British Tourist (Simon Burrowes) get 2-years Jail for being Rude.

What was wrong with Mr. Brurrowes passport, his passport was displaying a person with his shoulders naked, something not allowed for Thai travel documents.

Future more it is said that the conversation between Mr. Burrowes and the Immigration officer turned bad after Mr. Burrowes was accused of being a African trying to travel with a fake British passport.

The trouble with Thailand & the recent yellow shirt coup is that the US get's so much help from the Thai military it feel's unable to criticise it. From being a bomber base in the vietnam war to extrodinary rendition nowaday's, it's a nice cozy relationship!

One doesn't really know what was said by the accused. Raciast behaviour could have also been exhibited by Mr. Burrowes. Raciasm is not exclusive to non African descent people. One has to have been in Thailand to appreciate that the tourists often talk down to the locals along the lines of "little brown people do as the foreigner says, since you are primitive". A statement that seems exagerated, but is evident if one walks Bangla Rd. in Patong and observes the cavorting male tourists. Pawing at women, screaming at workers etc. would not be tolerated back in england, so why should it be accepted in Thailand?
The accused is employed as a fighter/trainer. These people tend to have hair trigger tempers and are prone to altercations. Why else would one select a career where the intent is to do physical harm to someone else? A great part of fighting is psychological: Iintimidation is used to induce the opponent to make an error. Perhaps the accused's mindset was as a fighter and although he may not have physically attacked the immigration officer, his body language, gestures and words could certainly have caused alarm and even intimidation. The aggresive behaviour may not have been intended but it was perceived as such.
Diverse ethnic groups pass through Phuket immigration including many of African descent. These people are not incarcerated. The reason is attributable to their behaviour. A crude example may prove the point: Imagine Mike Tyson in such a situation and the result. Now picture a George Foreman or Evander Holyfield. George and Evander would have probably charmed the immigration officer and had the guy asking to carry their bags. It's all about the image we project. Sort of like Amy Winehouse vs. Annie Lennox. Prior to peeing on the immigration officer, I would like to know the accused's past history in respect to accusations of violence and anti social behaviour. If the person has a history of such activity, then this would fall into the pattern. If this was a one off, then I would be more willing to understand this as a possible wrong.

In general, I like to belief that most people involved with martial arts are disciplined and are able to restrain from aggressive behavior.

As I read the previous post I need to say that Mike Tyson is indeed a bad example for somebody practicing martial arts.

And indeed we would probably never know what was said exactly between Mr. Burrowes and the Thai official. But still I have something 2-years in Thai jail for expressing yourself poorly is to my idea a bit over the mountain. Kick him out of the country with a big stamp never come back is understandable….

Burrowes, concedes he used the words "fucking" and "idiot" in front of immigration officials when his flight, for which his ticket was non-refundable, left without him.

"They'd kept me waiting an hour studying my passport with a magnifying glass," he said. "I was angry. I grabbed my passport and walked out of the immigration area, saying, 'I'm a British citizen who has come to your country to spend my money. Don't treat me like a fucking idiot."

Thai immigration police say it was they who were called "fucking idiots". His case could take a year, longer if he pleads not guilty, and the first hearing is not until 27 April.

Seems to me ,if he had already entered the Country with the Passport it would have a Thai Entry Stamp & stapled inside an exit card. So why the hell would you be questioning authenticity when he is departing anyhow.??? A Passport belongs to the issuing Government to ID the holder for ENTRY into foreign countries , so why didn't the Thai Officer who stamped his entry - question the Authenticity of the Document?? I would suggest the Immigration Officer was 'flexing' his Authority against a 'Black' man. Ths doesn't mean Burrowes wasn't out of line , just that it would appear the the Thai Official was being particularly 'Boody Minded' as I have noticed sometimes at the Immigration Offices. But, as with most things in Thailand where corruption is a way of life for the 'Brown Shirts' Nothing is surprising about Tourist Treatment by them.