My Life In Thailand,in Its Jail And Its Immigration Detention Center

[jack-dragon]

<b>My life in Thailand,in its jail and its Immigration Detention Center

By Jack Dragon

I was from China,male,28 years old,bilingual(Mandarin and English),bent on exploration of the world and mind.I stayed in Thailand for just 7 months or so(October,2005 to June,2006),but I felt I had gone through the “world” there.

The reason prompted me to travel to Thailand was that I was informed by someone that I was being investigated by the Chinese Security Bureau because of my free speech in the internet.I was angry,and several days later,the scare sank in although I could not verify this information.

Immediately I got tourist visa and fleed to the Land of Smile,where there is UNHCR(United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) office and things were cheaper and easy as well.

But,probably some people were right,I came to a very wrong place.

There are a couple of wrong pre-perceptions about Thailand I need to address here.The following also contains some advices.

First of all,I (or general Mainland Chinese people) thought Thailand was a land of poverty,the streets were wet and dirty,beggers everywhere,for example.But Bangkok is much better than what I imagined.There are Hongkong-style skyscrapers,and even skytrain and subway train.The new generations of citizens here look modern,civilized and graceful.

Secondly,never look down upon people here and avoid trouble with anyone here.Some foreigners put on a air because they think they are superior;They would never get well along with the local people.Thais generally like to be simple,relaxed(laid-back),moderate,for fun,gentle,soft.They dislike people who are over enthusiastic,angry,impatient,too ambitious,intrusive,aggressive,too initiative,serious,authoritive,brooding(calculating) etc.Some employees would be fired just because the employers feel they give “too much information” during work (which means the employees are aggressive or too initiative).So always remember that in Thailand you should keep smile 24 hours a day despite you would think this is foolish.Thais would feel threatened if you look at them pan-facedly and calculatingly.

Thirdly,don’t think that people here are reliable because they are simple and their national religion is Buddhism.I saw some Thai people could not keep their promises.They would easily change their mind,the bottom line was that they generally avoid any trouble.If they find a promise would bring trouble or out of their ability later on,this promise shall be discarded.

Thais in general would never openly rob you in their land,but they (especially folks from countryside) would take your valuables as soon as there is an opportunity.For example,they would threaten you to pay 2000 baht to buy a commodity (of maybe just 100 baht value) because you carelessly counter-offer “I think it’s no more than 2000 baht”.

Fourthly,in spite of some people say Thailand’s main charm is the prostitution and easy girls,please don’t think every female here would readily and easily go to bed with you.Some girls would feel insulted when you whip out a wad of money and say “sleep with me tonight”.Don’t think every one are prostitutes.

Thai girls are feminine,gentle,soft,polite and subservient,which most of our male find irresistable and addictive;But unfortunately,apart from Thai girls sexual appeal,foreigners perception towards them (and all the Thai population in general) was very negative.Some said they were after you for money.Some said that never trust anyone in Thailand.

Fifthly,you think things in Thailand are cheaper than in China?Maybe think again.I find some commodities are more expensive than in Fujian Province of China.Although it goes without saying that it’s more costly to live in Shanghai,Beijing,Guangzhou etc than in Bangkok.

Sixthly,yes,Thailand is still poor and it’s one of main countries who export large quantities of labours to Taiwan,Hongkong,Singapore and South Korea etc.So you think there is no foreigner who comes here to make a living?

It’s said there were millions of Myanmar refugees who were working in Thailand.Compared to Myanmar,Laos,Cambodia,Thailand was apparently better off.African labours or refugees were also spotted in Thailand.The salary for ordinary workers ranged from 2500 baht to 6000 baht pere month.Of course if you are a skilled worker that companies cannot be find in Thailand,you will be paid much higher than this.Now,with the economy stagnant,in order to rid of social problem,Thailand government now comes up determination to deport illegal foreign workers,primarily Burmese workers.

Seventhly,the influence of ethnic Chinese here is much greater than what I knew.It’s said that at least 90% people in Thailand have “Chinese blood” in their gene.So next time you go to Thailand,you will basically encounter three kinds of Thai people:ethnic Thai(who probalby was originated from China),ethnic Chinese and hybrids(a mixture of ethnic Thai and Chinese).

