Advice on my experience at Suvarnabhumi airport

[cnconline]

Hi all. I have been a Thaivisa member for some time now. Always reading, never posting or commenting (though I personally love to read other members’ comments).

 

I am a Singaporean who has been living in Bangkok for the past 11 years. I have a Thai wife (unregistered) and 2 kids. I usually fly to and fro from Singapore to Thailand once every 60 says. But recently I had to fly once every 30 days due to my father been sick.

 

Yesterday evening I arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport and went through the auto gate for Singaporeans. After the auto gate there was this female officer who was supposed to stamp my passport. She took a look at my passport and said that I have been travelling to Thailand too often. I should have a proper visa instead of a holiday visa. I asked what visa? She ignored me and she then passed my passport to another officer, who led me to wait at a table near the checkpoint.

 

After 10 minutes or so, another male officer came and asked me some personal stuff like what I was doing in Thailand (I answered to be with my wife and kids), where I was staying (my wife’s townhouse) and why I have no Thai spouse visa and needed to fly to and fro (no money to deposit 400,000 thb for a marraige visa and my father is sick). He said that I should not do a holiday visa. I asked him if I was commiting an offence. He said that I am exploiting a loophole in the immigration laws. He would very much like to stamp my passport and let me

enter the country but he is afraid that his colleagues would not agree. In that case he might have to reject me and I would have to fly back to Singapore. I asked him again if I am lawfully wrong. He did not answer me and ignored me for the next few minutes, talking to other officers who walked by. 

 

So I asked him ‘can you help me please?’ He said ‘follow me.’ And led me to an empty counter. Before he stamped my passport he said to me on the side ‘look, if you want me to stamp your passport, I would need to give tea money to other officers. I would need 1,000 baht to placate them.’ So I asked him how he wanted to be paid. He said later. I asked for his Line account and he gave me. He also ‘advised’ me that next time if I come to Thailand, I can look for him and he will fetch me from the gate. It would cost 1,000 baht if he was working that day or 2,000 baht if he was not working that day (+petrol) because he need to drive down to pick me up.

 

After he stamped my passport, he told me to go to the toilet at the side. He followed me and I paid him the money.  He made some small talk with me and I left the airport (fuming).

 

When I got home, I sent him a Line message that went like this: ‘I am the Singaporean who gave you 1K thb just now. Can I have your number?’ He replied ‘Yes sir’ and sent me his number. About 1 and a half hours later he tried calling me through Line. I did not pick up. I took another phone and called him back, recording our conversation.

 

To summarize that conversation: it was just him trying to confirm his 1k baht and 2k baht fees. And I got it on recording (in Thai). 

 

I want some advice. How do I proceed from here? I do not want to go through this whole scenario again every time I fly into Thailand. I understand a lot of readers will have questions, like why did you even pay (I’m scared and I just want to enter the country), what is the officer’s name (he was wearing a jacket that covers up his name tag), any problems with my passport (nope) and many more. I really do not need them and would appreciate advice on what I should do.

 

Yes. It is about the money (1K thb is still a lot to pay for something I should not have to pay). Yes. I am a vindictive person and would like to see those involved in trouble. 

[Dreckenfousnoll]

you record his phone call and not asked/told him or asked permision this alone is against the law and he can sue you..

[Walinton]

Lot of people complained about this same issue. Let's have a private chat and you will get every info needed. A Thai lawyer is ready to support foreigners living in Thai with " thai-wife,  kid,  and kids". 

[kkerry]

400k tied up in a Thai bank for the correct yearly visa or allowed in every sixty days for 1k... plenty of foreigners here would take that second option in a heartbeat...

Edited October 4, 2018 by kkerry

[jackdd]

You could get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, afaik we didn't have any reports of people having problems entering with a METV here. But effectively this costs you more than paying this guy 1000 THB if you encounter further problems in the future.

[SheungWan]

Get off the high horse, smell the coffee and next time thank the officer for their assistance. Its a great deal for you. Alternatively blow the situation up and forget the next trip.

[blackhorse]

Report him to big joke. I'm not even joking. Scum doesn't deserve the uniform

[user343434]

Don't play smart mate, you report him and the story turns on you because YOU bribed HIM. Simple as that..

 

There are rules and if you don't follow them (even unknowingly) then i would say its a very kind move that you got helped.

 

How many times you can enter per year I don't know but what I know is that there is a limit.

