‘Big Joke’ to continue with crackdown

[snoop1130]

‘Big Joke’ to continue with crackdown

By KORNKAMON AKSORNDECH 
THE NATION

 

 

ACTING IMMIGRATION Police chief Pol Maj-General Surachate Hakpal, who recently got the job because of his relentless crackdowns on foreigners, continues with his mission of removing overstaying or illegal foreigners and pulling in more tourists.

 

Though the deadline he set for getting rid of 7,000 visa overstayers and illegal migrants by the end of October has passed, Surachate, who is better known as “Big Joke”, continues with his so-called mission. However, many have raised questions of racism, as several foreigners caught were of African descent. Surachate insists this is all part of his job to weed out overstayers and foreign criminals. 

 

He cited the most recent case of two South African men – Dladla Prince Nkosinathi, 33, and Benjamin Moloi, 35 – who were arrested for a drug offence and visa overstay respectively. 

 

Nkosinathi was nabbed on Sunday at Central Bang Na with 4.1 grams of cocaine that he was about to deliver to a local buyer. Police investigators learned that the cocaine supplier was an African man living in the Sukhumvit area. When police searched Nkosinathi’s rented room, they came upon Moloi, who had overstayed his visa by 359 days and claimed to have been looking for a job as a football player. 

 

Football was also used in another recent case. A 27-year-old Ghanaian was caught with forged documents that showed him to be a player of Ayuthaya City Football Club. Wilson Zack Kofi would got away if his other document had not displayed the name of another club – Sa Kaew FC. It was this mismatch that caught the attention of Immigration officials, who launched a probe and discovered the alleged forgery. 

 

Since both clubs denied knowledge of the man, Kofi’s visa was revoked on grounds of being a “danger to society”. The suspect confessed to falsely using the clubs’ names, Surachate said. 

 

In another case, Surachate said a Chinese man identified as Ma Pho (unofficial spelling) and his five Thai associates were arrested over allegations of the former using the five locals as nominees to open and operate a para-rubber bedding business in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. 

 

The Thai suspects were identified as Parinee Saetae, Thaweesak Madnoh, Pakhamon Madnoh, Savitree Saengsattra and Siew Chen.

 

Surachate said initial investigation showed that Ma Pho had provided all the capital for the business, hence this was a “business nominee” case, which violated the 1999 Foreign Business Act. This offence is punishable by a maximum three-year jail term and/or a fine of Bt100,000 to Bt1 million. He added that police were also hunting for two other Thai suspects Thanwit Binsa-lae and Tukta Eiumsai in relation to the case.

 

Meanwhile, in a move to lure more foreign visitors Surachate is working on securing waiver of visa fees for travellers from 22 nations, including Taiwan, for a 60-day stamp from November 15 onwards. He is set to put his proposal forward to the Cabinet today. 

 

The top cop also checked on officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday morning to ensure their preparedness and ordered an improvement in Immigration queues to accommodate the many visitors. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30357937

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-5

[observer90210]

Definately get rid the place of the drug addicts, ruffians, trouble makers, criminals, tatooed bullies and so on...

 

But definately also remember to make life easier for all the expats and retirees on their visa issues by reducing the red tape, stop the grotesque 90 day reporting, stop the unfair re-entry permits, make the process towards retirement visas simple, smooth, make sure that the queues at immigration offices is strongly reduced as it is disgraceful for Thailand to have people queueing for hours at regional immigration offices......kindly do not make the quality foreigners feel that they are not wanted any more.

 

Thank you, Sir.

Edited November 5, 2018 by observer90210

[mommysboy]

52 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Definately get rid the place of the drug addicts, ruffians, trouble makers, criminals, tatooed bullies and so on...

 

But definately also remember to make life easier for all the expats and retirees on their visa issues by reducing the red tape, stop the grotesque 90 day reporting, stop the unfair re-entry permits, make the process towards retirement visas simple, smooth, make sure that the queues at immigration offices is strongly reduced as it is disgraceful for Thailand to have people queueing for hours at regional immigration offices......kindly do not make the quality foreigners feel that they are not wanted any more.

