Thai Immigration To Collect Global Arrest Warrants In New Online System

[george]

Immigration to collect global arrest warrants in new online system

Col. Athiwit Kamolrat, superintendent at the

Immigration Division in Chonburi talks to

reporters about the new Internet system.

CHONBURI: -- Thai Immigration officials plan to build an online information network that will collect arrest warrants from around the world in hopes of nabbing criminals hiding out in the Pattaya area.

At a meeting at Immigration Division 3, Col. Athiwit Kamolrat, head of the Chonburi Immigration Office, said immigration police are working with the Suppression of Human and Child Trafficking, and Youth and Women’s Protection divisions of the Royal Thai Police to tighten the noose on human traffickers, pedophiles and international fugitives that often use Pattaya as a base or hideout.

He said officials are currently closely monitoring Europeans from France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; Asians from Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea; as well as those from Russia and the United States for whether they have entered Thailand legally, have obeyed the law and are not hiding from authorities at home.

To boost their efforts, Athiwit said the Pattaya Immigration Office will take the lead in setting up a “transitional crimes information center” which will collect arrest warrants from around the global as well as extradition requests received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pattaya is the lead area for the project, he said, as it is often a base for illegal foreign operations and attracts gangs of human traffickers and those seeking to work in prostitution.

-- Pattaya Mail 2010-02-16

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[londonthai]

they are saying about this online system for sometime already, but when it will actually materialise is still a mystery

[yabaaaa]

"and those seeking to work in prostitution". Yes Thai hookers come first!!

[britmaveric]

Ahhh Ubek prossies.

[Trouble]

Only a matter of time before there will be no where to hide in the world. All the governments will be connected. Of course the honest folks have nothing to fear but it seems we are getting closer and closer to Orwell's 1984 where pervasive government surveillance is the rule. I am happy that some of the scum will be dealt with but fearful of government control over every aspect of our lives.

[jc14all]

It would probably now be a stroke of genesis for Thailand to upgrade their broadband internet connection nationwide. Lots of illegal crap goes undetected under the radar of outdated technology. Its about time they started thinking smart to close that back door on the perverts. Good on them.

Edited February 15, 2010 by jc14all

[anon467367354]

so it's not built yet, i guess when it is there will be a big announcement prior to the launch, and just move out of Pattaya I guess.

so does that mean it shows up with immigration? like if i have a common name I'm screwed?

scary, playing with matches ( pun intended)

[crocodilexp]

Of course the honest folks have nothing to fear.

That depends on your government's definition of "honest". For instance, if you're a advocating democracy in China, or patronizing prostitutes in the United States, or anonymously discussing politics in parts of Australia, you're no longer in the "honest" bunch.

At first, the connected systems will catch serious criminals, then they'll sweep up the parking ticket evaders... just look at the (non) offenses that UK extradites people for to Poland, say.

[mythBuster]

Let me guess, new boss, new attempt. In three months time he will switch off the light and goes back to sleep.

[mythBuster]

Only a matter of time before there will be no where to hide in the world. All the governments will be connected. Of course the honest folks have nothing to fear but it seems we are getting closer and closer to Orwell's 1984 where pervasive government surveillance is the rule. I am happy that some of the scum will be dealt with but fearful of government control over every aspect of our lives.

You truly believe in fairytales. The honest folks have nothing to fear..... Hmmm when did you came out of your egg? Honest folks have lots to fear, only lots of those are very ignorant or simply naif.

[AsiaCheese]

Good luck guys!

While the idea is certainly a good one, it's going to be a massive dog to fully implement. The easiest bit will be to grab data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (extradition requests) and Interpol (always provided Interpol have some pull- or push-interface for local authorities). But getting data from "Europe" (Schengen databases), the US and other assorted countries is going to be no mean feat, because every country has their own home-baked system.

I remember when Switzerland set out to join the Schengen "open borders" scheme, a fundamental requirement was that Swiss police data systems would need to hook up with those from the Schengen states (in both directions). The planned implementation date got delayed for more than 3 years (if memory serves), while the bits-and-bytes boys racked their brains over how to have two completely disparate systems talk to each other.

I'd love to get involved in this -- I've been doing that sort of work for a l-o-n-g time

Edited February 15, 2010 by AsiaCheese

[Jimi007]

Pattaya would be a good place to start. Although I've only been there once and will probably never go there again, it is one of the seediest places I've ever been. Just an observation...

[britmaveric]

Pattaya would be a good place to start. Although I've only been there once and will probably never go there again, it is one of the seediest places I've ever been. Just an observation...

