DavieG

More than worth a try Jo-smile. A big cheers from us here.

Sorry for late arrival on this site today everybody but been one of those days again. Even did some of the day job. Thanks so much to everyone for turning up this morning so early and showing such great support. Matt Arnold the political correspondant for GMTV was "amazed" by the turn out (which we did very little to orchestrate it has to be said - just a few posters round the town VERY late in the day yesterday) so well done and thanks again to everyone - especially the very young 'protestors' who got up so early. It certainly gave the story more atmosphere that is for sure. Whatever the quality of the content (which was pretty much in 'our' favour - and to be honest the tone of the studio was not too bad either) the amount of publicity it has given the campaign is invaluable again. A direct message to Tony Blair for one - not that he will hear it but hopefully millions of others will. Well done to Uthai and Kesorn as well. You did yourselves and Sakchai proud. Press interest is still high - amazing really. Look out for more in the Scotsman tomorrow and a big article in the Guardian on Monday. Thanks also to Hans and Malcolm for the 'letter' TV time. Yes, we have received a letter from Satch. He appears well enough and farily bouyant. In it he jokes about his World Cup 'dream team' doing better than most of his friends and that we have sent him a "young, blond, sexy lawyer" - who by the way yesterday was voted the top immigration lawyer in the country I believe - trust Satch to see it differently!!!!! It's obvious he has seen the Shetland Times from last week, so lets hope the same happens this week too. I wrote to him yesterday updating him on EVERYTHING and detailing all the 'trouble' he is causing He also says the food is "not my cup of tea" However there are many poingant moments in the letter too. Let me quote one or two: "The support back home has left me wordless" "I am so happy - you guys are always there for me. When I read the paper it brought tears to my eyes and you guys are giving me so much hope. You guys are not just my friends you are my family" "My dad always said when you find true friends they will show you how much they love you and he was right. I've found you guys and I cant be any more happy no matter what happens" "I want to say thank you to everybody for your love and support and I cant ask for more. I can't imagine life without you and there is nowhere I would rather be at this moment" "Everyone in Shetland is bringing tears to my eyes and joy to my heart so dont worry about me. I can handle anything they throw at me. My hopes and faith will be with you guys. Hope to see you soon" Sakchai Makao The words of a criminal who poses a community threat - I ask you? Home Office ministers and officials take note and hang your heads in shame!!!! And for those of you not prone to sentiments I apologise for posting this. His words not mine. Now the bad(ish) news. Sakchai wont have his bail hearing till Tuesday of next week. So be it. We remain cautiously hopeful. Finally another MASSIVE thank you to Chris and everyone (yes and especially de too Louise) for giving up your weekend to support Sakchai. You are true friends whether you know him or not and I know he will tell you this personally when we bring him home. Shetland is very proud of you all. Just a final word. If anyone is down in the Glasgow or Edinburgh area this weekend could you consider giving up even some of your time to support those already doing this for Satch. It might not seem important, but I can assure you that in this case every signature does count. It's these 'statistics' that in all honesty first attracted the press attention to the campaign. Keep up the fantastic work everyone. You are a credit to yourselves and Shetland. Back soon

Your support is greatly appreciated sprintxec. Thanks for spreading the word too. Davie Gardner Shetland for Sakchai

Fantastic - well done YET AGAIN PB.

Brilliant thanks again PB. We certainly hope its the former

Thanks Rivet. Right on all counts. The DS issue has been raised in our direct contact (for what that was worth) with the Home Office etc. Fiar comment about the Home Office 'statement' but to be honest it's the most 'encouraging' thing they have said so far - albiet it falls well short of what any of us would actually hope for. A small chink of light at the end of a very long tunnel. I suspect they will be referring to the final part of thier 'process' - the legal one in the immigration tribunal (court)

[ I'm all for balanced arguments but this post just about sums up the reality of the situation. Well done for setting the record straight as many would see it - probably ALL humanitarians in fact. Anything else such as a nice spell in a tourist resort after a brief spell in the Thai army. Sorry but the phrase "rose coloured spectacles" comes to mind.

Polarbear Cant thank you enough for this and ALL your incredibly hard, informed and very focused work on Sakchai's behalf. Heard nothing from David Davis yet, but you never know tomorrow is another day as we have been finding, especially over the past few. Will call later.....

