Local Judges to Explain Foreigners Rights in Thailand

The legal rights of foreigners in Thailand and the Thai judicial system will be discussed in Pattaya at an upcoming seminar by a panel of presiding judges from Chonburi.

The seminar will be held on August 24 from 1 pm to 4 pm in the Pattaya City Hall conference room, fourth floor on North Pattaya Road. Free tickets are available by clicking: http://thailawseminar.eventbrite.com. 

The name of the seminar is “Insight into the Criminal Proceedings for Adults in Thailand” and is under the direction of the proactive, internationally-minded Chief Judge Visit Sripibool, Ph.D. (who also holds a doctoral degree in economics) with the cooperation of progressive and popular Pattaya City Mayor Ittiphol Kunplume and PAPPA Co., Ltd. Law office Managing Director American Drew Noyes, founding Chairman of the Pattaya City Expats Club.

 The judges from Chonburi Provincial Court all speak English and will talk about Thai law with foreigners at this upcoming seminar.  Chief Judge of Chonburi Provincial Court Visit Sripibool and his panel of Presiding Judge Mahachai Srithongklang, Presiding Judge Charoenchai Asawapiriya-a-nan, Presiding Judge Songrit Pinitgornwattagul, Presiding Judge Pohjanan Deachavut, Presiding Judge Wirat Tripityakul and Presiding Judge Wanphen Keeratikrittiyanon will explain Thai law and answer questions.

In an exclusive interview with the Pattaya Times, Chief Judge Visit Sripibool said, “Justice is fair for all who appear in our courts. Nationality does not matter. We work first to find a compromise satisfactory to all parties concerned. Absent a compromise, we then conduct the court cases openly and transparently based on Thai law which is very similar to western laws. I attended school in Indiana and Washington, DC in America. The basis for Thai law is taken from the western judicial system.”

“If someone breaks into your house it doesn’t matter if you are a foreigner or a Thai. If a criminal enters your property or your home you have the same rights to defend your life and property and can use whatever force is necessary to stop and detain the criminal, then notify the police. There does not need to be a wall around your house. No one is allowed to trespass on your property,” added Chief Judge Visit Sripibool who is also a world-renown author of 13 books.

“If you are arrested in Thailand we want you to know your rights. Contrary to what some people may say, foreigners have the same rights as Thais under Thai law. His Majesty the King has a Royal Project to educate everyone on their rights and we want to do our part to help everyone understand what rights we all have,” the Chief Judge said.

Judge Mahachai said, “I have been being a judge at Chonburi for almost 10 years. I think holding a project to explain the criminal court procedures will help the people know clearly about our legal systems which meet international legal standards. Having attended our lecture, foreigners will recognize and understand that our legal system does not deviate from international legal system in protecting human rights.

“There are many judges in the Chonburi Provincial Court who graduated with law degrees from America and England. Because of their knowledge of the west and their English language skills, I think they can explain and compare the procedural similarities between the Thai legal system and western courts,” Judge Mahachai added.

“For foreigners, I think living in Thailand is nice and easy, when you know your rights and duties under Thai law. Unfortunately, most foreigners having legal problems in our country unnecessarily encounter long period of legal battle with numerous expenses. This stems from the misunderstanding of Thai Law, said Judge Mahachai. 

 “It’s more complicated for those involved in criminal cases. This Lecture will give great insights of Thai Criminal Procedures and legal systems. Additionally, the introduction to the courts of justice and Chonburi Provincial Court is a crucial part of this lecture. Foreigners will know how to manage themselves if arrested,” opined Judge Mahachai.     

“Our moderator for the cross-cultural legal seminar is our friend Drew Noyes of PAPPA Co., Ltd. Law office in Pattaya who will field questions attendees may have on topics like Thailand Criminal Justice organizations and their powers, rights of an arrested person, bail in criminal and narcotic cases, plea of the accused, and sentencing guidelines,” stated Presiding Judge Mahachai Srithongklang of Chonburi Provincial Court.      

General questions for the judges can be sent to Drew@PattayaLawyers.com. More information and all of the Q & A after the seminar will be posted on http://www.pattayalawyers.com/