Briton Jeff Savage Freed By Thai Court

[Pitbullman1]

While I don't condone his actions he was an easy target for the authorities.

I saw numerous incidents on the news of Thai's burning tires (many in front of policemen). Surely these incidents are far worse than an idiot mouthing off ?

Yes they certainly are, but they are done by home grown idiots.

No nation should have to put up with imports doing the same.

Why not - the UK and other countries tolerate all sorts of "mouthing off" - I dont agree with what he did but neither do I feel that people living in another country should always feel as if they have to behave like "guests" all the time - we should all be free to live wherever we choose rather than it being dictated by accidents of birth and nationality.

Are you joking Mr. The British Police do not allow as you call mouthing off as this idiot did, had he been in the UK he would have been arrested for offences of threats to commit damage and theft also of conspiring to commit damag theft and conspiring to cause a riot. A very heavy punishment of long term imprisonment indeed...

[JUDAS]

If he reads TV, he will get a legal name change, new PP, and head back, like all the other ones that do it.

is that sarcasm or where do you come from? Cambodia or another third world country? Sry but I dont think its so easy to change name

AND get a new PP from a civilized country....Except you are a former primeminister than u dont even have to change your name to get

a new PP + citizenship

Nothing difficult about getting a new passport in a different name. Obvious example would be a female getting married and then taking her husbands name.

[biplanebluey]

He was convicted and jailed. Normally that means deportation and blacklisted.

I sincerely hope that this moron is blacklisted from this Kingdom for life. What good is he here? I'm ashamed to be called British.On behalf of the idiot I offer my apologies.

And this man was a member of the Royal British Household?----I thought these people were thorourly vetted to be impeccable trustworthy citizens---what happened in this case? Dougal

[chris5346]

hello,

i have just watched the video for the first time and i'm just wondering what did he actually say and do wrong ?

looks to me like he saw the camera snatched the stick from the guy in the blue helmet and found him self talking to the camera man - i think he actually says they are going to loot and burn down and you should get a picture of it ?

also why do you think he's wearing the mask ? is it because he's trying to hide his face ? or maybe he's looking after his health ?

what law did he actually break ? was it being in the area ?

i don't think he's too much of a trouble maker and i think the police have done the right thing in freeing him.

[Jimi007]

They should have given him 10 years...useless piece of Shyt!!!!

For WHAT, exactly ? For having a big mouth ?

The putrid stench of self-righteousness given off by the armchair prosecution in this relatively trivial matter is stifling. I wonder - but not much - whilst many of you are typing out your sanctimonious bytes of vitriol, do you really believe you've never broken any law because, surely, only paragons of virtue can exude such piety ?

No, for being where he shouldn't have been during an emergency decree issued by the government of the country he was staying in and getting caught on tape saying what he said. He broke the law and got caught, simply said. But I don't agree he should have gotten 10 years. I think the court was pretty fair with him.

[JetsetBkk]

<snip>

we should all be free to live wherever we choose rather than it being dictated by accidents of birth and nationality.

I fully understand why you would say that.

[moe666]

<BR><FONT size=2>If he is blacklisted he can never return to Thailand. Considering he has got his family here, that's as good as prison.<BR>I feel sorry both for him and his family. Lifechanging stuff. &lt;deleted&gt;**, there's a bunch of sleepless nights right there...<BR></FONT><BR><BR><BR>

<BR><BR><BR>When he joined the red shirts he threw his family under the bus. Why in the world would you feel sorry for him he is an adult and should be able to make his own decisions.

[Chunky1]

Is he deported?

[BookSanook]

Id like to kick him in the balls for being such a p*** and making us all look like low-class thugs.

Interesting thought.

[philw]

It's a surprisingly short penalty. My guess is that he has also provided useful information about other people involved and cut a deal.

Are you mad? 1.5 months for talking crap without acting on it is a rough sentence. The guy was obviously drunk and stoned on something at the time which the video clearly shows. In the countries where the majority of us come from the police would lock you up overnight to sleep it off, put you in front of a magistrate the next day and let you go with a fine! He wasn't an illegal immigrant, just a bit foolish!

Thank you for the first post of common sense and reason.

He's a fool, already punished enough and it's good that the Thai's didn't crucify him.

Sensible solution all round.

I would also think there is a fair chance that he is not blacklisted.

phil.

[blaze]

Listen and watch Thai news and you will hear Tokay. Many Thais have been both arrested and sentenced. All I have heard have been given 6 month suspended sentences - except the leaders of course, they are not ready with them yet

Interesting. They were given 6 months suspended sentences for actually causing real damage and this loser actually goes to jail.

Amazing Thailand indeed.

