Dutchman jailed in Thailand for money laundering in NL is released

[snoop1130]

Dutchman jailed in Thailand for money laundering in NL is released

 

Photo: wollertz

 

A Dutchman who ran several cannabis cafes, or coffee shops, in the Netherlands and was jailed for 100 years in Thailand, is heading back home after years of campaigning for his release.

 

Johan van Laarhoven was jailed in Thailand for money laundering, even though the offences took place in the Netherlands.

 

His wife, who is Thai, was also jailed.

 

Thai justice officials reportedly started investigating Van Laarhoven in 2014 following a letter from a Dutch public prosecution department official, informing the authorities he had earned his money selling marijuana and requesting help in a criminal investigation.

 

Full Story: https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2020/01/dutchman-jailed-in-thailand-for-money-laundering-in-nl-is-released/

[ukrules]

He never should have been arrested in the first place. It just shows how backwards and corrupt this place is.

 

Where is all his money and who owns his property/vehicles now?

Edited January 16, 2020 by ukrules

[Odysseus123]

At last...

 

A grotesque miscarriage of Thai "justice"-whatever that is.

[Scot123]

I followed this and the headline is very misleading. Yes a letter was sent but it was a mistake. He made his money legally. His mistake was to flant it. I am shocked and very surprised that he has been released as all his assets have gone (some would say stolen). His story should be compulsory reading for any rich weastener thinking of retiring to Thailand. Very pleased he is out and look forward to his story (I hope his wife is with him so he can speak freely and truthfully). 

[darksidedog]

Common sense finally finds a foothold in the country. Everything he was ever accused of happened outside Thailand so his imprisonment was a travesty. I suspect he will be leaving minus all of his assets though, which undoubtedly will also never be received by the Dutch.

[brucec64]

4 minutes ago, ukrules said:

He never should have been arrested in the first place. It just shows how backwards and corrupt this place is.

 

Where is all his money and who owns his property/vehicles now?

If you bothered to read the article, you will see that this was initiated by the Dutch:

 

Thai justice officials reportedly started investigating Van Laarhoven in 2014 following a letter from a Dutch public prosecution department official, informing the authorities he had earned his money selling marijuana and requesting help in a criminal investigation.

 

This place is backwards and corrupt, but not in this case. This guy had enough money that corruption should have let him buy his way out, but it's more difficult when foreign governments are involved.

 However, this early release could have been "bought". Usually a prisoner exchange occurs after completing 1/3 of the sentence here. 

 

[Odysseus123]

16 minutes ago, Scot123 said:

I followed this and the headline is very misleading. Yes a letter was sent but it was a mistake. He made his money legally. His mistake was to flant it. I am shocked and very surprised that he has been released as all his assets have gone (some would say stolen). His story should be compulsory reading for any rich weastener thinking of retiring to Thailand. Very pleased he is out and look forward to his story (I hope his wife is with him so he can speak freely and truthfully). 

Good post.

 

I certainly hope that his wife is with him and that he has left no hostages to fortune in Thailand.

Edited January 16, 2020 by Odysseus123

[sweatalot]

years in prison, all his posessions stolen. And that by a country that likes to call itself democratic and his justice system being a justice system. 

 

And it looks like he never will be compensated. Their should be thousands of dollars for each day in prison innocent. Even for that I would not like to bee one hour in a Thai prison.

 

Thailand destroyed his life.

Edited January 16, 2020 by sweatalot

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, brucec64 said:

If you bothered to read the article, you will see that this was initiated by the Dutch:

 

Thai justice officials reportedly started investigating Van Laarhoven in 2014 following a letter from a Dutch public prosecution department official, informing the authorities he had earned his money selling marijuana and requesting help in a criminal investigation.

 

This place is backwards and corrupt, but not in this case. This guy had enough money that corruption should have let him buy his way out, but it's more difficult when foreign governments are involved.

 However, this early release could have been "bought". Usually a prisoner exchange occurs after completing 1/3 of the sentence here. 

 

I've read everything about this case.

 

He should not have been in prison at all, it shouldn't matter what the Dutch did, it was nothing to do with the Thais.

 

Where is his money now? Who owns his properties and cars?

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, Scot123 said:

His mistake was to flant it.

