Did I miss this? Not good at all. So you're stuck there and no way out! No idea if I can do anything, but let me know
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Thanks Rachel. It's amazing how creative I get when my backs against the wall but my options are really one or two at most. Really appreciate you dropping by and I hope nobody else endures what I did. I've not even listed all the nonsense I put up with and now I think may just be a deliberate attempt to not do any work. Even if they got my passports I'd be much much better.
Daria
· 6 months ago
That's the story! I can see some potential for good cop thriller. I am really sorry to hear about all the troubles you are goind through. Insitutions, bureaucracy "sigh" there has never been a place for human beings but it is where ignorance and stupidity trives. Just let me know if I can help in any way down from cozy and bureaucritized Denmark ;-) Hang on! I hope you get out of there soon!
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You make me think of that talk at TED talks Daria where the institutions are so sclerotic from rules and rule books that they fail to function. I got the impression that the cops were really nice people outside of their work but that the institutionalized part of their work drains their enthusiasm. The other thought was I'm just a tourist on holiday and that I don't deserve help. Which is silly because now I'm going to stay here even if if they have to throw me me in jail.
Seriously though. I could have found the guy just by calling 10 taxi companies and working at finding it quickly. Now it's too late. I bet they didn't even approach the station where I caught the taxi to see if there was CCTV footage which I bet there is.
Thanks for your support. BTW The computer I'm using is from a Polish girl who hails from Lubnow. But I think her patience is running out. Any top Polish jokes I can tell ? ;)
Angus
· 6 months ago
As I said Sir Charles, let me know how I can help in any way. Eore than happy to loan you buckeroonies. If you get stuck for a bed let me know and I can ask around to see if there's other couches you can sleep on. Cannot believe what you are going through, the CID sound like fucktards. Hang in there xx
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You've been a darling. I wont forget it.
samismail
· 6 months ago
Dude! That is deep and disgraceful beyond belief. I'm not sure there are any words that can help you out so rather than talking let's do this:
Let's spread this sucka and see if someone over here on the island can help. If there's anything that needs doing you know where I am bro.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Thanks baby. You know I miss your gorgeous pecker ;)
samismail
· 6 months ago
Spreadin' it like butta yo
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
yo Sam. thanks man.
joe
· 5 months ago
oh my god charles!!!!! just saw this mail...where are you now??? what brilliance your commentary....remember the old man we met in bkk..well ang lee did a movie on him and hes had his second coming....YOURE NEXT!!!
much love joe
charlesfrith
· 5 months ago
Anything for a bit of PR. You know me ;)
Great to hear from you Joe. Hmmm you've just given me an idea I hadn't considered. Expect a mail from me.
eaon pritchard
· 6 months ago
Bummer. Likewise what Sam said. If I can help in any way with a few quid or something let me know how.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Bless you mate. I'd appreciate if you let the social media gang know. Comments help my case I think. :)
chris
· 6 months ago
write to the SCMP dude.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Clocks ticking this morning Chris so will make the best use of internet minutes I can. Thanks for the suggestion. I did mail the SCMP inside cover correspondent last night but there's a lot of folk in that paper (one of whom owes me money from their Thailand office).
Grumblemouse
· 6 months ago
Likewise dude - I gotta bit of time on my hands at the mo so let me know if you need another pair of hands on the ground etc
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
I would love to have a chat about existentialism in that police station waiting room. It was rich beyond belief. Save it for a Skype one day. Thanks mate.
Rob Mortimer
· 6 months ago
Bloody hell. Hope you can sort it.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
I've got a plan Rob. But it looks like I may have to break the law. GASP!
Thanks mate.
anjali28
· 6 months ago
All my sympathies Charles. Hope you're able to sort it out SOON and if I can help in anyway from ol' Blighty, let me know. The CID seem very unhelpful, but the British Consulate sound worse. How can they turn a blind eye, isn't this their JOB?!
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
That's what I thought. Clearly I've been delusional all this time I've never asked them anything in over a decade and only ever handed cash over to them for documents. Thanks for your support.
Michael Gross
· 6 months ago
Wow, this is unbelievable. Don't know I can help you, but I'm on your side and I'll spread the word!
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Thanks so much Michael. Great to hear the Germans are on my side too :)
jonrussell
· 6 months ago
sounds like a total and utter living nightmare - will try to spread the cause as others have done.
hang in there!
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You know it's a nightmare when you list a wallet as stolen in the report and then they ask you a few moments later if a wallet was stolen. I don't even know how what sort of communication breakdown could cause that and I'm a comms specialist.
charlie Gower
· 6 months ago
It's great isn't it, one wonders through foreign lands generally bumping into things here and there but feeling partially safe in the knowledge that there are people around, the police and embassies and the like, to aid you when you fall and graze your knee.
Very sad to know this is completely untrue...
Chin up Charles, it can't get worse right! Let me know if I can help...
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Ha ha. You've don't know my track record on "it can't get worse"... but you know what? I've got net access until the Czech and the Pole come home, and more importantly I got you and the rest of the gang and I feel like this sort of thing just got swept under the carpet before it could spread. Thanks for the offer mate. I'm working on some ideas that I hope means I get out of this hole in one jump. But it's great knowing you're all there. I'd really like to do ID parade with the cop shop and finish that story if they can't find my passports.
Age
· 6 months ago
Charles this is messed up. I've sent u an email...