Can I just post this very much as a personal viewpoint, not necessarily that of the S for S campaign and with the feelings of Satch and his family in mind. I have been made aware that there may be some malicious posts being aimed at this website, purely to goad decent folk into a moomin for tat exchange and to try and discredit the campaign. I don’t think I need go further that that – there may be kids reading this. However suffice to say that we have often heard the phrase “get a life†applied to us and been able to laugh it off. But if ever that phrase was to be applied in real seriousness to anyone then surely ‘internet trolls’ would top the premier league of despicable people it should be applied to, especially in instances such as these. Sad, pathetic creatures is about as low as I would seek to stoop – for now anyway. To go further would be for them to succeed in their immature ambitions. Take a look in the mirror guys and ask yourselves what you are doing with your lives? Do you have a suitable purpose for existence? – cause I as sure as hell cant think of one. To hide your pathetic viewpoints (which worse still you don’t believe in anyway) behind anonymity brings to mind only one word – COWARDS!!!!! Add to this that anyone praying on, or playing with, people's emotions in a case or at a time such as this can only be termed the lowest form of lowlife imaginable. It occurs to me that you are possibly reasonably intelligent people – although it pains me greatly to say so. So how about laying down your ‘toys’ kids and go out and use any grey matter you do possess for something even remotely more worthwhile – given your current ‘game’ the list must be endless. No doubt I have just fallen into your trap by saying these things, but quite honestly if you are having a laugh so be it – the thing is, I for one can certainly take it and I’m sure I am not alone. Let’s see if you can!!!! The real pity in all this is that by posting rubbish of this kind behind a cloak of secrecy, it ironically damages the genuine opinion of anyone who might have an alternative viewpoint to the vast majority – whatever the subject. If someone does harbour genuinely alternative opinions, these kind of posts can only irreparably damaged them or at best have them treated with some scepticism. All it can do in our respect is potentially strengthen the ‘for’ vote. So in effect OWN GOAL guys!!!!! You obviously don’t know or even begin to understand the Shetland community as you misguidedly believe you do. See what I mean about the perceived lack of brain matter? So to the vast majority of decent people (for or against this campaign) especially Sakchai’s friends and family, simply rise above such posts and comments and treat them with the utter disdain they deserve and ignore them totally – that’s the approach that will rile these lonely, soul-less, attention seeking techno-morons the most. Think about it!!!! For those directly involved in the S for S campaign - if you believe someone is raising a genuine issue or concern, from a reasonable viewpoint, of course feel free to respond positively, but remember let them have their say – that is their right and it deserves to be addressed. We have nothing to hide or fear, that’s for sure. Don’t be upset by such malicious rubbish (Satch’s family especially take note) The massive majority are fully behind Sakchai and this campaign and no ‘vocal minority’, who currently at least have nothing of genuine purpose to offer, should deflect you from recognising that fact. Well done to you all and special thanks to the lads at Shetlink Beware of the trows indeed. The only thing is dey winna get wis this time!!!! Davie

Not at all thats for sure.

If Sakchai can watch football, is there any chance he can watch GMTV from Durham?--just a thought. Great one too. If only we could get a message to him. Fingers crossed you never know!!!

Just to confirm the GMTV coverage WILL be at the Clickimin running track from 6am tomorrow morning. If you can turn out, that will be great. For me this will show the level of support for Satch if you do. As to the signal, there should be no problem as they did major coverage of the Island Games there last year - but thanks for flagging that up. Thanks again go to James and his team at SRT for their support and assistance. And by the way if you all recall GMTV have won international awards for their news programmes so that's good enough for me. A potentially massive publicity opportunity. Lets all give up one mornings sleep for Sakchai - I'm sure he wont be sleeping either Cheers to you all. Oh by the way please do NOT become deflected, enraged or discouraged by any negative or disparaging comments you may read on this website. Do not respond unless of course you can do so from a constructive point of view. These are to be expected and (within reason at least) the right of the individual to make. Remember they are part of a very limited vocal minority in this case so lets not take the bait, respect their views (!) and if you so wish ignore them unless they have any real relevance or become a greater part of the democratic opinion. Kinda unlikely in this instance I suspect.

