ex-member of the 'criminal fraternity' - which is it?

Not at all Clayton, his first sentence was bang on the money. & do me a favour if you don't mind Clayton, i said i didn't start the thread to condone these people's crimes & still don't want to so if you haven't anything constructive to say or don't have any info on this subject, why don't you keep thise fingers from tapping in this thread, if you don't mind of course..

I'm sure there are people out there that have been punished due to circumstances more than an actual crime, not all of course but i bet there are some..

[Prakanong]

I just read one of the Books by an Irish Guy who was inprisoned in Jail for 8 years here, i couldn't put the Book down & read it inside 5 hours.

Anyway, today i thought i'd have a look if there was any kind of support Groups for these people & found the below but my question is, has anyone ever visited anyone in Jail here, do you think it would be a good idea to or do you think it should be just left alone ??

I do think i'd like to do something good & make a few visits but wondered about others opinion & any one else's actual experiences..

Thanks for your replies.

http://www.phaseloop.com/foreignprisoners/...s-thailand.html

You are referring to Colin Martin's book: "Welcome To hel_l".

Incidentally after his release he returned to Thailand and went back to Klong Prem and visited a few of his fellow inmates who were still incarcerated.

His is a shocking story.

The bit I find shocking is he never admits in the book he killed the bodyguard - he admits only two went down the hill and only one came back up - was there guy's waiting in the middle of nowhere?

[simcity]

on of the site from:

Richard Barrow

Paknam Web Thailand Forums

http://www.thaiprisonlife.com/

[MSingh]

I just read one of the Books by an Irish Guy who was inprisoned in Jail for 8 years here, i couldn't put the Book down & read it inside 5 hours.

Anyway, today i thought i'd have a look if there was any kind of support Groups for these people & found the below but my question is, has anyone ever visited anyone in Jail here, do you think it would be a good idea to or do you think it should be just left alone ??

I do think i'd like to do something good & make a few visits but wondered about others opinion & any one else's actual experiences..

Thanks for your replies.

http://www.phaseloop.com/foreignprisoners/...s-thailand.html

You are referring to Colin Martin's book: "Welcome To hel_l".

Incidentally after his release he returned to Thailand and went back to Klong Prem and visited a few of his fellow inmates who were still incarcerated.

His is a shocking story.

The bit I find shocking is he never admits in the book he killed the bodyguard - he admits only two went down the hill and only one came back up - was there guy's waiting in the middle of nowhere?

I actually think there was DEFINATELY more to the Story than the Book says. No mention fo the Guy even seeing a Knife, or a Knife getting puller or anything. Hss to make you wonder. He didn't even say that he didn't see a Knife, just simply no mention of one at all..

[toptuan]

on of the site from:

Richard Barrow

Paknam Web Thailand Forums

http://www.thaiprisonlife.com/

Required reading for anyone desiring to visit prisoners in Thailand. I've had extensive experience visiting prisons in the USA, and have just finished about a year of weekly prison visits in Thailand.

A couple of observations:

• If you're a female attempting to visit male prisoners you have a doubly-difficult road ahead of you due to suspicion of motivation. However, there are some outstanding individuals who have done so successfully, such as the Angel of Bang Khwang (story on above website link).
  

• You'll find most all prisoners fall into two groups: 1) Hardened criminals who could care less about their fellow men including you, the visitor; and 2) the average unlucky guy who did something stupid and got caught. I tend to avoid the former and try to make connections with the latter.
  

Good luck. It's an endeavor well worth pursuing.

[Prakanong]

I just read one of the Books by an Irish Guy who was inprisoned in Jail for 8 years here, i couldn't put the Book down & read it inside 5 hours.

Anyway, today i thought i'd have a look if there was any kind of support Groups for these people & found the below but my question is, has anyone ever visited anyone in Jail here, do you think it would be a good idea to or do you think it should be just left alone ??

I do think i'd like to do something good & make a few visits but wondered about others opinion & any one else's actual experiences..

Thanks for your replies.

http://www.phaseloop.com/foreignprisoners/...s-thailand.html

You are referring to Colin Martin's book: "Welcome To hel_l".

Incidentally after his release he returned to Thailand and went back to Klong Prem and visited a few of his fellow inmates who were still incarcerated.

His is a shocking story.

The bit I find shocking is he never admits in the book he killed the bodyguard - he admits only two went down the hill and only one came back up - was there guy's waiting in the middle of nowhere?

I actually think there was DEFINATELY more to the Story than the Book says. No mention fo the Guy even seeing a Knife, or a Knife getting puller or anything. Hss to make you wonder. He didn't even say that he didn't see a Knife, just simply no mention of one at all..

There was a lot missing in that book.

I remember it happening and being reported as I lived in Thailand at the time and some of the guy's ripped of with their redunancy had been from my part of the world and it was cleverly done as in the UK you can not charge to get people jobs so they did it out of Holland I believe.

One story I heard was Colin Martin was even involved in the original scam but got scammed himself by the Kiwi - then again that is Bangkok bar talk so holds no particular credence

How he is not PNG from Thailand I do not know after serving all that time

[ClaytonSeymour]

You sound a delightful man Clayton and I sincerely hope you do not become a victim of circumstance and be wrongly prosecuted for a crime not of your making. Because if you did, I am certain your sanctimonious words will come back to haunt you as you ponder your miserable fate. Fact - the vast majority of criminals are not victims of circumstance. I don't see any argument for Michael Newman being a victim of circumstance, rather 'do gooders' who'd rather he'd been returned to the UK to spend his time in one of Her Majesty's 'holiday camps.'