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You know mate. I really like Hong Kong people. But the average Joe's response to a white boy asking something is to walk on by and ignore. Kinda hurts when it's just a few cents I needed to get that ferry but fortunately it was so little the ferry turnstile girl had a little box of change that it's easier to give some coins for people who are short than hold up increasingly irate queuing people. But I got on that ferry because of efficiency not love. Only days before I was hanging with the Yohji Yamamoto girls who thought I was ace because we spoke in Thai. Life's interesting. Thanks for dropping by. Twitter is something isn't it. :)
Jamie Coomber
· 6 months ago
Just tried to set up a Just Giving account for you but the mo fo's are upgrading their site and 'experiencing problems'. Can you get to a Western Union and if so do you have anything to prove you are you when you get there? I am thinking if everyone contributes £2 - £10 then you will have a nice little "Get Charlie his life back" fund :)
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
That's the problem. Without a passport I can't even take a Western Union. Hold that plan till Her Majesty's Consulate in the Special Administrative Region (Mr. Lai are you listening) start behaving like they even take the time to check if I'm a real person and I might take you up on it. I'll Skype you with some backflip hurdles I've got to overcome but I really appreciate you thinking about me darling. cfx
Rob Mortimer
· 6 months ago
A plan... sounds good.
Will you be played by Chow Yun Fat in the film?
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
But he's so good looking Rob. People will be disappointed when they meet me in real life.
Adam
· 6 months ago
FREE THE FRITH!
If there's anything I can do to help — beyond tips for improvised weapons should you decide to go John Rambo — let me know.
Charles, let me know what I can do to wire or paypal or otherwise transfer you some money. More to the point, let's some of us put up a couple of hundred of USD to buy you a night in a hotel room. A kind of" sponsor a hotel for Charles" thing. Let me know where I can send Night 1. Who's up for funding Night 2? Best, Grant
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
That's brilliant and very kind of you Grant - It's beyond kindness it's deeply human and I'm humbled by both your generosity and trust. I'm staying in a friend's place who has had back surgery which is why her flatmate and guest don't know me and amazingly wont check my blog to know that more is known about me then the two of them put together in the world so bizarrely digital has trumped real life for trust. A friend has emailed me about some digital back flips to try and get my money out of my banks so I'm going to try that first and if all else fails I'm will need to lean on you guys. But I want you to know Grant. Irrespective of what transpires. You need something, or I can be of service it would be more than my pleasure to do anything, anywhere because that is how I can show my depth of gratitude. British Embassy tomorrow. They need to know that it's not good enough they've not contacted the British Embassy in Bangkok and found a solution. Money I got but support from the proper authorities. It's beyond a joke. You're a superstar Grant. Thank you kindly.
Angie
· 6 months ago
Hey there mister,
I have to say that you've really gotten a taste of Asia. This is what life is like in that part of the world. Human Rights? My god, out of the question. You can't rely on ANYONE but yourself so the next time this happens again, you gotta be more streetwise. Honey, don't ever leave your bag in cab. You should have it glued to you. No matter how nice and smiley they all look, they're Asians and they get away with petty crimes. The police in Asia don't get paid anywhere near enough to care, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't care anyways because what would they get from it? That's the way life is there babes... It's a good experience, trust me. You're harder to scam from next time. I'm only sorry that I couldn't be there to help you out. Do you want me to send you some money mister? Let me know...
x aNgiE
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You're right. I did actually exit the cab. Go to the back. And very conspicuously lean into the number plate. The last four digits I've given to the police and which they've no doubt tossed in the bin. But a lesson learned. Although you know what. There's some good lessons like all this and people's kindness and frankly the sheer freedom of knowing that I'm bigger than anything I own. I'll get out out of this. It's been cathartic as well as hell. I really appreciate you dropping by and if you have any friends who are as nice as you and can say 'keep it glued to you' like you do make sure you point 'em in my direction. cfx :)
p.s. You rock.
mikej
· 6 months ago
dude thats f^^ked
Im working on who I have in Hong Kong. I have an english friend over from NY and I think his dad used to be diplomate there years ago. But I cant get in contact with him
I might know some business people... so I will try and get back to you when I know. It will probably be tomorrow though
I know your angry but I have found its always worth going down to the actual place (embassy / CID) and acting innocent and a bit scared. Ive found if you get angry and tell them off... they dont care and move on. But if you act innocent , a little ignorant and really scared.... they tend to help you more. I know it will be hard but aim for a girl if you can(pls dont take as a sexiest comment)
polish joke.......
Pamietnik partyzanta : Poniedzialek: Gonilismy Niemcow po lesie. Wtorek: Niemcy gonili nas po lesie. Sroda: Gonilismy Niemcow po lesie. Czwartek: Niemcy gonili nas po lesie. Piatek: Gonilismy Niemcow po lesie. Sobota: Niemcy gonili nas po lesie. Niedziela: Gajowy wypieprzyl nas wszystkic z lasu
good luck
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
First off thanks so much. I'm going to try an email suggestion for a digital transfer that a friend in Bangkok is trying to help out on but again it's the Passport they need and I don't have one - I should ask my ex landlady as I assume her photocopying skillz were tip top. A friend is sending me some outstanding dollars that should arrive earliest Friday so I'm not going to starve but I still need to get access to my accounts so I''m going to keep y'all updated on that. And yes, I did get angry and do get angry when explaining things to officials that I thought had a lot more emotional intelligence than I experienced. You've no idea the stress of just asking a Cantonese policeman to come and talk Cantonese to a Cantonese Taxi driver to resolve an issue and endure the most hideously irrelevant questions. I thought it was only advertising that hired people who should work in banks but now I see the police force is doing the same.
