Misbehaviour of Honorary Consul , file Complaint

[thetruth revealer]

If a Honorary Consul clearly misbehaves, denies Consular Assistance and verbally attacks a Citizen of the corresponding Country, where would he have to be reported or file a complaint? To the Embassy where he is assigned or ,... ?

Also, so far i understand the Defamation Law doesnt apply in the Function as Official Person.

Is that correct ?

Anybody has similar experiences??

 

http://www.thailandlaw.org/defamation-in-thailand.html

Edited January 20, 2017 by thetruth revealer

[VillageIdiot]

Send a formal and detailed complaint to your Embassy.

Any other actions you may take could have unintended consequences.

TIT.

[thetruth revealer]

Have you done that previously ?

Just wondering about the outcome.....

 

 

[VillageIdiot]

1 hour ago, thetruth revealer said:

Have you done that previously ?

Just wondering about the outcome.....

 

 

No, I haven't and the probability is that it would fall on deaf bureaucratic ears.

The advice not to go over-the-top on retaliation is based on a perspective of 30+ years of living here.

Norms that we usually take for granted in our own countries don't always apply in Thailand.

I've learned to live with that and still love it after all these years.

[thetruth revealer]

10 minutes ago, VillageIdiot said:

No, I haven't and the probability is that it would fall on deaf bureaucratic ears.

The advice not to go over-the-top on retaliation is based on a perspective of 30+ years of living here.

Norms that we usually take for granted in our own countries don't always apply in Thailand.

I've learned to live with that and still love it after all these years.

Actually from my understanding its not a Thai related issue in the first instance but related to the corresponding country of said Embassy .

So far, its more kind of international matter as you mentioned not to involve others than these authorities, which makes sense.( Thats why i didnt name the Country ).

 

We brought the issue already to attention and just wondering wether others have some similar examples.

 

 

 

[mamborobert]

If you consider the complaint is warranted you might be better off doing a semi three prong atttempt....especially if EU based

 

Write to your local MP in your home country,  the Foreign Affairs department in your home country, and then the Embassy.  Preferably one at a time in that order.  Reason I am suggesting this is that your local MP is your elected conduit to government.  If/When the local MP writes to Foreign Affirs Dept for a response on your behalf...things start to happen.  Elected officials are responsive to complaints by constituents.  Government officials are VERY responsive to complaints by Elected officials.  Embassies in turn are VERY responsive when the Foreign Affairs department (who will determine if and when they get their next posting) writes to them for clarification.

 

When you do it this way there a formal compaint and a formal process that is followed.

 

This is the most effective way to get things quickly addressed and have people actioning issues on your behalf.  That is what they were elected to do, and you paid taxes for.

 

Have not pursued this avenue myself......BUT did work in government and did work in overseas posts.  Direct aproaches to Embassy rarely achieved anything "your concerns have been noted, thank you for bringing this matter to my attention" type stuff.  Embassy being caught off guard by an issue raised from head office via a parliamentarian gets a thorough response within strict time frames and is documented at each step.

 

The Consular corp would not be so much venegeful (as much as they may like to be)  as people may suggest as much as very wary of any external pressure or scrutiny if you are treated poorly again. 

Edited January 20, 2017 by mamborobert

[thetruth revealer]

 

What i thought is the same proceed though, report it to the Ministery of foreign Affairs of the corresponding Country,the Ombudsman, and Embassy as well.

At this point, some action have to be taken, because it becomes international affair.

Will see whats the outcome.

Edited January 20, 2017 by thetruth revealer

[davehowden]

Intrigued to know what was said, what country, etc. etc.

 

Hope it wasn't Ben of "Point of Light" fame.

[Bill97]

Perhaps further information is needed. For example, if the Honorary Consul was having dinner with friends in a restaurant and refused service to and abused an intruding drunk prick, good on him.

That may sound extreme but we so often get stories of abuse which initially leave out facts which effect responsibility.

