What legal assistance can I seek after receiving a harsh one-year prison sentence in Thailand?

Oct 1, 2024
15 days ago
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone,

I have been facing serious legal challenges that have left me feeling trapped and in distress.

Recently, I was involved in a legal matter that resulted in a harsh penalty 1 years prison instead of similar case is just a fine, which I believe was unjust due to multiple violations of my rights throughout the process. I have experienced threats, physical harm, and coercion that have significantly affected my well-being and much more, give me my sentence only after tell me to say no for a lawyer, i said 2 word during the court hearing who take less than 2 min. This is my first offense, and I have a clean criminal record, i paid the fees damages but one of them was know by the judge.

Currently, I have to make appealing the decision, but I am deeply concerned about the possibility of being stuck in Thailand for 6 months to a year without the ability to work or support myself here. This situation is not only financially burdensome but also mentally challenging, as I fear for my safety and psychological well-being. They also dont allowed to me to leave the country i cannot leave there.

I am looking for any advice on how to navigate this situation, particularly:

• Recommendations for legal assistance or NGOs that can help with my case.

• Any contacts or resources within expatriate groups that may provide guidance.

• Suggestions for how to resolve these issues amicably before my appeal.

I appreciate any support or information you can provide. Thank you for taking the time to read my message.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking assistance after being sentenced to one year in prison for a legal issue in Thailand, expressing concern over their rights being violated, the potential of being stranded without work, and a desire for advice on navigating the appeal process. They are requesting recommendations for legal help, suggesting that expatriate communities and organizations may provide guidance, as well as expressing distress over their situation and lack of support from authorities.
James *********
***************************************************************************
Joel ********
Unfortunately for foreigners what is a 5000 baht fine for a Thai means prison for us. Your best bet is to befriend a local Thai person who knows people that might be able to help you especially with speaking Thai on your behalf. I was warned by a Thai friend about getting into any trouble especially with a Thai citizen
Us *****
Listen, we cannot help you or give you advice until we know what you did. Once we know what you did then we can find the correct lawyer to help you.
Dana *******
Contact the French embassy in Bangkok. They might help you. Of course, you will have to pay back all the costs involved but at least, you will have a propre legal help. That's life dude...
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dana ******
they dont mind and dont care about my case they said they have no power for legal stuff and cannot do anything even if they threaten me injury me hitting and doesnt respect my right they dont mind cannot do anything because they said its not our country
Guddu *************
Guys please help if you can . God bless him
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Guddu ************
thanx so much
John *******
Unfortunately, the French embassy would be your best option. If they are saying they can’t help, then, it might be the case. How do you know that most people only get fined 5,000 baht for this crime? I am sure there is a spectrum of results.
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
lawyers and court and police investigator told for this case for someone who never have a probleme with police before its a regular sentence
John *******
@Yohan ******
- Do you have any idea why the sentence was so different for you? Did lawyers/court/police investigator say anything about this?
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
its police court and interpreter told me at first its a fine only for my similar case if its first time
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
no idea lawyer said very unlucky and my trial i have no lawyer i didnt say any word except yes and no take less than 1 min and get sentenced after tell me to refuse lawyer
John *******
@Yohan ******
what does this lawyer now tell you to do? If stuck here waiting for an appeal, maybe you can find remote/digital work to support yourself
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
tell me make appeal but i want to avoid this because i want to take any risk to get a chance to go jail even if 1 %
Tony **********
@Yohan ******
why are you so evasive in telling the crime you were convicted of? People are trying to help but you are not forthcoming with info that might help them help you.
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
because when i said on my first post all comment was not about to help me or give me advice was only hate and people laught about me about what i have and said they are happy what happen to me thats why i didnt mentionned but what i do its very small thing its nothing serious at all
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
yes but no easy to find a digital work like this
Tony **********
You are of French Nationality ? Maybe some French ex-pat group can give you advice .
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
i will try but didnt have a lot
Hill ****
Always contact your embassy. They can help you with advice about your legal issue.
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Hill ***
i did they dont mind and said cannot do anything
Ellen *************
@Yohan ******
if your embassy won’t help you then something is really wrong. They don’t want to mess up diplomatic relations for certain things.
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellen ************
they said no power for case in court they can give only tips advice but not helping me even if they not respect my right because its not our country this is what they said to me
Hill ****
@Yohan ******
that sucks. The embassy can give at least some advise about the sentence and how to seek help.
Stephen *******************
Some indication of

“Serious Legal challenges “

Might help to get the right answers ?
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen ******************
its a small case usually fine i cannot provide information here not convenient
Sam ********
@Yohan ******
Not gonna lie, a little weird you'd go to these lengths to write out your story, but aren't willing to share what the legal challenges are.
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sam *******
i did before but expect to get advide i get only bad comment about what i do and not what i suffer i prefer to hide not about lie about to get comment advide i need and to get judge by all people for what i do
Ellen *************
@Yohan ******
so basically if you told us why you were arrested, we would have no sympathy for you and so that’s why you don’t tell us? Boo-hoo. I mean, I feel for you, but obviously you’re guilty of something because look how deceptive you are here. And yes, withholding is deception. It’s much more respectable to just be accountable then repeating over and over how it’s no big deal and it’s only a small thing and other people pay a fine but you’re being persecuted 🙄 you did something, say what, maybe someone here knows of a similar experience or would have good advice but wanting people to feel sorry for you and help you when you’re clearly unwilling to be honest… That’s the same kind of magical thinking that you in this position.
Kevin *******
Sadly it's their country, their ways, you have no rights in their eyes and you are at their mercy.

Good luck but if they refuse you a lawyer and you dont get to defend yourself, there is nothing you can do.
Garrett ***********
@Kevin ******
Foreigners have the same rights as any Thai person in a court, please don't make up stuff. You literally have no idea what you're even saying.
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
what i get actually was not same right at all in the all process than i can be the proof its the the case at all what you saying for my case maybe not for all foreigner but for me was like this
Sue ******
Contact your embassy
Jo **********
it depends on what crime you committed many times you can just pay
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
small case very small usually its 5000 bath fine for the case
Xia *****
sorry is mine as well, but what was the crime they charged u under? also frankly speaking, in Thailand, as a foreigner, if we are involved in some legal case, the only solution is to use money; but due to language barrier, network wise, it is hard for us to find the right contact from the right channel. :-( it is something you need to look for Thai community rather than in here with a bunch of foreigners who are unlikely to be well connected in Thai government... pay a high price to hire an International law firm to help you is more practical...
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Xia ****
thanx have to find who have to paid for get out this than
Nigel **************
Sad to hear,what nationality are you
Yohan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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