Human Rights

[PeteC]

In another thread this week I said something to the effect that when we moan and groan about this place it's usually in jest and out of frustration, and that anyone who really wants to change this place probably shouldn't be here....

Regardless, has anyone ever given any though that perhaps our human rights are being infringed upon with some of the rules and regulations here?

For example, concerning the 24 hour reporting requirement. If immigration really got serious about that and enforced it country wide each and every time, with everyone, I think there is room to say it is an infringement. Especially since those with valid long term visas have already undergone police background checks in many cases, supply current up to date residency data on a regular basis, and have a long history of a clean record here. Why should we then be forced to report our movements like common criminals?

Yes, I know, it's their playground and their immigration rules and they can do whatever they want. However, this is what human rights courts and tribunals are all about, to protect people from abusive government policy and practices.

I'm just throwing this out for discussion, I have no axe to grind with Thailand or the authorities here, but I wonder if they realize the damage that would be done if some foreign resident filed a case with a human rights court and the publicity something like that would get.

My 24 hour example is just that. Does anyone have any others here that could possibly border upon a human rights issue? Pete

PS: Admin, if you want to give this subject more exposure feel free to move it to Legal, Opinion, Beach Bar etc.

[lomuamart]

Pete,
Your post has been moved as requested.
Human rights and basic freedom of movement within a country that you have a valid visa for should be a given right - unless you do something criminal.
Dosn't seem that this country agrees with that principle.

[buksida]

Why stop at 24 hour reporting, the 90 day reporting is the same thing. Why is it necessary for people that have already paid the fees and provided the reams of paperwork to stay here legally for 12 months?

[Big Boy]

I'm aware of the European Court of Human Rights, and I guess there is an equivalent in the USA. Is there such a thing as the Asian Court of Human Rights?

While writing the above, I thought I could Google it, and yes there is. However, I could not find anything about Thailand on there, apart from this

THAILAND: New NHRC chief promises to ensure that human rights body is meaningless and irrelevant

It's all here. http://www.ahrchk.net/index.php

[Wanderlust]

Big Boy,
Thanks for the link but http://www.ahrc-thailand.net/ is probably a better/more relevant link. Needless to say, the AHRC does not have much good to say about Thailand in relation to human rights...

[Big Boy]

Yes, a much better link. However, I was Googling it for the first time

[niggle]

About 90 day reporting.
I seem to have at the back of my mind that some classes of aliens in UK have to report to police station every so often. I vaguely remember its something to do with what country they are from / type of visa. Anyone have any idea about this or am I imagining it ?

[dtaai-maai]

About 90 day reporting.
I seem to have at the back of my mind that some classes of aliens in UK have to report to police station every so often. I vaguely remember its something to do with what country they are from / type of visa. Anyone have any idea about this or am I imagining it ?

Niggle, years ago there was a requirement for many, if not all, long term stayers (not residents) to have a Police Registration Certificate. I've just googled it, and the relevant legislation is here if you're interested:


http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary

Basically:

A relevant foreign national is defined as a person aged 16 years or over who is:
(i) a national or citizen of a country or territory listed in appendix 2 to the Rules (reproducedat annex A to this Chapter),
(ii) a stateless person, or (iii) a person holding a non-national travel document.

An immigration officer or entry clearance officer also has the discretion to impose the requirement in other circumstances where, exceptionally, he considers it necessary to ensure that the foreign national (aged 16 years or over) - whether a "relevant foreign national" or not - complies with the terms of his leave to enter. (When the requirement is imposed exceptionally, a report should be submitted or a note should be made on the landing card as to the reasons why this was considered necessary.)

But it involves a small minority of long(ish)-term stayers in the UK, as opposed to every farang here.

Not comparable.

[Super Joe]

For example, concerning the 24 hour reporting requirement. If immigration really got serious about that and enforced it country wide each and every time, with everyone, I think there is room to say it is an infringement.

Highlighted the 'if' pete, the same applies to drink driving, prostitution, driving offences, the FBA etc, can't see it ever being enforced there's no benefit in it. I've never heard anything of 24 hour reporting apart from on here and the foreigners on yearly extensions using many agents do not even do 90 day reporting it's all sorted out at yearly extension stage, not that I'd advise that.

If they did enforce the 24 hour thing then sure it would be an infringement of our freedom of movement. There's all sorts of human rights criticisms of UK, US, AUS etc immigration rules too, not that two wrongs make a right. Think it's swings and roundabouts, there's plenty here that is free and easy for us but restricted more in other countries and vice versa with other things. And Thailand knows it can do what it likes cos we'll keep coming anyway.

SJ

[bapak]

Slightly off topic but I think another issue is that the Thai Constitution say the men and women are equal....
However, a foreign woman who marries a Thai man has much more visa privileges than a foreign male who marry a Thai woman... Would love to see it go to the Constitution Court.

Bapak

[Spitfire]

"Human rights" as n the general notion it is perceived as is not something I would use in the same sentence as the word "Thailand". Just look at how they treat the people from the surrounding countries, much worse than us and it's bad enough with the attitude regarding westerners, verging on facism sometimes.

[lomuamart]

The 24 hour reporting is still in effect. A friend got fined 800THB when he went to ask for a residency letter. He only needed that for his driving license.
"You're busted as you went out of Thailand and came back here to HH".
Pathetic.
Your "if" is being enforced in this wonderful town, SJ.

[PeteC]

An article concerning ASEAN. Pete

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009 ... court.html

[Roel]

Of course this 24-hour reporting is a nuisance as are other regulations but to link it directly to "Human Rights" goes a bit far I think.
Amnesty International's next agenda would look a bit stupid like this:

1. Worldwide Poverty
2. Political Prisoners
3. Child Labour
4. Torture
5. Maltreatment of Inmates
6. Refugees and Migrants
7. Hidden Slavery
8. Convictions without Trials
9. Forced Prostitution
10. Thai Visa Regulations for Farangs

[buksida]

Do you need to do it in Krabi? I have a feeling its just a Hua Hin thing, they've been known for their own interpretations and enforcement of the rules ever since the office moved here from DSK.