Help Me

Rob Writes..........

Hi. I've been wanting to ask for help via the internet for a very long time now. However it's only recently, with things getting progressively worse for me, that it has now become a moree pressing need. At first I thought that it was a bit too late having already struggled through three and a half years and had all but given up hope that it would improve for my remaining time here. To the point that I was starting to give up and think more about transferring to spend my remaining sentence in a prison cell in Britain. So is it too late to ask for help?

That's what I was thinking last night. You get a lot of time to think in prison - though I try not to! Even a transfer will take time and I would be looking to transfer some time in 2008, so yes - there's still time and I have to at least to try to get help, as the best thing for me about Bang Kwang is Ton, my boyfriend. He's what makes this place and my life tolerable, as opposed to being on my own. The problem with having a boyfriend though is I barely have enough financial support for myself, let alone stretching it to two! I do so because happiness is the most important thing in here.

So how bad ARE things for us?

Well I receive $100 per month from my Mum [this has gone up slightly since Rob wrote this letter] and $50 a month from the British charity Prisoners Abroad, so about 6,000 Baht in total. That's 200 Baht, or about $5 a day for the two of us. Occasionally my friend helps me out but unless it's reliable and regular I don't count on it.

Things are particularly bad at present as my debt around the building has built up and I'm wasting 300 Baht a week servicing it. It would be nice not to take on debts and I do try not to. Anyway, recently, because of this, we're down to 1,100 Baht a week. Of this, roughly 700 Baht (100 a day) goes towards food - which is mostly ingredients to re-cook the inedible prison food. That leaves roughly 400 Baht for everything else such as coffee, soap, shampoo, cake, instant noodles etc. It's never enough for everything we need, which is why I can get stressed out over a bar of soap!

As far as the shop goes, it's very good. They have nice fruits and even ice cream. I would probably feel better if they didn't! Still, it's nice to dream.

So how can you help me?

WRITE - You can write to me or e-mail me any time. It's great to receive letters. The address is at the bottom of the page, or you can e-mail bkprison@hotmail.com. If you e-mail or write, please make my name and building number really clear (use it as the SUBJECT to an e-mail). Please include an address so I can write back, otherwise I have to ask Matt to act as go-between.

PARCELS - Books, magazines, clothes (shorts, t-shirts, both Medium), toiletries and anything you think we would appreciate. Parcels should be sent to the prison address by registered post ideally, or to Matt in the UK who will forward them if you want to keep your postage costs down. His address on request to webmaster@bangkwangrob.com.

VISITS - Tuesdays and Thursday - Arrive before 9:30 AM for a long visit or 13:30 for a shorter afternoon visit. Things it's nice to get on a visit are cigarettes, coffee, snacks, and of course cash.

MONEY - Obviously, any cash donations will be VERY gratefully appreciated.

If you wish to send money to Rob, you should contact the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London and ask to speak to the Consular Desk Officer responsible for Thailand.  The Desk Officer will then be able to advise you on how to send funds, or how you might offer other support.  The telephone number for the FCO is 020 7008 1500.  Alternatively you can write to:

Desk Officer for Thailand
Consular Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Old Admiralty Building
Spring Gardens
London
SW1A 2PA

Alternatively, you can send money via Matt (webmaster@bangkwangrob.com) via cheque or Paypal, who will forward it to Rob - who will then send you confirmation of receipt via letter. Get in touch via e-mail if you'd prefer this method to make arrangements.