 

Thank you, Sir.

Good guy/bad guy.

 

What happens if we all end up being treated like the bad guy?  And from the list you supply, is it already underway?

[the guest]

This has been long overdue. I have lived in Thailand totally legally, work permit, paid my taxes the lot, and it shames me that foreigners which really shouldn't be here, are giving the rest of us a bad name. Every Thai I'm sure looks at us and thinks, "does this person have a visa?", or "why are they even here?". Ask why Thais look down at foreigners, it's because of this.

[Oziex1]

So BJ is pulling in more tourists. Is that pulling them in for questioning or encouraging them to come to Thailand?

 

Is he the chief or acting chief.  Thought he was No 1, confusing.

[BestB]

He is getting rid of all foreigners one way or another .

 

i wonder who he will blame for the crime then?

 

one thing is to go after illegals and another to make it hard for everyone. 

 

Ask Pepsi how well it worked out for them partnering up with a Thai company ????

[darksidedog]

Sounds like he is behind schedule and desperate to nick anyone, regardless of how minor the offence and blow it up to make them look like arch villains.

And then make it easier for more to come in, so he can keep the pot boiling, with petty arrests of foreigner criminals, with much publicity of course.

If the same level of effort were to go into combating domestic crime, or the atrocious road accidents, then we might be moving towards a safer place to live. I wonder if even he realises how he is being used to sway and divert the public's attention towards meaningless rubbish, while his bosses plot on how to keep the country they stole. You would like to think that a crime of such magnitude might be of interest if he were a real policeman.

[ryane66]

20 minutes ago, the guest said:

This has been long overdue. I have lived in Thailand totally legally, work permit, paid my taxes the lot, and it shames me that foreigners which really shouldn't be here, are giving the rest of us a bad name. Every Thai I'm sure looks at us and thinks, "does this person have a visa?", or "why are they even here?". Ask why Thais look down at foreigners, it's because of this.

Come on, every Thai really thinks nothing of the sort. They are busy trying to survive.  Even those foreigners that may not have quite the income still contribute to Thai society and the economy. Them being forced out will hurt the economy. The majority are law abidding , trying to live a quite , happy peaceful life. 

[kannot]

Yes they are really doing a great job of throwing out some decent people too.

My Wife has spent the last week dealing with an overstay of 15  days, Japanese man has a business here employing 5  Thais, he entrusted his  visa extension to an agent who didnt do it, the agent then lied and said he never received the paperwork off the Japanese man who then showed my Wife  all the line messages and  attached docs hed  sent.

The  boss of the co. in Japan had to fly over from his main business there employing 50 Japanese, meet  with my Wife and  go to IDC in bangkok to see  this guy.

Fortunately my Wife has a friend who is very hi up in Thai society and she got into the IDC to meet the Japanese man at 8pm in the evening with my Wife, no queuing up early in the morning just walked right on in. Met him face to face he was in tears.

Hes been banned for 5  years as they came to his workplace after someone tipped them off.

Hes  now closing the company down so 5  Thais now out of work.

He  will leave Thailand this week and cannot come back.

4 Police guys at the IDC said, change name, change passport and come back.

I think he's done with Thailand and who can blame him.

Edited November 5, 2018 by kannot

[rott]

I like the word relentless in the intro. Must use it myself. Is there anyone who can be described as relentlessly pursuing publicity? No? Thought not, pity that.

 

Sorry to hear about the Japanese man, nasty experience for him.

Edited November 5, 2018 by rott

[HappyAndRich]

7 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Definately get rid the place of the drug addicts, ruffians, trouble makers, criminals, tatooed bullies and so on...

