By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Phuket police and immigration officers inspected a visa company in Koh Kaew and Wichit, Mueang Phuket that was accused by multiple foreigners of alleged fraud.

 

Officers went to a house yesterday afternoon, June 29th, 2022 at a housing estate in Koh Kaew and a commercial building in Soi Thep Anusorn Wichit. Both had previously been opened as the same visa company but different branches. No one was found inside both places and the businesses appeared to be closed.

 

Residents in Soi Thep Anusorn told police that the company had only been opened and operating for about three months, although police told reporters the company was registered in 2014. On June 27th there were about four foreigners that came to the visa service and knocked on the door attempting to get someone to speak to them but no one showed up for them. 

 

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/06/29/update-phuket-law-enforcement-officers-inspect-visa-company-that-allegedly-defrauded-many-foreigners-owners-not-present/

 

-- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-06-29

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!

Are such visa agencies and agents not licensed and regulated?

Can anyone open such an agency without any training?

In appearance, these agencies act like sub branches of immigration. The business principle of these agencies is that they have a special connection to individual immigration employees. So that everything works "quickly" and without "problems", aka runs well  "lubricated", therefore the foreigner also pays a premium price. That seems like a semi legal gray area.

one look at the sign above the establishment tells me something was a bit off..

One reason I would never use a visa agent, not so much

about loss of money, the problems of having no passport

are really serious.

regards worgeordie

 

1 hour ago, tomacht8 said:

Are such visa agencies and agents not licensed and regulated?

Can anyone open such an agency without any training?

 

Nope

Yes

3 hours ago, worgeordie said:

One reason I would never use a visa agent, not so much

about loss of money, the problems of having no passport

are really serious.

regards worgeordie

 

Yes indeed, but here in Cambodia one has to use an approved agent as there are no Immigration Offices other than those at borders which issue visas on arrival or process e-visas. For visa renewal, one's passport, fee, current p/p photo and application form are dispatched to Phnom Penh and one's passport is returned in 10 days or so. I always keep a copy of my passport with the current retirement visa. One is issued with a receipt. Having no passport during the process period is accepted here.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

company had only been opened and operating for about three months

 

No one was found inside both places and the businesses appeared to be closed

 

 Thai woman inside the company came out and quickly sped away on a motorbike

They'll catch the buggers, cops have got one of those smart cop cars. 

 

 

20 hours ago, tomacht8 said:

Are such visa agencies and agents not licensed and regulated?

Can anyone open such an agency without any training?

Here today gone tomorrow [with your money]

licensed, regulated, training ????

On 6/29/2022 at 12:14 PM, worgeordie said:

One reason I would never use a visa agent, not so much

about loss of money, the problems of having no passport

are really serious.

regards worgeordie

 

The fake or out of date visas they sell are pretty dicey too...and it's not like you can go to the police and report oneself for attempted corruption of a government official ????