Pay attention to what MikeyIdea said- he didn't say "all'- he said 'all that he had heard'(about). If he heard about four who were released with a six month conditional or suspended sentence- then that means only that four were released. But it doesn't tell us anything about how many are still behind bars. (Last I heard, there was still 70 at the Bangkok remand Center. And that's only Bangkok- how many are at military installations etc- well- I don't know. Nor, apparantly does MikeyIdea.

[moe666]

Ah another good morning at Thaivisa the best free entertainment in the universe. A informational post that turns into name calling at its best.

[moskito]

If he reads TV, he will get a legal name change, new PP, and head back, like all the other ones that do it.

is that sarcasm or where do you come from? Cambodia or another third world country? Sry but I dont think its so easy to change name

AND get a new PP from a civilized country....Except you are a former primeminister than u dont even have to change your name to get

a new PP + citizenship

Nothing difficult about getting a new passport in a different name. Obvious example would be a female getting married and then taking her husbands name.

sorry Judas,

but I honestly doubt this. With all the computers and collecting data, and countries sharing data with each other, it is not that easy anymore.

but anyway I am not sure, may be you are right here

[SiriusBlack1]

He is very fortunate to be released with 45 days served. Is he being deported as well?

Very lucky boy. Hope he's learned his lesson about being an insurrection tourist.

PS Reds rule OK

[nephron]

Do we know anything about the Australian who was arrested, Conor Purcell? I think they'll probably throw the book at him.

[anotheruser]

Seems fair enough, he got about the same any other lower red shirt would have.

[kunghanner]

I love Thailand, the people, the culture, the history and the king. People like this guy should either be lost in jail (and never let out) or kicked out of the country for ever!!! My Thai is not very good, but I think the word for people like him is: Roo Doot!!!

[buddy]

Surely these incidents are far worse than an idiot mouthing off ?

Yes they certainly are, but they are done by home grown idiots.

No nation should have to put up with imports doing the same.

Nonsense. All idiots, foreign and domestic, should be equally free to demonstrate their idiocy.

Like in my country, where we let all the idiots (even the foreign ones) run around and say whatever they want.

Do you realize how boring places like North Dakota would become if we outlawed instances of stupidity?

Good one 5555555

[Hanuman2547]

British 'Red Shirt' to be released from Thai prison: lawyer

Savage, who used to work for Queen Elizabeth II's royal household in Britain, was arrested in May and charged with breaching emergency law, an offence which carries a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-08

Perhaps he can get his old job back with Queen Liz??

[silk]

The poor guy shouldn't have even been jailed in the first place!!! Once again the Thais come down way too hard on foreigners in Thailand. The only time when they realize that they've been doing something wrong / stupid is when foreigners stop coming to Thailand all together!!!

Get some information about what "state of emergency" means before you post. What has this to do with being thai or foreigner? There are charges for violating the state of emergency for thais (you think foreigners should not be charged). Both would have broken the law if they would have violated the state of emergency. It is not about doing "something wrong", it is about breaking the law. Got it????

[Hawk]

Id like to kick him in the balls for being such a p*** and making us all look like low-class thugs.

You seem like a fine example to show the Thais how civilized we foreigners really are.

[sharking]

idiot,thats all i can say

[jayjay0]

On the other hand, if he has kids, he wil want to bring them along with his wife to England. Presuming the kifs are in school and grew up in Isaan, they will now pay the prize for this by losing their entire universe, effectively paying the prize for daddy's stupidity.

With this in mind, if I was the judge I'd grant the idiot one more chance to remain in Thailand.

If I were a child, then I'd be better off without a father like that. Thai law of course supports that a (legal) father having his visitation rights removed still must pay for his child. Up to the fathers morale if he continues to pay for what he has created after being made persona non grata due to his own actions.

Having children is not a valid reason for letting a convicted criminal stay

This is all hypothetically, I have no idea if Jeff has kids

I am with you where in either post did it say he had a wife and kids.

Also the fact that he has overstayed his visa and taken part in the red show tells me he is the kind of father kids are better off with out. To many kids are cheated out of a chance at a good life just because they are biologically related to some one who has no respect for others or property.

[jayjay0]

Surely these incidents are far worse than an idiot mouthing off ?

Yes they certainly are, but they are done by home grown idiots.

No nation should have to put up with imports doing the same.

Nonsense. All idiots, foreign and domestic, should be equally free to demonstrate their idiocy.

Like in my country, where we let all the idiots (even the foreign ones) run around and say whatever they want.

Do you realize how boring places like North Dakota would become if we outlawed instances of stupidity?

Are you saying you were given free rein in North Dakota

[dude007]

That was nice... Anyone else who thinks that it was way too nice and that double would have been more appropriate?

I think it was a fair sentence. We didn't see him actually burning down Bangkok and maybe the court took into consideration that he will not be allowed to live in Thailand with his family.

I agree with you but it was incredibly stupid to mingle with anti government protesters in the first place. He is really lucky with only 1,5 months in jail. Imagine the same happen in Iran after the recent elections...

