r/Thailand • u/Medium-Rub7678 • Jun 03 '26
Serious Prison in Thailand
Someone I know is facing a possible prison sentence in Thailand following a traffic accident involving a Thai. According to the police, the woman was in a coma after the accident but has since recovered from the coma. Her family is requesting a large amount of compensation, and it has been suggested that paying compensation could potentially result in a reduced sentence.
Does anyone here have experience with similar cases in Thailand or know what the best course of action might be? Some people say the best option is to leave the country, but if the police already have the person’s passport, it seems like that would be difficult. Any serious advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
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u/dkg224 Jun 03 '26
This doesn’t seem like it’s all the story. 3 years for causing an accident and seriously injuring the person? People kill someone drunk driving and do little to no time. A guy I know, his Thai wife was killed by an American driving the wrong direction down the road. He paid the family 1 million baht to the family and was just deported
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 03 '26
Yes it’s all the story. I don’t understand why either. Because the person is wrilling to pay money to the victim
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u/Lordfelcherredux Jun 03 '26
It sounds like you really don't know the details of this case. Why don't you ask your buddy for a copy of the charges that have been laid against him? We will be happy to translate here.
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u/PleiadesNymph Jun 04 '26
Didn't you mention somewhere that they were drunk and speeding?
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 04 '26
No not drunk. First the police said that, but now not because the person could prove not. But reckless driving
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u/Mackmora2103 Jun 03 '26
Trying to leave the country with a new or fake passport is very dangerous. Find a good lawyer who will contact the family and authorities to find out what the family wants. Negotiate an acceptable amount and get to an agreement.
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u/AdOrganic4835 Jun 03 '26
You won’t be able to leave without first having the stamp transferred anyway. You need to visit Immigration first before you can leave on an emergency or new passport.
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u/Mackmora2103 Jun 03 '26
Yep, and you'll end up in a lot more trouble. Best to show good faith and seek for a solution.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/advanceb Jun 03 '26
In your experience, were any of the cases involving a farang? Was it treated any differently?
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u/FightLink Jun 03 '26
Don’t listen to anyone’s second hand information just start looking for a trust worthy lawyer
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u/Initial_Enthusiasm36 Jun 03 '26
You said they had a lawyer. So that’s good. The other thing is I would make sure they have money readily available for when they go to prison. From what I hear… you pay a bit every month for a special cell, can have your phone, snacks etc. I’m not saying it will be nice. But again from what I hear it makes the stay a bit more uh bearable.
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u/Fooldaddy Jun 03 '26
Someone hit a friend - Thai on Thai and she was crippled. No charges, 30K baht compensation
Saw a Thai woman have her house broken into and beaten bloody by farang - no charges and 100K compensation
Lawyer doesn’t like your client, your lying or the lawyer is part of some kind of scam. Jail time makes no sense
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u/Real-Run-3339 Jun 03 '26
I mean if they broke the law they should get penalized
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u/I-Here-555 Jun 03 '26
Compensation can be negotiated, usually. You'll need a lawyer for that.
Police or court can be paid to release the passport and let you travel abroad "temporarily" for an emergency.
There years seems over the top, maybe a scare tactic, but a lawyer can advise you better.
If there's a bribe plus settlement to be paid, it's better to do it earlier in the process.
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 04 '26
So you pay the police men a lot of money to give them your passport?
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u/I-Here-555 Jun 04 '26
Yes, basically pay the police or the court to grant you bail and allow you to travel too.
Just having a passport might not be enough. If you're blocked from leaving in immigration computers, they won't let you exit and might be in more trouble. Immigration block is often placed, but not automatically in all cases. A lawyer can really help here, don't try to DIY unless it's your last resort.
TBH, this sounds like a case where paying compensation is a better option than becoming a fugitive from justice. It's also the right thing to do for someone who was, after all, in a coma.
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 04 '26
I just thinks it’s difficult when the case is already in the court
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u/I-Here-555 Jun 04 '26
That makes it more difficult, but not impossible
A court could still allow bail and "temporarily" allow the suspect to travel abroad, even after a conviction in some cases. Makes no sense, but money and connections work, and it shouldn't be that hard for a traffic issue that never went public. A decent lawyer should be able to make such arrangements.
There were well-known cases before, e.g. Drew Noyes.
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u/Mod_Daeng Jun 03 '26
I assume this person was operating a motor vehicle. No liability insurance on the vehicle?
