I can understand why people want to visit convicts but there are a lot of kids out there that could do with help to help them not going to jail in the first place.

for phuket ,

you go in the morning ( 9 am or so ) give them copy of ur passport an who u wish to visit,

than they put you on the list,

you wait an when ur called they check what your giving them ( an take it from you to give to them) and u go into the room an speak with them thru glass using a telephone for 5 minutes.

you can also give them Baht which goes into their prison account

not anymore, your not allowed to take anything for them anymore just visit and talk through glass can still put money tho anything else you have to try to get a guard to take it but it will cost

Why not trying to ask the individuals. " How can help you (without breaking any laws) ? " I am sure each prisoner might have a different answer.

Why not trying to ask the individuals. " How can help you (without breaking any laws) ? " I am sure each prisoner might have a different answer.

Greg I apologize if this was a sarcastic comment but they are in jail for breaking laws.

Don't expect them to stop anytime soon.

Jacksam, I applaud you for your intentions and I hope you find a good way to do this valuable service. I know the recipients of your compassion will be appreciative. I suggest you take cheap flip-flop style slippers, packet meals such as noodles, baked beans and maybe a kfc takeaway meal which will really brighten their day. If you feel able to give a little money, that would be well received for the purchase of food and personal needs inside the jail. Prisoners are not allowed to receive unopened tinned foods so they are a waste of money. Cigarettes may be banned, best to find out before trying to take them in. If they are allowed, he will be able to sell them for more than face value if he's a non smoker, so they are better than cash. Weekdays will be easier for you and more valuable to the inmate. Weekends are going to be packed with families which will slow the whole thing down. Expect to have to wait in line but as you become known to the jail employees, you may be given preferential treatment, especially if you are on a consular visiting program.

I would advise you to contact your embassy's consular department to enquire if they have a program for volunteer jail visiting. Very likely they do and if not, they will advise you of the procedures and what to look out for. If you take a girl along with you, ensure she is dressed in a demure fashion or she'll be refused entry. No cut sleeves, short skirts or shorts. Avoid complaining inside the jail about anything you see, rather write it down later and report it to the embassy. Remember, the inmate has to take the beating for anything the guards see as an infraction... Feel free to PM me.

Why give to criminals instead of orphans?

Why assume everyone on the wrong side of the bars is a "Criminal" or a "Convict"?

It amazes me that TV has so many experts who seem to know an awful lot of nothing.

I speak from personal experience though not in Thailand. I was incarcerated for 21 months in a hell hole in Angeles City, Philippines. My 'crime' was filing a complaint against corrupt cops for trying to extort me, my wife and her employees after a bogus raid on her call centre in Mabalacat. The same police siezed over a million pesos worth of computers and sold them, so when the court ordered them to return the equipment to us, they were unable to do so. Next thing we were behind bars on charges of HUMAN TRAFFICKING..... No trial, just intimidation & death threats to us and some foreigners who visited us. We ended up giving in to their demands when we realised the judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers are all connected in the syndicate. We paid over 4.5m Pesos, lost our house, our car and our business investment in the call centre. With legal fees, we lost about 12 million Pesos.

My wife & I were dismissed of our charges because the prosecution failed to find even one witness to give evidence against us in the 21 months we were held. They also could not find even one piece of evidence to support their charges but the judge (now defrocked) still signed the arrest warrant and committal order that sent us to jail. Of course you will ask why we were charged with Human Trafficking.... Simple answer - There is no bail for that charge. Now I have a different battle on my hands. I want to shout about this from the rooftops but my wife is afraid her family will be killed if I do.....

Why not trying to ask the individuals. " How can help you (without breaking any laws) ? " I am sure each prisoner might have a different answer.

Greg I apologize if this was a sarcastic comment but they are in jail for breaking laws.

Don't expect them to stop anytime soon.

Except for those who are in jail on remand.......... Seems you don't understand something basic about being innocent until proved guilty? Also.... Remember Where You Are! Those Myanmar guys in Koh Tao will be in jail now, right?

Perhaps not knowing their crime is best. Everyone deserves a smiling face and a conversation. I would do it.

So quite happy if they murdered their kids or even raped them? Visiting known prisoners is understandable, getting a kick out of doing it on the tourist trail is quite frankly misplaced sympathy and not to be encouraged. Not seen any reason yet why time and money is not better spent visiting orphanages or HIV shelters, not got quite the same bragging status on face book?

and take some food, books and old DVD's.

Sheesh - they have DVD players in prison?? I thought this was Thailand, not Sweden.

Or perhaps they use the old DVDs for some nefarious purpose...

A DVD makes a very good blade when sharpened on the concrete floor, But im sure they wont be used like that

Samui has visiting Mon, Wed, Fri, in the morning and afternoons. It is not possible now to take anything to prisoners, although there is a shop outside the prison (but on the prison property) where you can buy some food and grooming items that will be delivered same day. It is also possible to deposit money into the prisoners account up to certain account balance.

What a beautiful thought. Anyone know of any good women's prisons in Bangkok?

Perhaps not knowing their crime is best. Everyone deserves a smiling face and a conversation. I would do it.

So quite happy if they murdered their kids or even raped them? Visiting known prisoners is understandable, getting a kick out of doing it on the tourist trail is quite frankly misplaced sympathy and not to be encouraged. Not seen any reason yet why time and money is not better spent visiting orphanages or HIV shelters, not got quite the same bragging status on face book?

I don't brag on Facebook, i am not 16 years old. Maybe i can visit orphanages and dog rescue places and prisons. I can do whatever i want with my time.

Perhaps not knowing their crime is best. Everyone deserves a smiling face and a conversation. I would do it.

So quite happy if they murdered their kids or even raped them? Visiting known prisoners is understandable, getting a kick out of doing it on the tourist trail is quite frankly misplaced sympathy and not to be encouraged. Not seen any reason yet why time and money is not better spent visiting orphanages or HIV shelters, not got quite the same bragging status on face book?

I don't brag on Facebook, i am not 16 years old. Maybe i can visit orphanages and dog rescue places and prisons. I can do whatever i want with my time.

I agree Patsycat, giving is a personal thing and it's up to you who, where, why and how you give. For me, I try not to be judgmental and giving is not tied to 'deserving'. Karma sorts out the balance, it's not our responsibility to judge. I have no problem with jacky54 giving to orphanages, HIV shelters etc but I doubt that is the reality because giving requires compassion, understanding and humanity.