This is mainly a heads up for those undertaking border runs to Poipet.

 

On Wednesday evening a friend was denied re-entry at Poipet 

 

 

He holds a Non-Immigrant ‘O’, multiple entry visa, based on marriage, which he obtains from Savannakhet. He was due to do his 90 day’s exit and took his wife to the border market before doing the usual ‘in and out’.

 

He was told by the IO that he could not enter overland and must fly into Thailand. I believe that 2 people with TV’s were also denied + a family with 2 children.

 

What he was told was obviously complete <deleted> and probably an attempt to extort money........ I think a figure of 20k Baht was mentioned to ‘sort it out’. My friend decided to camp down at Siem Reap airport and took a flight to Don Mueang on Thursday morning.

 

Debate the incident as you wish but this is just a warning to others who may be considering using Poipet for their border runs.

 

 

 

Scumbags

It's already known as a border crossing to avoid for visa runs. 

 

This is not the first report of a non ME visa holder being denied an "in and out", but it's the first mention of attempted extortion, which suggests it probably didn't happen. They'd have asked for and settled on a lot less than 20K. Not allowing certain people to do visa runs seems to be a policy of the bosses running that border.

The Army should assume command over that border crossing for 5 years.

Transfer the whole lot there to "inactive positions".

22 minutes ago, elviajero said:

It's already known as a border crossing to avoid for visa runs. 

 

This is not the first report of a non ME visa holder being denied an "in and out", but it's the first mention of attempted extortion, which suggests it probably didn't happen.  

1

It probably didn't happen because it's the only report of extortion? Really? Jip99 is a respected, long-time member. He's not warning people as a wind-up. He's trying to inform people in an effort to warn them.

3 minutes ago, tropo said:

It probably didn't happen because it's the only report of extortion? Really? Jip99 is a respected, long-time member. He's not warning people as a wind-up. He's trying to inform people in an effort to warn them.

He said, "and probably an attempt to extort money........ I think a figure of 20k Baht was mentioned to ‘sort it out’."

 

"Probably" and "I think". Not a very credible report.

 

We already know that they deny visa runs to some people at that border. Why do you think this persons friend was "probably/I think" extorted for 20K when no one else has reported the same?

 

If money was the motive for not allowing the visa run they'd have asked for a few hundred baht, not 20K, or started at 20K and settled on a lot less. IO's get nothing from denying entry, they only benefit from successful extortion.

25 minutes ago, elviajero said:

He said, "and probably an attempt to extort money........ I think a figure of 20k Baht was mentioned to ‘sort it out’."

 

"Probably" and "I think". Not a very credible report.

 

We already know that they deny visa runs to some people at that border. Why do you think this persons friend was "probably/I think" extorted for 20K when no one else has reported the same?

 

If money was the motive for not allowing the visa run they'd have asked for a few hundred baht, not 20K, or started at 20K and settled on a lot less. IO's get nothing from denying entry, they only benefit from successful extortion.

I think you are missing the fact that this is not low level extortion. We had another recent credible report where someone was denied visa exempt entry, and a Cambodian fixer quoted 17,000 baht to sort it out. The extortion clearly involves senior Thai officials at that crossing, who are themselves possibly paying others for protection of their scheme.

1 hour ago, tropo said:

It probably didn't happen because it's the only report of extortion? Really? Jip99 is a respected, long-time member. He's not warning people as a wind-up. He's trying to inform people in an effort to warn them.

It happened to "a friend," not the OP. Always cause for at least healthy suspicion.

Are they stamping the refusals?

45 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I think you are missing the fact that this is not low level extortion. We had another recent credible report where someone was denied visa exempt entry, and a Cambodian fixer quoted 17,000 baht to sort it out. The extortion clearly involves senior Thai officials at that crossing, who are themselves possibly paying others for protection of their scheme.

They should drop their prices then because they are crap at extortion. Go to the airport or pay us 17K to 20K!?

 

Maybe someone is now trying to cash in on people being denied visa runs, but the policy to deny them has been going on for some time, and previous (early) reports did not include cash for fix; just go to the airport.

24 minutes ago, Chou Anou said:

It happened to "a friend," not the OP. Always cause for at least healthy suspicion.

That would depend on the member making the report. 

 

Why does extortion at the border seem so unlikely? Are border immigration officials beyond reproach? 

18 minutes ago, elviajero said:

They should drop their prices then because they are crap at extortion. Go to the airport or pay us 17K to 20K!?

 

Maybe someone is now trying to cash in on people being denied visa runs, but the policy to deny them has been going on for some time, and previous (early) reports did not include cash for fix; just go to the airport.

You keep harping on about previous reports that didn't involve extortion as evidence that it likely didn't happen. For starters, not everyone doing border runs (in-and-outs) report to you here, and sooner or later someone is going to be the first to report something.

3 minutes ago, tropo said:

Why does extortion at the border seem so unlikely? Are border immigration officials beyond reproach? 

It's not unlikely. It happens all the time everywhere. But the point of extortion is to get money, and not price yourself out and give the person the information on how to avoid the extortion.

