From Heaven to Hell

• Bonkers's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Bangkok Hilton

Trip Start May 07, 2003 Previous
Entry Trip End Sep 05, 2005 Next
Entry

  Bangkok Hilton, Thailand
Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Today we went to the Bangkok Hilton, known locally as the Bangkwang Central Prison. We seen the name of an English inmate, Gary Jones, up on a notice board, and thought we'd go and pay the poor soul a wee visit. After being manhandled by the gay looking prison guards and having the newspaper and fruit we'd brought for the geezer confiscated, we made it into this pretty wee flower garden and two huge rows of visitor windows. I bet it wasn't so rosy on their side of the bars, double glass walls, and fence. You should've seen the smiles on some of the inmates faces though, they were almost on the verge of tears, simply being so happy to see people, anyone - other than families, alot of the visitors were religious types, chanting away from the bible thru the windows.

This guy Gary had been done for heroin smuggling, they (the police) apparently planted a bag on him at the airport on his way to Taiwan

01 Outside Bangkok Hilton

. He was infact smuggling diamonds but they couldn't find them on him so they made the plant for an easy arrest. He now faces life imprisonement with barely no hope of ever being released or being given a fair trial. They just throw the book at you when drugs are involved, the police don't even show up to the court cases and the matter is adjourned - for years. It's extremely rare that anyone will ever be set free here if they're caught with large amounts of narcotics.

He shares his 4m x 6m cell, which he has to pay for, with 10 other inmates. At busy times, up to 22 inmates share that same cell. That's less than a square metre per person, barely enough room to curl up in. Gary was in high spirits though, very chatty, and very jealous of our Khao San Road hangovers! The worst thing for him is that he hasn't had a drink or any sweet loving in 2 and half years!! Anyway folks, if you're ever in Bangkok (in the next 50 years), you should go visit the man, he's a top bloke and is so appreciative of a friendly face. Bring him some good books, chocolate, any other foods or magazines. The guards will confiscate newspapers, porn or anything that's too difficult to search - i.e. my juicy lychees!

Other English speaking geezers I found out about are Lee Williams, Julian Gilbey, Jody Aggett, all in building 2, and Jonathon Wheeler in building 4. Gary's in building 2 aswell. To get there jump on any old river boat heading north from the pier next to the Grand Palace and go to the last stop - pier 30, Nonthaburi. From there, walk up the street a wee bit, and take the first left. You must register with reception 200m up the street on the left, then the prison is across the road on the right. Don't forget your passports, and dress in long trousers. Ladies - nothing too revealing or they won't let you in. Visiting times are Mondays and Wednesdays 13:30 - 14:45.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

02 Saddam and Osama's big night out on Khao San	03 Some dodgy ho	04 Saddam on the piss	05 Osama skulling it
06 Bangkok locals	07 Mick Jagger and hottest girl in Bangkok

Slideshow Print this entry Share Bangkok hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry