The problem is with black people is that you can't tell if they are topless or not, because they could be wearing a black polo neck pullover.
So you can't blame the immigration officer for getting confused.
Brit Faces Two Years In Thai Jail For Being 'rude'.
Started by Chopper, 2009-03-03 12:12
#77
misterman21
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:31:26
A BRITISH man is facing a two-year sentence in a hellish Thai prison for being 'rude' to an official. Voice reader Simon Burrowes, from Wembley, north London, was ending a holiday with a friend when Thai authorities in Phuket airport detained him on January 31, preventing him from returning to the UK. Immigration officials suspected Burrowes' passport was a forgery. Speaking to The Voice via phone from Thailand, Burrowes said: "A woman at immigration was looking at my passport and then handed it to the man behind her. I was ushered to sit down whilst he took out a magnifying glass and proceeded to check my passport for half an hour," he explained. He was told that he was not getting on the plane and was taken to a detention centre, whilst his friend Matthew was able to fly back to the UK. Burrowes said: "I'm a black man so I'm used to getting hassle at airports, but I was shocked by this." For three weeks, the 44-year old was held with 126 men in a cramped prison cell. "Thai prisons are notorious for being some of the worst. There is no privacy. You go to the toilet in the open and there is no toilet paper. There were guys in there that had scabies and were next to me," said Burrowes. He contacted the British Consulate, who confirmed his passport was genuine. However, the disgruntled Brit claims that the Consulate should have done more, saying that they took long to react to his case. "I was disgusted and beside myself. People talk of them [the British Consulate] like they are the cavalry. If you have issues abroad they come charging to help. But they didn't really help me," he fumed. Burrowes was later charged with 'rude and aggressive behaviour' towards an immigration officer, a claim he denies, and was released on £2,000 bail. He must remain in Thailand until his trial begins on April 26, and his lawyer has warned he could face a two-year jail sentence. "I have to find some way to sustain myself financially while I am here. I went to Thailand to enjoy the land, learn the culture and spend some money. It's turned into a nightmare," he said. Burrowes is hoping that he will soon be able to fly back to the UK. "If they find me guilty, who knows what will happen. I met people in prison who are doing five years for having two spliffs on them. It's very difficult to hold yourself up in a Thai prison. I feel very bitter about what has happened," he said. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London told The Voice they are looking into the case. Link to story here. It would appear that he swore at the immigration official, criticised Thailand & snatched his passport back, so on that basis he got what he deserved & if he does receive a prison sentence, he has only himself to blame - end of discussion. I'd just add that I've no sympathy for him whatsoever. Now why would i not be suprized by the likes of you - you hatred of your father has f*cked your humanity #78
skiman1
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:32:10
A passport photo is rejected if it is not suitable,and if he had no shirt on,then i don't see how he could have got the photo accepted.I think that the Thai immi.chap started off ok,just questioning Simon,but i suspect Simon used his size and mouth to belittle the guy,and from there,it's all downhill.  I like "beachers" comment about Thai's having small brains and big ego's...To get a job in immigration requires a BA.So much for small brains.....And i wouldn't take to kindly to arrogant foreigners trying to stand over me.  But going to jail for this,mmmmmm,Seems a bit harsh.  You obviously don't know anything about the Thai education system. what system?? 
#79
Journalist
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:33:45
'Big Bad John'...by Jimmy Dean?
#80
sriracha john
Star Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:35:55
'Big Bad John'...by Jimmy Dean? Too obvious and too close to reality to choose that one... 
