PHUKET: US citizen Joe Blazy, a Phuket police volunteer and dive instructor, was arrested yesterday and detained in a police cell overnight because of a visa discrepancy.
He is due to appear in Phuket Provincial Court today.
Mr Blazy, 40, is one of Phuket's leading environmental campaigners and also a defender of the rights of the island's expats.
At the time of his arrest, he was campaigning strongly against pollution of the sea at Racha island and trying to prevent the importation of dolphins to a Phuket amusement park.
Friends of Mr Blazy were today trying to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his arrest. Mr Blazy was transferred by Immigration officers yesterday to Phuket City Police Station, where he spent last night in the cells.
It is believed Mr Blazy went to Immigration Headquarters in Phuket City yesterday to have his visa stamp renewed in a new passport.
However, because of delays incurred in the delivery of the new passport from the US embassy in Bangkok, his stamp was one day overdue, one friend told Phuketwan.
Officials from the embassy, due on Phuket for an outreach day for local Americans tomorrow, are expected to take an interest in the case.
Mr Blazy noted in a Facebook post on October 2: ''Boooo Thai Airways and your failing flight computers. My 7am flight turned into a 930am flight and now I have now missed my appointment at the US Embassy to replace my passport. Now my 1 day trip to the big mango has become 2.''
As well as being a Region 8 police volunteer, among Mr Blazy's activities was a campaign to make visa runs easier for long-term residents.
He is due to appear in Phuket Provincial Court today.
Mr Blazy, 40, is one of Phuket's leading environmental campaigners and also a defender of the rights of the island's expats.
At the time of his arrest, he was campaigning strongly against pollution of the sea at Racha island and trying to prevent the importation of dolphins to a Phuket amusement park.
Friends of Mr Blazy were today trying to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his arrest. Mr Blazy was transferred by Immigration officers yesterday to Phuket City Police Station, where he spent last night in the cells.
It is believed Mr Blazy went to Immigration Headquarters in Phuket City yesterday to have his visa stamp renewed in a new passport.
However, because of delays incurred in the delivery of the new passport from the US embassy in Bangkok, his stamp was one day overdue, one friend told Phuketwan.
Officials from the embassy, due on Phuket for an outreach day for local Americans tomorrow, are expected to take an interest in the case.
Mr Blazy noted in a Facebook post on October 2: ''Boooo Thai Airways and your failing flight computers. My 7am flight turned into a 930am flight and now I have now missed my appointment at the US Embassy to replace my passport. Now my 1 day trip to the big mango has become 2.''
As well as being a Region 8 police volunteer, among Mr Blazy's activities was a campaign to make visa runs easier for long-term residents.
...The stamp was 1 day overdue.... And than influential thai people make he has to sleep in a police cell. Another blow to the thai justice system. NCPO, where is justice!
Posted by Kurt on October 21, 2014 10:50