Brit Faces Two Years In Thai Jail For Being 'rude'.

[tartempion]

Ohh and you will find many thais that speak reasonable english if you get yourself off Patpong or Kohsan Roads for a few minutes.

Wouha wouha, LOL, What a joke, ND makes my day

[Junglejumbo]

Actually, Thai people tend to think that <deleted> Off is a much ruder phrase than what Brits might consider it.

There's a Thai swear word which means something like useless less than animal being, and its the worst in the language apparently, and if you say it, it means you're prepared to die in a fight with whoever you said it too....when I first heard the word and asked my Thai friends what does it means, and they explained this, they also said it means the same as <deleted> Off in your language.....

When actually, many Brits use the F word as more of a lingo amongst the blue collar.

Edited March 9, 2009 by Junglejumbo

[jackr]

The Brit deserved everything he got.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense would not swear at an immigration offficial....it doesn't matter what country they hail from or what colour their skin is.

I hope he enjoys his stay in Phuket jail and that he learns his lesson.

Even if he/she made you miss your flight for no reason and you absolutely had to get on that flight as your mother/father/sister/brother/soul mate were on their death bed? People with this smug attitude deserve getting banged up for being smug

[linglop]

Each negative story about Thailand is CUMULATIVE. A case like this is yet another small nail in the coffin for the potential growth of Thai tourism. People's attitudes about Thailand abroad are definitely changing for the worse, but it is true just one case doesn't make it or break it.

Evening Standard, standard.co.uk

London, Monday 09.03.09

Simon Burrowes

Shackled and beaten: Simon Burrowes claims British Embassy officials rejected his pleas to double check after they told Thai police his passport number did not exist

'I was thrown in Thai jail because of embassy error'

Andrew Drummond in Bangkok

09.03.09

A British martial arts expert claims he was beaten, shackled and imprisoned in Thailand after a British Embassy official mistakenly told police he was travelling on a false passport.

Simon Burrowes says he was treated like a drugs smuggler and thrown into a Thai prison for more than three weeks.

The kickboxing and karate instructor, from Wembley said staff at the embassy in Bangkok took 11 days to admit they were wrong but he was then held for two more weeks after being charged with insulting immigration officials.

He said: "I was arrested on a Friday getting my flight to Britain. Thai immigration officials said they were suspicious of my passport. When they checked with the embassy an official told them my passport number did not exist.

"When I spoke to the embassy official he must have known I was British. I told them the passport was legal.

"He said it did not exist. I begged him to double check. But he refused because the embassy closed at Friday midday for their long weekend. They said they would prioritise the matter the following week, so I was sent to jail. But officials had all day in London to check me out. I cannot believe they could not have done it."

The 44-year-old, who was in Phuket to study kickboxing, added: "From that moment I was treated as someone less than human. I was handcuffed to a Thai and sent to court. As I was being led into the court I was beaten by an official with a leather strap. Then they sent me to jail because I did not have £2,000 for bail."

A charge of travelling on a false passport has been dropped but Thai immigration police have charged Mr Burrowes with verbally abusing its officers.

He said: "They kept me waiting an hour studying my passport with a magnifying glass. I told them I would miss my flight. They told me the flight could not leave without their permission. But it did.

"I was angry. I grabbed my passport and walked out of the immigration area, saying, 'I am a British citizen who has come to your country to spend my money. Don't treat me like a 'f**king idiot.'"

Mr Burrowes demanded to speak to the chief of police or head of immigration. Thai immigration police say it was they who were called "f**king idiots".

Mr Burrowes has been released on bail but his case for insulting an immigration official could take a year to go to court.

He said: "The closest thing the embassy have come to an apology is a statement from their local consular officer who said 'I can empathise with your self-righteousness.' He said it was a one in a thousand glitch. But they could do little else to help me further."

An embassy spokesman "What I could say is that we provided efficient and prompt consular assistance. The issue was resolved as swiftly as possible."

