Two years after being imprisoned in Thailand, Daniel Sancho, son of famed actor Rodolfo Sancho, has made headlines again in an unusual way. A mysterious video appeared on his official Instagram page, which before his arrest had featured photos of exquisite dishes. The clip, posted without any caption, shows a group of students taking part in a traditional Thai ceremony. They perform the ‘wai’ gesture—hands pressed together at chest level, a sign of deep respect and reverence in local culture.
This post wasn’t accidental, nor the result of a hacked account. It turned out Daniel himself was behind it. From prison, he sent a handwritten note to his confidant, insisting the video be published. In his message, he emphasized that this move was ‘super important’ to him, making it clear this was a carefully considered plan—not a spontaneous decision.
The key to understanding this act lies in recent events in Thailand. The video appeared online just four days after the death of the ruling king’s mother. Thus, the publication served as a gesture of condolence and respect toward the royal family. It was a strategic move, since the king of Thailand is the only person with the power to influence the fate of the convicted Spaniard. As there is no extradition agreement between Spain and Thailand, Sancho’s transfer to serve his sentence at home is only possible through complex diplomatic negotiations and an act of royal clemency.
Beyond seeking to win the monarch’s favor, this move had another goal — to reignite media interest in his case. Sancho hopes that renewed press attention will help speed up bureaucratic and judicial processes. Enduring the difficult conditions of the Thai prison system, he is looking for any opportunity to bring closer the possibility of returning to Spain. The identity of the trusted person who delivered his note remains unknown; however, it is believed to be one of the prison staff with whom Sancho has developed a relationship of trust during his two years of incarceration.