Hmmmm if you think Pattaya is seedy, obviously you dont get out much.

[Pattaya Diver]

It would probably now be a stroke of genesis

A stroke of Genesis? When did Immigration get all biblical on us?

[earlbrownuk]

Don't worry about this system, UK will not release its arrest data information to overseas, due to Data Protection Act, when UK issue a Euro Warrant, it is submitted to europol. For international warrants they still have to be extradition orders which are filed through the British Embassy to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And according to sources there are only 8 extradition orders from the UK.

UK will not give information out about domestic arrest warrants, as this breaks data protection laws and international laws. And the arrest warrant is only valid in the UK.

For the UK warrant to become valid abroad, they have to apply through the Home Office, and to Thailand they need 100% evidence to Extradite you, and cannot just extradite just on hearsay.

And it still has to be filed via the British Embassy in Bangkok to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

So if its just minor offences for theft, shoplifting, minor fraud etc, you will not be extradited.

If the offences include aggravated features, drug smuggling, drug dealing, rape, child offences, assault, manslaughter or murder you can guarantee the police will be looking for you, that is if an extradition order has been filed.

80% of failed to appear in court cases, never get extradited, and just wait till you get processed through the criminal system again.

Easiest way out of this is to change your name by statory declaration before June 2011, and change your british passport. After this date all name changes will be recorded against all government databases for Identification purposes.

And for those who had funds swiped under POCA who have not been to court, and its nearly 6 years. Write to your bank saying the POCA order has now expired and you want your funds returning, due to no arrests or court appearances. And mention that you will take legal action. Address it to the compliance manager at the branch. Guaranteed within 14 days you'll get your money back.

I helped a lad get over 400K back, and he gave me 25k for helping him.

Yes I have legal knowledge.

Edited February 15, 2010 by earlbrownuk

[YORKSHIREPUD]

Pattaya would be a good place to start. Although I've only been there once and will probably never go there again, it is one of the seediest places I've ever been. Just an observation...

Then you have never travelled my friend if you think Pattaya is seedy, you only have a short journey to Cambodia from here and Vietnam,you have blinkered vision

[ukrules]

You truly believe in fairytales. The honest folks have nothing to fear..... Hmmm when did you came out of your egg? Honest folks have lots to fear, only lots of those are very ignorant or simply naif.

Honest folks do have plenty to fear about this. There are already some horror stories regarding the new 'fast track' international arrest warrant which is now in use in Europe. People arrested on an international warrant for petty crimes are treated like terrorists and immediately sent to high security jails for months whilst awaiting extradition. I suspect this will be a massive failure and will pick up ordinary people with minor legal issues.

I wonder what kind of warrant information they have access to and what they will act on, for example warrants are issued in the UK by courts for non payment of council tax (property tax in the US). Would this be a good enough reason to arrest someone whilst they are on an extended holiday and then throw them in prison whilst they await an expensive extradition flight ? As strange as this might sound these warrants are often issued with the wrong persons name on it after they have vacated a property and moved elsewhere. Of course they are no longer liable for the tax as they don't live there but that hasn't stopped them hauling people before the courts on many occasions before, sometimes on cases which go back years.

[earlbrownuk]

Thursday 14 January 2010 by Jago Russell

In 2002 the EU created the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), a fast-track system for extraditing people from one EU country to another. It was rushed in as part of Europe’s response to the terrorist threat, and was meant to help tackle serious cross-border crime more effectively.

The new system has done away with the traditional barriers to extradition. It is based on the principle of ‘mutual recognition’ – if one country demands a person’s extradition, others must recognise that decision without asking too many questions.

This kind of EU cooperation can certainly help in the fight against crime – people should not be able to commit crimes and escape justice by crossing Europe’s open borders. Sadly, in practice, the EAW is not operating as it was meant to. As the following cases demonstrate, it has in fact resulted in some serious cases of injustice.

There is no way to remove warrants where extradition would result in injustice. Deborah Dark, for example, is being pursued across Europe by the French government, which wants her to serve a six-year prison sentence imposed in 1990.

Rearrest risk

Deborah had been set up to drive a car packed with drugs from Spain to France. As she knew nothing about the drugs, the trial court cleared her of all charges, yet the prosecution appealed.

As neither Deborah nor her lawyer was informed about the appeal, no one was there to present her defence and she was convicted. She knew nothing about this until 2008 when she was arrested at Alicante airport after a family holiday. After a month on remand, the Spanish courts refused to extradite her because so many years had passed. She returned to the UK but was arrested again at Gatwick. Thankfully, the British courts agreed it would be unjust to extradite her. Yet the French refuse to remove the warrant, which means Deborah would be rearrested if she left the UK.

