Thai-born convict gets 18-year term in Norway

BY SIPPACHAI KUNNUWONG

Einar Opsahl was shot on June 18, 2011 by 31-year-old Noppadol Wanthaphirom,. Photo: BENJAMIN A. WARD

OSLO: -- Noppadol Wanthaphirom, 31, was sentenced to 18 years in prison this week for the murder of computer games maker Einar Opsahl in Oslo’s Bislett district in June 2011, a Norwegian press reports. An appeals court likened the murder to a “pure execution.”

Opsahl was shot at close range when police believe that he unwittingly disturbed a narcotics deal involving a car that Opsahl may have thought was a taxi. A few days after the murder at the taxi stand at Bislett, police arrested eight persons in an Oslo apartment. One of them was the then-30-year-old murder defendant, who initially was charged with possession of large quantities of narcotics.

He was later charged with Opsahl’s murder, after police technicians found traces of the victim’s blood on the now 31-year-old’s trousers. Telephone data and witness observations also placed him at the scene of the crime.

Noppadol Wanthaphirom during an interview with VG. Photo: Frode Hansen

Newspaper Dagbladet reported that the defendant has been convicted nine times since arriving in Norway as a boy from Thailand and Laos. He hasn’t held legal residence permission in Norway since 2006.

He has consistently denied shooting Opsahl but was initially sentenced to 18 years in prison by an Oslo city court, with an appeals court now upholding the conviction. An appeals court judge wrote that “there are moments” when a murder “demands punishment near the maximum allowed. The murder resembled a pure execution. When (the defendant) fired at close range at the head of Opsahl, the result must have been assured and desired.”

Opsahl was a 35-year-old computer games maker who was out on the town with two childhood friends when he was suddenly gunned down. His family was reported to be relieved by the appeal court’s ruling.

Source: http://scandasia.com...term-in-norway/

-- ScandAsia 2013-02-08

when I read such stories (scumbag with 9 previous convictions), I would LOVE our western residency laws to be tough as in Thailand... you commit crimes in your host country, your visa gets withdrawn and you get thrown out within days... without any right to appeal for years up to the European Human Rights court, because it is "undue hardship" if you have to leave your host country...

We've never been invaded you know.

Sorry if it might be off-topic, but wasn't Thailand twice a colony of Myanmar/Burma?

We've never been invaded you know.

Sorry if it might be off-topic, but wasn't Thailand twice a colony of Myanmar/Burma?

That was another country called Siam

Oh yes, the horrors, absolute horrors of the Norwegian prison system:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1384308/Norways-controversial-cushy-prison-experiment--catch-UK.html

Oh yes, the horrors, absolute horrors of the Norwegian prison system:

http://www.dailymail...--catch-UK.html

The DM top comment with 419 likes:

If we never have prisons like these outside of Norway, I think it will have more to do with the attitudes of people like those who commented than for any logical or practical reasons. Someday perhaps the world will recognize that hate begets hate and trust begets trust. The main reason we want prisoners to suffer is because we are afraid to treat them like humans. We justify the inadequacies of our daily lives by pushing blame onto others. When others fail as we expect them to, it gives us a cynical sense of pleasure to know that man is weak and frail. Expecting the worst of others gives us the convenience of not having to change, but change is what we need most in this world.

- Charlie , Raleigh, USA, 08/5/2011 21:21

Oh yes, the horrors, absolute horrors of the Norwegian prison system:

http://www.dailymail...--catch-UK.html

OK i think prison should be a punishment for most especially for murderous scum.

But as it says in the article they do have the lowest re-offending rates on the planet.

We've never been invaded you know.

Sorry if it might be off-topic, but wasn't Thailand twice a colony of Myanmar/Burma?

That was Siam (central Thailand), and it wasn't really colonisation, more like occupation.

Great news.

So when are the two Thai scumbags going to get sent down for the murder of Luke Mitchell?

We've never been invaded you know.

Sorry if it might be off-topic, but wasn't Thailand twice a colony of Myanmar/Burma?

And pussed out to Japan

After having been convicted of murder, I wonder if the Thai guy involved here was expecting he'd be let go free on bail -- just like is the all-too-frequent custom here in his native country.

After all, people in Thailand execute others at gunpoint, and are let free on bail and often never serve a day in jail -- provided they have the right background or connections.

