Originally Posted by
theddo
I don't think the poster you replied to meant that the sixth amendment wasn't applicable but that the passenger would have been wise to answer the questions of the US security staff. I don't think anyone doubt it was his right to refuse, but being right and being smart isn't always the same thing.
And why he didn't go to his embassy, which as far as I can tell is about one hour away and ask for consular aid and they could clear up the mess instead? Staying on a floor? No, I wouldn't be up for that.
If he was a medical student in the US I'm assuming he went through 4 years of college where at least one civics class should have been included, and he should have known this.
IIRC, he was in the transit area and his passport had been confiscated. How was he supposed to leave the airport without a passport?
Besides, I believe it was folks from his own embassy that told the Thai authorities to detain him in the first place, and who also told the Thai authorities to continue to detain him when he declined to answer questions without a lawyer present.
If the questioning was above board and the US government agents questioning him weren't violating his rights or doing anything wrong, why didn't they escort him to the embassy and arrange for an attorney to be present during questioning?