Dear readers,
From 3 to 11 May 2014, we from study association Diephuis in Groningen will go on a study trip to Bangkok with 25 law students.
Now we have some questions and hope you can help us! Since we are going with a large group, it is important that we prepare the trip well. For example, we have already set a program for the entire week and we are now mainly looking at how we can best arrange public transport. We spend the night in a hostel near Khaosan Road (Khaosan Immjai) and we have to go to different locations.
Our first question is how best to get to the hostel from the airport. The hostel itself does not offer transport to the hostel and it is most convenient for us (since we are with a large group) to arrange this in advance. We also wondered whether it is most convenient to use the metro or is the bus also recommended (because of traffic jams, etc.).
We then asked ourselves, do you think it is possible to visit a supreme court or a court of law? Who should we approach for this?
Do you have any tips for us in terms of activities that we should not miss? And what is fun to do with a group of 25 students? We now have a bike ride, a Thai cooking class and a day trip to Coral Island on the program. Do you have any further tips? Are there any parties or other activities that week that should not be missed?
Thank you in advance and if you need any additional information, please let me know.
Yours faithfully,
Robin
Of course you can visit a court, most cases are public. I have not been able to find a list of addresses of the many types of courts in Bangkok, except the one in Rajadapisek which is listed below. There is always a lot to do there. Go there early in the morning, neatly dressed (shoes!) with your passport. There is a list (names, type of crime) with all the cases that occur that day. Go to the information counter and they will help you. When you enter the courtroom, bow to the judge(s), you are not allowed to talk and cross your legs. Below are some links about the Thai legal system. Have fun.
The Criminal Court
More information 10900
The Criminal Court Rajadapisek Road, Jatujak District, Bangkok 10900
Telephone 0-2541-2284-90
http://www.thailawonline.com/en/others/ressources/courts-in-thailand.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciary_of_Thailand
http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Als/06.html
http://www.civil.coj.go.th/?co=en
Thanks for your response. So you don't think it's a problem to go that morning? I am referring in particular to the fact that we are with such a large group. I am going to read the article below. Thanks again.
With regards
No problem, just ask the court. There are always many lawsuits going on, you can divide the group. My experience is that there is room for 40 people in the public gallery.
And maybe it is also nice if you read the following article by me:
https://www.thailandblog.nl/achtergrond/rechtspleging-thailand-de-wetten-zijn-voortreffelijk-maar/
LS,
When I visit family in Thailand, I always rent a van when we are together
with driver. You could rent 2 or 3 vans at the airport with a driver and
going to the hostel that way. It's the simplest way. No hassle with
buses, sky train, subway. Since there are so many of you (not to mention the luggage)
is this simple and does it not cost that much per person.
Good luck and have fun! Take good care of your stuff!
Inge
Thanks for your response! So you advise us to rent airport vans there? What do you think the costs will be approximately?
Yours sincerely.
May 5 is Coronation Day here, so a national holiday.
Shops are all open but courts, businesses and public buildings are not.
Thank you! I was already aware of this. We just picked a week with a lot of national holidays. I believe that Friday is also a national holiday.
With regards
Dear Robin,
Nice to hear that you as law students are going on a study trip to Bangkok.
In 2003, during a holiday in Bangkok, I went to the Law Society (now Lawyers Council located at the Democracy Monument not far from where you sit; this is, say, the national Legal Aid Center of Bangkok) out of interest, and through them I I can visit courts etc without any problems. Very warm welcome and very educational. You will also receive – if you are lucky – good information from Thai lawyers.
In addition, since 2009 I have been affiliated with the Thai office of the Advocate General (say the Public Prosecution Service) and in 2013 I carried out a legally tinted project in the context of public law with Dutch legal input with the Thai Justice and other human rights government entities. (I myself am a senior lawyer at a legal aid organization in NL). Perhaps your data can be passed on through the editors (who have my email) so that I can possibly. can check if you can also visit there, if you are interested.
Anyway, good luck and I look forward to hearing about your experiences.
Thanks for your response. Nice to hear that you went to the Law Society in Bangkok and were able to visit a court this way. It would be very nice if you could do something for us and pass on our details. We have already planned two nice office visits at the moment, so I am very curious. I understand that you have contacted the external of our study association. I will contact you further via the email address you have given to him.
Thanks again.
With regards
Dear Robin,
You can take a taxi at the airport. Three people in the back, one in front. Maybe a bit tight with luggage. A second option is to take the Airport Rail Link, a metro to the center. At Makassan station you change to the BTS (overground metro).
The best route is to take a metro to Saphan Taksin station and take the ferry to Phra Arthit pier (see http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-waterway/chao-phraya-river-chao-phraya-river-pier-guide.htm).
Regards,
Dick van der Lugt, editor-in-chief
Dear Robin,
Thailandblog is always interested in stories from Thailand visitors. Would you like to contact me, because I am interested in a travel diary from you. When each student accounts for 1 day, the work is limited and the travel diary is also nicely varied. Send an email to [email protected] with a response.
Dick van der Lugt, editor-in-chief.
First of all thank you for your response. What do you think is the approximate cost of a taxi from the airport to Khaosan Road (our hostel)? The second option seems a bit cumbersome with a large group, so I think it will be airport vans or taxis. Do you have any tips for fun activities?
As for the travel diary, I'll just toss this into the group. I'm still hearing from me.
Yours sincerely.
Hello Robin,
Well, reactions enough I see.
Just wanted to add that there are also vans that can hold at least 25 people/luggage.
That is such an intermediate size of a van (12 p.) and a large bus.
You should dive into google for airport pick up and the rest of the time.
Lots of fun and success.
LOUISE
Thanks for the additional information!
Yours faithfully,
Robin