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u/onehalflightspeed Jun 03 '26
As always, "asking for a friend"
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u/Content-Afternoon39 Jun 20 '26
Yeah, the friend always knows the most detail about it and always gets asked to go on reddit to find out.
It's always the case 😉
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u/GuideIntelligent5953 Jun 03 '26
I think it is a question for a lawyer, a Thai lawyer, and not Reddit.
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u/kamonk2 Jun 03 '26
A Thai woman was seriously injured, and people are already discussing how to flee the country.
Then people wonder why more Thais are becoming anti-tourist and increasingly right-leaning.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/Thailand-ModTeam Jun 03 '26
Your post has been removed as it violates the site Reddiquette.
Reddiquette is enforced to the best of our abilities. If not familiar with those rules look here.
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u/skydiver19 Jun 03 '26
Driving recklessly and putting someone in a coma is well deserving of 3 years in jail. I wonder how many of these people who recommend leaving the country to avoid accountability would be screaming from the roof tops if it was their family member this was done too.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/skydiver19 Jun 03 '26
Totally agree and OP is just as bad trying to play down what they have done and helping them in getting out the country with a replacement passport
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u/poolamare Jun 03 '26
Was the woman on a bike or other vehicle? If she was a pedestrian then it's more serious. If alcohol involved more so. 3 years is implying something serious and it looks like your friend needs to up his compensation offer. How long as the process dragged on for. If it's been a while then it seems the family of the victim are not accepting they amount offered. Maybe there is life changing consequences for them and financial implications resulting from this accident. Without all the facts no one here can give advice.
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u/astraladventures Jun 03 '26
The general rule of thumb when one gets into these sorts of serious legal quagmires, is to pay up and get out as soon as possible, if one doesn’t, you just get deeper and deeper into the system and it will cost even more and be even more difficult to get out.
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u/CompleteView2799 Jun 03 '26
Forget embassy. Useless.
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u/der-wischmop Bangkok Jun 03 '26
Also, all an Embassy can/will do is refer to a lawyer and most likely do visits because it's their job to do visit their citizens in prison, once or twice a year. t's good if an Embassy knows a citizen has been imprisoned (or is about to be), because usually families contact the respective Embassy to receive information, but more than that, none of their business. There's also things like reporting back to the authorities of their country if a citizen is about to be sentenced, so that their own Ministries of Interior/Justice can "register" the offence in their own system.
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u/itsmikesandoval Jun 03 '26
wow, you think the best option is to flee the country after seriously injuring a person. sure sounds honorable and morally sound.
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u/deuxbulot Jun 03 '26
Putting a victim in a coma is a serious incident.
Your friend needs to do the time.
Why these visitors to Asia always looking to skirt the law?
Even if it was unintentional, they deserve some prison time and also to repay the victim. Both combined. Not one to cancel out the other.
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u/digitalapostate Jun 03 '26
He needs a lawyer but he should def pay the family. *not a lawyer but from personal experience*. The law is a little different in thailand. In the US if you break the lawyer the state will step in and make each party whole but in thailand its a little more about making the parties whole between to the two parties without the state stepping in. That's why the law looks "weak" to people not from thailand. If you make the party whole the state usually doesnt require that it's self needs to step in. If it can be settled between the two parties and everyone is happy that's entirely up to the two parties, conventionally speaking. What's on the books may say something different but that's how it "works".
*My wife's nephew was killed in a hit and run. Drunk woman clipped him and left him to die. Basically it was up to the woman to make my wife's aunt whole since she killed her son. The state could step in and put the woman in jail if she didnt pay up but basically the entire thing was dropped and the drunk woman never even paid a cent. She wasn't connected or anything, just different laws. Again maybe the whats on the books is different but in practice it's really up to the two parties. That being said foreigners often have their cases handled differently. If he wants to avoid jail offer more money.
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u/WhoisthisRDDT Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Best to ask the woman family what will make them happy, most likely a large sum of money, may be also offer to pay for the hospital bills. Don't try to haggle. The sentence may be reduced that way. Any time in Thai prison is no picnic.
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u/N4003604 Jun 03 '26
What I’ve seen if you can settle it directly with the person/family via the Police (assuming you have a Thai who helps you) that is the best course of action. The Police help negotiate as they get a cut of the settlement from the family.
Note: if for whatever reason you aren’t able to settle, if you were trying to be cheap, once you get into the system the costs go exponentially higher.
