Hello to all our lovely Thai friends. I know many of you may not be able to understand this email. Apologies. Max says hello, and I hope that if you ever visit the UK you will come and see us.
This message is being sent out of desperation. I’m writing to ask if you, or anyone you know, has any connections to either a Phuket or Bangkok newspaper, or a prominent Thai family who may themselves have connections to someone in government?
We are in a crazy situation. Ashley looks like she will end up with a criminal record in Thailand despite doing nothing wrong! It would ruin her legal career here in the UK and prevent us from ever going back to Thailand.
I’ve included a very brief explanation below. The courts have failed us, and now our only option is to either appeal to someone high up (we’re struggling to get responses) or to get a press coverage in the newspapers which may alert someone to our plight. We also need a very good interpreter if you know one.
A brief explanation: Ashley’s dad formed a Thai company years ago - Ashley has absolutely no connection to this company (she wasn't a director or a shareholder). Her father died leaving instructions in his will that his Thai shares should be transferred in to Ashley’s name. This was done without Ashley’s knowledge, consent or signature (there’s plenty of irrefutable email evidence that the signatory did it without her consent or knowledge, and the fact that shares could be transferred to her without her signature and without Ashley being on the shareholders list is beyond crazy!).
There was apparently some kind of injunction preventing the transfer of the shares and despite Ashley not even knowing about the transfer, a criminal case was then brought against her. This came out of the blue and we have been fighting it, expecting common sense to prevail.
However the Thai court chose not to take this in to consideration and she is now being told that if she doesn't appear in court in Thailand in August 2015 she will get a criminal recored. Both the English and Thai lawyers who have reviewed the case have strongly advised her (off-record) not to attend - upon landing in Thailand she would have her passport confiscated, be made to pay 50,000 baht bail and the case would be conducted in Thai, without an interpreter. The signatory has also made claims of corruption in the case.
As you can imagine, Ashley is terrified of being taken away from her family, and we are so sad at not ever being able to bring Max back to Thailand. So, again, apologies for this email. I know it is unlikely that it will make any difference, but I have to ask.