Thanks for the Polish joke (how did you know? Did I send a DM to you that was meant for New York? Yikes). I'll mail her now on her Blackberry. Hopefully she will lighten up and realise my intent is not to camp out here indefinitely. Save a bit of sweetness for tomorrow then.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Erm yes. Now I remember I left it in the comments. Of course a bit fast and furious during the thick of it. But the joke did not go down well. It wasn't an AMERICAN joke about the POLISH translated into Polish was it? Eek!
adrianho
· 6 months ago
What a nightmare story. It's a long shot but have you considered walking into the regional office of one of your former employers and seeing if any of their HR people could possibly help? I'd think they're probably tied into the system in some way.
adrianho
· 6 months ago
Also if you figure out a way to receive donations, you can count on me for help
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Dude. Think I missed this one but whatever the state of play I just want to thank you for your support.
Johnnie Moore
· 6 months ago
Good grief, I'll have to tweet this as "Think you're having a bad day?"
What a crazy experience. Can I vouch for you in some way? Send you some cash?
Wishing u the best
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
I just want the British Embassy to issue me with a Passport and then I can start cogs turning Johnnie. I thought that was their function in an emergency. Most important thing is to air the situation first and then press on the Passport which may open up my options. But thanks. You're great and I look forward to that pint in London when this is all over.
Jason Li
· 6 months ago
*smiles* Humbled I am. And blushing a bit too but I'll never admit it in public.
My only suggestion: Maybe try the consulate elsewhere (Thailand?) where they're nicer, or back in the mother country (though my experience with the big main offices have been lukewarm). So storming the British Consulate didn't help? They seemed like decent chaps when I went in, though it's hit-or-miss with these things... I say try another consulate cuz I remember a few years back I was renewing my Canadian passport by mailing it back the head office in Quebec, and they fucked up the timing, lied to me that it was being delivered tomorrow for about two weeks... and lo and behold, i ended up at the local (at the time, New York) consulate 6 hours before my flight where they were sympathetic and printed me a new passport within an hour all in time to let me catch my flight home.
Not sure otherwise, and bank shit, yeah again, to me it's the whole run-into-the-right-person-and-you'll-be-lucky deal. A friend of mine here (we're in Barcelona now) had her passport nabbed and eventually pleaded with the embassy enough, and found a sympathetic ear, that she got a new one back.
You don't got scans, photocopies, etc of your shit do you? I suppose that'd help.
I'll throw the word out on my blog, cheers.
Johanna
· 6 months ago
Oh my god! Can I do anything? Can I wire you money somewhere so you can get a passport at least? Jesus. I'm so sorry this happened, Charles. Let me know if I can help.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
that's fab Johanna. I'm really trying to let the Embassy and CID know that if they don't care then just tell me and put it on the front door rather than have me holed up for a week hoping that just maybe I can get a passport back or apply for a new one but it looks like I need to do attempt some digital banking back flips first which I'm having a go at. Really appreciate your support Johanna.
floatr
· 6 months ago
Charlie, it's shocking to see that your embassy isn't helping out either. I'll ask around if there are Thai folk who maybe influential and can help. Take care of yourself and good luck. Last week, I had an urgent request at the British embassy here and they wouldn't entertain my phone calls until I emailed them with all my concerns. I found the embassy much more responsive via email. Try that channel, if you haven't already. Bon courage mon amis!
floatr
· 6 months ago
Sorry, I meant Hong Kongers... :)
servantofchaos
· 6 months ago
This sort of thing is a nightmare when it happens in your own country. Being away from the basic comforts (and protections) of friends and family makes it far more acute - which is precisely why we turn to Embassies - that small chunk of our homeland in a foreign country. When you can't count on anyone else, you can count on your country-men and women, right?
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
I loathe having to ask anyone for help and I've been into too many British Embassies around the world to know that they are a vast improvement on the pompous and rude staff of yester year. Yet it's been made very clear that the Embassy can make calls (I have access to a phone that of course I don't want to abuse) and and what appeared to be an embarrassed admission that they can cough up 50 pounds and frankly I just wish they would be honest and direct about that. Thanks for your support Gavin. Preciate it.
Zoey
· 6 months ago
How 'bout an American joke? An American family is on their way to the airport for a vacation in Hong Kong. They see a sign on the freeway "Airport Left." So they go home.
Hang in there dude.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
The irony there is that Americans are, when they live abroad, some of the most sophisticated people I've met but yeah, if we're talking rootin' tootin' hillbillies then maybe they are the new Irish. Though of course Euro trash is not quite the apex of cultural achievement. Thanks for dropping by Zoey.
Ravages
· 6 months ago
Oh man! This sucks. Charles, best of luck with chasing the taxi driver down, and with the police. I have had one or two runs-in with the police here, and from what you say, police incompetence seems to be universal. Hope you get your stuff back.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
One of the few things I really felt down about was my visa is lost to come visit you in Chennai. I'm so sorry. That is one thing I'm gutted about.
Ravages
· 6 months ago
Charles: Don't worry about it. I am sure you'll come to Chennai sometime. Right now, focus on getting your stuff back. I don't have any contacts up in HK, but I will spread the word to a few people.
neilperkin
· 6 months ago
Unbelievable. Of-course will help spread the word. In the meantime hope you manage to get it sorted and if there's anything else I can do, let me know.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Brilliant Neil. Thanks so much. It's been incredible knowing that people do care. Much more than those who clearly are supposed to but don't want to. I really want a passport sorted and then I can move onto the next 10-15 steps to getting a life and identity back.
