Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Murph]

This January I will be traveling through through Asia, and of course what Korean ESL'ers travels wouldn't be complete without a trip to Thailand. Most people think I am crazy when they hear that I have been in Korea for 5 years and haven't made it to the land of smiles yet. One of the things that I am planning on doing while there is going to visit an inmate at the infamous Bang Kwang prison. If you have never heard of it, read a book called The Damage Done by Warren Fellows, or you can look up the BBC documentary The Real Bangkok Hilton.

To me there are so many ethical issues to deal with in making such a decision. Should I go? Is it right to go? Would it be the same as treating the prisoners as a tourist attraction? How do I feel about entertaining an inmate? Who would I feel comfortable seeing? Who would I not feel comfortable seeing, among many more.

In the end I decided that I will go. If you know anything about the conditions of Thai prisons you'll know that they are pretty horrific to say the least. There are people in there who have received 30 years to 50 years, to life for a pocket full of drugs. I have no interest in going to visit a murderer, or multiple rapist, or 'top of the chain' drug dealers but I must say that my heart goes out to those (mostly tourists, not much different than most of the esl teachers who will make up the majority of people who read this thread) who received such draconian sentences for a pocket full of drugs. People who have done nothing else wrong in their lives, and if they had not been caught would most likely never have done anything else wrong in their lives. People who would have received a year in prison, or possibly even parole in their home countries.

I can't say that dealing in or smuggling drugs in anyway is okay, however I just feel that their sentences far outweigh their crimes. I would never think about going to visit a drug dealer in Canada who has received a one year sentence for example, but these guys have to sleep in a tiny room with 50 other people, they are on a near starvation diet, and they might be there for the rest of their lives, over a pocket full of powder. I also feel that when it comes to drugs people that take them have made a personal choice, and they should bear a large part of the responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

I must admit that there is a certain curiosity in my desire to go as well. I would be obviously lying otherwise, however I truly feel that the punishment for the type of inmate that I would think about visiting has far outreached his crime, I will be able to buy him some healthy food to help him along for a few days, and maybe even give him the hope that he needs to carry on. Therefore I feel that my visit will be justified.

What do you think, about the prison visit? About the punishments vs the crimes? About the drug dealer vs the person who decides to do drugs?

[BrianInSuwon]

I think you're tapping into a new niche in the tourism market.

[ThingsComeAround]

I think if you don't know anyone there, it would be pretty f'ed up to go "visit" since you aren't a journalist.

What if the guards ask you to state an actual name of an inmate you wish to visit? Do you have one in mind??

[proustme]

Make sure not to get put in the situation that was in Brokedown Palace.

[itaewonguy]

there are already established organizations which arrange visits for inmates.. check with your embassy in bangkok.. or check the internet for visiting inmates in bangkok...

I believe its random, you just go in and they bring you someone to talk with.. of course you shouldnt bum them out by talking about why they are in there etc.. find out their hobbies, maybe bring a newspaper for them from their country.. or something like that..

[Goku]

draconian laws are deterrents. People make the laws such as this to stop people from doing it in the first place. It's definitely not fair, but even despite the high price to pay, people are still doing it.

They paid the price knowing the penalty. I can't really feel sorry for them. Only because they knew what they were getting into.

If someone told me that biting my fingernails carries a penalty of $50,000 I wouldn't do it regardless of how unfair it is. The price is too high to pay for the benefit. It's how the Thai government is trying to wipe your average joe schmo drug peddler.

Although I think it would be great to visit a place like that. Theres so much to learn about that kind of culture and way of living. To see the eyes of a prisoner or someone who is doomed to that kind of lifestyle. Eye opening stuff.

[typo]

[thurst]

i'm not sure how comfortable the guy you quoted is with the thai drug laws, it's a mere statement of fact. they have ridiculously steep laws to deter drug use/dealing which they feel is a priority and the sex trade isn't.

that said, if you really think that it's SOOO outrageous and ridiculous for the gov't to do that you shouldn't support that same gov't with your tourist dollars.

if you go to another country and willing and knowingly break the law then you deserve whatever punishment they decide to give you.

[grunden]

It would be funny if you went to visit someone, and they found some hash on you, and then they put your pencil neck butt in the slammer with the people you wanted to 'visit'.

[Perceptioncheck]

[losing_touch]

I don't know. I live here in Bangkok, and I have often wondered about the same question. Drugs are everywhere here and quite easy to obtain. The fact that penalties are harsh isn't stopping anyone. I don't think I would ever go visit someone at the prison simply because I wouldn't want a visitor myself if I found myself in that position. Perhaps, I would just like to sit in my misery .....

[benji]

Undoubtedly the inmate will request that you pull up your shirt and press your bare breasts against the glass, right Billy?

[losing_touch]

[Murph]

[Murph]