There's nothing wrong with flaunting your legally gained money if you choose to do so.

 

His tax affairs are between him and the Dutch tax inspectors.

[BritManToo]

33 minutes ago, ukrules said:

There's nothing wrong with flaunting your legally gained money if you choose to do so.

Nah, you'll probably fall off a balcony if you do.

This case is one of the greatest examples of, "never bring more money to Thailand than you need for immediate living expenses"

 

My Thai health insurance policy is to never be worth anything to any Thai if I'm dead (or in prison).

I'd rather leave than put 800k in a Thai bank account and risk my gf killing me to get it.

 

It's good that he's been finally released though.

Edited January 16, 2020 by BritManToo

[lemonjelly]

Meanwhile, a Thai person found guilty by the Australian courts of heroin smuggling is a Thai MP with a nice salary.

[Odysseus123]

13 minutes ago, lemonjelly said:

Meanwhile, a Thai person found guilty by the Australian courts of heroin smuggling is a Thai MP with a nice salary.

A stalwart pillar of the kingdom,no less.

[Tomy yupyup]

Why do you think that most Thais look like they have nothing. Simple there is another Thai with bigger better connections going to take it from you. It is the Wild West. It’s all about friendships. 

[hansnl]

12 hours ago, ukrules said:

He never should have been arrested in the first place. It just shows how backwards and corrupt this place is.

 

Where is all his money and who owns his property/vehicles now?

The backwardness was indeed with the Dutch prosecutor who could not make a case and decided to let the Thai courts do it for them.

The Dutch are at fault and can expect a big compensation case.

[meechai]

13 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

 Thai "justice"-whatever that is.

Thai Justice = Oxymoron

Edited January 17, 2020 by meechai

[jesimps]

13 hours ago, ukrules said:

He never should have been arrested in the first place. It just shows how backwards and corrupt this place is.

 

Where is all his money and who owns his property/vehicles now?

Dunno, but the gardens of his house on Phoenix golf course are completely overgrown with weeds. They used to be immaculate.

 

[Emdog]

"...in the Netherlands and was jailed for 100 years in Thailand,..."

I have heard pot can alter perception of time and space... but 100 years?

Image popped into my sober mind of a spider cleaning web, casting husks out after sucking life from imprisoned flies. He has served his purpose, let him go now. Have a nice day:)

[Krabi King]

Once back in the Netherlands, his lawyer (one with a great international reputation) is going to hold the Dutch government accountable for the whole thing, as they initiated a wrongful pursuit. The Dutch government actually has somewhat admitted already that mistakes were made in his case, so chances are very real that he will be compensated for his terrible detention in Thailand.

His wife is still in jail at the moment, but the Dutch government has said that they will continue to negotiate for her release and transfer to the Netherlands.

 

[ardsong]

He might be free from Thai jail, but the Dutch government is charging him now. ref. Volkskrant, main Dutch newspaper.

it says quote "Justitie vervolgt coffeeshopbaas voor witwassen ‘via financiële schijnconstructies’ " unquote

 

which translated  means , Justice dep. accuses coffeeshop-boss for white wassing of money via financial ghost constructions.

 

For me this indicates he is not free , though he will be not in prison waiting for his trial.

[sjbrownderby]

This is an inevitable consequence of the Thai government's softening attitude towards cannabis. Soon Thais will be able to grow it legally (for processing into medicine) and earn money so keeping someone in jail who had earned money legally from cannabis would not look good. Clinics will also be opening up around Thailand to treat people who can benefit from cannabis therapy. Unfortunately it has been treated as an illegal drug for such a long time that there is a lack of expertise in it's medical use. That is about to change.

[tomauasia]

15 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Common sense finally finds a foothold in the country. Everything he was ever accused of happened outside Thailand so his imprisonment was a travesty. I suspect he will be leaving minus all of his assets though, which undoubtedly will also never be received by the Dutch.

They are a international joke and corrupt. They wanted to steal.his assets

 

Edited January 17, 2020 by tomauasia

[dallen52]

15 hours ago, ukrules said:

He never should have been arrested in the first place. It just shows how backwards and corrupt this place is.

 

Where is all his money and who owns his property/vehicles now?

As my mate Dennis says in Bangkok, every time I visit.

 

"Thank you for the contribution".