John
· 6 months ago
The British Consulate in Hong Kong wants feedback from people they've "helped", I say give it to them - 100+ times.
What a nightmare....I tweeted it. Not sure what else to do to help...let me know.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Brilliant Marrianne. That's exactly what I need. Just an honest awareness of what people can expect in my situation.I really appreciate that. It's says a lot to me that you've dropped by for this.
Rye Clifton
· 6 months ago
I contacted the Hong Kong AAAA chapter to see if they could offer assistance. I'm also going to try a family friend who was a US Ambassador. I'll let you know if I hear back.
-Rye
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Splendid news Rye. That's a great comfort to hear and to hear from you. You're great.
passitalong
· 6 months ago
Charles... let us konw how we can assist. Can we help pull some money together???!!!
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You've all been fab with offers of money and stuff Sean and I'm bewildered by it because like you, we've never even met and the authorities that are supposed to help couldn't care less. I've got some digital banking back flip manoeuvres that I need to attempt first but just dropping by here makes me feel I'm not asking too much from the cops and the British Consulate. Peace man & Thanks.
Rob Mortimer
· 6 months ago
Haha, but can CYF do claws?
Hope its getting sorted mate. I messaged RobC to see if he knows anything that can help.
Lien
· 6 months ago
Sigh. I was thinking it's one of another brilliant posts you had and need comments on. The only stupid solution I can think of now is, if you commit a crime, they'll pay attention to you and urge the British Consulate on your case. It's like when you call for a bill in a restaurant and no one pay attention, you try walking off and they'll run out asking for money. But of course don't listen to me. What's the reason they refused to issue you another passport? What information or anything else they need? That's definitely where to start.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
I've just taken a call from London and Sam is going to coordinate getting some dollars here so I think I'm going to have at least a chance of getting a passport done. I'll be blogging about it all so everyone who has kindly offered to help can both help and see how they are helping. Hey great to hear from. Hope you're well and of course I owe you guys a visit. Well overdue but it will happen.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
p.s. Consulate haven't refused me a passport. They just want money which is why I called them up in the first place as I was sleeping in a police station waiting room with 18 Dollars on me.
Rye Clifton
· 6 months ago
On the bright side... this should make great fodder for a stellar keynote presentation.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
It'll come from the heart Rye. Best ones always do.
samismail
· 6 months ago
Dude ping me a number I can call you on asap, I've got a plan
One x
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You gots mail Sam.
Rachel
· 6 months ago
If Sam has a plan, let us know..I can contribute to the dollars
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Thanks so much. I will coordinate with you tomorrow as I'm being thrown of the computer now it will be radio silence for the next 8 hours. :(
Has anyone sent this to Campaign yet? If not, should I?
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
That would be brilliant. Both as a marker of how social media works and my plight in Hong Kong.
samismail
· 6 months ago
Hey Holly we're trying to get some money together for Charlie to get a replacement passport, details are here: http://bit.ly/PunkKiva
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
I think they drop by once in a while but thanks for your support Holly.
Jon Shanks
· 6 months ago
what a nightmare story, so sorry to hear about that and hopefully you can get some sense out of someone there soon. or at the very least a new passport.
all i can offer is this brilliant music / art blog which may offer a brief bit of distraction from the otherwise pretty awful situation.
what a nightmare story, so sorry to hear about that and hopefully you can get some sense out of someone there soon. or at the very least a new passport.
all i can offer is this brilliant music / art blog which may offer a brief bit of distraction from the otherwise pretty awful situation.
See if you can contact this guy before he leaves Hong Kong for London at the weekend and tell him you are a mate of mine, I'm sure he may be able to help somehow (eg they may need a flat sitter while him & the missus are over here meeting us London green biz folks)
Will email Merrin to tell him about you too
Good luck with it all
:J
ps you may want to note his contacts.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Wow that is awesome John. I will drop him an email and figure stuff out. Really appreciate it. Greens rule :)
Robin Grant
· 6 months ago
Hey Charles - sounds like a nightmare - heading over to Sam's post now to see how I can help!
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Briliant. Thanks Robin.
marian
· 6 months ago
charlie. why is it too late to call the taxi companies? i guess there would be solidarity amongst them though too. you are at your home though? it really sucks, i remember having a bag stolen in brixton - caused a whole heap of bother but you'll get it sorted. you are resourceful! insurance?? bank can reissue cards? am i missing the point?? lots of love to you though - i enjoy reading your stuff but much less so the above. XX
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Hello Marran lovely to hear from you. Im in Hong Kong and Thailand is where I do my banking so I'm stuffed for both my passport and cash. I've cancelled the cards though so that's a relief otherwise I'd be crapping myself right now. Erm no insurance but I don't care to much about stolen property. The Macbook is the most inconvenient.
Willem van der Horst
· 6 months ago
Hey dude,
I'm just chatting with my best Mate James - he lives in HK but New Territories - and you could crash at his place. Just sent you an email, hope you can still access it.
Completely nuts story!
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Wow That is awesome. Check my mail and get back to you. Thanks Willem.