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He said: "The closest thing the embassy have come to an apology is a statement from their local consular officer who said 'I can empathise with your self-righteousness.' He said it was a one in a thousand glitch. But they could do little else to help me further."....well I find that worrying. I would be more than self rightious.... shackled and beaten.... This poor guy was naturally very upset, he probably didnt handle it in the best way in Thailand, but we all handle stress in different ways. I think this poor guy need to come on home, sell his story and take a vacation to a civilised country!

- Eddie, Thailand

This is shocking!!!!!

- Jc, London

Another demonstration of the help you can receive from Wireless Road?

[SwitchHitter]

He said: "I was arrested on a Friday getting my flight to Britain. Thai immigration officials said they were suspicious of my passport. When they checked with the embassy an official told them my passport number did not exist.

"When I spoke to the embassy official he must have known I was British. I told them the passport was legal.

"He said it did not exist. I begged him to double check. But he refused because the embassy closed at Friday midday for their long weekend. They said they would prioritise the matter the following week, so I was sent to jail. But officials had all day in London to check me out. I cannot believe they could not have done it."

Thank you for that.

It seems like almost 500 posts put the blame on Thailand Immigration, but were wrong.

Edited March 9, 2009 by SwitchHitter

[sprq]

'I can empathise with your self-righteousness.' Burrowes reports the consular official as saying.

If that's true, clumsy psychobabble would seem now to be On Her Majesty's Service.

[colibra]

Isn't this horse dead yet 21 pages of self rightous babble by many and an occational reprive of a sane voice of reason.

[brahmburgers]

The Brit embassy staff person said The passport number did not exist. Since the embassy person was probably in Bkk, the number was called in by Thai officials.

Have you ever had a Thai person convey a number over the phone? They don't know how to read numbers in a measured way. Take a number like 363010 A Thai person might say it like:

3, uh 363 nah, uh zero, uh 363 lakah nah, 3 zero one and uh Oh.

I've even had Thai people say numbers to me person to person, and they can't do it in a linear clear way. There are always stops, reversals, repeated numbers, and all sorts of added vowel sounds. It's the same if getting directions to a specific place. Now I feel even more empathy for the guy - let down by his own embassy.

[brahmburgers]

Isn't this horse dead yet 21 pages of self rightous babble by many and an occational reprive of a sane voice of reason.

so let me guess, you're one of the rare "occational [sp] reprive [sp] of a sane voice of reason."

.....except you didn't tell us which horse you're betting on. Oh, I get it, I'd have to be a sane person to intrinsically know. Meanwhile, I self-righteously babble onward toward oblivion. Thanks for setting me straight - or at least giving me a glimpse of your self-righteous version of sanity.

Edited March 9, 2009 by brahmburgers

[catmac]

Well now the true facts about this story are beginning to be revealed.......!

Hope the self-righteous "hang 'em high brigade" might think a little more before they rush to cast the first stone.

Of course, Jingthing is so right, every lousy news item from Thailand (and just look at the list on the first page of TV's news thread!) adds another nail in the tourist industry's coffin. I don't think I've ever seen a country so intent on self-destruction (Zimbabwe excepted!) No wonder the puppet-in-chief is "worried about Thailand's image abroad".

[Oberkommando]

Ohh and you will find many thais that speak reasonable english if you get yourself off Patpong or Kohsan Roads for a few minutes.

Wouha wouha, LOL, What a joke, ND makes my day

That was a peach. Almost missed it.

Even Cambodians speak far better English than the Thais.

[Oberkommando]

No wonder the puppet-in-chief is "worried about Thailand's image abroad".

He's making a speech at Oxford Uni soon. Will be interesting to see the reception he gets.

[Oberkommando]

It's starting to make the major British news networks now.

Embarrassment for the British Embassy and Consular staff in Thailand and another nail in the coffin for Thai tourism.

[ClaytonSeymour]

Well now the true facts about this story are beginning to be revealed.......!

