Bangkok tourism court by September – Minister

[webfact]

Bangkok tourism court by September – Minister
Alasdair Forbes

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports believes it can have a tourism court up and running in Bangkok by September – just two months from now – with similar institutions to follow in Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Samui.

TTR Weekly today quoted Tourism & Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak as saying that the ministry will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Justice next month and hopes to see tourism courts established the following month.

“The tourism courts are making good progress... the courts will be set up at popular tourist destinations... and the Ministry of Justice has a budget to fund intensive training courses in France for judges,” he explained.

The courts will operate at existing district courts, but in the evenings, so they can handle tourist-related cases quickly and not disrupt the all ready crowded daily schedule of court sessions.

“We are opening the court to protect the rights of tourists and provide fairness to those who may have been the targets of unfair treatment from [people such as] tour agencies.”

Trials in the tourist courts will be for civil cases such as disputes over prices and scams and not criminal cases.

The courts will operate from 4.30 to 8.30 pm in Bangkok at first and then be extended to district courts in the other four places.

However, he noted, there are complications, as existing regulations will need to be changed and new legislation will be required. He admitted these factors might slow implementation.

No timetable was given for the start of tourist courts outside the capital.

Mr Somsak is pushing for the tourist courts because the current court system, in which quite simple cases may drag on for months, is not a practical avenue for justice for tourists, who need to return home to their jobs and cannot afford to see their cases through the system.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/bangkok-tourism-court-by-september-minister-40897.php


-- Phuket News 2013-07-18

[sms747]

should they have tourist prisons as well?

[CrisRMenumate]

More courts and more judges needing payment

[Soutpeel]

the Ministry of Justice has a budget to fund intensive training courses in France for judges,” he explained.

Call me cynical...but believe this is the key in this article, will the judges get the "intensive training" in France....most certainly....will this result in tourist courts....I think not

and why would a Thai judge be sent for training on Thai law/courts to France anyway ? I am confused your honour

[NongKhaiKid]

Another 2 month deadline, whatever happened to the old and much loved 3 months ? I miss those days

[Pib]

the Ministry of Justice has a budget to fund intensive training courses in France for judges,” he explained.

Call me cynical...but believe this is the key in this article, will the judges get the "intensive training" in France....most certainly....will this result in tourist courts....I think not

and why would a Thai judge be sent for training on Thai law/courts to France anyway ? I am confused your honour

Because one of the special judgments handed down may be a sentence to the guillotine....ain't going to be no mercy for farangs!!!!

[OzMick]

I was under the impression that France had a different justice system to Thailand.

[Thai at Heart]

I was under the impression that France had a different justice system to Thailand.

Note that the training is more November or February..... Summer holidays. Yipppeeee

[IMA_FARANG]

Hmm .... a tourist court.

Last week I was the unwilling listener to a complaint from some drunk European tourist ... German I think, but not certain.

Seems he paid the "bar fine" for two Thai bar girls who agreed to accompany to his hotel ,,,, for the night he presumed.

An hour later the girls were both back in the bar and dancing again.

Soon after he that he showed up, and demanded the girls come back to his hotel.

Of course, they didn't.

His complaints were quite vocal until he was escorted out of the bar.

Now, could he have brought a complaint against them in the "Tourist Court" against them.?

Is that what a "tourist court" is meant for,?

Somehow, I doubt it.

[Basil B]

To run in the evening, must be so the JetSki guy's do not lose any business...

[lee b]

will they actually help out tourists or will it be the same as it is now?

[scorecard]

width=20 alt=rolleyes.gif> Hmm .... a tourist court.

Last week I was the unwilling listener to a complaint from some drunk European tourist ... German I think, but not certain.

Seems he paid the "bar fine" for two Thai bar girls who agreed to accompany to his hotel ,,,, for the night he presumed.

An hour later the girls were both back in the bar and dancing again.

Soon after he that he showed up, and demanded the girls come back to his hotel.

Of course, they didn't.

His complaints were quite vocal until he was escorted out of the bar.

Now, could he have brought a complaint against them in the "Tourist Court" against them.?

Is that what a "tourist court" is meant for,?

Somehow, I doubt it.

width=20 alt=rolleyes.gif>

Well some would say that offing bargirls, and the continuing activities at your hotel or wherever (except for theft, bashings, death etc)

is all covered by the legalize of AYOR with no guarantees.

[scorecard]

width=20 alt=rolleyes.gif> Hmm .... a tourist court.

Last week I was the unwilling listener to a complaint from some drunk European tourist ... German I think, but not certain.

Seems he paid the "bar fine" for two Thai bar girls who agreed to accompany to his hotel ,,,, for the night he presumed.

An hour later the girls were both back in the bar and dancing again.

Soon after he that he showed up, and demanded the girls come back to his hotel.

Of course, they didn't.

His complaints were quite vocal until he was escorted out of the bar.

Now, could he have brought a complaint against them in the "Tourist Court" against them.?

Is that what a "tourist court" is meant for,?

Somehow, I doubt it.

width=20 alt=rolleyes.gif>

Well some would say that offing bargirls, and the continuing activities at your hotel or wherever (except for theft, bashings, death etc)

is all covered by the legalize of no guarantees and AYOR.

[scorecard]

width=20 alt=rolleyes.gif> Hmm .... a tourist court.

Last week I was the unwilling listener to a complaint from some drunk European tourist ... German I think, but not certain.

Seems he paid the "bar fine" for two Thai bar girls who agreed to accompany to his hotel ,,,, for the night he presumed.

An hour later the girls were both back in the bar and dancing again.

Soon after he that he showed up, and demanded the girls come back to his hotel.

Of course, they didn't.

His complaints were quite vocal until he was escorted out of the bar.