Although designed to deal with serious crime, EAWs are often issued for minor crimes. This puts huge pressure on the police and courts, and shipping people across Europe for petty crimes is, in itself, grossly disproportionate.

MJ (anonymity requested), for example, was 18 years old when he went on holiday to Spain. While there he was arrested over two fake €50 notes found in his hotel room, notes apparently bought from a well-known travel agent. He was eventually released and allowed to return to the UK. He heard nothing more until four years later, when officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency arrested him on an EAW. He was extradited to Spain and spent nine weeks in a high-security jail – all this for unknowingly possessing two fake bank notes.

Foreign courts

Another of our clients, Andrew Symeou, has spent months in a Greek jail since his extradition last July. He was denied bail because he is not a Greek citizen. Sadly, before ordering his extradition, British courts refused to consider the fact that the case against him is based on two statements that witnesses have claimed were beaten out of them.

Another client, Garry Mann, is awaiting a decision on whether he will be extradited to Portugal to serve a sentence imposed after a trial which saw him arrested, tried and convicted in the space of 48 hours. A British police officer who was present at the trial has described how Garry was unable to instruct a lawyer or understand the proceedings due to the poor quality of interpretation provided.

EAWs have already been used to transfer thousands of individuals around Europe. In 2008, nearly 14,000 were issued – 351 people were extradited under EAWs from the UK alone. The numbers look set to increase. In April, Britain becomes part of a pan-European system for sending out warrants. The Home Office predicts that this could result in around three times the number of UK arrests. If the system is not improved, this will also mean many more cases of injustice.

Edited February 15, 2010 by earlbrownuk

[MUYTHAI]

Of course the honest folks have nothing to fear.

That depends on your government's definition of "honest". For instance, if you're a advocating democracy in China, or patronizing prostitutes in the United States, or anonymously discussing politics in parts of Australia, you're no longer in the "honest" bunch. At first, the connected systems will catch serious criminals, then they'll sweep up the parking ticket evaders... just look at the (non) offenses that UK extradites people for to Poland, say.

What??? It is almost illegal to discuss politics in Australia now? I also just heard that adult women with small breasts can no longer be porn actors because their breasts resemble an under-aged girl. Crazy. But they probably allow women with shaved genitals... which definately resemble pre-pubescent females. Bizarre! Other Aussies tell me crazy stories about new Aussie laws, etc. Australia has gone overboard and turned into a police state from what I read and hear. Why do you Aussies let a few people in power control the masses this way?...oh yeah...the government took away your guns. I feel bad for you blokes. It is getting bad in the UK also. Big Brother is in everyones business.

This "new" Thai endevour would be good if it concentrated on the very serious criminals... like pediphiles, human traffickers, rapists, and murderers, but unfortunately it could be used extradite people with outstanding warrants for "crimes" like failing to appear in court for a traffic ticket in the USA, or to keep them from entering Thailand fro vacation, etc.

[ThaiKneeTim]

At first, the connected systems will catch serious criminals, then they'll sweep up the parking ticket evaders... just look at the (non) offenses that UK extradites people for to Poland, say.

These are both EU countries, there is a EU law that governs dealings between states that they are duty bound to uphold, it ensure that even petty criminals can face arrest within the EU, and serious criminals will have to go further afield to evade justice. Ronnie Biggs spent most of his adult life evading capture by living in Brazil, which had no extradition agreement with the UK.

[earlbrownuk]

For those who have an International Arrest warrant, Lao, Phillipeans still have no treaty with UK, but that does not say that they can ask USA to extradite you from them countries, as a third party involvement.

Edited February 15, 2010 by earlbrownuk

[Trouble]

You truly believe in fairytales. The honest folks have nothing to fear..... Hmmm when did you came out of your egg? Honest folks have lots to fear, only lots of those are very ignorant or simply naif.

Honest folks do have plenty to fear about this. There are already some horror stories regarding the new 'fast track' international arrest warrant which is now in use in Europe. People arrested on an international warrant for petty crimes are treated like terrorists and immediately sent to high security jails for months whilst awaiting extradition. I suspect this will be a massive failure and will pick up ordinary people with minor legal issues.

