Suspects in criminal cases in Thailand are routinely asked to make a decision on which their entire future hinges with no access to legal counsel, and under very intimidating circumstances.

It is called Hong Chi, or the Pointing Room in English. Readers may have never heard of it. It is not in law textbooks, nor does it appear in the judges' qualifying exam. But it does exist at every criminal court in the country- and it is off-limits to the public and lawyers (http://www.bangkokpost.com/Perspective/24Feb2008_pers001.php#) of any type.

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Full article - very informative - can be found here: Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/Perspective/24Feb2008_pers001.php)