Thread: in big legal trouble - trial in 1 month

Last year I did something really dumb one night, commited theft in a shop for something worth about 5000 baht. I dont know why. I had a lot of stuff going on and just snapped.

Inevitably the police caught up with me, I knew it was going to happen. What i didnt expect is the police would pile six charges on me: 14 years maximum, and 1 year minimum. It seems like they were aiming for a bribe, the investigating officer said as much when my lawyer tried to get the charges reduced. Unfortunately - and i dont fully know why - my lawyer didnt trust the investigating officer and wouldnt offer anything, so my case proceeded to court with no charges dropped.

Right now I'm still on bail, the court has set a plea hearing at the end of the month. I can plead guilty and get sentenced immediately, or not guilty and face trial over the next 6 months. Although evidence is damning, there's no way I'll win a trial.

My lawyer suggests plead guilty. With it being my only offence, and such a small amount, and a guilty plea, I might just a year or two on probation (suspended sentence).

I was just wondering if anyone had heard of a foreigner getting a suspended sentence before? I certainly haven't. It seems like judges usually give foreigners very long sentences?

To add to the mix, I also have a minor form of cancer. I've already seen thai prison, healthcare is non existant. That seriously worries me - being in jail with no treatment. It could get a lot worse.


Interested in any advice, experience? What would you do, or plead? I have one month to try and figure something out. I'm at a loss right now - I could get a small probation or a decade in jail - it's hard to choose the best way to deal with this. I'd love to hear any experiences or advice.

I know this is my first post on this account, and probably people might think im trolling. So feel free to pm me asking for my Line id, and i'll send you a photo of the court appointment/charges.

Don't quote me i think a foreigner convicted of a crime in thailand gets a bit of time in IDC then deported home.

Are you locked in to Thailand by family, etc? If not, have you considered just getting out before the trial? It's not a charge you'll get extradited for.....

Originally Posted by razorramone

What i didnt expect is the police would pile six charges on me

What are the charges ?

Good advice ^ pack your bags now if you can

What visa are you in on ?

Leave quietly. Google Kevin Quill .......

No family. I'm not sure of my visa, but I am here working. The police confiscated my passport and put me on the immigration block list, so I cant just fly away. If I'm caught near a border or airport then I'm immediately back in jail.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by razorramone

What i didnt expect is the police would pile six charges on me

What are the charges ?

Theft at night is the worst, 1-5 years. Plus harming someone through use of a document, using an electronic card with bad intent, and make a fake document. (I found and used my ex girlfriends atm card). 14 years for 5000 baht, even my lawyer thought it was crazy, but im just glad I was given bail.

Run. Do not pass go, to not wait to be made an example of. Border to cambo, lost passport application there and home.

^ Yeah get the f--k out of dodge.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Run. Do not pass go, to not wait to be made an example of. Border to cambo, lost passport application there and home.

Yeah I've seen cases like that. But didn't the ozzie biker murderer do the same thing and get arrested as soon as he walked into Cambodian immigration?

Originally Posted by razorramone

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Run. Do not pass go, to not wait to be made an example of. Border to cambo, lost passport application there and home.

Yeah I've seen cases like that. But didn't the ozzie biker murderer do the same thing and get arrested as soon as he walked into Cambodian immigration?

Do they extradite for theft?

So, the ex girlfriend filed the charges against you?

Lot of difference between a high profile murder case and yours.

Given that you may be looking at years in jail, I'd give it a shot and pray the lazy fucks never actually placed you on an immigration hold, or that the lazy fucks on the other end fail to check.

Or get someone who looks very much like you to fly in and use their passport to leave.

i'm having a panic attack by proxy

Depending on the crime and your prison sentence you can be brought for extradition to your home country.

Theft in Thailand | Thailand Law

The title of this thread should be changed to "How can I leave Thailand without a passport and not risk being sent back"

it's a shocking situation and lessons to be learned

i haven't stolen anything since my mum made me give mark reynolds his chinesey marbles back when i was 7

How about finding someone to see if your on the list.

Or contact one of the many groups here in Thailand,for info regarding your rights.

Sneeak out all quiet like, not through a border crossing ya nugget

i'm impressed but unsurprised at the number of criminal minds on by here

Originally Posted by razorramone

Yep. Well, she reported it. But the charges are from the state, so I cant just get her to drop them.

Unfortunately at this stage its just impossible to have the case quietly dropped, anyway. The police were willing, if I paid her compensation and gave them a little extra, but for some reason my lawyer wouldnt agree to it. So now its already with the court.

Sounds like your lawyer is a bit of a knob....guess he thinks he will make more money from you by going through the system !!

Originally Posted by razorramone

The police were willing, if I paid her compensation and gave them a little extra, but for some reason my lawyer wouldnt agree to it. So now its already with the court.

FFS.

The lawyer gets more money if it drags out and you go to court.

Jesus wept.

^Indeed. Lawyer fucked him big time. Sounds he could have paid out of it fairly cheaply.