Luckily, I also am of a reasonable frame of mind but I suspect you probably don't even know the meaning of the word.

I know the meaning of reasonable, but it has it's limits & showing sympathy for the majority of criminals exceeds those limits.

To err is human, to forgive is divine. That's your opinion.

I have read a sample of your posts and must conclude that either you are an invention or a very lonely individual incapable of any empathy necessary to forge a meaningful relationship. Wrong on both accounts, though I accept I'm not always the easiest person to get along with - as my Wife & family would testify.

Your comments would suggest that you're either a 'do gooder' or, a current/ex-member of the 'criminal fraternity' - which is it?

Not at all Clayton, his first sentence was bang on the money. & do me a favour if you don't mind Clayton, i said i didn't start the thread to condone these people's crimes & still don't want to so if you haven't anything constructive to say or don't have any info on this subject, why don't you keep thise fingers from tapping in this thread, if you don't mind of course..

You asked for peoples opinion, so you have to expect some negative comments.

I'm sure there are people out there that have been punished due to circumstances more than an actual crime, not all of course but i bet there are some.. Do your research on the foreign prisoners currently being held in Thailand, then tell me the names of those who have been punished due to circumstances. I shall refrain from further comments until that time.

Edited May 27, 2008 by ClaytonSeymour

[Andiamo]

I just read one of the Books by an Irish Guy who was inprisoned in Jail for 8 years here, i couldn't put the Book down & read it inside 5 hours.

Anyway, today i thought i'd have a look if there was any kind of support Groups for these people & found the below but my question is, has anyone ever visited anyone in Jail here, do you think it would be a good idea to or do you think it should be just left alone ??

I do think i'd like to do something good & make a few visits but wondered about others opinion & any one else's actual experiences..

Thanks for your replies.

http://www.phaseloop.com/foreignprisoners/...s-thailand.html

You are referring to Colin Martin's book: "Welcome To hel_l".

Incidentally after his release he returned to Thailand and went back to Klong Prem and visited a few of his fellow inmates who were still incarcerated.

His is a shocking story.

The bit I find shocking is he never admits in the book he killed the bodyguard - he admits only two went down the hill and only one came back up - was there guy's waiting in the middle of nowhere?

I actually think there was DEFINATELY more to the Story than the Book says. No mention fo the Guy even seeing a Knife, or a Knife getting puller or anything. Hss to make you wonder. He didn't even say that he didn't see a Knife, just simply no mention of one at all..

There was a lot missing in that book.

I remember it happening and being reported as I lived in Thailand at the time and some of the guy's ripped of with their redunancy had been from my part of the world and it was cleverly done as in the UK you can not charge to get people jobs so they did it out of Holland I believe.

One story I heard was Colin Martin was even involved in the original scam but got scammed himself by the Kiwi - then again that is Bangkok bar talk so holds no particular credence

How he is not PNG from Thailand I do not know after serving all that time

I am not sure what the criteria is to be labelled "PNG?" I had understood that prsioners who have served time for drugs and murder cases..... Anyone care to elaborate....?

clayton seymour - I am shocked at your true lack of compassion. I hope you never find yourself (inadvertently) on the wrong side of the law here, either in Thailand or Laos. It is so easy to judge isn't it.......

Edited May 27, 2008 by Andiamo

[Prakanong]

"I am not sure what the criteria is to be labelled "PNG?" I had understood that prsioners who have served time for drugs and murder cases..... Anyone care to elaborate....?"

I thought you were PNG for almost any crime if they deported you after the case?

He did kill a guy after all.

[indiefan]

No there wasn't a return, but he was the one who chose to break the law there. Their prison system is clearly a very hard environment, he should have thought about that when he was perpetrating his crimes - som nom na.

Unfortunately, prisoners in the UK are well taken care of. I'm in a reasonable mood today, but if I get started on that subject; that will change for sure.

Karma, Clayton. Wether you believe in it or not, you'd better hope its false. The day you or a loved one ends up in a harsh prison your tune will change dramatically. The people who are all about harsh treatment and 'I have no sympathy' are almost 100% those who have no experience or contact with the penal system they are talking about. Most prisoners, in all countries, have a documented history of legitimate mental issues to go with abject desperation. If you knew prisoners for who they are instead of the demons you make them out to be, you'd never speak the way you do.

[Andiamo]

"I am not sure what the criteria is to be labelled "PNG?" I had understood that prsioners who have served time for drugs and murder cases..... Anyone care to elaborate....?"

I thought you were PNG for almost any crime if they deported you after the case?

He did kill a guy after all.

I had understood that according to "Thai rules & regulations", all prisoners, upon their release, are deported back to their country of passport. However, in reality, I have heard that this is not always carried out....

I have also heard that only certain 'categories' of released prisoners are put on the PNG list....

Would be interesting to hear from anyone who either has 'experience' or knows the Thai justice/police system for further clarification.....

Edited May 27, 2008 by Andiamo

[Prakanong]

"I am not sure what the criteria is to be labelled "PNG?" I had understood that prsioners who have served time for drugs and murder cases..... Anyone care to elaborate....?"

I thought you were PNG for almost any crime if they deported you after the case?

He did kill a guy after all.

I had understood that according to "Thai rules & regulations", all prisoners, upon their release, are deported back to their country of passport. However, in reality, I have heard that this is not always carried out....

I have also heard that only certain 'categories' of released prisoners are put on the PNG list....

Would be interesting to hear from anyone who either has 'experience' or knows the Thai justice/police system for further clarification.....

I would be interested too - there was one bloke who used to post on some Thai sites charged with attempted murder after a girl jumped out of his window (2000/2001?) who never served time and was not PNG.