[evadgib]

The OPs first priority should be to confirm that the enquiry fell within the remit of an hon con and that it wasn't delivered via opportunistic rugby tackle in the likes of tescos...

[neilrob]

What sort of consular assistance did the OP want? The job of honorary consuls is to help with emergencies if necessary, such as a citizen in prison or ICU, not routine consular assistance, such as visas. Maybe the OP was asking for the wrong sort of assistance and would not take no for an answer.

[thetruth revealer]

1 minute ago, neilrob said:

What sort of consular assistance did the OP want? The job of honorary consuls is to help with emergencies if necessary, such as a citizen in prison or ICU, not routine consular assistance, such as visas. Maybe the OP was asking for the wrong sort of assistance and would not take no for an answer.

..you are assuming something which doesnt apply in this case.

Sadly i cant name and shame here for more details , because of the Defamation law. But one thing i can assure, that  its depending of the country corresponding what they can assist with , it really differs quite a lot. ( you can study some websites of different countries and will find out what im saying its true).

 

 

[TooPoopedToPop]

You are not giving enough follow-up information about what consular assistance was denied and the extent of the verbal attacks.

You can protect yourself from possible legal action by not naming the individual or the country he represents.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

"thetruth revealer"  said: "Sadly i cant name and shame here for more details , because of the Defamation law."

 

Such an oblique reference makes your OP seem more than slightly odd. As far as I'm aware; although  there are strictly enforced defamation laws in some SE Asian countries, I can't see how the same law would apply if you were referencing another country's consul (for example, the UK, a Scandinavian country, or Australia), where transparency concerning the governmental processes is encouraged.

 

Regards,

 

Joe

[thetruth revealer]

2 hours ago, TooPoopedToPop said:

You are not giving enough follow-up information about what consular assistance was denied and the extent of the verbal attacks.

You can protect yourself from possible legal action by not naming the individual or the country he represents.

 

 

2 hours ago, Shoeless Joe said:

"thetruth revealer"  said: "Sadly i cant name and shame here for more details , because of the Defamation law."

 

Such an oblique reference makes your OP seem more than slightly odd. As far as I'm aware; although  there are strictly enforced defamation laws in some SE Asian countries, I can't see how the same law would apply if you were referencing another country's consul (for example, the UK, a Scandinavian country, or Australia), where transparency concerning the governmental processes is encouraged.

 

Regards,

 

Joe

Because the HC is Thai Citizen, but representing another Country in his function , thai law would apply, im just guessing..

 

[Dante99]

another truth revealer not revealing the truth, think I have seen it before

[NancyL]

The OP has been given good advice about contacting the Consul's Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and elected public officials in his home country.  But first, he should be very clear that the "Consular Assistance" he was denied is indeed within the remit of the Hon. Consul.

 

I've known people who expect their Hon. Consul to be at the airport to greet them when they arrive from overseas  when come to take care of their adult tourist children who got into motorbike accidents here, for example.  

 

But, from personal experience, I can assure you that when someone emails the "authorities" with a complaint about their Honorary Consul, even if it is somewhat unwarranted, it is looked into.

[LannaGuy]

Do what has been advised. Complain, in writing, to your Embassy firstly by asking for the 'complaints procedure' there is bound to be one then follow that to the LETTER. 

[Trujillo]

According to the website you linked, "Defamation in Thailand is defined as a false statement that is generally classified as intentional and harmful and made by a person against another whether orally or in writing."

 

And yet ThaiVisa says (bold added): "Defamation is the issuance of a statement about another person or business which causes that person to suffer harm. It does not have to be false to be defamatory."

 

So what's what? I am not sure how a true statement could be considered defamatory, but I am open to explanations. 

[thetruth revealer]

3 hours ago, Dante99 said:

another truth revealer not revealing the truth, think I have seen it before

what are you refering to?