 

But definately also remember to make life easier for all the expats and retirees on their visa issues by reducing the red tape, stop the grotesque 90 day reporting, stop the unfair re-entry permits, make the process towards retirement visas simple, smooth, make sure that the queues at immigration offices is strongly reduced as it is disgraceful for Thailand to have people queueing for hours at regional immigration offices......kindly do not make the quality foreigners feel that they are not wanted any more.

 

Thank you, Sir.

How can you feel not wanted? How many countries in the world offer a person that´s only been 60-90 days in the country a possibility to get a retirement visa the same day in only a couple of hours? That with the same relaxed request of money in the bank or income as well as not many paper, in a fairly developed country?

You can just take the money in the bank that is only 800K baht here, in relation to other countries. 800K baht is about 25K dollar.

 

Phillipines: Between 50-75K dollar for retirement visa

 

Malaysia have a special program for 10 years. Financials 87-125K dollar and a monthly income of 2500 dollar. For regular retirement 37K dollar.

 

Vietnam do not have a retirement option, and can not be considered an option due to the lack of development.

Cambodia is totally out of the question. Lack of development and health care puts a stop to that directly.

[blackhorse]

Come on, every Thai really thinks nothing of the sort. They are busy trying to survive.  Even those foreigners that may not have quite the income still contribute to Thai society and the economy. Them being forced out will hurt the economy. The majority are law abidding , trying to live a quite , happy peaceful life. 

They are to busy trying to survive? Do you actually live in your dream world?

[ryane66]

1 hour ago, HappyAndRich said:

How can you feel not wanted? How many countries in the world offer a person that´s only been 60-90 days in the country a possibility to get a retirement visa the same day in only a couple of hours? That with the same relaxed request of money in the bank or income as well as not many paper, in a fairly developed country?

You can just take the money in the bank that is only 800K baht here, in relation to other countries. 800K baht is about 25K dollar.

 

Phillipines: Between 50-75K dollar for retirement visa

 

Malaysia have a special program for 10 years. Financials 87-125K dollar and a monthly income of 2500 dollar. For regular retirement 37K dollar.

 

Vietnam do not have a retirement option, and can not be considered an option due to the lack of development.

Cambodia is totally out of the question. Lack of development and health care puts a stop to that directly.

I lived over 2 years in the Philippines and just went into their Immigration every 2 months and got another 2 months. Only hitch is that you had to leave and return after 2 years. There was no requirement to put up 50 to 75k dollars. This was 3 1/2 years ago and hasn't changed.

[HappyAndRich]

1 minute ago, ryane66 said:

I lived over 2 years in the Philippines and just went into their Immigration every 2 months and got another 2 months. Only hitch is that you had to leave and return after 2 years. There was no requirement to put up 50 to 75k dollars. This was 3 1/2 years ago and hasn't changed.

That´s same like living long term on tourist visas here. We were talking retirement and requirements for doing that the right way.

[rkidlad]

South Korea need to borrow this guy for a week. Get rid of all those bad guys from Thailand who are on overstay. 

 

I wish immigration would offer more incentive to be a ‘good guy’ instead of seemingly treating everyone as if they might be a ‘bad guy’. I follow the rules and do everything that is asked of me. My reward visa wise? Nothing. Same as it was 5 years ago. I go through all the same stuff every year and nothing. No point system, etc. 

[stanleycoin]

7 hours ago, the guest said:

. Ask why Thais look down at foreigners, it's because of this.

Maybe,  it's because they think,  you are all rich lazy gits,  like me. 

 

[ryane66]

2 hours ago, blackhorse said:

7 hours ago, ryane66 said:

Come on, every Thai really thinks nothing of the sort. They are busy trying to survive.  Even those foreigners that may not have quite the income still contribute to Thai society and the economy. Them being forced out will hurt the economy. The majority are law abidding , trying to live a quite , happy peaceful life. 

They are to busy trying to survive? Do you actually live in your dream world?

I live in Isaan , not Pattaya orvBangkok.. Yes a tough life for the farmers and construction workers.

Work hard to feed themselves. Not in the least bit concerned about foreigners.

