Norwegian Arrested For Possession Of Marijuana

[britmaveric]

Norwegian arrested for possession of marijuana by Boonlua Chatree

Pattaya immigration officials searched the condominium of John Erling Olsen, a Norwegian, after receiving a report of possible illegal drug possession. A package of marijuana, a Class 5 category of illegal drugs, was discovered on his bed. Olsen, age 49, an Oslo resident, admitted that he had obtained the drug in South Pattaya the night before, but only for personal use, not for sale.

Norwegian John Erling Olsen was arrested for possession of marijuana.

Olsen told officials at the immigration office that he bought the package of ganja for 500 baht from a local drug dealer at an entertainment venue in South Pattaya. He said his intention was only to blend some of with his cigarette tobacco, and that he did not plan to do business with the drug.

Pattaya immigration officials escorted Olsen to Pattaya police station on Soi 9, along with the confiscated package of evidence.

-Pattaya Mail

13 May 2005

[bino]

Gotta wonder who "grassed" him up!

[suegha]

I didn't realise that possession of marijuana was illegal! What could be his punishment for this? And what is the legal situation with marijuana? Not that I'm a user, I'm just curious!

[britmaveric]

Possession of any narcotic in Thailand and most of SEA is illegal.

-long jail sentences spanning 100years

-death sentence (usually commute to life)

So best thing to do is avoid drugs like the plague here.

[Hobgoblin]

Marijuana is considered a "Class 5" narcotic, as opposed to the ever-popular Yaba (Extacy) which is a "Class 1" narcotic.

We all too often hear about some guy busted with hundreds or thousands of hits of Yaba, which will always carry the death sentance or life in prison. I doubt a small marijuana posession charge would bring such a sentance, but it's definetaly not worth the risk. And it's worth pointing out -- if you get involved with the police here on either side of the law, every local news station desparate to fill up tomorrow's broadcast will be there to capture your moment of dispair.

As a pothead myself (well, not when I'm here ), I am biased and truly disagree with the illegality level of marijuana here. Cigarettes do much more harm, yet are perfectly legal. Marijuana posession being such a serious offense is one thing I really don't like about Thailand... but the things I do like far outweigh my need to puff away on a joint

One of the problems is that many tourists may not be aware drug offenses are so serious here. Many come from countries where marijuana is quasi-legal (Netherlands, parts of the USA, etc). Or, perhaps some people who live here think they can get away with it if they keep a low profile.

If you do, and you are smoking pot in the privacy of your own home, remember that any police officer that walks by and catches a whiff of it will conduct a search -- we see it all the time on local news programs, where police bust up "gambling rings", the same would hold true for light drug use as well. What warrant?

Even if the officer can forgive and forget if you grease his palms a bit, it's an experience NOBODY would ever want, so the best thing, like was stated above is to avoid any drugs like the plague while in Thailand.

[Walter Watkins]

There is a gentleman who lives opposite to me, in my condo, who smokes 'pot' as I call it. I suspect that somebody complained to the police because they arrived one evening and caught him in the act. However, he was not arrested, just verbally warned. I suspect that this Norse fellow was unlucky. A fine is all he should receive, yet I would be more worried about the computer records that will label him as a drug user and offender. I shall remain loyal to my Golden Virginia!

[penzman]

Here's a scam that goes on in many countries.

User buys pot from dealer.

Dealer squeals on user to police officer.

Police officer asks user for a bribe.

User bribes policeman.

Dealer gets percentage of the bribe.

That's if you are lucky enough to get caught by a corrupted police officer.

[toklong]

Gotta wonder who "grassed" him up!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

/post edited due to unnecessary reference. mod

[glassdude007]

hi all.. when in thailand i always try too get my hands a LITTLE bit of some lovley thai stick/ buds.. but you must be careful of the scams and squealers out there..the stuff is so powerful i find i just do 1 or 2 hits and hold it in so you don't stink out the bungalow and always hide your small stash outside somplace ......many a time been sitting outside the bungalow watching the buffalo and from outa nowhere strange thai man walks by i say "sawdee" and he keeps going. wife gives me a jab in the ribs and says"be carful he's police"..i say thanks hon and pray to buddha that he kept walking...just have too be REAL CAREFUL while messing with weed in thailand..regards glassdude007

[Ajarn]

Here's a scam that goes on in many countries.

User buys pot from dealer.

Dealer squeals on user to police officer.

Police officer asks user for a bribe.

User bribes policeman.

Dealer gets percentage of the bribe.

That's if you are lucky enough to get caught by a corrupted police officer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed, except for the part where the dealer gets a percentage of the bribe

[Insight]

Marijuana is considered a "Class 5" narcotic, as opposed to the ever-popular Yaba (Extacy) which is a "Class 1" narcotic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yaba and Extacy are two different things, but both are in the "Class 1" band AFAIK.

[Joey Boy]

hi all.. when in thailand i always try too get my hands a LITTLE bit of some lovley thai stick/ buds.. but you must be careful of the scams and squealers out there..the stuff is so powerful i find i just do 1 or 2 hits and hold it in so you don't stink out the bungalow and always hide your small stash outside somplace ......many a time been sitting outside the bungalow watching the buffalo and from outa nowhere strange thai man walks by i say "sawdee" and he keeps going. wife gives me a jab in the ribs and says"be carful he's police"..i say thanks hon and pray to buddha that he kept walking...just have too be REAL CAREFUL while messing with weed in thailand..regards glassdude007

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Pink Mist]

so we all agree it's not the brightest thing to do in LOS, before it gets invaded by who knows what sort of poster lets close it now