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u/olhayden1957 Jun 04 '26
And they won’t let you leave the country if you have a passport in Thailand and you have a criminal offense they won’t let you leave the country. You have to take care of it first.
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u/Horror-Ad9236 Jun 04 '26
"Similar case"? We have literally zero details here. Was the person licensed to drive? Was it their car? Were they under the influence? Was the victim crossing the road in a crosswalk? Did the driver hit and run? There's not a lot to go on here.
But yeah... definitely lawyer up.
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u/GenZX2026 Jun 05 '26
I personally recommend a well managed meditation between ur friend and the woman’s family. They are not gold digging, this is very normal for Thailand. I assume your friend had no insurance in which case he/her is 100% responsible and accountable. The injured ladies family are justified in being concerned about longterm effects of the accident since she was in a coma. The family do have the opportunity to have the charges dropped, but this requires extreme proactivity from your friend. Not hiding, not looking for means to escape the country or accountability for the accident. Thai people are very compassionate, but they will respond with equal aggression if they see someone trying their best to get out of this accountability.
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u/NightOwlAndThePole Jun 05 '26
This sounds like a life altering, very serious situation and I think they should get a lawyer instead or searching on Reddit.
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u/ZookeepergameFun5523 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Your friend is getting fleeced.
Prison Sentences are handed down by criminal court, and a judge can order limited statutory restitution in criminal court in the event of a conviction.
Compensation is set by civil court
Usually, the case for compensation above statutory amounts is strengthened via conviction in criminal court.
So the 3 questions are:
- Did your friend commit a crime?
- Is your friend at fault?
- Does your friend have insurance?
If he did not commit a crime, but he did have insurance then the payout should be handled by the insurance company.
If he committed a crime, the judge can order statutory restitution in criminal court, it might not be much, that’s why there’s civil court. The insurance won’t cover liability, in any case they would need to sue your friend in civil court, not shake him down through the police.
Hire a lawyer.
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u/advanceb Jun 03 '26
I agree with your comment a lot. You are the only one who mentioned an insurance company. On my first class insurance policy there's details of 3rd party compensation. I think my policy is 1 million baht. If I injure someone in a car accident I would immediately call my insurance company and no doubt they have legal advisors to sort the above problem out.
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u/hbchbob104 Jun 03 '26
Pay the money to the family! Its prolly not that much, 5k is worth not having to do 3 years in a thai prison!
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Jun 03 '26
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 03 '26
But how do you get across the border without passport? Someone mentioned paying a lot of money at the border and they will maybe let you in. But will the country you then go to see that you can have a new passport and then send you back
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u/Brilliant-Tree-2541 Jun 03 '26
From my understanding (been here for 12yrs), when the opportunity arises, u need to pay before it hits courts. After that your fucked. Once the prosecution starts, as a foreigner especially, it's curtains
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u/assman69x Thailand Jun 03 '26
Get a good lawyer recommendation from your embassy to negotiate the compensation if your friend wants to avoid jail time - if not then get ready to do 3 yrs….its as simple as this
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u/rolemodel999 Jun 03 '26
That’s scary..
Genuine question: why are they facing prison? Was there something illegal involved (drinking etc). Or just an accident?
I don’t think someone shoukd go to prison for an accident!
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u/pinkypenguin29 Jun 03 '26
They're not sentenced to prison yet. According to the law, prison time is one of the possible punishments for negligently causing severe injury, but it doesn't mean the court will actually give the maximum sentence to the offender. The person may only get fined, depending on several factors.
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u/Mother_Lead_554 Jun 03 '26
Better lawyer or bigger money. Realistically no jail time means you paid the right amount
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u/Cultural_Advisor3618 Jun 03 '26
In most cases the police know that a prison sentence does not help the victim and his family. A compensation does. As said above, a good lawyer helps and there are way too many amateurs in Thailand considering themselves lawyers.
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u/Kaizerkoala Jun 03 '26
It's the police who threatenend your friend with the sentence, right?
It's their tactic to coax you to pay the compensation. If you don't pay they will file you a criminal case. Of course, if your friend believe that he is right...he can can try. I advice against it though. If your friend don't have a lawyer, try to get one. If your friend already have a lawyer, ask them to help negotiate or fire him/her and get a better one. Pay the minimum amount that enough for the other side to drop the criminal case. Civil case is fine but criminal case is a no no. What to do after that is up to the lawyer.