Hope the self-righteous "hang 'em high brigade" might think a little more before they rush to cast the first stone.

Of course, Jingthing is so right, every lousy news item from Thailand (and just look at the list on the first page of TV's news thread!) adds another nail in the tourist industry's coffin. I don't think I've ever seen a country so intent on self-destruction (Zimbabwe excepted!) No wonder the puppet-in-chief is "worried about Thailand's image abroad".

Every comment I have made still stands. Irrespective of the circumstances he should have shown dignity & respect, a trait that is sadly lacking in the UK, clearly he didn't & now he's paying the price - had he kept his mouth shut he'd have been out in a few days. In some ways it's good that he chose to abuse the immigration officials - had he abused the British consular staff it would have gone unpunished.

It still concerns me that a martial arts instructor lost his self discipline so easily. Let's hope that when it ends he will reflect on this chastening experience & not only himself, but more importantly, his students benefit.

[jeffer]

Some of the posters on this thread need to get together and head on down to Phuket with a length of rope, meet up with Simon, then find a suitable tree... teach him the lesson in respect they clearly think he deserves.

[TheWalkingMan]

...

The kickboxing and karate instructor, from Wembley said staff at the embassy in Bangkok took 11 days to admit they were wrong but he was then held for two more weeks after being charged with insulting immigration officials...

"I was angry. I grabbed my passport and walked out of the immigration area, saying, 'I am a British citizen who has come to your country to spend my money. Don't treat me like a 'f**king idiot.'"

Mr Burrowes demanded to speak to the chief of police or head of immigration. Thai immigration police say it was they who were called "f**king idiots"...

Ok, more to the story has been added and it seems like the Embassy screwed up with the confirmation. But why did it take them 11 days to admit they were wrong?

Do think the immigration police heard "blah, blah, blah, f'ng idiots" and presumed that he was calling them names? That is plausible as, the English level of some people working with the public could use some improvement.

Finally, after the guy's passport was confirmed the immigration police should have just released him and put an end to this fiasco.

Just a sec, does the part in bold say that he was charged with insulting immigration officials after having the passport confirmed? Is that the timeline? Embassy called, passport not confirmed, go to jail for passport violation, get passport confirmed then get charged with insulting an immigration official and stay longer in jail? If that is true then the immigration police are more vindictive and petty than I thought. They really should have let him go.

TheWalkingMan

[Jingthing]

The expats are falling into two camps here.

We need to start wearing different shirts because the Thai-ier than Thai, immigration police are always right people that have no compassion for Simon are scary and who would really want to associate with them?

So the hang Simon crowd should wear BLACK SHIRTS (to reflect their dark dead hearts).

And those with a some decency and compassion for our fellow human beings who have fallen into a hellish predicament through a series of unfortunate events, should wear PURPLE SHIRTS. Not sure if purple is right for this, but red and yellow are taken.

Edited March 9, 2009 by Jingthing

[apeks1971]

He shouldn't have told them to F off.

so that gives the Thais the right to lock someone up???there wasnt any problem letting the man into the country to spend his money so why a problem going home??well over the top if you ask me,get less for murder,he should had paid the immigration official off,1000 baht normally sorts out most little problems in Thailand

[dumball]

He shouldn't have told them to F off.

so that gives the Thais the right to lock someone up???there wasnt any problem letting the man into the country to spend his money so why a problem going home??well over the top if you ask me,get less for murder,he should had paid the immigration official off,1000 baht normally sorts out most little problems in Thailand

Did you notice what is happening of late ? Not just more blotches on the tourism record to turn people off , expats are also joining the march to friendlier destinations , I have noticed the increase in inquiries into the viability/pros/cons etc .

[tartempion]

The Brit embassy staff person said The passport number did not exist. Since the embassy person was probably in Bkk, the number was called in by Thai officials.

