Friday 6 February 2009

Case of British swinger illustrates Thai justice


The Bangkok Post has reported that a British man who ran a business arranging swinger parties in Thailand has been arrested by police.

The 54 year old man, Christian Arthur Richards, was arrested at the scene of one such party on Thursday. Police also held six Thais and 16 foreigners found with Richards in a Bangkok hotel.

Richards ran a website to arrange and advertise the parties which cost 3,000 baht (circa £60) per person. It is thought that he arranged at least 100 parties in Bangkok and notorious party/sleaze resort Pattaya.

Richard's punishment is interesting part of the story, the police are suggesting he will face either "a 10 year jail term or a fine of up to 20,000 baht".

Ten years sounds incredibly harsh, for a victimless crime and with no prostitutes were involved. Wouldn't it be ironic if a professional sex party organiser had to spent 10 years eating porridge and taking showers in a Thai slammer?

Back to reality, this is Thailand and a fine will most likely be sufficient and, as is often the case, the fine is hardly a deterrent.

Given that his parties typically attracted 20-25 'guests', the fine is less than a typical event's earnings (20,000 equates to less than 7 paying customers). As a veteran of more than 100 parties, 20,000 should be well within his reaches rendering the fine is a truly pitiful slap on the wrists.

Welcome to Thai justice where money is king and (some) crimes far darker and more sinister than this can be settled with no great punishment or deterrent for future offenders.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

When you said "as a veteran of more than 100 parties" I thought you were letting on more than you cared to for a second! haha.

Richards said...

I didn't run a website,that's false.Let's see what else is disinformation.Parties didn't attract 20-25 party goers.The range was more 15 to 80.What else is wrong? Well the cover charge wasn't 3000 Baht per person.That was only for the select few single guys that were admitted.Couples might be free,or up to 2000B.Quoting a 3rd party is fraught with pitfalls.The author would do well to think twice in future.


It's not what the police are suggesting those are the penalties for that crime..its not either or its AND...read Thai penal code 282.go to jail for up to 10 years AND pay up to 20,000Baht
Why would it be ironic?I was not professional,just cos there was a cover charge doesn't make me a professional.
I was innocent of the offence ..procuring but still got found guilty...Justice is a nebulous concept here in Thailand not a reality.