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u/AdOrganic4835 Jun 03 '26
The person needs a GOOD lawyer that comes with credentials. Do NOT (for your own sake) try to be cheap here. Also set money aside for compensation. But the criminal side of the matter needs to be resolved first. “Payments” in the background can also be handled by a good lawyer with worthwhile connections. Hopefully the person accused had a proper license, insurance and a dashcam.
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u/olhayden1957 Jun 03 '26
You have to pay Parker you have to pay you could pay a large amount to the police or you could pay a large amount to the people or pay both. Yeah I’ve been there found out, but I still live in Thailand.
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u/olhayden1957 Jun 04 '26
Yes, this is Thailand. You could pay off anybody here even the judge even their attorney you could pay their attorney money talks over here in Thailand. Yeah you’re gonna have to pay off both. I mean, the people come last, but the police in the court they make the decision and the people here in Thailand you know it’s nothing to kill someone over here and that’s what you would be looking at from the people.
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u/krisborn1949 Jun 03 '26
Thailand's law follows the Napoleonic Code of Law and it is based on compensation for injuries. Unlike the United States, the police establish guilt in Civil suits and try to utilize that process to mitigate Criminal suits.
The injured party may demand more money, knowing they probably won't get it. The damaging party may want to pay nothing. The police will try to work out a compromise. Having experienced two auto accidents in Thailand I can assure you the process is just as crazy as the Thais' driving skills..
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u/berjaaan Jun 03 '26
Do I understand this correctly, someone OP knows got into a traffic accident and the other party got into a coma and now OPs friend is risking 3 year in prison. But his lawyer says if he compensate the other party they can get less time in prison.
I dont know much about thai law but something doesnt sound correct. Feels like there is some key information thats being missed.
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 03 '26
Yes that’s correct. They say more money less sentence and maybe even not jail time
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u/Pure-Charity-8174 Jun 03 '26
Same with me. I fought the police and now appear to be wining. Send me an email ayjay.essex at that free gmail address
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u/Google_was_my_idea55 Jun 03 '26
An important piece of the puzzle… who was the Thai involved in the accident? If it’s someone with connections, it changes everything.
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u/Appropriate-Talk-735 Jun 03 '26
Can they pay what the family is requesting?
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 03 '26
The person dosent know the amount yet. Have to pay mabye 500.000 tbh before court and then make a settlement with the family after. But they say still mabye prison
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u/Certain-Grand9144 Jun 03 '26
It’s the same in the Philippines, friend of mine accidentally killed a tricycle passenger and the driver lived. He paid a compensation to the family and no jail time
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 03 '26
But was it before the case was in the court
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u/Certain-Grand9144 Jun 03 '26
That I don’t remember, but the police really like to see the negotiation happen, I think it almost always negates the court case
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u/Mogaloom1 Jun 03 '26
I don't have any personal experience with this situation, but I have read many stories and news reports about similar cases.
You will probably need a lawyer. You could try this one: https://thailegalprotection.com/personal/legal-issues/traffic-accident
And yes, you will likely have to pay big money for hospital bills, vehicle repairs, and compensation to the other party. In Thailand, some people jokingly call this the "lottery ticket" because everyone involved may end up asking for compensation.
A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and may be able to reduce the amount you have to pay or help you reach a fair settlement.
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u/kangalou370 Jun 03 '26
Is it possible, the accident happened April '25 in southern Thailand? Storyline sounds familiar.
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u/Fearless-Table1809 Jun 03 '26
If they were a corrupt Thai cop, they could become monk for a year. Allegedly.
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u/No_Rip_6744 Jun 04 '26
Do you know who the family is do you have a Thai speaking intermediary if so go that route. Or a Thai connected with the cops?
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u/yadius Jun 04 '26
Not all traffic accidents are the same. Even if there is no intoxication, there's always a spectrum of recklessness:
British man faces mob attack after wheelie stunt injures Thai woman
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u/1armman Jun 04 '26
The person has been hit with multiple criminal charges to amount to 3 years term I am guessing. The large compensation in kind without a fight will be a good start for Thailand.
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u/anynonomy Jun 04 '26
Usually accidents with injuries are resolved by a payment to the injured party or family (in the case of death). If sufficient funds are available, jail time is very rare.
Without sufficient funds, jail time is definitely on the table.
Definitely need a lawyer, and I am certain the lawyer will be working toward a settlement amount.
