My visit and support to a lady in a Thai prison

[Sendbaht]

I met a girl (33) ( I'm 56) back in September 2008 here in Chiang Mai. We really hit it off and would spend time taking
and enjoying each other company during her lunch breaks at the mall. Only thing we shared physical was many 4 kisses. I looked
at her as a friend only even though I think she is very pretty. Now I look back I wish
I would have taking it further. Spent more time with her and could to know her better.

Now I am getting my wish. We are getting to know each other better but there is a time restriction and plexy glass
and wire mess between, yes, she is in prison. She was caught with 15 yaba pills one evening and sent up for
over 4 years.

I did not see Nok for 2 months when one of her co workers saw me and told me what happened. I was shocked. Could
not sleep for 2 days. I had to get her legal name, which was not easy but some baht help. Walking up to the prison and
asking to see Nok I knew would not work. I finally received her name one late Friday evening. I had all weekend to wait.
I did not even know where the women's prison was.

I love to ride my bicycle so out I went to find the women's prison. My goodness it is only 5 kilos from my house. I met
a few trusties outside. They where very helpful. They told me the hours I could visit and they would help me fill out the form
next monday if they we out front. Sure enough like my luck the same trusties were sweeping out front and they helped me
fill out the form.

I waited then the man guard starting calling names. I heard Noks legal name called and up to the window I went to get my walk-in papers.
I walked across the street to the prison and my heart was pounding. Never been in a prison before. Next I handed my papers to the
women guard, was frisked and in I was. I've seen many prison movies and all the sounds were the same. The sounds of locks being opened
and keys on large metal rings chiming. The cold, shades of white and steel doors been closed and opened. My eyes were as big a saucers.

Then the women guard starting calling names and telling us what phone to meet our inmate at. I was at phone number 1. We waiting some more when
all of a sudden everyone stood up and walked into the next room. I walked to phone 1 and there was Nok. She looked like a drawn rat.

She cried, most of our conversation she cried, I teared myself. She missed her children and family. They are way to poor to visit her and live far away. I told her I put B1000 in a prison account. She did not understand but I told her to ask the guard. Looking at her was so sad. No one has visited her for then 4 months, ( so much for her so called friends) she had no money to spend inside. I promised her then and there I would do anything I could for her, support her and take care of her for as long as she is in prison.

Nok told me no one as visited her and it was confirmed with I was leaving the visiting room. The lady guard told me to stop. I did, she said "sign here" I did
she the reach under her desk and handed me a bag and said "here you take". It was Nok's clothes, the clothes she got busted in. I'm sure they usually give them to family not a friend but I was all they had.

I saw Nok the next week, she looked like a different girl. Hair shampooed and just down right happier. She smiled and had the little girl jump up and down,
as I approached the telephone.

There is a lot more to this story about taking care of a inmate in a Thai prison. Maybe I'll go into more detail as time goes on, but as Khun Gor can verify help from the outside can make all the difference in the world to a inmate on the inside.

I will end now saying that the women's prison here in Chiang Mai has to me one of the best in the world as prisons go. The guards are helpful and
as pleasant as can be. The inmates are all smiling. I believe it is no walk in the park and crowded but what a change form the BS books I have read about Thai prisons.

Now before anyone jumps on the band wagon,"she gets what she deserves and she sould have knowen better, maybe so. Just be kind please, or say nothing at all. I just posted this story to say if any of you are helping someone in prison good on you. Plus if you all start to get down on her it will hurt me, believe it or not I'm started to feel more for her then I should, I guess. Ok fire away.

[Richard Barrow]

Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully it will be an inspiration to others to help those that are in need. Drug addiction seems to be on the increase and the government doesn't seem to be doing anything about it for addicts. The case in point is the school last week where about 60 primary students were rushed to hospital after a drug overdose. They were popping pills that they were simply told would make them feel better. At 1 baht a pill it seemed a bargain to them. So, they took half a dozen at a time. A better education about drugs is desperately needed.

[Khun Don]

Hope you are able to contact her family and let them know what has happened, should they not already know.
I am sure they will be re-assured by, and grateful for, your support.

[paul_au]

A good news story for some one in bad circumstances, keep up the good work, and lets hope when she comes out of Prison she never takes drugs again.

[Sendbaht]

Thanks Khun Don and Khun Paul for the reply:

Nok's family knows. They live far away and I suppose way to poor to travel to CM for a 15 minute visit. When Nok's gets her contact visit I will make sure they are there if possible. Plus I will already know them.....

I told Nok that I want to visit her Aunt (kids live with the Aunt) and children. If possible I would see them
on a Saturday for one hour unless we hit it off I could stay longer. Love to stay a week and work around the house. Paint, do some yard work just odd and ends stuff. I would give them some baht which I know would help and I'm sure please Nok.

Was thinking of putting my bicycle on the train and heading out and visit. Take be about 4 days to ride home. Be a fun
trip for me all around for me. Get to meet Noks family, tour Thailand on my bicycle and a train ride. Does not get much
better then that.))


Some of the other requests from Nok early on were a coat and socks. I bought her a warm sweat type shirt which she wears under her uniform.

I bought her some super warm socks but they got rejected. "to high and to fashion" the guards to me, so she ended up with 3 pairs or white socks which I am sure are better then nothing.

I've had a lot of stuff rejected, from coats to socks to books and food. I'm learning as I go.

Hopefully she with time off for good behavior and some blessings form the King she will be out in 2 years.

[rainbow721]

May all be well. Your kindness is admirable. It's nice to know there are good people around when needed. Keep going forward, you are hers and her family's brightest hope now. God bless.

[judycwh]

U brought tears to my eyes. My heart is not that strong. Thanks so much for making someone's day a lot better. Please, keep us posted. Were u able to bring the family to meet her?

[Zakk]

helping human during their hardship is the kindest. may god give you the courage to do the best for the unfortunate. keep it up.

[siamruby]

May the two of you be strong to get through this difficult time. And my best wishes to Nok's family.I hope they can visit her soon.Support from family and friends are very important.