Perhaps this guy need to take lessons from the Channel 3 actor guy as to how such things are properly done.

It kind of sounds like this is Norway's fault for letting this man remain in their country after convicting him 9 times. Perhaps he was mislead by the system (9 times and still OK) and thought he could also get away with murder. Sometimes being too "kind" is detrimental to ones self and others. Shame on you, Norway. I don't blame him. He's just like one of Thailand's feral mutts and you didn't collar him in.

He should be made to servehis sentence in a Thai jail not a 3star hotel in Norway which is what prison is like there

Quote from Thai born convict.................."But, but but............ I am Thai.

Other thais do this and don't have to go to jail. Its so unfair. Do you know who I am ? I have lots of money. My dads very important don't you know.

We've never been invaded you know. We are the best country in the whole world. What, I still have to go to jail ! This is so unfair."

Bring him to Poland or Russia to serve 8 out of those 18 years and he will change his attitude very quick...

He will see how much everybody are interested that his dad is some VIP...

And I can guarantee that no one give a dam_n abut Thailand was invaded or not or if Thailand is the best country or the worst one...

We've never been invaded you know.

Sorry if it might be off-topic, but wasn't Thailand twice a colony of Myanmar/Burma?

Thailand is a colony of western society. Take away all that derives from the west....what do you have left? food, language....anyone?

Oh yes, the horrors, absolute horrors of the Norwegian prison system:

http://www.dailymail...--catch-UK.html

OK i think prison should be a punishment for most especially for murderous scum.

But as it says in the article they do have the lowest re-offending rates on the planet.

And the reason for that is that inmates at Bastøy are well chosen and considered to be more than average possible to guide and turn, despite long sentences.

I can say for sure that this Thai/Norwegian in this case never will get near this island. An everyday criminal like him will serve his sentence in a very different facility, but wich also is considered by most people to be far from harsh..

Oh yes, the horrors, absolute horrors of the Norwegian prison system:

http://www.dailymail...--catch-UK.html

OK i think prison should be a punishment for most especially for murderous scum.

But as it says in the article they do have the lowest re-offending rates on the planet.

And the reason for that is that inmates at Bastøy are well chosen and considered to be more than average possible to guide and turn, despite long sentences.

I can say for sure that this Thai/Norwegian in this case never will get near this island. An everyday criminal like him will serve his sentence in a very different facility, but wich also is considered by most people to be far from harsh..

Besides, to get the big picture, it must be taken account of the number of potential criminals who would consider that such cozy prisons would be a quite acceptable place to stay if caught. Hence a possible increase in crimes since no serious deterrent anymore.

And what about the victims relatives discovering the luxury of these murderers "jail", living possibly more comfortably than themselves?

With such a harsh unforgiving system as that I am not surprised that they do not reoffend again, imagine the embarrassment telling your fellow drug dealers murderers thugs and crooks that you have done time slammer and they will be think what a Wuss.

Quote from Thai born convict.................."But, but but............ I am Thai.

Other thais do this and don't have to go to jail. Its so unfair. Do you know who I am ? I have lots of money. My dads very important don't you know.

We've never been invaded you know. We are the best country in the whole world. What, I still have to go to jail ! This is so unfair."

Bring him to Poland or Russia to serve 8 out of those 18 years and he will change his attitude very quick...

He will see how much everybody are interested that his dad is some VIP...

And I can guarantee that no one give a dam_n abut Thailand was invaded or not or if Thailand is the best country or the worst one...

Where does it say that his dad is a VIP?

I hope it is a full 100% 18 years and not the pardoned ,paroled, good behavior shit the USA does for it's coveted convicts.

In America he could be out in 4 years with time served during indictment and sentencing!

Makes me sick to lose a good,decent, productive young man to a worthless selfish <deleted>. BURN IN HELL noppadol ( which means <deleted> in Thai.)

I hope it is a full 100% 18 years and not the pardoned ,paroled, good behavior shit the USA does for it's coveted convicts.

In America he could be out in 4 years with time served during indictment and sentencing!

Makes me sick to lose a good,decent, productive young man to a worthless selfish <deleted>. BURN IN HELL noppadol ( which means <deleted> in Thai.)

I think he'll be more than happy to serve the full 18 years. The place is like a 3 star hotel with free food and he'll probably get a salary on top of that.