[jayjay0]

The poor guy shouldn't have even been jailed in the first place!!! Once again the Thais come down way too hard on foreigners in Thailand. The only time when they realize that they've been doing something wrong / stupid is when foreigners stop coming to Thailand all together!!!

Do you actually believe what you just posted? Most Thai people could care less if farangs come here. Only the scamers, touts and tourist related businesses care. Oh and TAT, the "Tourism Authority of Thailand." According to Thai Government figures, tourism accounts for 6% of GDP. So, most Thai people don't really care that much either if you come here. Up to you...

That's 6% of the GDP more like 20% of the labor force is associated in one way or the other. That dosen't even count the social side of the equation. Take myself for example I have a Thai wife who I support also her mother. Her grandchildren need money for school from time to time also I also paid for her doughtier to take a course in being a Nurses Aide. I have no problem with this. The point is we affect a lot more of Thailand than they want to let on. I am absolutely sure there is a army of TV posters out there calling me a idiot but I am sure there is just as many who contribute the same as I do some to a lesser extent some to a larger one the point is we contribute a lot more to the economy than they let on.

[Tigs]

Id like to kick him in the balls for being such a p*** and making us all look like low-class thugs.

Funny CrossBones, that statement qualifies you to be a low-class thug. It seems he did you no injustice.

[jayjay0]

Id like to kick him in the balls for being such a p*** and making us all look like low-class thugs.

Interesting thought.

Sounds like a high class solution to me.

[Maestro]

PRO-RED FARANGS

British red shirt pleads guilty, faces deportation

By The Nation

Published on July 9, 2010

A Briton linked to the red shirts yesterday changed his plea to guilty of violating the emergency rule, paving the way for his release and subsequent deportation since he has already served out his one-and-a-half-month term during remand.

Following his admission of guilt, the Pathum Wan Court convicted Jeffrey Savage and sentenced him to serve three months in jail. His jail term was cut in half, equivalent to time served in remand, because of his guilty plea as a ground for leniency.

The magistrates court then ordered his release pending the arrangements for deportation.

Savage's charges stemmed from his involvement in the red-shirt rally from March 14 to May 19.

In a separate case, Australian man Conor Purcell has pleaded not guilty to violating the emergency rule. His trial will start on September 5.

Regarding the remand of 11 red-shirt leaders facing terrorism charges, the Criminal Court ruled to extend their remand for 12 days until the next hearing on July 20.

The Department of Special Investigation cited time needed to interview witnesses and check on the evidence as grounds for holding the 11 in their remand cells. The defence did not oppose the remand.

In a separate development, four of the 11 were escorted by wardens to attend the court session related to their involvement in the unruly protest at the residence of royal chief adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda in July 2007.

The four are Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua, weng Tojirakarn and Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai. They entered pleas of not guilty to causing the disturbance and other charges related to the protest.

The court has scheduled August 23 for the examination of evidence from the prosecution and the defence before setting a trial date.

Defence lawyer Jessada Chandee said his client Veera would petition for the suspension of the trial pending the completion of another judicial review, in which the red-shirt leaders sued former national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and the public prosecutors for malfeasance for wrongfully indicting them in this case.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

[Jimi007]

The poor guy shouldn't have even been jailed in the first place!!! Once again the Thais come down way too hard on foreigners in Thailand. The only time when they realize that they've been doing something wrong / stupid is when foreigners stop coming to Thailand all together!!!

Do you actually believe what you just posted? Most Thai people could care less if farangs come here. Only the scamers, touts and tourist related businesses care. Oh and TAT, the "Tourism Authority of Thailand." According to Thai Government figures, tourism accounts for 6% of GDP. So, most Thai people don't really care that much either if you come here. Up to you...

That's 6% of the GDP more like 20% of the labor force is associated in one way or the other. That dosen't even count the social side of the equation. Take myself for example I have a Thai wife who I support also her mother. Her grandchildren need money for school from time to time also I also paid for her doughtier to take a course in being a Nurses Aide. I have no problem with this. The point is we affect a lot more of Thailand than they want to let on. I am absolutely sure there is a army of TV posters out there calling me a idiot but I am sure there is just as many who contribute the same as I do some to a lesser extent some to a larger one the point is we contribute a lot more to the economy than they let on.

If you have a Thai wife, then I would guess you aren't a tourist. The tourism business isn't a big business in every province. And helping the family seems to be part of the culture here. Finding a farang to marry does help support the family's in some regions much more than tourism does, in my opinion. How many times have I heard Thailand is for Thais, not farang?

But this topic is about someone who thought it was fun to get drunk or whatever he was doing and ignore an emergency decree order and was caught on video tape. He was at least apologetic to the court and got a reduced sentence, unlike his Aussie counterpart, whom I saw on TV yelling at the judge.