 

Beside an unregistered marriage is as good as tits on a boar, hence I can only recommend to make it official and see that you get the right visa.

 

I am now 15 years official married and never had any problems

since 5 years I have a retirement visa either.. 

 

[richard_smith237]

As a highly strung principled person this corruption is despicable... 

 

As a realist, which is often a better outlook,  you have been asked to pay 1000 baht for your visa on arrival because you have chosen not to apply for a Type O Visa and because you don't want to deposit (don't have) 400k baht in a Thai account. 

 

Rock the boat and you could make things worse for yourself with future rejections. 

 

 

That said... on future entries I wouldn't bother contacting this guy - just chance it again and see what happens.

 

Better still, get a Tourist Visa for future visits, but thats not a long term option. 

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2018 by richard_smith237

[HAKAPALITA]

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

As a highly strung principled person this corruption is despicable... 

 

As a realist, which is often a better outlook,  you have been asked to pay 1000 baht for your visa on arrival because you have chosen not to apply for a Type O Visa and because you don't want to deposit (don't have) 400k baht in a Thai account. 

 

Rock the boat and you could make things worse for yourself with future rejections. 

 

 

That said... on future entries I wouldn't bother contacting this guy - just chance it again and see what happens.

 

Better still, get a Tourist Visa for future visits, but thats not a long term option. 

 

 

 

Thats upset a large number of viewer here Richard.

[observer90210]

I would take a lawyer and have it reported (through the lawyer) to the National Anti Corruption Commitee (NACC) in Bangkok.

[BritTim]

Pursuing this issue is very unlikely to work out well. Trying to use visa exempt entries as a way of staying long term in Thailand actually is against a Police Order issued in the middle of 2014 (though the prime minister stated that the rules should "be applied flexibly"). If denied entry when trying to enter visa exempt, there is no appeal procedure. You could get the mid level official you bribed into trouble, but it will probably cost you a lifetime ban from entering Thailand. I suspect that would be too high a price for you to pay.

 

You may not like this, but the solution is to get tourist visas for subsequent trips into Thailand. If you stay over 30 days, this actually works out cheaper (you save the 1,900 baht for the extension) though there is obviously a bit of hassle and extra space taken up in your passport.

[The manic]

Stop milking the system and be greatful an IO helped you. Desist trying to entrap authority figures.

[The manic]

6 hours ago, HAKAPALITA said:

Thats upset a large number of viewer here Richard.

Will please more of us.

[Skeptic7]

Call Big Joke! 

[ThailandLOS]

30 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Call Big Joke! 

So fresh and original. Are you a stand-up comedian by any chance?

[Walinton]

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

Pursuing this issue is very unlikely to work out well. Trying to use visa exempt entries as a way of staying long term in Thailand actually is against a Police Order issued in the middle of 2014 (though the prime minister stated that the rules should "be applied flexibly"). If denied entry when trying to enter visa exempt, there is no appeal procedure. You could get the mid level official you bribed into trouble, but it will probably cost you a lifetime ban from entering Thailand. I suspect that would be too high a price for you to pay.

 

You may not like this, but the solution is to get tourist visas for subsequent trips into Thailand. If you stay over 30 days, this actually works out cheaper (you save the 1,900 baht for the extension) though there is obviously a bit of hassle and extra space taken up in your passport.

The problem we all need to stand against is the 400k ,"$12,500"been asked for in the account for 2 months without withdrawal, 90% of married foreigners ain't  OK with this. Switching from TR to NoN O is easy but only few would meet up with the immigration financially status demand.

[Walinton]

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

Pursuing this issue is very unlikely to work out well. Trying to use visa exempt entries as a way of staying long term in Thailand actually is against a Police Order issued in the middle of 2014 (though the prime minister stated that the rules should "be applied flexibly"). If denied entry when trying to enter visa exempt, there is no appeal procedure. You could get the mid level official you bribed into trouble, but it will probably cost you a lifetime ban from entering Thailand. I suspect that would be too high a price for you to pay.

 

You may not like this, but the solution is to get tourist visas for subsequent trips into Thailand. If you stay over 30 days, this actually works out cheaper (you save the 1,900 baht for the extension) though there is obviously a bit of hassle and extra space taken up in your passport.

The problem we all need to stand against is the 400k ,"$12,500"been asked for in the account for 2 months without withdrawal, 90% of married foreigners ain't  OK with this. Switching from TR to NoN O is easy but only few would meet up with the immigration financially status demand.