Have you ever had a Thai person convey a number over the phone? They don't know how to read numbers in a measured way. Take a number like 363010 A Thai person might say it like:

3, uh 363 nah, uh zero, uh 363 lakah nah, 3 zero one and uh Oh.

I've even had Thai people say numbers to me person to person, and they can't do it in a linear clear way. There are always stops, reversals, repeated numbers, and all sorts of added vowel sounds. It's the same if getting directions to a specific place. Now I feel even more empathy for the guy - let down by his own embassy.

So the British embassy is closed Friday midday to Monday morning.

Can't help any of their citizens in trouble between those "we are closed" hours, can't cross check a passport number, don't have 24h/24h on line computer access to a passport database, don't have such a database at all, can't call London on a Friday afternoon (why would they be worried for a poor subject kept in custody for the week end?)

Brilliant, no accounting?

[zehner]

The Brit deserved everything he got.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense would not swear at an immigration offficial....it doesn't matter what country they hail from or what colour their skin is.

I hope he enjoys his stay in Phuket jail and that he learns his lesson.

Even if he/she made you miss your flight for no reason and you absolutely had to get on that flight as your mother/father/sister/brother/soul mate were on their death bed? People with this smug attitude deserve getting banged up for being smug

I like the way people try to justify the inane actions of a fool by dragging all these silly scenarios into the equation.

Mr Brit acted the <deleted> and got done for it. Bleat on and on about how unfair it is and how he might have done this or might have done that to your hearts content. It ain't gonna make his stay in a nice Thai jail any better is it?

[old wanderer]

.

Evening Standard, standard.co.uk

London, Monday 09.03.09

The 44-year-old, who was in Phuket to study kickboxing, added: "From that moment I was treated as someone less than human. I was handcuffed to a Thai and sent to court. As I was being led into the court I was beaten by an official with a leather strap. Then they sent me to jail because I did not have £2,000 for bail."

"I was angry. I grabbed my passport and walked out of the immigration area, saying, 'I am a British citizen who has come to your country to spend my money. Don't treat me like a 'f**king idiot.'"

Mr Burrowes demanded to speak to the chief of police or head of immigration. Thai immigration police say it was they who were called "f**king idiots".

Mr Burrowes has been released on bail but his case for insulting an immigration official could take a year to go to court.

- Eddie, Thailand

This is shocking!!!!!

- Jc, London

Another demonstration of the help you can receive from Wireless Road?

What a sniveler....here he is 44 year old KICK BOXER that want to whine about being hit with a leather belt...and he call that a beating....... (and did he provoke this as well)?? and at 44 you still have not figured out that you cannot just grab things from an government official that already thinks something is bogus about you and depart with a FO???

But maybe we should not be too hard on this "genius", maybe he has just been kicked too many times in the head to have any good reasoning left.....

I fall in the no sympathy crowd

[Splatter]

Daily Mail 10 March 2009

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/...-officials.html

Headline "Briton thrown in Thai jail for three weeks and beaten because of 'one in 1,000' passport error by UK Embassy officials"

A British tourist told today how he spent 21 days in jail in Thailand after a ‘one in a 1000’ passport error by British Embassy officials.

Simon Burrowes, 44, was stopped as he tried to board a holiday flight back home to London because Thai police suspected his passport was forged.

He insisted it was genuine but when police called the embassy in Bangkok to check,

etc...

and a fine picture of Simon wearing a shirt.

Very nifty piece of reporting.

Very nifty for Simon I feel.

It is the Embassy staff's fault, and Simon's.

So no loss of face for some.

Good oh.

I wonder why they didn't fax the relevant pages to the embassy?

All efficient like, to avoid misinterpretation.

[Splatter]

Sydney Morning Herald...

10th March 2009

http://www.smh.com.au/world/issued-in-aust...90310-8tjv.html

Headline: "Issued in Australia, 'faulty' passport sees man beaten and jailed in Bangkok"

A British man claims he spent weeks shackled in a squalid Thai jail after a paperwork glitch and now faces a further two years in jail for insulting Thai officials.