[ryane66]

1 hour ago, HappyAndRich said:

That´s same like living long term on tourist visas here. We were talking retirement and requirements for doing that the right way.

The majority do it like l stated. Not once requested to show any income to immigration and no leaving the country like visa runs here. Just a quick trip into Immigration. 

[soalbundy]

7 hours ago, ryane66 said:

Come on, every Thai really thinks nothing of the sort. They are busy trying to survive.  Even those foreigners that may not have quite the income still contribute to Thai society and the economy. Them being forced out will hurt the economy. The majority are law abidding , trying to live a quite , happy peaceful life. 

while talking to our pu yai baan in my village he seemed surprised that we needed visas, many normal locals have no idea of the hoops we have to jump through.

[colinneil]

8 hours ago, the guest said:

This has been long overdue. I have lived in Thailand totally legally, work permit, paid my taxes the lot, and it shames me that foreigners which really shouldn't be here, are giving the rest of us a bad name. Every Thai I'm sure looks at us and thinks, "does this person have a visa?", or "why are they even here?". Ask why Thais look down at foreigners, it's because of this.

Every Thai looks at us and thinks, does this person have a visa.

What a load of claptrap, most Thais have no idea about what we have to do.

Last week my wife went to do my 90 days, asked her sister to go with her, her sister asked... Why you do that, wife says have to do it every 90 days, sister asked how long you do that, since Colin came to live here my wife answered, that is crazy sister says.

Edited November 6, 2018 by colinneil

[MeHere]

2 hours ago, HappyAndRich said:

How can you feel not wanted? How many countries in the world offer a person that´s only been 60-90 days in the country a possibility to get a retirement visa the same day in only a couple of hours? That with the same relaxed request of money in the bank or income as well as not many paper, in a fairly developed country?

You can just take the money in the bank that is only 800K baht here, in relation to other countries. 800K baht is about 25K dollar.

 

Phillipines: Between 50-75K dollar for retirement visa

 

Malaysia have a special program for 10 years. Financials 87-125K dollar and a monthly income of 2500 dollar. For regular retirement 37K dollar.

 

Vietnam do not have a retirement option, and can not be considered an option due to the lack of development.

Cambodia is totally out of the question. Lack of development and health care puts a stop to that directly.

You throw numbers around like they're nothing, Mr. Happy & Rich... Do you think all retirees are happy and rich also?

[ChrisY1]

IMO, much of the publicity about this joke is fake.

[Raymonddiaz]

8 hours ago, ryane66 said:

Come on, every Thai really thinks nothing of the sort. They are busy trying to survive.  Even those foreigners that may not have quite the income still contribute to Thai society and the economy. Them being forced out will hurt the economy. The majority are law abidding , trying to live a quite , happy peaceful life. 

You are right. I should add that being in an overstaying situation doesn't mean you are a bad person or you are doing illegal things. I knew 8 years ago when overstaying was really some dudes who their only crime was overstaying. Overstayers made bad choices in their life but they are not always criminals.......

[eeworldwide]

I don’t think the average Thai spends any time whatsoever thinking about foreigners and their legal status here. Most of them have very little to do with foreigners unless offering them a service at any given moment in time- and yes - most of them- like you and I, dareisay - are thinking a out their daily lives and loves. If Thais did connect with foreigners more, perhaps the level of English proficiency would be higher. 

The number of resident foreigners here is minuscule in comparison to the number of natives. If anything - the articles on their immigration chief rounding up pesky Africans who ply illegal trade is probably quite welcome - it may pander to a benign/latent racism inasmuch as it satisfies them that their people in power are clearing the streets of undesirable visitors who come here and commit dreadful crime, but the vast majority of Thais are reading Mthai and other vacuous websites that rarely feature foreigners or news on subjects such as these because frankly - they don’t care.

[swifty5x5]

2 hours ago, HappyAndRich said:

How can you feel not wanted? How many countries in the world offer a person that´s only been 60-90 days in the country a possibility to get a retirement visa the same day in only a couple of hours? That with the same relaxed request of money in the bank or income as well as not many paper, in a fairly developed country?

