it really does depend on how serious the crime is. For instance if it is a crime against a child, a significant robbery, large volume drugs, or a murder there is no quarter given.
correct. If you keep track of the speed at which arrests are made here it constantly amazes me how well they respond to serious crime. Even Ferrari Joe knew he wouldn't last long in the "wild"
how long have you lived in Thailand? The "letter of the law" is a flexible boundary in my experience. Of course there are police that follow the letter of the law, but it often depends on the seriousness of crime, surrender, apology, asking for forgiveness and financial compensation as settlement outside of court.
yeah, I have a Thai mate out on bail for a triple shooting. 6 shots, 2 dead, one critical. He has been out on bail for a year. The victims were known to police and he really did the police a favour but still cost him dearly.
immigration has the info. Believe me. They know every record of you in Thailand that can connect you to your passport number. The only way they don't is if you haven't had your passport number attached to your police record, been fingerprinted or biometric scanned.
How long have you been in Thailand? Where I live I drink with police. All you need to do is find a friendly young policeman and give him 500 baht to enquire. If it comes back bad, have 20,000 baht ready. Problem solved.