In a story that echoes the experience of Australian Harry Nicolaides - who spent six months in a Bangkok prison after his novel, Verisimilitude, was deemed insulting to Thailand's royal family - Simon Burrowes is accused of being "rude and aggressive" to Thai immigration authorities.

Mr Burrowes, 44, said he was beaten, handcuffed and jailed after British embassy officials incorrectly told Phuket immigration officials his passport - which was issued in Australia - was not authentic, The Guardian said.

etc.

Guardian article here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/0...ail-immigration

edited because> I am a nobhead what forgot to put the above link in.

Edited March 10, 2009 by Splatter

[grantbkk]

I do not think this one incident will have any effect on Thai tourism at all. It looks just like another UK screw up but in their defense they haven't got anything right since abandoning India. Perhaps they could recognize that some of their people still have a bit of cash to travel and set up a toll free number for just these types of situations.

I know several of the passport stampers at Suvarnabhumi. They take so much off tourists they should get hazard pay. They do get training and no single immigration officer can ever order the arrest and whipping of an angry tourist. This is not an arrest base solely on race, it's a result of someone so unable to control their emotions and mouth that he puts himself in harms way. It is ludicrous that a supposed "martial arts expert" could lose it so completely and then play the race card. He should watch the "Karate Kid" one more time.

I don't have to walk in Burrows' shoes to feel discriminated against. I'm white and live in Bangkok. Who knows what they are saying about me when my back is turned. However, in all of my years here I have never felt the necessity to use the 'F' word against a Thai or have been "beaten" with a leather strap. Doesn't anyone have the photographs of the beating evidence? I didn't think so.

Don't worry about this incident bringing down tourism. Even Beirut and Israel have some tourists. Burrows should be handed back to the UK with no charges and whisked back to his beloved homeland to teach other how not to behave in a foreign land.

Edited March 10, 2009 by grantbkk

[colibra]

To the black shirts of this thread. I don't understand your self rightous attitudes. Have you been so perfect throughout your lives that you have never lost it, not said or done exactly the right thing every time you have been frustrated or when stressed out. Well if thats true I guess we should all bow and grovel at your feet because apparently you are perfect and obviously the second coming. Get a life and find a little compassion in those black hearts of yours. .

Edited March 10, 2009 by colibra

[rick75]

Thai jails are not fun, do a little reading educate yourself, I feel sorry for anybody that has to spend time behind bars in Thailand, the culture of beatings and abuse is well documented and he's supposed to be exposed to this for losing his temper. Wake up to yourselves, anybody that can say he seriously deserves up to two years for his "crimes" must be a few cards short of a deck.

Edited March 10, 2009 by rick75

[bungy007]

A BRITISH man is facing a two-year sentence in a hellish Thai prison for being 'rude' to an official.

Voice reader Simon Burrowes, from Wembley, north London, was ending a holiday with a friend when Thai authorities in Phuket airport detained him on January 31, preventing him from returning to the UK.

Immigration officials suspected Burrowes' passport was a forgery. Speaking to The Voice via phone from Thailand, Burrowes said: "A woman at immigration was looking at my passport and then handed it to the man behind her. I was ushered to sit down whilst he took out a magnifying glass and proceeded to check my passport for half an hour," he explained.

He was told that he was not getting on the plane and was taken to a detention centre, whilst his friend Matthew was able to fly back to the UK. Burrowes said: "I'm a black man so I'm used to getting hassle at airports, but I was shocked by this." For three weeks, the 44-year old was held with 126 men in a cramped prison cell.

"Thai prisons are notorious for being some of the worst. There is no privacy. You go to the toilet in the open and there is no toilet paper. There were guys in there that had scabies and were next to me," said Burrowes.

He contacted the British Consulate, who confirmed his passport was genuine. However, the disgruntled Brit claims that the Consulate should have done more, saying that they took long to react to his case.

