Korean Job Discussion Forums

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

I like Malaysia's laws. Death Penalty to anyone convicted of drugs.

Yes, the treatment at Thai prisons isn't good but, I have no sympathy at all for any criminal. If there were someone in jail that was innocent than I would feel for them and want to comfort them.

However, what kind of conversation do you want to have with some drug smuggler or dealer?

There was a documentary 10 years ago, I believe 60 minutes, about some young urban women from America who were paid to travel to Thailand and have a vacation and smuggle back some heroine. Mostly inner city black women. They said that the life expectancy in prison was less than 10 years. These women were in pretty bad shape, but I personally don't feel sorry for them at all. They made the decision, they made the choice, they will need to live with the consequences.

It is not like people get life imprisonment in Thailand for carrying one joint. The sever penalties are for heroine and other hard drugs. I think most cases of marijuana possession are 6 months.

I have lived in Thailand for more than 10 years total and I have never seen or known anyone to do drugs. If you find drugs everywhere, like one poster said, I imagine that he/she is looking for them. One could say the same thing about any western country also. Drugs are everywhere and the laws are to help deter them, however it won't stop until their is no value in selling the drugs or no addicts to crave it.

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Electron cloud

OP - forget all the issues ethical and moral that affect the way YOU FEEL and know that there are plenty of inmates there that will apreciate someone to talk to, some time out of their cell and you're also allowed to bring in small things like notebooks and pencils and otehr things they might apppreciate.

Don't do it for yourself, do it for someone that would apreciate it. Trust me they're not going to give two figs about whether you think you're turning them into a tourist attracion or whatever lol.... they have other, more pressing concerns, like how much mice crap will be in the rice tonight or whatever....

skinsk05 · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Location: Jeonju

I've visited foreign prisoners in Bangkok. You need to get a name (contact the embassy; it is sometimes possible to ask at the prison) and go on visitor's day during the set times. Prisoners have "accounts" to shop at the prison shop for food and personal products. You can deposit money --$5 goes a long way-- and are allowed to bring certain items-- check with the prison. I usually try to visit twice and see if there's anything the prisoner wants (within reason).

These are not people who were caught with a bar-bag of pot. (If you get stopped for a joint, you will pay the nice policeman a few hundred dollars and that is that). People are in prison in Thailand (most foreigners will serve about 10 years) for smuggling large amounts of drugs, and generally meth, estacy. . . generally motivated by money, but yes, I agree that they are being severely punished for a really bad decision! Most will tell you their story. I let the person tell me whatever they want to share, but I don't push. Offer to e-mail or contact family. I think they enjoy a break from the day-in day-out boredom. The Western prisoners I met in Thailand (you can visit the womens' prison too) seemed resigned. . . they weren't treated badly by guards or other prisoners. . . but jail is jail and they are far away from family and friends.

I encourage you (and maybe others who read this) to go! You can also visit foreigners in other countries, if you aren't heading to Thailand!

BTW, Visitors are not searched, but anything you bring to the prisoner has to be handed over and will be searched.

mua'dib · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Location: sweating pure pocari

Frankly speaking-you lack the basic humanity that enables most people to be able to sympathize with someone we don't fully understand.

I hope your conscience may someday make you a more tolerant person. You cannot possibly understand the motivations of those who tread where you dare not.

I really hope that you were not serious about your post, it struck me as cold and frightening. I haven't heard such ignorant inflammatory dribble since high school.