Brit teacher arrested for faking age

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Brit teacher arrested for faking age

Published: 15 Nov 2012 at 15.50
Online news: Local News

SURIN - An elderly British teacher who altered his age in his passport so he could continue teaching at a school in Buri Ram now faces charges of passport forgery and possessing fake documents.

Benjamin Anthony Williams, 66, was arrested on Thursday by immigration officials in Surin province.

Officials suspected his passport had been tampered with when a machine could not read the information from the travel document.

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ricoaj22
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Discussion 14 : 16 Nov 2012 at 10.0914
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Foolish for trying to use altered documents, however I think thailand can definitely use an experienced native speaker of english who probably does have a good grasp of the lie of the land here.
There are schools here who for sure need that kind of person, and shame on the particular agencies for not recognising that. However they too must have their reasons. I hope this man can further his career here yet
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Ian
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Discussion 13 : 16 Nov 2012 at 08.3913
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Most countries facing a growing aging population are seeking to raise the retirement age. One does not become incompetent overnight simply by reaching some critical age. Foolish to alter his passport, better to have taken issue with the rules.
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commogwint
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Discussion 12 : 16 Nov 2012 at 08.3612
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I agree he is wrong for falsifying his passport, that is a crime in itself. It might be wise for people to realise a passport does not 'belong' to the person, it actually belongs to the state of issue, in the case the United Kingdom, per se the passport belongs to your country not to you....
The person in question would have been better off applying to a local school for employment or an agency that has wider age margins.
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nui
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Discussion 11 : 16 Nov 2012 at 04.2411
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I feel sorry for him. What he did was foolish , but the authorities should show mercy and charge him with a fine. This man did not harm anybody in Thailand but wants to continue teaching Thai children.
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bonzo
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Discussion 10 : 16 Nov 2012 at 01.0710
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As the level of English fluency here is already sky high, we really don’t need charlatans like this trying to bend the rules in order to deliver unneeded and unwanted coaching.
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canuck
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Discussion 9 : 15 Nov 2012 at 19.349
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He's charged with altering his passport. What a foolish move.
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The Dark Side
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Discussion 8 : 15 Nov 2012 at 18.588
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WOW I am astonished. Should I bar my doors and windows to be safe against such criminals? Will my wife be safe at home when I am away? Too bad there is no real police force tackling crimes in this backward country. This article is waste of space and time.
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nowayout
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Discussion 7 : 15 Nov 2012 at 18.367
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We have westerners over 70 in our office on contract with work permits. This Teacher should have known better and changed recruitment firms if they cap at 60 years young.
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wvavin
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Discussion 6 : 15 Nov 2012 at 18.176
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This is one of those cheap farang, who could not survive at their home country by taking the risk just for teaching in a country primary school. Though offense committed but he is however a more qualified person to teach English than local English teachers at any levels. Educational minister take note of this!
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bkkfarang1
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Discussion 5 : 15 Nov 2012 at 18.035
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Well if Thailand's education standards were top drawer, they maybe have a point, but with Thailand supporting the world from the bottom up, surely it would be good to allow him to teach!!!
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Brit teacher arrested for faking age | Bangkok Post: news