"I was disgusted and beside myself. People talk of them [the British Consulate] like they are the cavalry. If you have issues abroad they come charging to help. But they didn't really help me," he fumed. Burrowes was later charged with 'rude and aggressive behaviour' towards an immigration officer, a claim he denies, and was released on £2,000 bail. He must remain in Thailand until his trial begins on April 26, and his lawyer has warned he could face a two-year jail sentence.

"I have to find some way to sustain myself financially while I am here. I went to Thailand to enjoy the land, learn the culture and spend some money. It's turned into a nightmare," he said. Burrowes is hoping that he will soon be able to fly back to the UK.

"If they find me guilty, who knows what will happen. I met people in prison who are doing five years for having two spliffs on them. It's very difficult to hold yourself up in a Thai prison. I feel very bitter about what has happened," he said. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London told The Voice they are

looking into the case.

Link to story here.

It would appear that he swore at the immigration official, criticised Thailand & snatched his passport back, so on that basis he got what he deserved & if he does receive a prison sentence, he has only himself to blame - end of discussion. I'd just add that I've no sympathy for him whatsoever.

Whenever a fellow foreigner has a problem, you guys just start ranting. If you've got nothing to say, why don't you guys just shut up. You've got to be black to know what we're going through. When the Thai teacher sexually exploited a minor, you guys were all wishing you were the one, and now someone is probably being framed, and here you are swearing and distancing yourselves from him.

Pretty much everyone has a position on this - whether appologists who state we are visitors to Thailand, (really? Then why do we have to pay ten times the price of admission to get into places of interest such as national parks and temples, or pay way over the odds compared to a price that a Thai may pay when shopping?) and should go home if we don't like the way we are treated by our 'hosts', to those who believe that we all have fundermental human rights that include common courtesy from government officials - despite initially percieved provocation (given that they have to deal with a multitude of cultures, it is fair to say actions/attitudes which may be acceptable in one culture would be deemed unacceptable in another - see Middle Eastern v Japanese).

Obviously, one doesn't have to be black to appreciate the situation - just discriminated against which happens to all of us sooner or later when living in Thailand. This is to be expected when they are brainwashed from an early age with the national anthem played twice a day - to which they must stand to attention while its playing. Furthermore, their education perpetuates the myth about them never being colanised - can anyone spell 'Burma'? (Lest we forget! If the West hadn't have stepped in, their school kids would be shouting 'banzai! banzai! banzai! at 08:00 dubs).

It is apparent that, whether for the maintenance of bi-lateral relationships or deals in the making, the British Embassy cannot be relied on in a dire situation like this. The point is, what can be done to nip a future episode of government official over re-action in the bud? Who can be called upon as an unbiased arbitrator respected by both sides? That is the question that should be asked and asked urgently!!

After all, it has been said that if we don't learn through history we are doomed to repeat it. If such an over re-action happened between myself and a government official (which has happened) I have been able to call upon influencial friends. But what if they don't want to know are not available? We need to set up a system of protection. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - THAILAND'S CULTURE IS BASED ON EMOTIONS AND NOT LOGICAL/RATIONAL THINKING - IT COULD BE YOUR TURN NEXT!

[TAWP]

Why don't you just be a REAL MAN

Thats hilarious coming from you Gaylord

Classy, as expected from the homophobic pig...

[zehner]

A BRITISH man is facing a two-year sentence in a hellish Thai prison for being 'rude' to an official.

Voice reader Simon Burrowes, from Wembley, north London, was ending a holiday with a friend when Thai authorities in Phuket airport detained him on January 31, preventing him from returning to the UK.

Immigration officials suspected Burrowes' passport was a forgery. Speaking to The Voice via phone from Thailand, Burrowes said: "A woman at immigration was looking at my passport and then handed it to the man behind her. I was ushered to sit down whilst he took out a magnifying glass and proceeded to check my passport for half an hour," he explained.

