| "Campaign for Mon" |
In September 2000, a Thai woman named 'Mon' [John-korn Jarearatikorn] was arrested in Laos on charges relating
to drug possession. She was sentenced by the Lao Municipal Court to an 11 year sentence. By Thai standards,
this would be considered quite a lenient sentence given that many prisoners in Thailand detained on drug charges
are either given the death sentence or jailed for life. In Laos however, and in this particular case, the sentencing is considered more appropriate to the alleged offence. The Laos court does not provide for adversarial proceedings in any case.
Whether Mon was justly detained or appropriately represented is of no consequence to her now. The facts are that she
has spent the last eight years of her life becoming the model prisoner as is expected of her. Mon does not complain
about her situation. She is a quietly spoken woman who believes that things happen for a reason and oneday she will
return home and begin a new life.
In July 2008, the Embassy informed Mon that negotiations were now underway between the Thai Embassy and the Lao Authorities
to release her from Phonthong Prison under a special agreement. Part of the negotiations include Mon agreeing to pay compensation
amounting to 100,000 Thai baht [AUD$3000] in 2 x Installments. This would be done via the Thai Embassy. The first installment
of 50,000 baht would be paid prior to her release from prison. The second payment after she is released. Mon however does not
have any money herself because she has not been able to generate any income over the past 8 years of her detainment. The Foreign
Prisoner Support Service is hoping that its members will help support Mon's repatriation.
"She is a very kind-hearted person who has proven herself worthy of our support. We are collecting donations from members but we are still quite short of what is required" said FPSS founder Tony Fox.
"If anyone would like to help Mon then we would welcome their donation which we will forward to her via the Thai Embassy."
| | Update: April 2010 - Mon Released! |
Mon has been released from Phonthong Prison after serving 10 years and has returned to her family in Thailand.
She is very happy to be home and is looking forward to the future.
She is surrounded by family and friends and is grateful to everyone who provided support to her over her detainment period in Laos,
particularly Liberation Prison Project for organising free reading material.
This helped Mon a great deal in keeping her mind focussed on things more positive.
Thank you again to everyone who took an interest in this case.
Your letters of support over the years have been most encouraging.
Hoping we can provide more of an update in due course.
| | 6 November 2009 Update |
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Currently Mon is now only AUD$650 short of paying the total fine in full. Once this is paid then she will be released.
| | 15 July 2009 Update |
According to the latest advice from Laos, Mon requires 47,405 Thai Baht (AUD$1750) to pay the fine accompanying her sentence, as ordered by the Lao PDR Authorities. Previously 27,000 Thai Baht (AUD$1,000) was collected and transferred to Mon. This amount reduced the total fine of 100,000 Thai Baht. We have also received a further 6800 Thai Baht (AUD$250) and our contact in Bangkok is presently making arrangements to forward these funds to the Thai Embassy in Laos. If anyone wishes to contribute to this fine please contact us.
Mon is due to be released in December 2009 but only if the remaining 47, 405 Thai Baht (AUD$1750) has been paid in full. Verification of this can be provided.
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