UPDATE: Since the father, Darren Cramer, 55, made the appeal, his son, Kieran James Cramer, has been found safe in Bangkok.
The father, Darren Cramer, 55, made the appeal in the search for his missing son, Kieran James Cramer, at Chalong Police Station yesterday (July 23).
Kieran arrived in Thailand on July 1. The last known contact with him was in Bangkok, after which he was scheduled to be in the Phuket area, Mr Cramer explained.
Concern grew as days passed without any communication, prompting him to take action, he added.
Mr Cramer reached out to the Chalong Police Station, seeking help to locate his missing son after explaining his situation to the Phuket branch of the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
Rungnapha Putkaew, President of the Phuket branch of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, confirmed that the case is being taken seriously.
“We received a request for assistance from Mr Cramer. We are coordinating with various media outlets to help track down Kieran. We urge anyone with information to come forward,” she said.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Kieran is encouraged to contact Chalong Police Station at 076-381247. The line is open 24 hours a day.
The family and authorities remain hopeful for a positive outcome and urge the community to assist in this critical search effort.
FREE LEGAL SERVICE
In a move to improve legal support for both Thais and foreigners, the Phuket branch of the Lawyers Council of Thailand now provides free legal advice at four police stations in Phuket.
The free service was already previously provided at Phuket City Police Station and Patong Police Station.
As of Monday (July 21), the free service was expanded to Chalong Police Station and Thalang Police Station.
In announcing the expansion of the free legal advice service, Ms Rungnapha emphasised the importance of providing free legal assistance to those in need.
“We are organising a team of volunteer lawyers at police stations in Phuket Province to ensure that everyone has access to basic legal help,” she said.
The free legal service is provided by lawyers at the four key police stations daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding public holidays.
The free legal service is also available at the Phuket Provincial Court on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Ms Rungnapha highlighted that the service is open to citizens and tourists of all nationalities, both Thais and foreigners.
“This project benefits society by providing a source of justice and legal advice, ensuring that everyone can exercise their basic legal rights,” she said.
“Volunteer lawyers are ready to serve and help reduce legal gaps, creating equality and equity in society.”
The move to expand the free legal service follows Pol Gen Chatchawan Suksomchit, at the time chairman of the Senate Standing Commission on Law, Justice and Police, visiting Phuket in May last year.
At the time there were 76 registered lawyers willing to perform the service, Ms Rungnapha said, speaking at the Phuket branch of the Lawyers Council of Thailand headquarters at PK International Law Office on Chao Fa Est Rd in Chalong.
The lawyers can provide assistance to foreigners on basic legal issues, such as traffic accidents, Ms Rungnapha said.
“Some of the lawyers have language skills to help foreigners with basic legal advice, and if on the day the lawyer cannot communicate well [with the foreigner], we would suggest the foreigner return another day to meet with another lawyer,” she added.
However, the limitations came from funding. The lawyers providing the service are paid by the government, Ms Rungnapha admitted. She declined to elaborate on how much the lawyers are paid for providing free legal advice.