Aussie Mum in Thai Jail
Recently there have been many Australians getting themselves in trouble overseas. There was Schapelle Corby, Van Nguyen, and now aussie mum Annice Smoel. Annice Smoel had the bad luck to be taken to court and faced 5 years in jail for stealing a bar mat. Just like all the other aussies she was being charged with stupidity pretty much.
Australians travel to all corners of the globe but fail to obey the local laws of the countries they are visiting. They think police and people everywhere are just like home. If someone had stolen a mat from a bar in Melbourne the bar owner would not have even made a complaint about it. But when you’re overseas things are very different. Thailand may be a popular tourist destination for Australians but visitors must remember they are in another country and as such they must respect the local laws.
This time Annice Smoel was saved by the good graces of the governor of Phuket. Although I suspect he did this to keep all the tourists coming in by the truck load with their Australian dollars. The next Australian mum may not be so lucky.
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