SURVEY: Criminal Background Checks or Marriage -- Good or Bad?

[Scott]

There was a recent thread about criminal background checks or a foreigner marrying a Thai.   The fingerprint check is used for foreigners from 13 different countries, although the countries were not listed.   Which of the statements most closely matches your opinion on the issue.

 

 

Please feel free to leave  a comment.  Also, should checks be done on both men and women?

 

SURVEY:   Criminal Background Checks or Marriage -- Good or Bad?

 

Thread running here: 

 

[Samui Bodoh]

This new idea to fingerprint non-Thais is simply another element in the Junta's nationalistic agenda. It is a way of stating that 'you are not Thai and never forget that!" 

 

Somehow many people have been able to be happily married to Thais for many, many years; I fail to see why the state feels the need to step in now.

 

And BTW, are they going to be fingerprinting the Thais who marry as well? I didn't think so...

 

 

[Bluespunk]

4 hours ago, Scott said:

The fingerprint check is used for foreigners from 13 different countries,

Only 13 countries?

 

Hmm...wonder what the criteria was for choosing these countries.

[saakura]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

 

And BTW, are they going to be fingerprinting the Thais who marry as well? I didn't think so...

 

 

Every Thai national has got an id card which connects to a database which not only has his fingerprints but also a history of his tabian baan (dwelling) since birth, blood group, credit rating, criminal cases etc accessible to police and investigative agencies with appropriate permissions. 

[RichardColeman]

Poll seems wrong to me - should give option for 'recent' criminal history - say 5-10 years or so. Most of us were right little tykes when younger and probably have convictions for mad things in our teens. I include myself in that catagory. 

[the guest]

I would say Thailand doesn't exactly attract the cream, and therefore I'm all for foreigners being vetted.

[Nielsk]

11 minutes ago, the guest said:

I would say Thailand doesn't exactly attract the cream, and therefore I'm all for foreigners being vetted.

Me too. You have got a point. So many criminals try to hide and continue their crimes in Thailand.....

[connda]

It's already evident that all foreigners are deemed guilty of being criminals until they prove they are not.  The Thai government considers all foreign men to be security risks to Thailand. 
But they will do what they want to do.  More bureaucratic paper shuffling in order to keep the Thai public 'safe' from potential foreigner criminals.  However, reassigning those bureaucratic to policing Thais roads would make Thailand a far safer place.

[djayz]

Where is all this leading to? It's not enough that we have to jump through hoops to stay here legally but we also have to "report" to the authorities every 90 days! Now this added step/deterrent! Why? If they keep this nonsense up, I'll consider packing my bags and moving to a country which is happy to have a healthy, middle-aged, university educated expat living, earning and spending money in their country. 

 

I've often wondered what effect it would have if all expats (and eventually tourists) didn't spend a single Baht on a particular day of the week/month (a boycott). Maybe when they see just how much we are worth to the economy, they might make living here a little easier for us. I KNOW we only make up a small percent of the overall economy, but if businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bars, tour opetators, etc. are hurting because of the lost revenue, staff being laid off, places closing, etc. they might reconsider having such obstacles in place. 

 

How much longer until they start tattooing identification numbers on our arms and resettling us in camps? 

 

If they don't want us here, they should stop us at the airports before we disembark the plane, turn us around and send us home. 

 

The country is a joke and it ain't getting better. 

 

[djayz]

23 minutes ago, the guest said:

I would say Thailand doesn't exactly attract the cream, and therefore I'm all for foreigners being vetted.

 

6 minutes ago, Nielsk said:

Me too. You have got a point. So many criminals try to hide and continue their crimes in Thailand.....

 

What about the majority of foreigners who aren't criminals? Why should they have to be vetted too just because of a few bad apples? Why are their lives here being made more difficult? Why do they have to put up with even more crap than they already do? 

 

As a previous poster has pointed out, a lot of people have made mistakes in the past. This doesn't mean people can't/don't change. A mistake in the past shouldn't destroy the rest of  person's life. 

 

I'm all in favour of kicking organized criminals, gangsters, repeat offenders, etc. out but we all know that these undesirables have the right people in their pockets so that's not going to happen. 

[Paul Catton]

Marriage is a legal ceremony between consenting adults in civil jurisdiction.

Fingerprints and criminal background are an intrusion over the top to marry a fiancé.

If on the basis of marriage after it being officiated, you then wish to obtain long term stay in Thailand, upon that application should these measures be applied if considered required.

[Samui Bodoh]

10 minutes ago, djayz said:

 

 

What about the majority of foreigners who aren't criminals? Why should they have to be vetted too just because of a few bad apples? Why are their lives here being made more difficult? Why do they have to put up with even more crap than they already do? 

 

As a previous poster has pointed out, a lot of people have made mistakes in the past. This doesn't mean people can't/don't change. A mistake in the past shouldn't destroy the rest of  person's life. 

 

I'm all in favour of kicking organized criminals, gangsters, repeat offenders, etc. out but we all know that these undesirables have the right people in their pockets so that's not going to happen. 

+1

 

I am not a criminal. I am a well-educated, law-abiding person who brings a hell of a lot of money and knowledge to Thailand. And all of my friends are exactly the same. @theguest, you may not be the 'cream', but I am.

 

There are some criminals who come here, and the reason is that they find such a welcoming embrace on the part of the authorities. 

 

Fingerprinting people who want to get married will not ease the crime rate, cleaning up the police will.