Thai language is essentially one of Chinese dialects with words borrowed from Fuzhou dialect,Chaozhou dialect and Cantonese.For complete knowledge about ethnic Chinese in South East Asia and beyond,I recommend the book “Lords of the rim” by author Sterling Seagrave.

In February,2006,UNHCR told me my case was dismissed due to the lack of strong evidence.I made a appeal and waited for its final decision.

In May,2006,I still could not get any reply from UNHCR and my money was running out,which forced me to look for a job.But no job was found after a round of painful effort(work permit now was seriously required).

Finally I went to Thailand Immigration to sort things out because I realized if UNHCR could not help me then I had to go back to China.

The Immigration asked me to get 20’000 baht fine for overstay for more than 3 months.As I didn’t want my family to know my situation,I insisted on deportation because I could not get 20’000 baht to pay the fine.

The Immigration accepted me and the court fined me 3000 baht.I didn’t pay,so I was put into the jail for 15 days.

Thailand’s jail is said to be one of the worst in the world.The most terrible thing in the jail was the meals;In a nutshell,the meals are terrible and some foreigners could not swallow down,which would bring you down if you didn’t have money to buy extra food from the store inside the jail.

In addition,the food lined in the tables were always “kissed” and “sucked” by numerous flies.At night during sleep,your flesh would be penetrated by mosquitoes.All of these made the jail here look like living hel_l.

15 days later I was transferred to the IDC(Immigration Detention Center),where I waited for 2 months to get the final result from the UNHCR,which was also a dismiss.

The food in IDC was much better,typically smooth white rice and pumpkin with low-quality chicken parts(chicken neck,ass and bones).On the other hand,church volunteers(such as Jesuit Catholic Church) would sometimes bring books for you,send email messages for you and even arrange air tickets for you.

Thai government would never buy air tickets for deportees,some foreigners ended up in the IDC for several years.Sometimes the churches would buy you a ticket with churches’ fund after they found you proved to be pitiably helpless in the IDC.

Much to your astonishment,the IDC detained all kinds of nationalities,including American,British,Korean,Japanese,Chinese,African,Arabian etc from all over the world;Some of them had Thai wives and sons or daughters here.

A large percentage of them were believed to be criminals(gangsters,drug smugglers,credit card scammers for example),they were waiting for deportation after finishing jail term in Thailand.

There were also North Korean refugees who would be arranged to South Korea by UNHCR;There were Mainland Chinese illegal immigrants who used Bangkok as a stepping-stone to go to USA or Europe with faked foreign passports or visas;There were handicaps and those with mental disorders;There were “grey people” who didn’t have nationalities.

In July,2006,I finally got enough money to buy a ticket to come back to China,where I was questioned by Chinese border control police,but only on matters related to people smuggling,not on politics.

They let me go after I paid 400 Chinese Yuan (50 US$ or so).

(The end)

The author can be reached at //email removed// </b>

My_life_in_Thailand.doc

[Noel]

In July,2006,I finally got enough money to buy a ticket to come back to China,where I was questioned by Chinese border control police,but only on matters related to people smuggling,not on politics.

They let me go after I paid 400 Chinese Yuan (50 US$ or so).

(The end)

The author can be reached at //email removed// </b>

Perhaps you would have been better off finding out about your real situation as regards the Chinese authorities in the first place.

I am actually puzzled as to why you took the trouble to post your story here, or anywhere come to that.

Your words tell us little more than you are a rather mixed up person prone to make unwise and impulsive decisions and form opinions from a very limited knowledge base.

I take it you have been blacklisted by the Thai authorities...?

[smartecosse]

you would have to assume so if they effectively deported him after a stay in jail - can't work out why he was jailed if he was here legally pleading his case ??

[baboon]

Perhaps you would have been better off finding out about your real situation as regards the Chinese authorities in the first place.

I am actually puzzled as to why you took the trouble to post your story here, or anywhere come to that.

Your words tell us little more than you are a rather mixed up person prone to make unwise and impulsive decisions and form opinions from a very limited knowledge base.