Sam King
· 6 months ago
Hey dude,
Not entirely sure what I can do but send you loot (mail me deets) and share stories of being arrested up and down the Thai/Malasian penninsula while travelling, due almost entirely to dubious 'passport irregularities' (the irregularities being the dubious thing rather than my passport you understand). Having being amusingly arrested by the Singaporean authorities while still in pajamas - less of a dawn raid than a stumble off the train in the early morning - and dispatched back to Malasia with a wry "sort your passports out before you come back boys," we headed back to the Thai/Malasian border train station. I'm sure you know the one, it has a great big mural saying 'Dada is Death', which isn't a statement on one of the great art movements of the 20th Century as I originally thought, but something about drugs being generally a bad lifestyle decision. Anyway, Malasians, delighted with the prospect of us leaving the country, were super helpful. The other side, possibly wary of us entering, somewhat less so. We, being pigheaded youth with nowhere to go, determine to stay in the train station until the other side let us in. So we spend the night pretty happily playing the very latest Gulf War board game with a bunch of Iranian fruit merchants (go figure) and turning down offers from local Jason Statham style gangster youth to 'smuggle us across the border'. Until the morning and we realise that like that Tom Hanks fellow stuck in an airport and we've become an international incident. The Malasian authorities want to get us out of the country and the Thais are resisting (can't think why). Apparently things escalated from there and eventually the Chief of Malasian Police comes down. It is, we discover, poor form for ratty arsed Western youth to bunk up on the station indefinitely playing board games with itinerant fruit merchants. In fact it's such poor form that we're about to witness a full blown international incident as said Police Chief goes head to head with Top Man at Thai Border Police. I never heard what was said, just saw it through a window, but the two were screaming at each other, and eventually the Chief of Police 'won' and we were escorted out of the station, placed on a train to Bangkok and told to "sort your passports out before you come back boys," a message we'd just about got our heads around at this point. Anyway, we made it all the way back (minus the Gulf War board game which we'd had to leave behind with the fruit merchants) and had a lovely time after that. My only lasting thought is that as a strategy, spending your life on a railway station on the borders between two countries, doesn't have a lot going for it. However, as a tactic it seemed to do the business and get someone to take us seriously and do something about it. Not entirely sure how this makes you in any way better off. I guess it's a shame you can't spend digital kudos. If you could, we'd all be millionaires. LOL
Sam
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Ha ha we're back to that old trope. How do we monetize when I've always railed against making it transactional although clearly calling favours is not out of context. I'll read this more again when time permit's Sam. If you coordinate with @samismail for any dollars in the kitty to help me out that would be fab. He is @samismail on Twitter.
James
· 6 months ago
Hey man what a story! I'm in HK and maybe can help you out. Send me an email with your location and a number where I can reach you. When did this happen and which police station were you at? There may still be a way to get some of your stuff back...
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Hi James. That's very kind of you. I've stupidly left the room I'm staying in without the telephone numbers I need to give you but my email is cefrith at hotmail dot com and I'll try and come back to this terminal with the details you need. If you could press the CID to work a bit that would be good but I get the feeling they aren't paid enough to pursue a Gweilo's property. Even though I've lived in Asia for well over a decade.
ASI
· 6 months ago
this is unbelievable. i'm off to sam's to see if i can still help with anything
keep it up mate
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Ha Ha. Nice one mate. Preciate any help though. ;)
FOARP
· 6 months ago
Dude, I'm not in HK but I definitely feel for you. The incompetence/laziness of the HK police me in mind of the week I spent calling the Metropolitan police telling then exactly where they could go to pick my parent's stolen van, which had been identified by a dealer using the insurance numbers etched into the windows, only with the added agony of having F all in the way of resources to deal with the situation. All I can say is that stuff is just stuff, as long as you've got the resources somewhere you'll pull through.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
You're right and I appreciate knowing that it's not just me who thought the CID were acting clueless. Onwards then.
faris
· 6 months ago
What the hell? This IS INSANE> what do you need Charles - we'll sort it.
FX
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Hello Bro. I could use a bit of spreadable action and Sam is coordinating the financial airlift. Today I'm on internet cafe time. Really appreciate your offer so @samismail is CFO although a word in the Embassy's ear would be splendid and a firm get lost from Hong Kong CID so I can give up on my passports ever returning. Peace mate.
HK police is not going to care about some foreigner (or even local) given it is a property crime and they are so lowly underpaid...
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Thanks for that. You're the second person to point out they are low paid so I guess I'm bottom of the food chain in Asia once again and if I knew that at the time....the cab driver would never forget me. Ever.
Rob
· 6 months ago
I'm just appauled about this situation ... especially the way the Police and the British consulate have reacted, or not - as is the case.
At a time where the relevance of HK is being questioned, you'd think the local authorities would be doing all they can to make sure those who come, stay.
Disgusted ...
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Are you soon to be back in HK soon Rob? Bring back some packet noodles from Japan for me :)
Merrin Pearse
· 6 months ago
What a challenge. I heard about your situation via a friend of yours in London, John Grant. I have dropped you an email with some suggestions for media contacts of mine here in HK.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Thanks very much Merrin, Much appreciated.
Freer
· 6 months ago
Charles - if you're still in need of money for the passport drop me a line - I've a friend who works in the university there and I'm sure he would stump up pending a rem from me. Call me +85517781111. Freer
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Awesome Paul. I appreciate it and recall now you used to work for the Embassy. On an internet Cafe connection so clocks ticking.
Paul Freer
· 6 months ago
Charles - not sure what your position is now but if you're still raising dosh for the passport - let me know. I have a friend at one of the universities there and I'm sure he'd stump up pending a rem from me. Let me know. +85517781111. Chin up. Freer
Adriana
· 6 months ago
Hey Charles,
Not big on Polish jokes. Maybe you can cook some pierogi for the Polish girl ;) Earlier I mentioned my home town of Gdansk, and the old times in Poland, under communism in the late 70s and 80s, I really wish we had Twitter then - standing in a few different lines at the grocery store would have gone faster :) And people would have remembered these times today, instead of romanticising the past. Doesn't matter though if it was 20 years ago or today, there or in New York, or anywhere else. It's still there (though we are told do believe otherwise), this monster - bureaucracy, lack of transparency, narrow-mindedness, and indifference. Obviously happens also in Hong Kong, unless you're shopping at Lane Crawford :)
At least today we can all talk about it together (which reminds me of your Community post). And help each other.
