If you're from UK

[Guest Steve1903]

This might be of interest. It may even worry or surprise you.

I returned a couple of weeks back from a holiday in Egypt to find a message that the police wanted to speak to me. I returned their call and was given a time to go to the station but was given no information of their reasons for this meeting. Curious more than anything else I went along only to be grilled about two holidays I had taken in Thailand, the most recent being almost 2 years ago.

Why was I there, who was I with, who did I meet, where did I go, what did I do.......??????

I was absolutely stunned on so many levels it left me almost speechless. What made it worse was that they answered some of their own questions before I could open my mouth. For instance, they ASKED who I was with then proceeded to TELL me who I was with adding that there was no point denying it as "police intelligence" proves otherwise. They then went onto the hotels I had stayed at, first asking me before providing me with the information themselves.

 

I couldn't - and still can't - believe they have this information about me nor do I understand why it's of any interest to them. Why am I on their computers? They wouldn't say. Why are they asking me about these things two years on? They wouldn't say. Were they interested in me or the person I was with on my first holiday (I was on my own for the other one) or was it the people I met? They wouldn't say. Was this because I'm gay and how did they even know I'm gay? They wouldn't say.

Dunno 'bout you but I found it scary.....very scary.

 

Now for those of you who are thinking.......hhmmm?!?!?...now what's he been up to...here's your answer - NOTHING!!! I've had no other contact with the police at any time for any reason (other than traffic offences). During my time in Thailand I had no contact with their police either. I had no contact at all with the underage boys or any of that stuff.

 

So what's it all about? I only wish I knew but I'm buggered if I do, but one thing's for sure - THEY wouldn't say.

[Guest Snowkat]

or was it the people I met?

 

If all else you say is correct, and I am not doubting you, that is the probably the answer. There are, shall we say several, people residing in or frequenting Pattaya and Phuket who are 'of interest' to the UK police.

 

I definately know of one who has done time for offences against a teenage boy, was released early 'on licence', left the UK whilst still under the supervision of the probation service and who travels regularly to Thailand, staying a couple of months at a time travelling between BKK, Pattaya and Phuket to sample the chickens, from his current home in eastern Europe.

 

[Gaybutton]

This is the first time I have ever heard f such a story. It sounds like sheer gay harrassment to me. Being an American, I know very little about the laws in the UK. If I found myself in a similar situation, then unless I was being charged with a crime, I would have gotten up, told them it's none of their business, and walked out. My next stop would have been my attorney's office. In the UK could you have done that?

[Guest Steve1903]

Snowkat,

I considered this possibility but to be honest I really met up with or spoke in any great detail with very few people. On my first holiday I spent a fair bit of time with one member on here and he introduced me and my friend to some others at the beach. I don't recognise the person you mention from the information you've given but as the police seem so intested in my holidays I would think it's a fair bet they've been vetting my internet activities as well and if that's the case they must already know I have no connections from Thailand other than the one I mentioned above. On my second visit I hooked up with one of the beach guys for the duration and didn't even get much into the bar scene other than popping in for a quick drink. Anyway why wait for two years before asking questions? The whole thing makes no sense to me at all.

 

GB

Yes GB consulting a lawyer had crossed my mind but being a quiet private sort and knowing that this kind of story would hit the local press very quickly I decided to leave it. I still don't know what to think about the whole thing. I'm infuriated over being questioned, truly bemused that they want to know about something I did 2 years ago and more than a little worried that private information will end up seeping out into the local neighbourhood. The phrase "no smoke without fire" springs to mind. Just look at Snowkat's reply "IF all else you say is correct" tells it's own story. Even 1% of doubt raises suspicions so the words "gay, Thailand, Pattaya, questioned by police" don't do me many favours.

I'm hoping I've heard the last of it but in my own mind I'll now always be wondering if I'm being watched from a distance (not literally, but you know what I mean) or if my emails are monitored or what.

[Gaybutton]

The phrase "no smoke without fire" springs to mind.

 

Next time someone says that, show him a lit cigarette.

 

Apparently they are monitoring you somehow. I'd be very interested to know upon what basis they are doing so. I am not aware that traveling to Thailand, staying in a gay hotel, patronizing gay bars, being gay, or engaging in sex with boys of legal age is a crime or even something a police agency has a right to question.

 

I understand why you would not want this to end up in the local press, but I don't see how it can hurt anything to consult an attorney, let him know of your fear of publicity, and see what he says about the whole thing and how best to handle it. As far as I know, you have committed no crime and were not charged with a crime, so I'd be very interested to know why this interrogation took place at all. As I said, I don't know the law in the UK, but I would think you do have a right to at least be informed of the reasons why you were questioned. However, I don't think the police have to tell you how they acquired their information unless this ends up in court or as a lawsuit. Perhaps an attorney can find out without it ending up in the newspapers.

[Guest ear wig]

.Last time I was in the UK I flew to my Business in North or England and after trasiting at Heathrow I flew up to Manchester Airport seemingly the route took me round the back walkways of the air port all of a sudden to men looking as though they were from the matix flm stopped me and said special branch showed me a badge, they said can we see your passport they then took me to there computer and typed in my details saying so you have just come from Thailand and asked me what Im doing there, they said was I looking for boy or girl not man or woman, I said I was there to relax and try out my semi retirement and where is this leading to, they then said nothing, spoke to some one on the phone I gave my address and then said ok we are just indiscriminatly questioning some people traveling alone.

 

Then they stopped another guy as I was collecting my luggage, I saw they was taking him to a back room so there is intelligence going on all the time.