 

Put the focus where it belongs and stop wasting our time and patience.

[smotherb]

I think criminal background checks should be mandatory for anyone getting married anywhere and at any time--both parties regardless of nationality. Don't you think the spouse needs to know if their intended has a criminal record?

[smotherb]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Poll seems wrong to me - should give option for 'recent' criminal history - say 5-10 years or so. Most of us were right little tykes when younger and probably have convictions for mad things in our teens. I include myself in that catagory. 

I doubt most of us have convictions.

[smotherb]

58 minutes ago, djayz said:

 

 

What about the majority of foreigners who aren't criminals? Why should they have to be vetted too just because of a few bad apples? Why are their lives here being made more difficult? Why do they have to put up with even more crap than they already do? 

 

As a previous poster has pointed out, a lot of people have made mistakes in the past. This doesn't mean people can't/don't change. A mistake in the past shouldn't destroy the rest of  person's life. 

 

I'm all in favour of kicking organized criminals, gangsters, repeat offenders, etc. out but we all know that these undesirables have the right people in their pockets so that's not going to happen. 

Gee, how are they going to know who are the criminals?

[sawadeeken]

If you don't have a criminal record................... why worry about it............... SIMPLE............

[laislica]

20 minutes ago, sawadeeken said:

If you don't have a criminal record................... why worry about it............... SIMPLE............

Because anyone can falsely accuse you of a crime, then what do you do?

 

It has happened to someone having problems with a Thai neighbour.....

[marqus12]

This new law ..It's about the fear of Thai men that soon they may 

have only two options available left ..gay or ladyboy marriage.

[digger70]

Would it be not better to check if they are on the Police Wanted List  in their Country ? Some people done Time but are not on the Wanted list Because they have turned over a New Leaf or started a  better life.Why cause trouble for a Rehabillitated person .Some countries state ones you have a Record in you're own country one can't enter/stay in their country ,,Like the US, If one is Not on the Police Wanted list would it than be good enough for a Foreigner to have a Criminal check in Thailand before getting Married/Getting a Teaching job?

[evadgib]

<deleted post>

[laislica]

1 hour ago, marqus12 said:

This new law ..It's about the fear of Thai men that soon they may 

have only two options available left ..gay or ladyboy marriage.

 

Perhaps that's their own fault?

 

Many Thai men treat their g/fs and wives rather badly.

One of the reasons that many Thai ladies are looking to marry a Farang is that the money is better and most often, the men's behaviour is better too.

Obviously there are exceptions on both sides.....

 

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, the guest said:

I would say Thailand doesn't exactly attract the cream, and therefore I'm all for foreigners being vetted.

Thailand isn't always ruled by the "cream" so what's the point?

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Only 13 countries?

But ...

“It’s better not to reveal the 13 countries. It might cause damage for the countries"  -

The Palad at Phuket’s Muang District Office (he refused to be named)
https://www.thephuketnews.com/it-a-crime-foreigners-marrying-thais-now-subject-to-fingerprints-taken-for-criminal-background-66094.php#ybXQRj8mZ3zSYMjr.97

 

 

[Media1]

2 hours ago, smotherb said:

Gee, how are they going to know who are the criminals?

They won't know nothing this info is not easily shared unless a crime was committed. This is fake news. Thai racism nothing more

[CeeGee]

quote from original article  

"The Palad clarified that in the process of criminal background checks for marriage certificates, fingerprints will be taken during the registration process and sent to the Forensic Police.
 

The police are the ones who conduct the checks. They can only check for criminal records within Thailand, it is not possible to check for records in other countries,” he said."
My reading says you could have committed any crime in your home or any other country and it will not show, the only ones that may have a problem is if you have been a naughty boy  in Thailand

[poohy]

I have had one done in BKK for job in Vietnam about 8 years ago, a time consuming experience but necessary!

 

As for getting married IMHO this is not necessary, just more paperwork that Thais are in love with and basically just to P*s of farangs which they also love doing

Adding this to the already existing  load of of time consuming paperwork needed to marry a Thai is hardly going to  win  farangs hearts and minds.

 

But i suspect enterprising police will expedite  for an appropriate  fee  ...oops dont tell Little P

 

[poohy]

4 minutes ago, CeeGee said:

quote from original article  

"The Palad clarified that in the process of criminal background checks for marriage certificates, fingerprints will be taken during the registration process and sent to the Forensic Police.
 

The police are the ones who conduct the checks. They can only check for criminal records within Thailand, it is not possible to check for records in other countries,” he said."
My reading says you could have committed any crime in your home or any other country and it will not show, the only ones that may have a problem is if you have been a naughty boy  in Thailand

Completely correct applicable to Thailand only like said not necessary unless you have been a naughty boy done time here in Thailand

[Acemaker]

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Poll seems wrong to me - should give option for 'recent' criminal history - say 5-10 years or so. Most of us were right little tykes when younger and probably have convictions for mad things in our teens. I include myself in that catagory. 

Shame on you.   

[Media1]

4 minutes ago, poohy said:

Completely correct applicable to Thailand only like said not necessary unless you have been a naughty boy done time here in Thailand

exactly a wet dream

[edwardflory]

I personally have no problem with a criminal background check, actually have a certified original of mine in my personal files at home - it was necessary for something I wanted to do in Thailand.

 

If you are given the privilege of living in a country other than you own, you should comply with all types of reasonable security requests.

 

As to marriage, how about BOTH be required to present, and sign each other's copy?

 

My 2 cents worth.