#81
Splatter
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:37:48
from... http://phuketwan.com...ed-phuket-rude/
"When the official started to ask questions, Burrowes became angry, Khun Suksopon said, and snatched back his passport. Burrowes then said ''F*** You'' and criticised Thailand in an offensive way, Khun Suksopon added. ''If you go to England and behave the way this man did, what would happen?'' Khun Suksopon asked. ''I love Thailand. I do not want people coming here and looking down on Thailand or speaking badly about Thailand and to Thai people.'' _______ Okay, I have no idea what really went on at the airport, and I'm not sure if the guy lost his temper before or after missing his flight. However, Khun Suksopon might be interested to read what IS happening in England. from... http://www.timesonli...icle2461247.ece "OFFICIALS guarding Britain’s borders have been told to cheer up, smarten up and take some lessons in charm - from the Germans. The government is worried that staff manning passport desks provide a depressing welcome for foreign tourists and has decided to use the imminent adoption nationwide of new uniforms as an excuse to give officials a full makeover. <edit> "According to data collected by Visit Britain, a tourism quango, this country ranks 16th in the world for “visitor welcome”. Canada is top, followed by Australia, Spain and New Zealand. Britain is on a par with Mexico, although above France and the United States. “Britain has a good image for its heritage, the arts, fashion and popular culture,” said Visit Britain, the national tourism agency. “But not a good image as a welcoming place. There is still that ‘stiff upper lip’ idea.” James Bidwell, chief executive of Visit London, said: “Immigration officers have got to realise that this country is in the consumer business. Of course they have a serious job to do but they can, and should, have friendly faces, too.” ______ Seems the Brits realise that it is also worth assessing their (my) officials. Cheer up, smarten up, learn from the Germans. Ooeeerrr. Mr Mainwaring. #82
Jingthing
Member Schmember Posted 2009-03-03 15:41:51 Quote ''If you go to England and behave the way this man did, what would happen?'' Khun Suksopon asked. Edited by Jingthing, 2009-03-03 15:42:39. #83
thetitan99
Advanced Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:43:31
He shouldn't have told them to F off. #84
Journalist
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:44:54
Johnny B Goode
...by Chuck Berry? #85
adjan jb
Platinum Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:52:07
Maybe, in retaliation, Britain should arrest and detain a Thai for a few hours before releasing him with the following apology:
"We're sorry but with that yellow shirt, he looked topless and because of his half shut slanting eyes, we thought he was dead when the photograph was taken." #86
KhunDave
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 15:56:00
Surely not necessary for the old hands on here, but maybe for any first-time visitors - this is a salient warning not to "lose it" under any circumstances when dealing with officials in this fair land.
However you may feel about the rights and wrongs of any given situation there is only one sensible - sane - way to deal with it. Keep calm, swallow your pride and smile. These people hold all of the cards whilst you are on their soil, and the Human Rights Act won't help you here. #87
cmsally
Platinum Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:03:57
Thailand is beginning to look more like a destination where you are at the whim and mercy of disgruntled govt. officials with a chip on their shoulder. He may not be the type of 5 star visitor they would wish to attract, but then large parts of Phuket are not exactly at 5 star destination standards. However when flying out; is it not the ground staff of the airline you fly with who checks passports, rather than immigration officials who check when you come in? Are we to presume that insulting Thailand is now a punishable offense? Immigration stamp your passport on entry and also stamp your passport when you leave the country.  So we presume he was on an international flight. In which case after Brit Consulate confirm passport is genuine, it is even more ridiculous as he is on his way out of the country. What on earth is the point in detaining him here. Just put him on his flight. #88
barky
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:04:53
you are usually dealing with people who have small minds and very large egos. Just like most of the farangs on Thai Visa then? Well, here is one for you Beacher madjbs definately appears to prefer Thais over westeners, or Farangs as he likes to call them. And, do you include yourself in the "most" madjbs? Edited by barky, 2009-03-03 16:05:36. #89
sriracha john
Star Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:04:54
Johnny B Goode ...by Chuck Berry? although I usually am.... sorry, but no #90
JacknDanny
Wheel Tappers and Shunters Club Posted 2009-03-03 16:06:08
^John, can I be your Facebook friend please. I've just done a name search on "John" and it seems there are quite a lot. There are no Sriracha's though, leading me to infer you are here pseudonymically. Give us a clue.... To find, think of a song title with "John" in it. That'll narrow it down. Quote are you a facebook friend of Sabaijai? no I reckon ex navy. Gotta be Sloop John B!! Edited by JacknDanny, 2009-03-03 16:07:27. #91
sriracha john
Star Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:06:37
He shouldn't have told them to F off. never to someone that I needed something from them in order to get home #92
sriracha john
Star Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:11:27
Thailand is beginning to look more like a destination where you are at the whim and mercy of disgruntled govt. officials with a chip on their shoulder. He may not be the type of 5 star visitor they would wish to attract, but then large parts of Phuket are not exactly at 5 star destination standards. However when flying out; is it not the ground staff of the airline you fly with who checks passports, rather than immigration officials who check when you come in? Are we to presume that insulting Thailand is now a punishable offense? Immigration stamp your passport on entry and also stamp your passport when you leave the country. So we presume he was on an international flight. In which case after Brit Consulate confirm passport is genuine, it is even more ridiculous as he is on his way out of the country. What on earth is the point in detaining him here. Just put him on his flight. errr....except that the Brit Consulate was a major part of the problem according to Khun Simon...