Not a bad one this time vailron. Cheers

Now this is the right kind of view to take. And by the way under the heading of my democratic right I will not be visiting this particular thread again.

We ask or expect NO-ONE too, especially you. Its totally voluntary so let those who wish do so, without worthless comments of this nature. Its not YOUR money so dont lose sleep over it I would suggest and equally waste space on this thread. If you dont care about the plight of Sakchai Makao then so be it but this kind of comment relating to everyone else who's opinion differs greatly is totally irrelevant. If you have no interest say so and it will not affect you in any way. Equally let everyone take note that one or two isolated comments of this nature are to be expected. They do not represent the greater view of the Shetland and indeed UK public. Lets not be too concerned with the vocal minority here, although they are entitled to their opinion - sadly in this particular instance.

This is an utter disgrace and an insult to everyone working on this campaign. A totally legally and fully constituted campaign fund has been set up via the Bank of Scotland (please read the previous threat for full details) and is currently being managed by the Shetland Recreational Trust. How the money can or cannot be used is set out in this document signed by 6 responsible members of the community. The funds will be used for legal fees and expenses, over and above that already offered by SRT and no other. If for any reason they are not needed then an equally worthy cause will be identified, agreed and managed offcially To suggest anything else is utterly deplorable and you should be ashamed of yourself whoever you are. Sakchai or his family have no control or say over any funding issue by the way. To post rubbish like this on this site does nobody any favours especially you.

Sorry mate but I have to take total exception to this. If you cannot take the heat regarding your views then you really do have to get out of the kitchen. If you have a valid argument then make it and be prepared to defend it - sensibly. If you make these kind of 'threats' simply because someone does not agree with you, for me, it represents the saddest post on this site to date and your views will become increasing irrelevant. Sorry but this is totally impolite in every sense of the word - in fact I term it disgraceful. I have sympathy with your views, please try to be equally as tolerent.

Well said Michael. Davie

Hi Segatrix this is a very welcome and balanced view to take under any circumstances and I agree with it whole-heartedly. And dont worry about getting hot under the collar, we all do from time to time and I've certainly had my moments too this week I can assure you. I would especially like to endorse the element re the petition gatherers and anybody else either collecting funds or whatever on our or Sakchi's behalf. We have manged to run a highly credible and high profile campaign to date so lets ensure we do nothing whatsoever to damage that, especially now the eyes of the world are genuinely on us. Cheers to you mate and thanks for this again

It would be great to have a big crowd there for them - they are happy with that. I am discussing a location now (I have Clickimin in mind if its all above board etc - it will be good to show that he doesn't work in a 'tin shed' and that Lerwick is not a backwater) The only problem is it will be from 6 in the morning. Given what Satch is going through and this opportunity to get our message across to millions of poeple it might not be too much to ask. Set your alarms and I will confirm the location. Cheers Davie

GMTV with a full film crew on the way north to cover the campaign and will have Sakchai's family and hopefully Alistair Carmichael in the studio tomorrow morning. We've got there in that respect at least. Great news!!!

Just to reiterate my plea to keep writing to everyone including John Reid, Tony Blair, Liam Byrne etc etc Why not just make up a personal distribution list so that you dont have to write individual e-mails all the time, prefereably after you have done the first individual ones of course, even if these are just to keep asking why they are still doing nothing or replying to your first letters, e-mails or whatever. Also please keep writing your messages or letters of support to nodeportationfromshetland@yahoo.co.uk These will go with the petitions etc to No 10 when the time comes. Remember not to ease up on the writing and signing pressure even though we now have fund-raising to look at as well. Cheers and thanks so much again!!!!!

Come to think of it maybe we should open up a new thread entirely devoted to Fund Raising Events and isssues. Will keep this one 'clean' and focused on the other serious issues relating to this case. It will also be easier for us at S for S to follow. Leave it to you Davie

Well done Helen or whoever. Just the right kind of event. Lets install some fun into this proceedings and show everyone we can smile as well as rant. Hopefully Skchai will be there to lead it off. Sadly I will be on holiday (feeling a bit bad about that as things currently stand) so will miss the event - which is maybe just as well. I wis always crap at the long jump (legs too short!!) and as for the triple.....well say no more. Well done anyway and good luck Davie

Well said Marvin - entirely agree!!!