Fake Entry Stamps Probe Faltering

[george]

Fake entry stamps probe faltering

PHUKET: -- The investigation into the alleged issue of 20 fake entry permits by a Phuket-based visa service company appears to have stalled at the Sadao Police Station, which is now in charge of the case.

Last December Phuket Immigration officers seized 20 passports with forged exit and entry stamps during a raid on the visa and accounting company, but were unable to press charges because the Immigration officers did not observe the company’s workers actually stamping the passports with the bogus visas.

It has never been clarified whether the rubber stamps used to forge the exit and entry stamps were completely fake or whether they were genuine, possibly outdated stamps that were misused.

The case was transferred to Sadao, Songkhla, because the fake stamps purported to come from the Sadao Immigration Office.

Pol Col Witawat Buranasompop, Superintendent of the Phuket Immigration Office, told the Gazette that the case was transferred to the Sadao Police last month.

“We did an initial investigation and then transferred this case to Sadao Police Station, though we suspect the fake stamps actually came from Phuket,” he said.

Pol Col Surin Pararae, Superintendent of Sadao Immigration, told the Gazette that it was “impossible” for fake stamps to have come from the Sadao Immigration checkpoint because of strict procedures in place there.

“We have a video surveillance cameras recording activity at all five police booths. It would be very difficult to issue fake visas,” he said.

“I’m still waiting for the results of the investigation but I haven’t received them yet,” Col Surin added.

He said that about 30 people had been arrested at the checkpoint since December and charged with possession of fake entry stamps.

He said the stamps had been issued by tour companies preying on naïve foreigners. “When they come here with a fake stamp they are arrested. The fake stamps come from tour companies around the country that lie to tourists.

“Nevertheless, [the law requires that] the holders of [passports containing] fake stamps must be deported,” he said.

On a more positive note, Col Surin noted that more foreigners than ever are now making visas trips in person, and that the increase was noticeable to the Immigration Police at Sadao, Thailand’s most heavily-used land border crossing.

--Phuket Gazette 2004-06-21

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=3515

[Artisi]

Stalled - surprise, surprise.

[ovenman]

Pol Col Surin Pararae, Superintendent of Sadao Immigration, told the Gazette that it was “impossible” for fake stamps to have come from the Sadao Immigration checkpoint because of strict procedures in place there.

“We have a video surveillance cameras recording activity at all five police booths. It would be very difficult to issue fake visas,” he said.

I suppose they don't have any back rooms at Sadao immigrations...

[astral]

Looks like they need to define their parameters first.

If these are genuine immigration stamps being misused,

then it will be almost impossible to tell from video what is going on.

Better to forget the whole thing and let the rest of the world have a good laugh

[tonytingtong]

I lived i Koh samui for a couple of years, and my old passport ( I changed august last year) is full of visa stamps from sadao. Where is sadao?

[royar2002]

I lived i Koh samui for a couple of years, and my old passport ( I changed august last year) is full of visa stamps from sadao. Where is sadao?

Most common stamps for farang in south, but who care where it is

[Thetyim]

Sadao is a land crossing from Thailand to Malaysia about 60kms south of Hat Yai

[pschef]

I remember a few months back, all the comments about fake visa. All the farrang scared about travel, scared of being picked out. Quite a different view now, everyone making jokes about it?

I very nearly went and changed my passport, having done a visa run through a very legit acency. I have been in and out many times since then, I now have a perfectly legit extention(same paasport)

The only thing I can add, its not all black and white guys.

[stumonster]

don't be too cocky about your fake visa stamps.

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/Reader/reader986.html

[blumecrocus]

Sadao is a land crossing from Thailand to Malaysia  about 60kms south of Hat Yai

Hi Thetyim, do you know to pass Sadao border, do i (Asian) have to pay 20 bahts for fee?

I remember on my holiday trip to Penang by road (as all airlines were fully booked) last Song Kran hodilay, an immigration officer at Sadao asked me to pay 20 bahts for fee without any receipt before he stamped on my passport, a lady from Philippines also had to pay that same amount while i asked one Australian couple traveled on the same van with us, they said they didn't have to pay any thing.

That was strange .

Such the tiny amount, small matter, but i don't know exactly did i have to pay in such the case.

Thanks!

B.Crocus

[peterdigger]

Do not know what all the fuss is about - I drink with one old UK chap regularly who simply gave the Immigration Police in C. Mai 1500 baht and got a one year stamp. T.I.T.

[Snapshot]

20 Baht

I pass Sadao often. I see all Asians, including returning Thai people, paying the 20 Baht fee. White (rich) expats don't pay

Of course you don't get a receipt. It's an un-official, non-negotiable fee to be equally shared by Immigration officers. It's called a "service charge" for "good service" - or sometimes they call it "overtime" charge

They have the same thing in the Customs Department where you pay "overtime" during daily working hours ??? Sanuk indeed.

It's an old tradition that won't go away ... Government officers are poorly paid here

[LivinLOS]

Well they need to be able to afford thier 'tea'

[dr_Pat_Pong]

don't be too cocky about your fake visa stamps.

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/Reader/reader986.html

An interesting artcle Stu. As it gets longer since the big crackdown, you'll notice that the punters are slowly becoming confident enough to use the visa agents again. It won't take long for the brown stuff to hit the fan again.