I take it you have been blacklisted by the Thai authorities...?

you would have to assume so if they effectively deported him after a stay in jail - can't work out why he was jailed if he was here legally pleading his case ??

An interesting article,nontheless.

[CL0R0X]

another freaking looser going to look for sex and use up all the money. " puke"

[Lacoste]

another freaking looser going to look for sex and use up all the money. " puke"

How did you form this conclusion?

[Slated]

another freaking looser going to look for sex and use up all the money. " puke"

How did you form this conclusion?

no kidding

[dave111223]

This whole story sounds like bs, you were in the IDC and then you "Finally got the money for a plane ticket", after 2 months? 2 months of BJs for the guards? or can you actually do paid labor in there?

[terry57]

hey jack,

would you quite possibly be a member of the &lt;deleted&gt; long goon sect ( sorry but i cant spell that properly) but it sounds like you could be but lets not dwell on that for too long.

you stating the bleeding obvious in your long and rambling post and just out of interest what do you think what be a fair meal in a thai prison. ( freaking roast turky maybe)

hate to let you in on a little secret but you aint going to get any better tucker in one of china's jails that for freaking sure.

as far as costs go beijing and shanghai are much more expensive than bangkok as ive just backpacked through a lot of that country and have a real good handle on prices.

just for the record, i had a great time in your country, enjoyed the people and was blown away by the progress thats going on over there.

what about the magna train running from shanghai airport to down town. only travells at 460 klm per hour and leaves bangkoks skyrail for dust.

look ill give you some top advice to save you from further illusions.

if its political asylum your wishing for dont bother going to thailand as they got enough problems dealing with crazy falang and you are right down the pecking order my man.

of course there going to lock you up and feed you &lt;deleted&gt;. this not rocket science you know?

top idea to just stay at home : jap:

[The Dan Sai Kid]

I must be ignorant - did your OP have a point, apart from "prisons are bad"?

[Old Croc]

Hi Scampy.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Hi Scampy.

D'ya think so? He must be really bored to come up with something in such authentic sub-English!

[Old Croc]

Hi Scampy.

D'ya think so? He must be really bored to come up with something in such authentic sub-English!

There's no way he's Chinese. Who do we know working there at the moment?

He's been slated to come back at any time!

Edited July 11, 2006 by Old Croc

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Hi Scampy.

D'ya think so? He must be really bored to come up with something in such authentic sub-English!

There's no way he's Chinese. Who do we know working there at the moment?

Actually, forget abou the missing S's and the grammar is almost perfect.

[peterjackson]

Hey

Well, the dates don't add up. As of May 2006, he was looking for a job and then after a lot of searching, was put in jail for 15 days, then was transferred to IDC for 2 months, which makes him in IDC until at least Friday.

Unless of course, the church people have a time machine they allow you to use.

Although compulsive reading once you start, in my opinion it is a work of fiction.

Regards

Peter

[Old Croc]

Hi Scampy.

D'ya think so? He must be really bored to come up with something in such authentic sub-English!

There's no way he's Chinese. Who do we know working there at the moment?

Actually, forget abou the missing S's and the grammar is almost perfect.

It's the idiom that gives it away.

[diddlysquat]

Perhaps you would have been better off finding out about your real situation as regards the Chinese authorities in the first place.

If a Chinese suspects has come to the attention of the Chinese authorities for dissent, he'd be pretty daft to approach them. They are not reknowned for tolerance, fair treatment or respect for human rights.

That said, like others I am convinced this article is a work of fiction.

Edited July 12, 2006 by diddlysquat

[Thaising]

What motives you have in mind by asking UNHCR for political asylum? By posting the traditions and cultures of Thailand, how you were detained in IDC for overstaying in Thailand and end-up buying your own air ticket back to china with just a small fine for writing some political shits on the Chinese internet. Look like you are spinning a yarn.

[zacatecas]

Hey

Well, the dates don't add up. As of May 2006, he was looking for a job and then after a lot of searching, was put in jail for 15 days, then was transferred to IDC for 2 months, which makes him in IDC until at least Friday.

Unless of course, the church people have a time machine they allow you to use.

Although compulsive reading once you start, in my opinion it is a work of fiction.

Regards

Peter

[penzman]

Hi Scampy.