Sakchai Makao
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Sakchai Makao is Thailand native who moved in 1993 to the islands of Shetland in Scotland. Sakchai was 10 years old at the time. In 2006, at the age of 23, Sakchai was detained under the UK Immigration Act during a dawn raid of his house by police and immigration officers in Lerwick (Shetland). He was immediately transported to the Scottish mainland to be held until a deportation hearing could be held.
Sakchai was an accomplished athlete, competing for Shetland, as well as Scotland at a national level. However, in 2004 Sakchai was involved in crime which led to him being charged and convicted of “wilful fire-raising”.
When Sakchai was threatened with deportation in 2006, the people of Shetland came together to support him. The 'Shetland for Sakchai' campaign was started, with over 8000 people signing petitions to release him. Fundraising events were held to pay his legal costs, and there was much publicity in the local, national and international press.
Eventually Sakchai was freed on bail on the 20th June 2006. A hearing on the 7th July 2006 saw Sakchai's appeal being upheld, and Sakchai was free to return to Shetland.
The Shetland For Sakchai campaign has since won two national awards.