You can just take the money in the bank that is only 800K baht here, in relation to other countries. 800K baht is about 25K dollar.

 

Phillipines: Between 50-75K dollar for retirement visa

 

Malaysia have a special program for 10 years. Financials 87-125K dollar and a monthly income of 2500 dollar. For regular retirement 37K dollar.

 

Vietnam do not have a retirement option, and can not be considered an option due to the lack of development.

Cambodia is totally out of the question. Lack of development and health care puts a stop to that directly.

I prefer Cambodia by a long shot but wife won't let me go.

[amse]

Why can't we all just get along? As long as your a law abiding person, spend your income/ retirement benefits here, have many friends among the Thai's, does having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank make you a better person, of course NOT. Why do you have to be judged by your financial status any where on earth (except your home country of course) in order to retire/stay there? Just because someone has 800,000 baht in a bank account means they spend more here, than someone who has half that amount or less. Correct, the entire planet system is corrupt & rigged against us by the evil within.

[rtco]

10 hours ago, observer90210 said:

tatooed bullies

Nothing kike stereotyping is there! I have tattoos but am certainly not a bully. In fact far from it.

[blackhorse]

I live in Isaan , not Pattaya orvBangkok.. Yes a tough life for the farmers and construction workers.
Work hard to feed themselves. Not in the least bit concerned about foreigners.

So why not just say that instead of saying "thais"? You do understand you need to be clearer in the future.

[malt25]

32 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Every Thai looks at us and thinks, does this person have a visa.

What a load of claptrap, most Thais have no idea about what we have to do.

Last week my wife went to do my 90 days, asked her sister to go with her, her sister asked... Why you do that, wife says have to do it every 90 days, sister asked how long you do that, since Colin came to live here my wife answered, that is crazy sister says.

Couldn't agree more. Unless a Thai is somehow involved in immigration or other related government department they have absolutely NO knowledge of procedures, requirements that expats have to perform. I have several very well educated Thai friends, conversational English, & all were amazed when I informed them of IO requirements.

"Every Thai looks at us and thinks, does this person have a visa." yes, you really ought to laugh at yourself.

[jesimps]

3 hours ago, HappyAndRich said:

How can you feel not wanted? How many countries in the world offer a person that´s only been 60-90 days in the country a possibility to get a retirement visa the same day in only a couple of hours? That with the same relaxed request of money in the bank or income as well as not many paper, in a fairly developed country?

You can just take the money in the bank that is only 800K baht here, in relation to other countries. 800K baht is about 25K dollar.

 

Phillipines: Between 50-75K dollar for retirement visa

 

Malaysia have a special program for 10 years. Financials 87-125K dollar and a monthly income of 2500 dollar. For regular retirement 37K dollar.

 

Vietnam do not have a retirement option, and can not be considered an option due to the lack of development.

Cambodia is totally out of the question. Lack of development and health care puts a stop to that directly.

I was waiting for it, doesn't usually take long for a a blinkered, rich, spoiled brat, teachers pet type to come on here and start preaching to his fellow expats about how lucky we all are to be here, despite the recent clampdowns. Many of those expats, despite supporting a Thai wife and family, spending their money in the country, being completely law-abiding and sticking implicitly to the current immigration rules will find it hard to deposit 800,000 in the bank, especially if they've made plans based on using the income method. It's normal for Thais to change horses in midstream because it isn't in their nature to plan ahead, but for farang it's part of life and the current short notice makes it difficult for them to change their financial plans. Of course, for "Happy and rich" types, it matters not one jot, and they can sit in their guilded mansions criticising those less fortunate.

It'd be preferable if you and your mates would either stick to the thread in hand or just keep quiet, it's difficult enough dealing with people like BJ without your sort aiding and abetting him.

Sorry for going off-thread myself, but these "Holier than thou" types are getting right on my nom.