Lee Chestnutt denied permission to leave Thailand

Legal dispute Brit denied Thailand exit

Published: 16 Jan 2013 at 10.43
Online news:

A British expat who thought he was free to leave Thailand following a three-year legal dispute has been refused permission to exit the kingdom.

Lee Chestnutt was accused of criminal damage and stealing furniture by the landlord of a property he rented in Bangkok.

A legal dispute with his former Bangkok landlord has forced Lee Chestnutt to remain in Thailand to fight his case and two subsequent appeals. (Photo: BBC News)

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sirron
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Discussion 4 : 16 Jan 2013 at 17.254
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What's right,fair,reasonable has no bearing in a dispute between a Thai and a Farang. In amazing Thailand, the powers to be will almost always side with the Thai. Trying to recall an exception, but have not yet got one.
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faranginkorat
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Discussion 3 : 16 Jan 2013 at 14.243
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Why no work permit?? Ridiculous.

Why not just post a bond equal to the claim? If he doesn't show for the hearing, he forfeits the bond.

However, if the landlord's claims are eventually found to be without merit, he should be held liable for the Brit's lost wages.

That would only be fair.
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bkksim
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Discussion 2 : 16 Jan 2013 at 13.402
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"Lee Chestnutt was accused of criminal damage and stealing furniture by the landlord of a property he rented in Bangkok.:

It is common practice in Thailand for the owners of condos who rent them to foreigners to keep most if not all the deposit when they leave.

Alwas a good idea to take pictures of the damage in the room when you move in or you will be charged for it when you move out.
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watchdog
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Discussion 1 : 16 Jan 2013 at 11.201
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A landlord/tenant dispute, where the landlord lost in the trial court and apparantly on appeal, is preventing this ex-pat from leaving Thailand? And the BBC is now covering it? This is exactly the sort of nonsense that diminishes foreign investment in Thailand. Why invest in a country when your ex-pat staff are subject to this sort of harrassment? Add on top of that the shoddy infrastructure here, serious corruption problems, ridiculous restrictions on foreigners that serve no legitimate purpose (eg., the FBA), and Thailand becomes an even less attractive destination for new investment and innovative businesses. Time for serious reform.
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Lee Chestnutt denied permission to leave Thailand | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Legal dispute Brit denied Thailand exit

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