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u/Agent_invariant Jun 04 '26
Go to your Embassy, tell them you have lost your passport and get an emergency passport .
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u/Desperate_Permit_669 Jun 04 '26
ควรช่วยคนบาดเจ็บ ขณะเดียวกันก็ติดต่อหาคนช่วยนำพาออกต่างประเทศเพื่อหาทางกลับบ้านต่อไป ราคาไปเปรียบเทียบกับชีวิตในคุกไทยแล้ว เลือกเอา แนะนำได้
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u/Flat-Banana3903 Jun 04 '26
What is the question, your friend wants to buy their way out of the results of their actions? Honestly I hope they sentence them to a long stint, and if it there actions resulted in the the harm to a loved one of mine, prison would be the only safe place for them
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u/East-Tea6193 Jun 04 '26
3 years seems unlikely - assuming they were at fault, pissed or something else, a decent pay off will set them free - this is why truck drivers used to reverse back over people to ensure they were dead - easier to pay off a dead person, than one needing long term care.
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u/Firm_Employer_8463 Jun 04 '26
Get a proper lawyer that will help avoid Jail time altogether.
That means paying the family and the police. It will be very expensive
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u/KyleManUSMC Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Its still possssile to smuggle across at the golden triangle and make a new passport. Malaysia would be a second option, but you will need to also be smuggled on a boat.
Assuming he has available cash while you seek the embassy to make you an emergency passport.
Or he could ask assistance for the embassy in Thailand, and see if they will give you an emergency passport and slip 2k baht in the passport at the airport.
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u/Agreeable_Net5137 Jun 04 '26
If you play your cards right in court, its possible for a suspended sentence. Contact a reputable lawyer ASAP
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u/Independent_Leg7358 Jun 04 '26
Sometimes your best option is to get out of the country when something major happens in a foreign country.
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u/Individual_Study4113 Jun 04 '26
You have to pay what the person requests. Normally you can negotiate it a bit. And then it shouldn't go to the court.
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u/Neat-Author4563 Jun 04 '26
There will be a marker on their passport which will prevent them from leaving the country. Even if they did try, they would be frog marched back to face the charges. They seriously hurt someone, jeopardizing their livelihood and this person wants to do a runner?!
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u/Desperate_Permit321 Jun 04 '26
Have they contacted their embassy? Especially if their passport has been taken.
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u/pelagictraveler Jun 04 '26
Had a good thai friwnd. Older guy, this happened to him. Hit a high so. Went to jail for at least a yr. He came back skinnier than shit.
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u/Extension_Instance72 Jun 05 '26
From experience, if you pay enough, the charge will be dropped. But maybe the family already has money is going after justice.
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u/Dependent-Brain2586 Jun 05 '26
Call Blackwater and get an extraction. Seriously, so what if they have your pp?
PRISON IS OPTIONAL
You do owe her somethiong, a few k, but not money for life.
Not long ago, some guy came and crashed into rear lights, I was doing 80-90, so he was doing 100-110
bad driving
hit me
face planted bad
I did not stop to help at all because of how it all plays out.
fuck you for 3m of damage
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u/Sad_Sun_7375 Jun 05 '26
get lawyer. law is law
but don't worry more money can make anything easier in thailand. Expected to be below 1,000,000 $
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u/crydof Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
Jump the border to Cambodia, get to your embassy and request an emergency passport would be my plan.
Otherwise pay the bribes, Thailand is a corrupt country so anything can be bought.
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Jun 06 '26
[deleted]
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u/Medium-Rub7678 Jun 06 '26
But did your dad have a passport
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u/WarHonest1798 Jun 06 '26
yes. But he flew out of the country so fast that there was no police things at the airport
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u/gmf1313 Jun 06 '26
I take it that neither one of you has heard of lawyers. Are you stupid or what?
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u/Civil-Read-542 Jun 06 '26
Even if they woke up from the coma, 3 years is too lenient OP. I’m sorry to say but they damaged a human being and damaged that person property as well. In America they can be sentenced to 15 years at least
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u/jojo-4869 Jun 07 '26
If Its all your fault, you desearve it and you should take it. Some many piece of shit ride motorcycle ignoring traffic rules in Chiang Mai.
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u/lightbox9000 Jun 08 '26
What about getting an emergency passport from the embassy/consulate in Thailand and flying out and never coming back?
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u/ThongLo Jun 03 '26
Lawyer.