 

I am of the opinion if you have nothing to worry about i.e. only you really know what you have been up to, I would not worry, I am very happy they do check on people because one day they may find some one who is going to cause us all a BIG PROBLEM from sourses I know they are all waiting for the Big Bang dirty Bomb to be let off either in London or New York at any time, may be some one with a similar name as you was involved with some naughtiness and you was the one who was questioned.

 

If they come again do as I always do. Take there name number and police address and phone number.

 

a) Get the most Powerful Lawyer you can afford.

 

(Remember, always do not say anything to them your self, there is nothing you can say that will make the matter better, only say I am very happy to tell any Jury or judge anything they want to know, when my lawyer has inspected any eveidence they may think they have against you.)

 

B) Go to your local MP Clinic tell him give him all the details they are very careful what they do with them.

 

c) Go to The Daily Mail tell them this story funny I have just been mns-ing with a friend who writes for them he says if you contact them they will speak to you and see if there is anything sinister involed for you. he says write on there messageboard and ask and tell same thing you will get an answer.

 

http://chat.dailymail.co.uk/dailymail/index.jsp

 

Best of luck you are not tottally with out options

[Guest Aunty]

I

[Guest wowpow]

steve1903, It sounds a most unnerving experience. I should think that you will be watching to see if you are being observed when you are abroad next time.

 

What is unclear from your story is what were the Police up to? and why did they interview you. I don't suppose we will ever know.

 

You were under no obligation to answer the Police questions but most citizens try to be helpful. I can see little benefit from rushing out and hiring a lawyer. The Police are allowed to observe citizens, I suppose and you have not been accused of anything. They have let the 'cat out of the bag' about the amount of surveyance in Thailand - with cameras these days little goes unobserved especially in the UK which has more surveyance cameras per capita than any other country on earth.

 

If you feel that you want to investigate further you may be able to under the Freedom of Information Act :

 

http://www.foi.gov.uk/

 

"The FOI Act gives any person the legal right to ask for and be given any information which is held by a public authority"

 

I think that we all know that people in the UK are suspicious of batchelors visiting Thailand. Just mention that you visit or live there and eyebrows raise and you can almost see the thought of underage sex going through their minds.

 

 

 

[Guest Pearl69er]

Steve1903: I wouldn't take this lying down and I'd recommend Earwig's advice just to be on the safe side, as annoying and exoensive as it will be. Get yourself the very best solicitor possible just for protection just in case something remains on file.

 

I can tell-and I won't say in which country, but I just recently had a customs official demoted from his job for somethig similar and the only regret I have is the frigging swine wasn't booted out of his job. In this day and age too many petty officials have got carried away in this atmosphere of fear and think they lord it over us and mistakes are made and the the constant awareness of being gay is working the oppsosite as well-bringing out the scumbag in many people.

 

I can't abide government officials doing the wrong thing whether they be policeman or anyone else-there are too many people out there that want a job and will do the right thing so lets get rid of the dregs. Gay men in jobs always say now they feel it is difficult telling workmates they are going to Thailand for their holidays.

[Guest Steve1903]

Well thanks advice guys. My decision for now is to just get on and assuming the thing will just go away then I'll be happy to keep it to the back of my mind. I just won't ever forget.

 

On the slightly lighter side my "interviewer" did try for the "dumb question of the year" award. He had two or three goes at it in fact. Let's start with "Did you go to Thailand for underage sex?"....Is there more than one answer to that when you're sitting in a police station. When I said no he then goes with "are you sure?"...well ok then you got me this time...lol. Last try then...."how long have you been gay?" Sorry I forgot to mark down the date and I've totally forgotten it.

 

and to the guy who asked the questions I do hope you're reading all of the above.

[Gaybutton]

and to the guy who asked the questions I do hope you're reading all of the above.

 

I hope so too. I completely agree with Pearl69er. I too am sick and tired of the assumption that if a person is gay, then he is also a pedophile. It's a totally erroneous stigma that people simply made up. It's just like the attitude that occurred when AIDS first started happening. All the Bible thumpers kept insisting it was God's punishment on the gays. They kept insisting on that, right up until heterosexuals began contracting the disease too. As far as I'm concerned, this nonsense is the same thing.

 

Next time they question you, remind them that the vast majority of foreigners that get arrested in Thailand for engaging in under-age sex are heterosexuals who get caught with little girls.

[Guest Aunty]

Good point Gay button. And when was the last time a single heterosexual male traveller to Thailand was pulled aside by customs or the Police and questioned about their motives for going there and asked (accused) whether they really went there to have sex with little girls?

 

It is a bare faced lie that homosexual men are pedophiles. And for all the bigots and haters out there (including law enforcement officers who promote this lie) I spit on you.

[Guest YardenUK]

Depending on which constituency you live in, you really should report this IN CONFIDENCE to your MP in order that they can raise a written question to the authorities to find out what is going on. Obviously if you live in an area with a Blairite New Labour MP or a very "don't rock the boat" Tory your enquiry won't get very far. But, frankly there are grounds to find out what is happening or you could find yourself plagued after every holiday you take. If it were me I would actually prefer to take it to a very active and probing member of the House of Lords - esepcially one who specialises in issues of personal freedom and human rights and to an extent discrimination - a few names spring to mind in all parties. Of course, you may as you say just prefer to let it lie, but if it were me, I would be on the battle front!!

[Guest Steve1903]

Last time I saw my local MP i think the words i used were "two faced, lying, self serving, money grubbing, corrupt, thieving, scumbag. Not sure how helpful he'd be.