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UPDATE Phuket Overstayer Slashes Throat With Broken Tile

Thursday, August 15, 2013
UPDATING All Day, Every Day

The American man, aged 33, was recovering after surgery today and is able to talk and eat. Phuketwan will not be publishing his name to assist his recovery.

Original Report

PHUKET: An American man has slashed his throat in police custody on Phuket after being arrested for overstaying his visa.

The man was rushed to hospital and surgeons were preparing to operate on the man at the Vachira Phuket in Phuket City today.

It's understood the man, aged about 30, was pulled in by police yesterday and the self-harm was inflicted with a broken piece of tile overnight in a cell at Chalong Police Station in southern Phuket.

Comments

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Poor bugger, must have been in a really tight situation to overstay and resort to self-harm over it... May fortune find him soon!

Posted by Sean on August 15, 2013 11:47

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Hi not saying this is the reason here but what happens if the person does not have the funds especially if their home country is a long distance like the US, does anyone at PW know if you are deported and do not have money does the Thai government pay and where to?

Posted by Fiesty Farang on August 15, 2013 13:16

Editor Comment:

Most nations oblige deportees to pay back the fare, even if it takes a long, long time.

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@Ed/Sean... or close family.

Life has a habit of throwing curve balls. Even with the best laid plans, this situation could happen to any one of living here.

Posted by agogohome on August 15, 2013 15:38

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@gogohome are you talking about overstaying or slashing your throat ? Whoever slashes his throat harbors reasons which go beyond a simple overstay

Posted by paul on August 15, 2013 17:54

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As a former Tourist Police Volunteer I have been involved in many similar cases.
These people are often mentally disturbed and many of them are alcoholics as well.
They have no money and are unable to get hold of their situation.
Before a Tourist Police Volunteer who spoke the language of the person in trouble used to assist with general care taking and contacting family, embassy e.t.c to get some money to pay expenses and a return ticket.
If this not is possible then the lucky ones will be deported to their homeland after a few month's imprisonment.
The less fortunate ones will be in deep trouble, because all embassies refuse to pay a return ticket.

Posted by Sherlock on August 15, 2013 18:06

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A friend of mine was recently repatriated to the US after serious illness, years of overstay and no money.

He was given a free choice if destinations anywhere in the 50 incorporated states.

Since he's on welfare, it's unlikely he'll ever be able to pay back what the Embassy laid out for him.

They even paid his Bt 20k overstay fine at the airport.

Posted by ThaiMike on August 15, 2013 21:13

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@ThaiMike - Lucky US citizens, I should have written all embassies I have been in contact with refuse to pay a return ticket.

Posted by Sherlock on August 16, 2013 14:57

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- Sherlock

It was initiated by the US Wardens who were in contact with the embassy.

I know my country also provides consular assistance but they will go through all your relatives and friends back home first to see if anyone would raise the money and if that fails, only then will they pay for the repatriation.

This will be a debt though and has to be paid back as soon as possible.

Recently there have been massive repatriations of Filipinos from Saudi Arabia who have been camping outside their Embassy in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia launched a crackdown on illegal laborers. There was even a scandal where Philippine embassy staff were accused of demanding sexual services in return for free repatriation.

Posted by ThaiMike on August 16, 2013 15:18

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Embassy staff in several European countries told me that these decisions can't be made by them.
They need approval from the homeland's foreign Ministry

Posted by Sherlock on August 16, 2013 17:18


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