So where is the thief right now whereu ?
What condition is he in? Is he in heaven or in the grave or in Gods memory?
A *** set of questions because the issue is what did Jesus promise the thief when they were both nailed to a cross/ stake side by side.

Luke 23:39-43 New International Version (NIV)

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.^[a]”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus clearly told the thief that he would be with him (Jesus) on the day that they hung side by side on crosses/stakes.

These are the questions that have been raised.
That's fine. The important point is that Jesus promised the thief that he would be with him on that very day (today).

No point in saying the Watchtower makes things up.
Only true if Watchtower didn't make things up.

Because I could use any Bible version to discuss this topic. And they all say that Jesus promised
the thief life in Paradise - NOT IN THE KINGDOM. So what and where is this Paradise?
What is material in the narrative of the exchange between Jesus and the thief, is that Jesus told the thief that he would be with him on that very day (today)