Thai activist Veera recalls time in Cambodian prison

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Activist recalls time in prison



Yellow-shirt Veera speaks about his three years in a Cambodian jail

BANGKOK: -- Nationalist Veera Somkwamkid talks to The Nation's Kamonchanok Teekakul after his return to Thailand on Wednesday. He served three-and-a-half years of an eight-year sentence for espionage, trespassing and illegal entry before he was released on a royal pardon.

Q: What were the conditions like in Prey Sar prison?Thailand's prisons are supposed to be better. Prey Sar Prison is in poor condition and is dirty. From the first day I entered I had to drink unclean water.

As a political prisoner from another country, I was detained in a separate cell from other inmates with a Cambodian who was assigned to monitor my behaviour.

Initially, I was restricted from reading, speaking and writing, which made me feel very uneasy. I felt better after practising dharma.

I noticed that some inmates became mentally sick, because they could not adapt to prison life, and they misbehaved because of the prison environment. It is easy to get cigarettes and drugs in Prey Sar if you have money.

Q : How did you deal with the conditions?

It was not so difficult, as I have never been attached to comfort. I did not need to work like other inmates, and the prison guards left me alone, as they knew that I was not a felon, and that I was sentenced because of a political agenda.

On Day 1, I made a request to the prison commander demanding that the guards or the staff should not violate my rights and dignity as a Thai. They took good care of preventing Cambodian inmates from harming me.

Obviously they were concerned that the Preah Vihear temple dispute may have aroused nationalist anger in some of the Cambodians.

Q : How did you manage to stay out of trouble?

I stayed alone and I remained very cautious. In the first six months a new guard arrived at the prison.

He was very brutal and often beat inmates to unconsciousness for petty violations. I approached him and told him that his actions violated human rights and were illegal.

He was later transferred away. After that the inmates came to thank me, which earned me more respect and acceptance. The guards were in awe of me.

I think this was due to my reputation in Thailand, where I am known for being anti-corruption. I never acted obstinately and I was friendly to all the inmates who wanted to know me.

Many of them approached me to introduce themselves. Naturally, conversations were still limited [by prison regulations], but they were later allowed at a greater length because guards had witnessed my good nature.

I helped out everyone by giving them medicines or money to buy food. I also advised smokers on the hazards of cigarettes, and they later avoided me when smoking.

Q: How did you get on with the other inmates?

Initially I was worried about whether I could get along with them. There were a lot of African drug convicts who were mean and gathered in large groups.

They have a lot of money and power, as do the Chinese and South American gang members. There are also many Cambodia criminals.

But once they got to know me, they called me Dad or Uncle, and this granted me even more respect as my stature grew.

Yet you still need to be careful, as influential and rich inmates are allowed to possess knives for cooking, which can occasionally be used to inflict harm.

Q : What are your immediate plans for the future?

I have just returned home, so I need some time to get my thoughts in order. Nothing has changed much after my time in prison, which I adapted to fairly comfortably. Before my release I did not get excited.

I just realised that the moment I had been waiting for had arrived. I did feel better, though.

Now I will spend more time with my family and live my life normally.

I am not stressed out and there is nothing negative left in my mind. It's all gone.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Activist-recalls-time-in-prison-30237705.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-04

[saakura]

Wish him good health and peace for the rest of his life. Hope he has realised that being an ultra nationalist will ultimately bring only harm to the country he so dearly loves.

[Payboy]

Can't wait for the book and movie.

[thesetat2013]

So, basically he bought his peace from the others with medicine, cigarettes and money. As in every prison this is what is needed to get peace. No doubt he also did this for the guards as well

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Dibbler]

This person is a serious threat to the stability of Thai society. If left free to move around he will cause trouble again with his extremest viewpoints and selfish actions that cause friction between socioeconomic classes, endanger international relations, and huge damage to the economy. Let's hope the Thai charges have him thrown right back in jail for a good amount of time.

[SABloke]

''The guards were in awe of me...'' What a douche!!

Sent from my GT-S7270 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JoeThePoster]

...dignity as a Thai...

I do hope they gave him the presidential suite.

[Just1Voice]

A legend in his own mind.

[Pomthai]

Delusions of grandeur.

[leesgems]

So, basically he bought his peace from the others with medicine, cigarettes and money. As in every prison this is what is needed to get peace. No doubt he also did this for the guards as well

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

He did not buy them cigarettes but warned them about smoking.

[Chris Lawrence]

From his accounts a very good influence to the inmates of the prison. Why did they let him out?

[tingtongteesood]

won't waste my time reading it. NEXT !!!

[Eric Loh]

Should recall and reflect on why he was in Cambodia jail.

[ianf]

This person is a serious threat to the stability of Thai society. If left free to move around he will cause trouble again with his extremest viewpoints and selfish actions that cause friction between socioeconomic classes, endanger international relations, and huge damage to the economy. Let's hope the Thai charges have him thrown right back in jail for a good amount of time.

There is no evidence for your statement.

[mikemac]

This guy is definitely batting for the wrong side. What a waste of destructive talent !

[mikemac]

This person is a serious threat to the stability of Thai society. If left free to move around he will cause trouble again with his extremest viewpoints and selfish actions that cause friction between socioeconomic classes, endanger international relations, and huge damage to the economy. Let's hope the Thai charges have him thrown right back in jail for a good amount of time.

There is no evidence for your statement.

Well done ! He just described any one of the many past and present redshirt leaders. Perfectly !

Thanks mate, whenever I want to paint a picture of redshirt terrorists I will just copy and paste your post.

[jope]

This person is a serious threat to the stability of Thai society. If left free to move around he will cause trouble again with his extremest viewpoints and selfish actions that cause friction between socioeconomic classes, endanger international relations, and huge damage to the economy. Let's hope the Thai charges have him thrown right back in jail for a good amount of time.

There is no evidence for your statement.

Well done ! He just described any one of the many past and present redshirt leaders. Perfectly !

Thanks mate, whenever I want to paint a picture of redshirt terrorists I will just copy and paste your post.

So, whoever says it first will win, I guess.

[Dibbler]

Undoubtedly describes some Red shirt "leaders" also. I hope they go to jail too along with their yellow shirt equivalents.