He was told that he was not getting on the plane and was taken to a detention centre, whilst his friend Matthew was able to fly back to the UK. Burrowes said: "I'm a black man so I'm used to getting hassle at airports, but I was shocked by this." For three weeks, the 44-year old was held with 126 men in a cramped prison cell.

"Thai prisons are notorious for being some of the worst. There is no privacy. You go to the toilet in the open and there is no toilet paper. There were guys in there that had scabies and were next to me," said Burrowes.

He contacted the British Consulate, who confirmed his passport was genuine. However, the disgruntled Brit claims that the Consulate should have done more, saying that they took long to react to his case.

"I was disgusted and beside myself. People talk of them [the British Consulate] like they are the cavalry. If you have issues abroad they come charging to help. But they didn't really help me," he fumed. Burrowes was later charged with 'rude and aggressive behaviour' towards an immigration officer, a claim he denies, and was released on £2,000 bail. He must remain in Thailand until his trial begins on April 26, and his lawyer has warned he could face a two-year jail sentence.

"I have to find some way to sustain myself financially while I am here. I went to Thailand to enjoy the land, learn the culture and spend some money. It's turned into a nightmare," he said. Burrowes is hoping that he will soon be able to fly back to the UK.

"If they find me guilty, who knows what will happen. I met people in prison who are doing five years for having two spliffs on them. It's very difficult to hold yourself up in a Thai prison. I feel very bitter about what has happened," he said. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London told The Voice they are

looking into the case.

Link to story here.

It would appear that he swore at the immigration official, criticised Thailand & snatched his passport back, so on that basis he got what he deserved & if he does receive a prison sentence, he has only himself to blame - end of discussion. I'd just add that I've no sympathy for him whatsoever.

Whenever a fellow foreigner has a problem, you guys just start ranting. If you've got nothing to say, why don't you guys just shut up. You've got to be black to know what we're going through. When the Thai teacher sexually exploited a minor, you guys were all wishing you were the one, and now someone is probably being framed, and here you are swearing and distancing yourselves from him.

Pretty much everyone has a position on this - whether appologists who state we are visitors to Thailand, (really? Then why do we have to pay ten times the price of admission to get into places of interest such as national parks and temples, or pay way over the odds compared to a price that a Thai may pay when shopping?) and should go home if we don't like the way we are treated by our 'hosts', to those who believe that we all have fundermental human rights that include common courtesy from government officials - despite initially percieved provocation (given that they have to deal with a multitude of cultures, it is fair to say actions/attitudes which may be acceptable in one culture would be deemed unacceptable in another - see Middle Eastern v Japanese).

Obviously, one doesn't have to be black to appreciate the situation - just discriminated against which happens to all of us sooner or later when living in Thailand. This is to be expected when they are brainwashed from an early age with the national anthem played twice a day - to which they must stand to attention while its playing. Furthermore, their education perpetuates the myth about them never being colanised - can anyone spell 'Burma'? (Lest we forget! If the West hadn't have stepped in, their school kids would be shouting 'banzai! banzai! banzai! at 08:00 dubs).

It is apparent that, whether for the maintenance of bi-lateral relationships or deals in the making, the British Embassy cannot be relied on in a dire situation like this. The point is, what can be done to nip a future episode of government official over re-action in the bud? Who can be called upon as an unbiased arbitrator respected by both sides? That is the question that should be asked and asked urgently!!

After all, it has been said that if we don't learn through history we are doomed to repeat it. If such an over re-action happened between myself and a government official (which has happened) I have been able to call upon influencial friends. But what if they don't want to know are not available? We need to set up a system of protection. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - THAILAND'S CULTURE IS BASED ON EMOTIONS AND NOT LOGICAL/RATIONAL THINKING - IT COULD BE YOUR TURN NEXT!

Thanks for the big caps at the end there mate. I might have missed it when scrolling through the mass of sentimental crap here.