 

Edited January 24, 2017 by thetruth revealer

[thetruth revealer]

2 hours ago, LannaGuy said:

Do what has been advised. Complain, in writing, to your Embassy firstly by asking for the 'complaints procedure' there is bound to be one then follow that to the LETTER. 

to clarify its NOT from my home country....and, yes the assistance requiered is clearly within what the duty describes according the Embassy corresponding to said HC....

[NancyL]

I

8 hours ago, thetruth revealer said:

to clarify its NOT from my home country....and, yes the assistance requiered is clearly within what the duty describes according the Embassy corresponding to said HC....

 

If the Hon. Consul in question is not from your home country, nor were you requesting services that were to benefit a national of that country (for example, to assist a friend from that country in prison or hospital), then it's more doubtful that your written complaint will given has much credence as if that Hon. Consul ignored or violated the welfare of one of the country's nationals.

 

I wish you wouldn't continue to dance around what slight was committed against you by the Hon. Consul.  Did he get drunk and throw a drink in your face?  Hit on your girlfriend?  Scratch your car in the car park?

[thetruth revealer]

38 minutes ago, NancyL said:

I

 

If the Hon. Consul in question is not from your home country, nor were you requesting services that were to benefit a national of that country (for example, to assist a friend from that country in prison or hospital), then it's more doubtful that your written complaint will given has much credence as if that Hon. Consul ignored or violated the welfare of one of the country's nationals.

 

I wish you wouldn't continue to dance around what slight was committed against you by the Hon. Consul.  Did he get drunk and throw a drink in your face?  Hit on your girlfriend?  Scratch your car in the car park?

 

The short Version :

He shouted on my pregnant  GF , which is a Citizen of the Country , refused her consular assistance and asked for things which are not what described on the Website of the Embassy , we was also confirmed that from Embassy Staff recently. He misinformed and disliked when we confronted .

He basically kicked her (and me ) out of the premises where the Consulate resides and threatened verbally , almost attacked phsically if we wouldnt left there.

When i reminded him about the pregancy ,and to obstain form such behaviour he replied snappy ``Whatever ``.

 

 

He also get personally on me, insulting etc .

 

As well he mentioned that the corresponding Country didnt pay him for Services , which is clearly not our or her responsability nor mistake.

 

 

The story is much longer though.

Will post it here later, when we got some reply from the authorities.

Edited January 24, 2017 by thetruth revealer

[NancyL]

OK, well it does seem that it's appropriate to file a complaint with the Embassy on behalf of your girlfriend, being careful to state her full name (as on her passport) and her passport number in your opening line and the date and location of the incident.  The event should be described in as unemotional a way as possible, yet definitely bring in the point about her being pregnant and denied needed consular assistance.  The fact you personally were treated disrespectfully is a secondary issue that should be mentioned, but isn't the prime cause for concern.  And (I mean this in a kind way) I'd suggest you seek the assistance of a native English speaker and good copy editor prior to sending the complaint to the Embassy.  

[Dante99]

Something strong probably happened to set off the HC.

 

What was it?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2017 by Dante99

[NancyL]

9 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

Something strong probably happened to set off the HC.

 

What was it?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or possibly it was wasn't an HC from a EU or western country.  Not all of them have been to diplomatic finishing school, you know.

[Bill97]

 
...,He misinformed and disliked when we confronted ...,

Lots of people would throw you out if you get confrontational.

Why were you there if it was your GF's business?

[NancyL]

1 minute ago, Bill97 said:

 

Lots of people would throw you out if you get confrontational.

Why were you there if it was your GF's business?

 

Good point.  In some country's consulates they don't permit non-citizen's to enter on their citizen services days.  And the consular staff is protected behind several inches of bulletproof glass.

[evadgib]

Is this a formal consulate (Screen, CCTV, Security etc, all paid for by his Govt) or was the HC 'doorstepped'' @ his private business or home?

Edited January 24, 2017 by evadgib

[Bill97]

Good point.  In some country's consulates they don't permit non-citizen's to enter on their citizen services days.  And the consular staff is protected behind several inches of bulletproof glass.

Yes and anyone confrontational would be quickly disposed
of.