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

He said, "and probably an attempt to extort money........ I think a figure of 20k Baht was mentioned to ‘sort it out’."

 

"Probably" and "I think". Not a very credible report.

 

We already know that they deny visa runs to some people at that border. Why do you think this persons friend was "probably/I think" extorted for 20K when no one else has reported the same?

 

If money was the motive for not allowing the visa run they'd have asked for a few hundred baht, not 20K, or started at 20K and settled on a lot less. IO's get nothing from denying entry, they only benefit from successful extortion.

That's one heck of a lot of theories to suggest the OP or his friend where lying. A few hundred baht would not even be worth the effort - that's a ridiculously low amount. Just because the OP's friend didn't pay the 20k doesn't mean others haven't.

4 minutes ago, tropo said:

You keep harping on about previous reports that didn't involve extortion as evidence that it likely didn't happen. For starters, not everyone doing border runs (in-and-outs) report to you here, and sooner or later someone is going to be the first to report something.

As I have said, maybe someone is now trying to cash in. But a second hand report including "probably" and "I think" is not credible.

 

There is nothing new in this report other than the possibility of being able to buy your way in. Seems like good news for those that don't want the hassle of flying in.

2 minutes ago, elviajero said:

It's not unlikely. It happens all the time everywhere. But the point of extortion is to get money, and not price yourself out and give the person the information on how to avoid the extortion.

Why would one report of a failed attempt at grabbing 20k suggest their scheme as a whole has failed. I'm sure they don't expect 100% success.

 

They have an endless stream of potential "customers".

1 minute ago, tropo said:

That's one heck of a lot of theories to suggest the OP or his friend where lying. A few hundred baht would not even be worth the effort - that's a ridiculously low amount. Just because the OP's friend didn't pay the 20k doesn't mean others haven't.

A few hundred baht or less is the norm for bribes at the borders. 17K or 20K is a ridiculously high amount!

 

Agreed, if it's happening others probably have.

Sounds to me like a simple case that he was asked to 'Show' 20k as he could be under the rules, never had it so was denied entry. Nothing wrong there. Of course though, the TVF panel would much rather turn it in to a case of extortion.

A inflammatory post and the resultant replies to it have been removed.

40 minutes ago, Lovethailandelite said:

Sounds to me like a simple case that he was asked to 'Show' 20k as he could be under the rules, never had it so was denied entry. Nothing wrong there. Of course though, the TVF panel would much rather turn it in to a case of extortion.

A credible response.

IO sticks out his hand and says do you have 20,000 baht and the person thinks that's the bribe for entry.

1 hour ago, Lovethailandelite said:

Sounds to me like a simple case that he was asked to 'Show' 20k as he could be under the rules, never had it so was denied entry. Nothing wrong there. Of course though, the TVF panel would much rather turn it in to a case of extortion.

 

 

He had $600 on him - and showed it.

3 hours ago, Chou Anou said:

It happened to "a friend," not the OP. Always cause for at least healthy suspicion.

 

 

Any theories on why I would waste my time posting ?

 

 

 

3 hours ago, elviajero said:

A few hundred baht or less is the norm for bribes at the borders. 17K or 20K is a ridiculously high amount!

 

Agreed, if it's happening others probably have.

 

 

"probably" ?

3 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Are they stamping the refusals?

 

Yes..

 

 

30 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

He had $600 on him - and showed it.

I.O.  decide to ignore the or equivalent part and insisted it had to be Thai baht??

However I would not deny it could have been a bribe attempt and that was the opening bid. Does seem a bit on the high side mind you.

Someone there is on a power trip and maybe pushing the envelope.

For sure a place to avoid.

What a shame. 

 

A longtime, reliable and knowledgeable member takes the time to post a report about problems at a border. In a matter of minutes he is shot down in flames.

 

Hardly worth posting on here anymore if that is all the thanks you get.

1 minute ago, overherebc said:

I.O.  decide to ignore the or equivalent part and insisted it had to be Thai baht??

However I would not deny it could have been a bribe attempt and that was the opening bid. Does seem a bit on the high side mind you.

Someone there is on a power trip and maybe pushing the envelope.

For sure a place to avoid.

 

 

I hate that border point - it has an aggressive, intimidating feel about it. The whole town has "corruption" written over it .

 

That said, this incident came out of nowhere. My friend spoke to immigration on his return to Bangkok and they confirmed - obviously - that, as Non-Imm 'O" visa holder he can enter at any border point by land or air.

13 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

Yes..

That is denial of entry stamp under section 12. But the clause of it in parenthesis is not legible. It looks like it could be a 4 or maybe 14 but there is no clause 14. Clause 4 is for being mentally unstable.

 

The wording on the stamp, translated to English is 'No sustenance'. Basically, he never had the funds. That's why he was denied entry. 

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

That is denial of entry stamp under section 12. But the clause under it is not legible. It looks like it could be a 4 or maybe 14 but there is no clause 14. Clause 4 is for being mentally unstable.

 

You have obviously met my friend..... ?

 

There are definitely 2 characters and it looks like a 1 in front of the 4.... it might be "L" as there appears a short line at the bottom of the down stroke of the "1"