State quarantine in Pattaya: Shadowy figures creaming 40% off the top of government fees to hotels, claim insiders

[webfact]

State quarantine in Pattaya: Shadowy figures creaming 40% off the top of government fees to hotels, claim insiders

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

Leading tourism and business industry figures have told the Thai media in Pattaya that shadowy figures - possibly state personnel - are standing to make millions out of the Covid-19 quarantine situation for Thais returning abroad.

 

Sophon Cable TV reported that about 10,000 rooms have been allocated at large hotels in Pattaya to quarantine Thais for 14 days.

 

The hotels are supposed to get 1,000 baht per person per day from the government that industry insiders say is barely enough to make it worthwhile what with having to provide three meals a day, and cleaning 24 hours. 

 

In addition staff at such establishments are not eligible for 5,000 baht state benefits.

 

But that is not all. There is widespread corruption in the allocation of rooms.

 

It has been claimed by tourism industry leader Thanet Supharothatrangsee that agents claiming to work for the state are creaming off 40% for themselves to give preference to certain hotels 

 

This means that the hotels are only getting 600-700 baht a person which is in no way enough to make it viable. 

 

There are thought to be 7000 - 8000 Thais going for state quarantine in Pattaya. 

 

The profits for those creaming off the top are huge, running into 100 million baht.

 

Ekkasit Ngamphichet of the Pattaya business and tourism office said that quality control measures were also being bypassed. 

 

Hotels were meant to have at least 200 rooms that all had their own air-conditioning. Establishments that had central air conditioning were meant to be rejected. 

 

Now it appears that the standards don't matter - it is just a question of who can afford to pay the 400 baht back hander per person that matters. 

 

PM Prayut Chan-ocha is thought to be mulling an investigation  after growing calls for an inquiry into the alleged corruption.

 

Source: Sophon Cable TV

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-05-25

 

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[Pilotman]

and this is a surprise, or even news,  why?

Edited May 25, 2020 by Pilotman

[Andrew65]

4 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

and this is a surprise, or even news,  why?

It would only be newsworthy if it were not as described!????

[Salerno]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

PM Prayut Chan-ocha is thought to be mulling an investigation  after growing calls for an inquiry into the alleged corruption.

[jacko45k]

31 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

and this is a surprise, or even news,  why?

Exactly, so it has been, is,and will be for ever more.

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The hotels are supposed to get 1,000 baht per person per day from the government that industry insiders say is barely enough to make it worthwhile what with having to provide three meals a day, and cleaning 24 hours. 

I find that very hard to believe. Most Thais can probably live on 200 baht a day food and 50 baht to clean the room.

Even with some thief skimming off the top, they'd still be raking in 350-450 per person. Great money - no, sustain them through the virus - yes

[Salerno]

Perhaps rethink that ... hint, it's not 1000 Bht per staff member. 

[Hayduke]

 

Reassuring news. Another sign that the country is returning to normal....

 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2020 by Hayduke

[yellowboat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The profits for those creaming off the top are huge, running into 100 million baht.

What a non surprise.  Thai rak Thai.  Never let a good crisis go to waste.  Thai military has done nothing for the people of Thailand or Thailand's reputation.   Thaksin's leadership flawed as it was was still better than the Thai military.   

[sameasb4]

sure isnt chonburi run by the most notorious untouchable mafia family in thailand and at least 1 member are an adviser to the PM 

Extortion is there family name.

[Emdog]

"Now it appears that the standards don't matter - it is just a question of who can afford to pay the 400 baht back hander per person that matters."

Have standards ever mattered?

[tlandtday]

Yup the slogan is a good one "amazing trust thailand"

[P Funk]

Corruption?! Impossible! Daddy Prayut says he’s rooted out all corruption.

[worgeordie]

Anything that involves Government money,is ripe for the picking,

and I mean anything.

regards worgeordie

[sammieuk1]

There will be endless mulling going on when the international flights kick off 40% cream off wont matter as returning stranded farangs get hammered ????

[nahkit]

5 hours ago, Pilotman said:

and this is a surprise, or even news,  why?

What you prefer it if allegations of corruption were never reported in the media?

[Ranshoko]

Another day another Dollar. The bottom feeders will always find a way to scam money. Corruption is inherent in every Thai to some degree. It's an accepted way of life and will never ever change. 

[natway09]

Come on  "yellowboat"    be honest this is normal under any Government.

I have been paying 3 lots a month for 26 years  (Bars being closed at present must be hurting them though)

[Cake Monster]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Anything that involves Government money,is ripe for the picking,

and I mean anything.

regards worgeordie

Never a truer word has been spoken.

Everything from the kids meals, at School to hoarding face masks, to kickbacks like these.

Everything is fair game.

And for sure, if this kickback is openly exposed in Pattaya, then it will be rife in other locations around the Country. Nothing is done on a small scale where corruption is concerned

[digger70]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

State quarantine in Pattaya: Shadowy figures creaming 40% off the top of government fees to hotels, claim insiders

What news? Just Normal Corruption. Nothing new .If there's Money to be made ,Corruption will be raising it Head.

[Tropposurfer]

Ahhh ???? ... the enterprise of human nature

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Now it appears that the standards don't matter - it is just a question of who can afford to pay the 400 baht back hander per person that matters.

What was that about "amazing safe Thailand" only lasts until money is involved?

Shadowy middlemen creaming off 400 baht per person, who'd have thought..

C'mon Prayut do what you promised, haul these people over the coals and show us who they are... 

 

[thaiclan]

"The profits for those creaming off the top are huge, running into 100 million baht."

 

Errrrr 300baht X 8000 customers ain't anywhere near 100million baht.

[thaiclan]

Forgot to add..   X 14days ..

[mikebell]

The shadowy figures wouldn't be wearing uniforms, would they?

[Prairieboy]

On 5/25/2020 at 10:25 AM, webfact said:

10,000 rooms have been allocated at large hotels in Pattaya to quarantine Thais for 14 days.

 

The hotels are supposed to get 1,000 baht per person per day from the government

That is only 10 million per day!  A lucrative target for unscrupulous owners and officials.

[Denim]

On 5/24/2020 at 8:25 PM, webfact said:

shadowy figures

 

And with Thailands infamous libel laws the shadowy figures will remain just that. No names mentioned.