I wonder what kind of warrant information they have access to and what they will act on, for example warrants are issued in the UK by courts for non payment of council tax (property tax in the US). Would this be a good enough reason to arrest someone whilst they are on an extended holiday and then throw them in prison whilst they await an expensive extradition flight ? As strange as this might sound these warrants are often issued with the wrong persons name on it after they have vacated a property and moved elsewhere. Of course they are no longer liable for the tax as they don't live there but that hasn't stopped them hauling people before the courts on many occasions before, sometimes on cases which go back years.

Actually that part about the honest people being ok was meant tongue n cheek. You better believe I fear what is happening. I would not have made the reference to 1984 otherwise. Quite honestly I am very fearful of the liberties being taken here in the USA with "our rights". I no longer consider the USA the land of the free and home of the brave. Government at every level is intrusive in our lives. I could go on and on but surely you see my thinking now.

[earlbrownuk]

Another Article that Fair Trials in Europe are trying to scrutinise the European Arrest Warrant Located At: http://www.fairtrials.net/campaigns/articl...tice_in_europe/

Justice in Europe: The Arrest Warrant

In 2002 the European Union created the European Arrest Warrant, a fast-track system for surrendering people from one European country to another to face trial or serve a prison sentence. It was rushed in as part of the EU’s response to the terrorist threat and was meant to help tackle serious cross-border crime more effectively. The new system has removed all political discretion in extradition decisions, done away with the traditional legal barriers to extradition and made transfers much quicker. It has already been used to transfer thousands of individuals.

Although it was intended to deliver justice, the current system is actually resulting in cases of serious injustice:

•Warrants have been used to send people to the other side of Europe for the most minor offences.

•Warrants have been issued many years after an alleged offence was committed - in one of our cases, 20 years later.

•Once Warrants have been issued there is no effective way of removing them, even after extradition has been refused.

•They have been used to send people to another EU member state to serve a prison sentence resulting from an unfair trial.

•Warrants have been used to force a person to face trial when the charges are based on evidence obtained from police brutality.

•Sometimes people will have to spend months or even years in detention before they appear in court to establish their innocence.

Fair Trials International wants a fair system of extradition within Europe. The current system must be improved so it delivers rather than undermines justice. We will highlight compelling cases of injustice to prove change is needed. We will challenge inappropriate uses of the Warrant in the courts. We will lobby politicians to change to the laws that created the Warrant.

[deanosan3]

Amen Brother

Only a matter of time before there will be no where to hide in the world. All the governments will be connected. Of course the honest folks have nothing to fear but it seems we are getting closer and closer to Orwell's 1984 where pervasive government surveillance is the rule. I am happy that some of the scum will be dealt with but fearful of government control over every aspect of our lives.

[pippomusic]

I couldn't agree more...

So also on this forum there are people with brain and vision...

Of course the honest folks have nothing to fear.

That depends on your government's definition of "honest". For instance, if you're a advocating democracy in China, or patronizing prostitutes in the United States, or anonymously discussing politics in parts of Australia, you're no longer in the "honest" bunch.

At first, the connected systems will catch serious criminals, then they'll sweep up the parking ticket evaders... just look at the (non) offenses that UK extradites people for to Poland, say.

[WISteve]

Even though implementation may be years away, I'm betting there are more than a few Pattaya residences that are a little nervous about it. Maybe their past will catch-up with them after all?

[BigWheelMan]

It would probably now be a stroke of genesis for Thailand to upgrade their broadband internet connection nationwide. Lots of illegal crap goes undetected under the radar of outdated technology. Its about time they started thinking smart to close that back door on the perverts. Good on them.

I second that.

It`s about time and hopefully if the Thai authorities do ever get this system in operation, they will extend the coverage to list all those with criminal records, visa dodgers, illegal workers, sicko pervs and wanted fugitives that will be accessible in the whole of Thailand.

Edited February 15, 2010 by BigWheelMan

[surangw]

I would think a lot of those low lifes floggig time shares will be sweating it out if it gets going

[nputman]

Only a matter of time before there will be no where to hide in the world. All the governments will be connected. Of course the honest folks have nothing to fear but it seems we are getting closer and closer to Orwell's 1984 where pervasive government surveillance is the rule. I am happy that some of the scum will be dealt with but fearful of government control over every aspect of our lives.

The U.S. Gov. already does control nearly everything in your life AND sometimes even in death.

Thailand has a loooooonnnng way to go to catch up to the States.

In this case with Thailand I hope the system works and is no abused.

[on-on]

and just move out of Pattaya I guess.

Now there's a horrible unintended consequence - the residents of Pattaya suddenly moving to where the rest of us live, heh. Down with this system! I vehemently oppose it!