Hang in there Charles!
Adriana
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Miss Poland has taken the computer to work so I'm guessing that was more out spite than need given the context but anyway when this is all over I'll tell you about the kindness of the Polish guys who rescued me on the German Danish border and without which we would have been stranded. They were good people. It's always the petit bourgeois I find most narrow minded. That and the super rich. Anyway I'm not a Lane Crawford guy because I was caning IFC and Tsim Tsa Tsui until Hong Kong CID stopped my shopping spree in it's tracks. Thanks Adriana.
James
· 6 months ago
what probably happenned is that the guys didn't understand much of what you said [taxi & police]...Do you have any local to help you out?
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
No I don't. Is there a number I can call you on and give you the details? Thanks James.
James
· 6 months ago
call me @: 6383 3949
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
sweet. thanks.
damo
· 6 months ago
It reminds me of that Tom Hanks film, you know the one...
Turner and Hooch, that's it.
No, seriously, that's fucked. Need any help from Sydneyside?
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
Mate, if you could chip in a few dollars into the bailout fund that would be fantastic. Check out www.samismail.com for details on how to do that. thanks Damian.
James
· 6 months ago
Ok i'm on the suit-case... Check your email when you can and let me know. Cheers!
Stewart
· 6 months ago
Wow, that's fucked up Charles. Hope you get it all sorted out soon. think positive.
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
50 bucks in the bailout fund would be schweet ;)
Tiu Fu Fong
· 6 months ago
The taxi driver was being uncooperative and trying to drive off at other times, so you got out of the cab knowing this without taking your luggage with you? This appears to be a little silly, but maybe I'm missing something.
Why would you want to subject a poor taxi driver to police hassle in the first place just for being "uncooperative"? Hong Kong taxi fares are cheap enough as it is and taxis are ubiquitous. Why not just pay the fare on the meter, take your luggage and catch another one?
charlesfrith
· 6 months ago
In your subsequent comment on another post you call the taxi driver a "rogue" taxi driver which tells me that apart from; inconsistency, risible bias, an embarrasing grasp of the facts laid out before you (my wallet and passport were in the suitcase documents pocket before I met the cab driver etc) and uncharitable feelings towards those facts you don't know even though you make the Howard trust for penal reform look like hardliners you are also relying on anonymity. Which is where our dialectic ends because the next question is rhetorical.
Are you a female Caucasion per chance?
samismail
· 6 months ago
The issues here are pretty much nothing do with the taxi driver, what's done is done. What is currently happening (or not in this case) is the co-operation and assistance of the CID and Her Majesty's Foreign Office. Our efforts should be focused on those 2 things, allowing Charlie to get a passport and get home, hopefully finding his things in the process.
Talking about what could have been done is pretty redundant, and the positive action and sentiment that others have shown during the course of all this make it pretty apparent who's trying to help and who's just trying to kick a man when he's down.
The End.
charlesfrith
· 5 months ago
Thanks Sam.
Andy
· 6 months ago
C, have only just cleared the feeds and emails, so late to this. What a 'mare. Head shakingly bizarre (and I'm just reading about it, one step removed).
Just checked Sam's blog, do you have the dosh you need? Or more required?
PS re: the community post. I guess *all this* is the answer. It's the real deal, the actions speak far louder than reflective twitterings. With you at the centre of it right now. Kia kaha.
katie chatfield
· 5 months ago
I hope you're a bit more comfortable now Charles- the gang has been pretty successful with the whip around and I hope that my smalll comtribution goes towards a stiff single malt or two Thinking of you Katie
charlesfrith
· 5 months ago
Oh that's so fab of you. I was taken out accidentally on my birthday (I thought it was the day after) for the tastiest strawberry daquiries in Hong Kong. I'm fond of drinking and dancing with friends, and soi over the years I've heard a few people describe drinks that were "to die for". Really I'm quite easy going about drinks but these were out of control tasty; in the most beautiful glasses to clutch and crusted and dusted with chocolate and cocoa powder in what I can only describe as a rococo/Louis XIV setting.
I'll take you to the bar if you make it to Hong Kong. You will love it. Thanks Katie :)
Will Humphrey
· 5 months ago
Holy fuck.
Just back from Glasto to read this/Sam's post.
If there's anything I can do to help, let me know mate. Will donate what I can.
charlesfrith
· 5 months ago
It's all good William and thank you.
Did you read my "Gimme a Red Corvette" post?
Will Humphrey
· 5 months ago
Hi Charles.
No, I didn't. I'll have a look now.
Glad things have sorted themselves out. Keep safe mate.
charlesfrith
· 5 months ago
Thanks mate. I appreciate it. The post is called "speed" but it's all about American cars, and one Japanese one ;)
charlesfrith
· 5 months ago
Was that you who took a picture of my Orange watch on Sam's Website?
Must have been. 2007 wasn't it. June/July 2007 because you were at Interesting too.
How is Sam. What's the latest?
Will Humphrey
· 5 months ago
Yep, that was one of mine, at Interesting 07 in June. :)
Should be a few more in my flickr stream, including a few classics - I think there's one of us all doing drawings with our eyes closed.