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, Walinton said:

The problem we all need to stand against is the 400k ,"$12,500"been asked for in the account for 2 months without withdrawal, 90% of married foreigners ain't  OK with this.

So get your married non-o from Savannakhet, 5,000bht for 15 months, no savings or income required.

[ujayujay]

13 hours ago, Dreckenfousnoll said:

you record his phone call and not asked/told him or asked permision this alone is against the law and he can sue you..

Wrong, its's not Thai Law.

[BritManToo]

22 hours ago, cnconline said:

I have a Thai wife (unregistered) and 2 kids.

Wife is an official designation given to women who have been married under government licence.

You aren't married, you don't have a wife.

[SpeakeasyThai]

Your cleatly in the wrong on 2 levels and are up to your neck in it.

 

1) You HAVE exploited the visa - immigration department as you are not a tourist.

 

2) You willingly bribed an immigration officer.

 

If i was i your boots i would pull your head in and keep quiete. Apply for the correct visa and marry your long suffering poor Thai wife !!

 

No wonder they all end up going with farangs !

 

 

[chainarong]

1 hour ago, Skeptic7 said:

Call Big Joke! 

Surely U jest in humor sir

[impulse]

If the OP is asking for advice, I'd keep the guy's phone number.  It may come in handy.

 

[Wallander4]

Call Big Fool, ups, Big Joke and report this corrupt d-bag

[Walinton]

Truth must be told. Thai law is like a nail you have to be careful while barefooted. 1. A marriage certificate has no expiry date. 2. A child's birth certificate has no expiry date. 3. House registration and family book has no expiry date "tambien ban" but yet a married foreigner would be allowed to stay for 365 days. My question is which other country does this? Married Foreigners deserves better treatment and this would only happen if we all stand strong by confronting the law makers to have a proper review of the law they made.  Married foreigners should have a longer stay visa and not just a 365 days extension, plus the 400k is the only reason why a foreigner would pay under table fee. Things need to be corrected 

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

Pursuing this issue is very unlikely to work out well. Trying to use visa exempt entries as a way of staying long term in Thailand actually is against a Police Order issued in the middle of 2014 (though the prime minister stated that the rules should "be applied flexibly"). If denied entry when trying to enter visa exempt, there is no appeal procedure. You could get the mid level official you bribed into trouble, but it will probably cost you a lifetime ban from entering Thailand. I suspect that would be too high a price for you to pay.

 

You may not like this, but the solution is to get tourist visas for subsequent trips into Thailand. If you stay over 30 days, this actually works out cheaper (you save the 1,900 baht for the extension) though there is obviously a bit of hassle and extra space taken up in your passport.

The problem we all need to stand against is the 400k ,"$12,500"been asked for in the account for 2 months without withdrawal, 90% of married foreigners ain't  OK with this. Switching from TR to NoN O is easy but only few would meet up with the immigration financially status demand.

[Iem]

I'm surprised no-one has suggested he get a non O based on the children ! As he normally leaves Thailand every 60 days he would not need an extension . He would just need to pay for a new Non O every 14 months or so .

[sjbrownderby]

Sit back and see what happens. It would be naive to think that the Thai Visa site is not being monitored in some way by authorities. Even if you are not contacted directly, just by revealing your experience someone has been alerted to it. Every day I see people talking about things of an incriminatory nature and even though important facts like names are not revealed those things discussed do give an impression of what is happening amongst the ex-pat community. It is always best not to underestimate as that leads to complacency, and it is very easy to underestimate the capabilities of the authorities here. 

[sirocco]

Hello,
Well agree with post 22.
You agree to give a bribe, but after you come whine. Then you threaten the employee who "did you a favor".
What audacity ! What a cheek.
If honest people are persecuted, it is the fault of some who circumvent the laws, without qualms.
It is against you that we should file a complaint.

[Walinton]

44 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

So get your married non-o from Savannakhet, 5,000bht for 15 months, no savings or income required.

you are not getting the point. Been married for 11 years and same thing documents must be submitted over and over again. The savings and income requirement makes no sense. Make your findings, male foreigners and female are treated differently. A female foreigner will only show her marriage certificate, Thai husband's I'd card plus family book and 1900baht, while a male foreigner would be asked to submit  more than this plus 400k in account for 2 months.