He contacted the British Consulate, who confirmed his passport was genuine. However, the disgruntled Brit claims that the Consulate should have done more, saying that they took long to react to his case. “I was disgusted and beside myself. People talk of them [the British Consulate] like they are the cavalry. If you have issues abroad they come charging to help. But they didn’t really help me,” he fumed. #93
sriracha john
Star Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:14:58
^John, can I be your Facebook friend please. I've just done a name search on "John" and it seems there are quite a lot. There are no Sriracha's though, leading me to infer you are here pseudonymically. Give us a clue.... To find, think of a song title with "John" in it. That'll narrow it down. Quote are you a facebook friend of Sabaijai? no I reckon ex navy. Gotta be Sloop John B!!  good try... but no.anyway.... it's just facebook and we've derailed this very pressing topic enough as it is with our Farang Pub-ish sub-thread. Thanks for playing. #94
bkkdawg
Senior Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:23:07
Only a complete idiot would act the way he did. Can't feel sorry for him even though the sentence is rather harsh, in fact it is rather funny. How the hel_l is that funny??? The guy might have family.There are so many arse licking westeners here now, just because the thought of all these women taken away from them is a nightmare. The detainment is way too harsh for voicing an opinion. Anyone that lives here knows that this is no more than a show of power because the guy come from a wealthier country and is probably more wealthy. Too right, you have to respect the culture and the way things are over here, but there is an increasing number of farang who just kiss Thai ass to the point it makes be embarrassed to watch. As I'm in the teaching game over here I see these kind of people trying to pucker-up their way to the top and there's just no need for it. #95
jtp
Boating member Posted 2009-03-03 16:23:48
A passport photo is rejected if it is not suitable,and if he had no shirt on,then i don't see how he could have got the photo accepted.I think that the Thai immi.chap started off ok,just questioning Simon,but i suspect Simon used his size and mouth to belittle the guy,and from there,it's all downhill. I like "beachers" comment about Thai's having small brains and big ego's...To get a job in immigration requires a BA.So much for small brains.....And i wouldn't take to kindly to arrogant foreigners trying to stand over me. But going to jail for this,mmmmmm,Seems a bit harsh. You obviously don't know anything about the Thai education system. what system?? I know the Thai education system better then most,my wife went through it and my daughter is going through it...Both have better education then the average Australian student..
#96
madjbs
Platinum Member Posted 2009-03-03 16:32:58
Only a complete idiot would act the way he did. Can't feel sorry for him even though the sentence is rather harsh, in fact it is rather funny. How the hel_l is that funny??? The guy might have family.There are so many arse licking westeners here now, just because the thought of all these women taken away from them is a nightmare. The detainment is way too harsh for voicing an opinion. Anyone that lives here knows that this is no more than a show of power because the guy come from a wealthier country and is probably more wealthy. Too right, you have to respect the culture and the way things are over here, but there is an increasing number of farang who just kiss Thai ass to the point it makes be embarrassed to watch. As I'm in the teaching game over here I see these kind of people trying to pucker-up their way to the top and there's just no need for it. You know the standard of farangs in Thailand is low when acting respectfully and properly is deemed as "Kissing Thai Ass"
#97
Jingthing
Member Schmember Posted 2009-03-03 16:35:23 Quote I know the Thai education system better then most,my wife went through it and my daughter is going through it...Both have better education then the average Australian student.. dry.gif BTW: I have heard that in Thai unis, once accepted, as long as you pay the fees, you are 100 percent guaranteed to graduate. Edited by Jingthing, 2009-03-03 16:36:16. #98
tartempion
Ugly Fat Farang Posted 2009-03-03 16:36:54
Only a complete idiot would act the way he did. Can't feel sorry for him even though the sentence is rather harsh, in fact it is rather funny. Funny, really?  The Director General of Immigration at the Phuket International Airport, Suksopon Maneeson, said he had a voice tape recording the incident. you could reserve your judgement until hearing the recording 
#99
Jingthing
Member Schmember Posted 2009-03-03 16:48:11 Quote you could reserve your judgement until hearing the recording The public will NEVER hear that tape, even if it really exists. Edited by Jingthing, 2009-03-03 16:48:35. #100
jtp
Boating member Posted 2009-03-03 16:50:53
Quote I know the Thai education system better then most,my wife went through it and my daughter is going through it...Both have better education then the average Australian student.. dry.gif BTW: I have heard that in Thai unis, once accepted, as long as you pay the fees, you are 100 percent guaranteed to graduate. Well,you heard wrong.
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