Sam is good, have had infrequent texts from him as to how he's getting on. He has no web access, to i've been tweeting his texts at his request.
Today he should read the summit. Sounds like it's been a helluva ride.
charlesfrith
· 5 months ago
As long as he's safe. Although I've had to sort out funds for getting on with things here in Hong Kong so I can get a passport and bank cards. If you could let him know that I've had to pull the rip chord on moving things via SMS that would great. I've had no choice with the communication blackout.
All Comments
likewise on the offer front above. just mail me.
anicca
I am really sorry to hear about all the troubles you are goind through. Insitutions, bureaucracy "sigh" there has never been a place for human beings but it is where ignorance and stupidity trives. Just let me know if I can help in any way down from cozy and bureaucritized Denmark ;-) Hang on! I hope you get out of there soon!
Seriously though. I could have found the guy just by calling 10 taxi companies and working at finding it quickly. Now it's too late. I bet they didn't even approach the station where I caught the taxi to see if there was CCTV footage which I bet there is.
Thanks for your support. BTW The computer I'm using is from a Polish girl who hails from Lubnow. But I think her patience is running out. Any top Polish jokes I can tell ? ;)
Let's spread this sucka and see if someone over here on the island can help. If there's anything that needs doing you know where I am bro.
what brilliance your commentary....remember the old man we met in bkk..well ang lee did a movie on him and hes had his second coming....YOURE NEXT!!!
much love
joe
Great to hear from you Joe. Hmmm you've just given me an idea I hadn't considered. Expect a mail from me.
Thanks mate.
hang in there!
Very sad to know this is completely untrue...
Chin up Charles, it can't get worse right!
Let me know if I can help...
Will you be played by Chow Yun Fat in the film?
If there's anything I can do to help — beyond tips for improvised weapons should you decide to go John Rambo — let me know.
http://www.couchsurfing.org
I have to say that you've really gotten a taste of Asia. This is what life is like in that part of the world. Human Rights? My god, out of the question. You can't rely on ANYONE but yourself so the next time this happens again, you gotta be more streetwise. Honey, don't ever leave your bag in cab. You should have it glued to you. No matter how nice and smiley they all look, they're Asians and they get away with petty crimes. The police in Asia don't get paid anywhere near enough to care, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't care anyways because what would they get from it? That's the way life is there babes... It's a good experience, trust me. You're harder to scam from next time. I'm only sorry that I couldn't be there to help you out. Do you want me to send you some money mister? Let me know...
x aNgiE
p.s. You rock.
Im working on who I have in Hong Kong. I have an english friend over from NY and I think his dad used to be diplomate there years ago. But I cant get in contact with him
I might know some business people... so I will try and get back to you when I know. It will probably be tomorrow though
I know your angry but I have found its always worth going down to the actual place (embassy / CID) and acting innocent and a bit scared. Ive found if you get angry and tell them off... they dont care and move on. But if you act innocent , a little ignorant and really scared.... they tend to help you more. I know it will be hard but aim for a girl if you can(pls dont take as a sexiest comment)
polish joke.......
Pamietnik partyzanta : Poniedzialek: Gonilismy Niemcow po lesie. Wtorek: Niemcy gonili nas po lesie. Sroda: Gonilismy Niemcow po lesie. Czwartek: Niemcy gonili nas po lesie. Piatek: Gonilismy Niemcow po lesie. Sobota: Niemcy gonili nas po lesie. Niedziela: Gajowy wypieprzyl nas wszystkic z lasu
good luck
Thanks for the Polish joke (how did you know? Did I send a DM to you that was meant for New York? Yikes). I'll mail her now on her Blackberry. Hopefully she will lighten up and realise my intent is not to camp out here indefinitely. Save a bit of sweetness for tomorrow then.
What a crazy experience. Can I vouch for you in some way? Send you some cash?
Wishing u the best
My only suggestion: Maybe try the consulate elsewhere (Thailand?) where they're nicer, or back in the mother country (though my experience with the big main offices have been lukewarm). So storming the British Consulate didn't help? They seemed like decent chaps when I went in, though it's hit-or-miss with these things... I say try another consulate cuz I remember a few years back I was renewing my Canadian passport by mailing it back the head office in Quebec, and they fucked up the timing, lied to me that it was being delivered tomorrow for about two weeks... and lo and behold, i ended up at the local (at the time, New York) consulate 6 hours before my flight where they were sympathetic and printed me a new passport within an hour all in time to let me catch my flight home.
Not sure otherwise, and bank shit, yeah again, to me it's the whole run-into-the-right-person-and-you'll-be-lucky deal. A friend of mine here (we're in Barcelona now) had her passport nabbed and eventually pleaded with the embassy enough, and found a sympathetic ear, that she got a new one back.
You don't got scans, photocopies, etc of your shit do you? I suppose that'd help.
I'll throw the word out on my blog, cheers.
Take care of yourself and good luck.
Last week, I had an urgent request at the British embassy here and they wouldn't entertain my phone calls until I emailed them with all my concerns. I found the embassy much more responsive via email. Try that channel, if you haven't already.
Bon courage mon amis!
Hang in there dude.
Hope you get your stuff back.
http://ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-brit...
-Rye
Hope its getting sorted mate. I messaged RobC to see if he knows anything that can help.
One x
all i can offer is this brilliant music / art blog which may offer a brief bit of distraction from the otherwise pretty awful situation.
http://basic_sounds.blogspot.com/
j
all i can offer is this brilliant music / art blog which may offer a brief bit of distraction from the otherwise pretty awful situation.
