Unusual to see this happens. It's normally the other way round.

Posted by Tbs on March 11, 2015 09:39

I take issue with the use of the phrasing "has led to normal protocols falling into disuse". It is not a protocol. Rather, the Thai authorities have a legal obligation under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to inform the foreigner's government. Thailand signed off in April 1994. For reference sake, Article 36 part b states, "if he so requests, the competent authorities of the receiving State shall, without delay, inform the
consular post of the sending State if, within its consular district, a national of that State is arrested or
committed to prison or to custody pending trial or is detained in any other manner. Any communication
addressed to the consular post by the person arrested, in prison, custody or detention shall be forwarded
by the said authorities without delay. The said authorities shall inform the person concerned without
delay of his rights under this subparagraph". If the local authorities are not promptly informing the foreign national's consulate or embassy, then the foreign diplomatic corps must take action in the strongest manner possible.

Posted by Ryan on March 11, 2015 10:32

Sounds like very much the guards fault here. Who did he think he was telling people not to take pictures? None of his business at all, and he paid the price.

Posted by Josh on March 11, 2015 11:56

Are you serious when a non-Thai is jailed for the most serious of crimes, murder the Police do not tell the Embassy? Wow I am worried now, although I am not a criminal people get accused of things here. Embassy's should always be notified as although the rules of the country apply the Embassy can help with naming an expert lawyer, perhaps contacting people in the country of said Embassy. I would appreciate my Embassy knowing and visiting me. The longer I stay here the less I want to. The streets are so quiet now at night, seems Phuket is dying for many reasons. I predict this low season will be the worst and crime will raise as many will have no money.

Posted by Me Farang on March 11, 2015 12:10

Sad that this incident ended with a death but one questions why a security guard with no powers tries to stop someone filming in the street.

A lot of bouncers in the Bangla area are renown for pushing the boundaries and getting physical, however it is difficult to justify why the expat would be carrying a knife in public - he wouldn't be allowed to 'at home'. For an elderly man to (allegedly) pull a knife on someone in their twenties he must have felt in fear for his own safety.

Posted by Mister Ree on March 11, 2015 12:39

Any person has the right to take photos in a public area. It would seem that the Thai security guard set upon this elderly man and that he felt that his life was in danger. How many foreigners have been knifed by Thais? There was the case of the lady boy killing the foreigner on Bangla during Songkran and the case of the Foreigner in Ao Nang and so it goes on. What have we heard of these cases since? All Thais carry knives, guns and although none of this is correct, this situation would never have happened if this elderly man had been left alone. What was the motive of the security guard to approach him and in typical Thai style become aggressive and probably threatening as is the case with Thais. It would be interesting to learn if the Thai was on drugs, you know the one that makes them so aggressive. I hope the Australian Embassy acts on this one rapido before the Thai police make their kangaroo court. After all we are all Thais together, isn't that what they say?

Posted by irishkev24 on March 11, 2015 20:18