GERMAN photographer Nico Bergmann was arrested yesterday at a Phuket checkpoint and allegedly found to be carrying 50 grams of marijuana. Police say he was subsequently found to have overstayed his visa by two months.
His Thai wife told Chalong officers in southern Phuket that they had been together for two years. She said Mr Bergmann worked as a magazine photographer for a company based in Palai, on Phuket's east coast, south of Phuket City.
Mr Bergmann had been shopping at HomePro near Chalong Circle and was stopped at the checkpoint on the Chalong pier road, officers said. A check of his passport showed he had overstayed, police said.
''My boss said he could fix it for me,'' Mr Bergmann allegedly told police. The photographer, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Sunday, was held in the cells overnight and due to appear in court today.
Police presented Mr Bergmann to the media at Chalong Police Station with Amornsak Kanpool, 19. Officers said that Khun Amornsak was arrested in a sting operation.
He is accused of being in possession of one kilo of marijuana when an undercover detective met him to complete sale of the drug for 20,000 baht outside Bang Konthree Mosque in Rawai-Chalong at 6pm on Saturday.
His Thai wife told Chalong officers in southern Phuket that they had been together for two years. She said Mr Bergmann worked as a magazine photographer for a company based in Palai, on Phuket's east coast, south of Phuket City.
Mr Bergmann had been shopping at HomePro near Chalong Circle and was stopped at the checkpoint on the Chalong pier road, officers said. A check of his passport showed he had overstayed, police said.
''My boss said he could fix it for me,'' Mr Bergmann allegedly told police. The photographer, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Sunday, was held in the cells overnight and due to appear in court today.
Police presented Mr Bergmann to the media at Chalong Police Station with Amornsak Kanpool, 19. Officers said that Khun Amornsak was arrested in a sting operation.
He is accused of being in possession of one kilo of marijuana when an undercover detective met him to complete sale of the drug for 20,000 baht outside Bang Konthree Mosque in Rawai-Chalong at 6pm on Saturday.
Many things can happen and even be fabricated but an overstay is indisputable.
I have a simple rule here to abide by - never break any Thai laws. If you do, even if not easily caught, someone with a grudge against you can rat you out.
I may not agree or like all the laws here but I have no say in stipulating them.
The only right I have is to demand just enforcement of the laws.
Easier said than done, though...
Posted by Chris on December 13, 2010 18:22