Will email Merrin to tell him about you too
Good luck with it all
:J
ps you may want to note his contacts.
I'm just chatting with my best Mate James - he lives in HK but New Territories - and you could crash at his place. Just sent you an email, hope you can still access it.
Completely nuts story!
Not entirely sure what I can do but send you loot (mail me deets) and share stories of being arrested up and down the Thai/Malasian penninsula while travelling, due almost entirely to dubious 'passport irregularities' (the irregularities being the dubious thing rather than my passport you understand).
Having being amusingly arrested by the Singaporean authorities while still in pajamas - less of a dawn raid than a stumble off the train in the early morning - and dispatched back to Malasia with a wry "sort your passports out before you come back boys," we headed back to the Thai/Malasian border train station. I'm sure you know the one, it has a great big mural saying 'Dada is Death', which isn't a statement on one of the great art movements of the 20th Century as I originally thought, but something about drugs being generally a bad lifestyle decision. Anyway, Malasians, delighted with the prospect of us leaving the country, were super helpful. The other side, possibly wary of us entering, somewhat less so. We, being pigheaded youth with nowhere to go, determine to stay in the train station until the other side let us in.
So we spend the night pretty happily playing the very latest Gulf War board game with a bunch of Iranian fruit merchants (go figure) and turning down offers from local Jason Statham style gangster youth to 'smuggle us across the border'. Until the morning and we realise that like that Tom Hanks fellow stuck in an airport and we've become an international incident. The Malasian authorities want to get us out of the country and the Thais are resisting (can't think why). Apparently things escalated from there and eventually the Chief of Malasian Police comes down. It is, we discover, poor form for ratty arsed Western youth to bunk up on the station indefinitely playing board games with itinerant fruit merchants. In fact it's such poor form that we're about to witness a full blown international incident as said Police Chief goes head to head with Top Man at Thai Border Police. I never heard what was said, just saw it through a window, but the two were screaming at each other, and eventually the Chief of Police 'won' and we were escorted out of the station, placed on a train to Bangkok and told to "sort your passports out before you come back boys," a message we'd just about got our heads around at this point.
Anyway, we made it all the way back (minus the Gulf War board game which we'd had to leave behind with the fruit merchants) and had a lovely time after that. My only lasting thought is that as a strategy, spending your life on a railway station on the borders between two countries, doesn't have a lot going for it. However, as a tactic it seemed to do the business and get someone to take us seriously and do something about it.
Not entirely sure how this makes you in any way better off. I guess it's a shame you can't spend digital kudos. If you could, we'd all be millionaires.
LOL
Sam
I'm in HK and maybe can help you out.
Send me an email with your location and a number where I can reach you.
When did this happen and which police station were you at?
There may still be a way to get some of your stuff back...
keep it up mate
FX
Incompetent
Dingdongs (or Dumwhats, Dips**t, Dumb**s)
HK police is not going to care about some foreigner (or even local) given it is a property crime and they are so lowly underpaid...
At a time where the relevance of HK is being questioned, you'd think the local authorities would be doing all they can to make sure those who come, stay.
Disgusted ...
Not big on Polish jokes. Maybe you can cook some pierogi for the Polish girl ;) Earlier I mentioned my home town of Gdansk, and the old times in Poland, under communism in the late 70s and 80s, I really wish we had Twitter then - standing in a few different lines at the grocery store would have gone faster :) And people would have remembered these times today, instead of romanticising the past. Doesn't matter though if it was 20 years ago or today, there or in New York, or anywhere else. It's still there (though we are told do believe otherwise), this monster - bureaucracy, lack of transparency, narrow-mindedness, and indifference. Obviously happens also in Hong Kong, unless you're shopping at Lane Crawford :)
At least today we can all talk about it together (which reminds me of your Community post). And help each other.
Hang in there Charles!
Adriana
6383 3949
Turner and Hooch, that's it.
No, seriously, that's fucked. Need any help from Sydneyside?
Check your email when you can and let me know.
Cheers!
Why would you want to subject a poor taxi driver to police hassle in the first place just for being "uncooperative"? Hong Kong taxi fares are cheap enough as it is and taxis are ubiquitous. Why not just pay the fare on the meter, take your luggage and catch another one?
Are you a female Caucasion per chance?
Talking about what could have been done is pretty redundant, and the positive action and sentiment that others have shown during the course of all this make it pretty apparent who's trying to help and who's just trying to kick a man when he's down.
The End.
Just checked Sam's blog, do you have the dosh you need? Or more required?
PS re: the community post. I guess *all this* is the answer. It's the real deal, the actions speak far louder than reflective twitterings. With you at the centre of it right now. Kia kaha.
Thinking of you
Katie
I'll take you to the bar if you make it to Hong Kong. You will love it. Thanks Katie :)
Just back from Glasto to read this/Sam's post.
If there's anything I can do to help, let me know mate. Will donate what I can.
Did you read my "Gimme a Red Corvette" post?
No, I didn't. I'll have a look now.
Glad things have sorted themselves out. Keep safe mate.
Must have been. 2007 wasn't it. June/July 2007 because you were at Interesting too.
How is Sam. What's the latest?
Should be a few more in my flickr stream, including a few classics - I think there's one of us all doing drawings with our eyes closed.
Sam is good, have had infrequent texts from him as to how he's getting on. He has no web access, to i've been tweeting his texts at his request.
Today he should read the summit. Sounds like it's been a helluva ride.