 

Corruption, lies, deceit, is a way of life for many here.

And sadly they do not see anything wrong with this.

 

My thai ex used to say, "Farang have, Thais have not, ok to take"...

 

She had a fair chunk of mine; her and her family...

[Expat Tom]

This extends throughout the entire society. See how long your loving Thai wife or girlfriend will stay with you if someone with a few baht more comes knocking? Thailand was never colonized because there was no need. Thai were and are willing to sell their souls to the highest bidder. They is no reason to take over a country that is for sale on every level....from the mother who has the beautiful daughter in Isan to the highest government official in Bangkok....it is all for sale!!!

 

I now live in Vietnam, 

[LivinLOS]

15 hours ago, brucec64 said:

If you bothered to read the article, you will see that this was initiated by the Dutch:

 

Thai justice officials reportedly started investigating Van Laarhoven in 2014 following a letter from a Dutch public prosecution department official, informing the authorities he had earned his money selling marijuana and requesting help in a criminal investigation.

 

This place is backwards and corrupt, but not in this case. This guy had enough money that corruption should have let him buy his way out, but it's more difficult when foreign governments are involved.

 However, this early release could have been "bought". Usually a prisoner exchange occurs after completing 1/3 of the sentence here. 

 

Incredibly naive.. 

 

He committed no crimes here.. The country he came from what he was doing was not illegal.. There was an argument about tax avoidance and the correct declaration of profits... 

 

Thailand police see someone in multi million usd houses and the word marijuana and simply locked the guy up, without any evidence, charged him for crimes that didnt happen here and are not crimes in his home country, and voila.. Suddenly all those assets and riches fell apart and were 'lost' back to Thailand. What is that if not corrupt. 

 

Thats the facts of it.. 

[kiwikeith]

15 hours ago, ukrules said:

He never should have been arrested in the first place. It just shows how backwards and corrupt this place is.

 

Where is all his money and who owns his property/vehicles now?

Maybe--- his wife was jailed also, to prevent her from selling off the spoils.

Maybe, they got some of the spoils now so release him back to NL.

Wife can stay here she wont be jailed in NL he probably will- so, no money no honey-bye bye

[dallen52]

5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

While people walk free on murder charges, I'll never understand the Thai justice [lack of] system!

You just have to look at the list of penalties and fines posted in a police station and then realize that they basically apply to Thais, plus the usual 3 wais.

 

Then look what a farang is charged, plus the "special treatment" fees to keep you out of the monkey house and stop immigration from being involved. 

 

A friend was pulled out at Big C after check out and was found to have a pack of batteries in the shopping mix, all of 92 baht. 

Granted he is in his seventies, but who can say what actually happened?

Bottom line...

Police called, arrested, monkey house, bail offer of 50k pending a court hearing next day.

He had substantial money on him as he was flying to the UK for Christmas the next day.

Good cop role play comes into affect. 

The closed door offer was to help him, but a 40k lubrication was required to stop immigration involvement. 

(HE was flying out the following night).

So next morning he was in pattaya courts and fined 2500 baht.

Big C always take legal action. 

Plus the 40k to the senior level officer at pattaya. 

Plus he still has to get the 50k bail bond refund on his return, less a 10k police taxi service to and from court.

 

Seriously doubt if he will come back. 

It really shook him up..

 

A true story. 

And explains why I could comment on the old chap abandoned by friends several weeks ago. 

I was there, assisting the friend. 

 

Add to the list several 7/11 stores that knowingly put items in your basket and then pull you up for non payment. 

With offers to settle in the back room.. 

 

Its endemic..

Anyone who has not experienced this is lucky. 

 

[Gandtee]

I wonder if offences like being involved with drugs outside of Thailand can bring about prosecution for it in Thailand and maybe stop you from being a Member of Parliament.????

[Salerno]

2 minutes ago, dallen52 said:

Anyone who has not experienced this is lucky. 

555

[Steve Vincent]

In Holland it’s legal to sell marijuana in cafes therefor it’s not proceeds of crime... Dutch prosecutor request help in a criminal case ? Then I’m reading headlines 100yrs for money laundering Thailand banks been laundering proceeds by monopolizing the baht  haha... will google and get the full story as this snippet of news only the tip of the iceberg ......