Now, could he have brought a complaint against them in the "Tourist Court" against them.?

Is that what a "tourist court" is meant for,?

Somehow, I doubt it.

width=20 alt=rolleyes.gif>

Well some would say that offing bargirls, and the continuing activities at your hotel or wherever (except for theft, bashings, death etc)

is all covered by the legalize of no guarantees and AYOR.

[Misterwhisper]

Has anyone told the good minister that sending judges for "intensive training" (in handling tourism-related cases, I presume) in a foreign country does not exactly look as if Thailand's own training of judges was up to par? Beware, minister! A loss of face is in the making!

Or perhaps they're being sent there to improve their French skills, which will be incredibly helpful for the vast majority of foreign tourists who're having their cases tried.

Edited July 18, 2013 by Misterwhisper

[bigbamboo]

This sounds very Kamnan style!

[hellodolly]

the Ministry of Justice has a budget to fund intensive training courses in France for judges,” he explained.

Call me cynical...but believe this is the key in this article, will the judges get the "intensive training" in France....most certainly....will this result in tourist courts....I think not

and why would a Thai judge be sent for training on Thai law/courts to France anyway ? I am confused your honour

The french judicial system allows for the judge to ask questions. It is not completely depended on Lawyers.

The article said

"However, he noted, there are complications, as existing regulations will need to be changed and new legislation will be required. He admitted these factors might slow implementation."

I believe the French system would not work with the present method here in Thailand.

The article also said

"Trials in the tourist courts will be for civil cases such as disputes over prices and scams and not criminal cases."

It is a good idea but the problem will arise in how to get the money if it is due to a tourist in a timely fashion.

One other advantage I can see is if implemented properly it might possibly be cause for fewer scammers.

[eddie61]

Wow, I am just amazed by the crap this government churns out. After 21 years in Thailand, and I have never come across such a concentration of BS. Its like a day to day bombardment of the stuff, and frankly, very depressing.

Soon Thailand can stop importing fertilizer to grow rice no one wants, and just spread the shit that comes out of parliament on the fields, and then buy the rice back at prices way above market.

I am really not sure what happens after that, but my money is not betting on Thailand.

[Soutpeel]

I believe the French system would not work with the present method here in Thailand.

I agree, I mean how many Thai judges speak French, and if the complainent didnt speak French wouldnt that complicate things as well ?

Le juge est un imbécile

Edited July 18, 2013 by Soutpeel

[eddie61]

Wow, I am just amazed by the crap this government churns out. After 21 years in Thailand, and I have never come across such a concentration of BS. Its like a day to day bombardment of the stuff, and frankly, very depressing.

Soon Thailand can stop importing fertilizer to grow rice no one wants, and just spread the shit that comes out of parliament on the fields, and then buy the rice back at prices way above market.

I am really not sure what happens after that, but my money is not betting on Thailand.

[BahBahBoBo]

the Ministry of Justice has a budget to fund intensive training courses in France for judges,” he explained.

Call me cynical...but believe this is the key in this article, will the judges get the "intensive training" in France....most certainly....will this result in tourist courts....I think not

and why would a Thai judge be sent for training on Thai law/courts to France anyway ? I am confused your honour

My God! You people are so stupid!!

The answer is staring you right in the face!!!

How can it truly be a 'tourist court' if the judges themselves haven't been 'tourists'??

Logically, one would send the judges to France, the number one tourist destination in the world!

As Homer would say Duhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[BahBahBoBo]

the Ministry of Justice has a budget to fund intensive training courses in France for judges,” he explained.

Call me cynical...but believe this is the key in this article, will the judges get the "intensive training" in France....most certainly....will this result in tourist courts....I think not

and why would a Thai judge be sent for training on Thai law/courts to France anyway ? I am confused your honour

Sorry bout the repeat posts, my computer (or brain?) ain't fuktioning right.

As Homer would say Duhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Edited July 18, 2013 by BahBahBoBo

[BahBahBoBo]

the Ministry of Justice has a budget to fund intensive training courses in France for judges,” he explained.

Call me cynical...but believe this is the key in this article, will the judges get the "intensive training" in France....most certainly....will this result in tourist courts....I think not

and why would a Thai judge be sent for training on Thai law/courts to France anyway ? I am confused your honour

OOOOOOOOPS!!!!!!!!

As Homer would say Duhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Edited July 18, 2013 by BahBahBoBo

[OzMick]

The jet ski scam involves a few possible charges (extortion, fraud, demanding money with menaces) but these are all criminal offences. Given that the BIB are in on the scam, what are your chances in tourist court? And if you refuse to pay, likely you will arrive in a wheelchair.

[OzMick]

The jet ski scam involves a few possible charges (extortion, fraud, demanding money with menaces) but these are all criminal offences. Given that the BIB are in on the scam, what are your chances in tourist court? And if you refuse to pay, likely you will arrive in a wheelchair.

[TechnikaIII]

More courts and more judges needing payment

... and graft

[SOTIRIOS]

.......another 'cash cow'......

[hellodolly]

I believe the French system would not work with the present method here in Thailand.

I agree, I mean how many Thai judges speak French, and if the complainent didnt speak French wouldnt that complicate things as well ?

Le juge est un imbécile

Ha Ha

Don't know how to break the news to you but there is people called interpreters.

Didn't mean to burst your balloon

and yes it would not work under the present system in Thailand. It was covered very nicely in the article.

It would require changing existing regulations.

[Stefanix]

Good idea, I think. Execution, as always, needs to be seen.

Interestingly, scamming is not seen as criminal activity...

[khunken]

Yes, a few bumps & wrinkles to be sorted out but IMO a good idea.

Off topic: Come on Thaivisa sort out the bloody multiple posts that are appearing in just about every thread.