Probe into 80 allegedly corrupt immigration officers to conclude Monday

[snoop1130]

PHOTO: Stickboy BKK

 

Thailand’s deputy national police chief says his investigation into 80 immigration officers accused of helping around 5,500 Chinese nationals convert their tourist visas into long-stay visas illegally should be wrapped up by early next week.

 

Surachate Hakparn’s investigation centres on assistance allegedly being provided to Chinese triad gang members to help them remain in the kingdom illegally. The huge investigation has implicated not just the 80 immigration officials but also up to 3 Thai army generals as well.

 

Surachate, also known as Big Joke, says once his investigation concludes, his findings will be submitted to the top inspector general, with a view to disciplinary action being taken against the police officers in question.

 

According to a Nation Thailand report, all 80 officers have been summoned to testify and Surachate says the probe is now over 90% complete. The deputy national police chief led the Immigration Bureau until 2019, when he was abruptly transferred to a civilian post as adviser at the PM’s Office. In March 2021, he was reinstated in the police force.

 

The 80 police immigration officers include 3 generals who attended the police academy with Surachate. The officers all face charges that include demanding bribes and malfeasance.

 

Surachate says the National Anti-Corruption Commission will launch a graft probe against the 3 generals, once they have been formally charged. The other officers will face disciplinary action, with Surachate insisting there will be no interference in the process from anyone higher up the chain, including the National Police chief.

 

The allegations of corruption have emerged from a wider investigation into Chinese national, Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, who is accused of being the leader of a Chinese triad operating in Thailand.

 

Chaiyanat is currently in custody, along with his Thai wife, Wattanaree Kornchayanant, a former police colonel. It’s understood Chaiyanat obtained Thai citizenship through his marriage to Wattanaree.

 

As part of the investigation into Chaiyanat and his accomplices, immigration officers are accused of illegally issuing visas to around 3,000 Chinese nationals in the northeast of the country and another 1,000 in northern Thailand between 2020 – 2021.

 

Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/probe-into-80-allegedly-corrupt-immigration-officers-to-conclude-monday/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-25

 

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[proton]

Could add at least one more naught to that, agents might find their contacts getting a bit too nervous to look the other way????

[ezzra]

That's the thing, no matter who will be found guilty and fired or sent home/jail or whatever, those who will replace them will behave for a while and then resume business as usual, because this is how the system worked for so far and this is how it will continue to operate for the future...

[Mac Mickmanus]

This could be the end of getting certain visas without all the necessary documents .

   If its the same office/guys who are getting removed from their positions at Immigration, if its those guys that are issuing the retirement visas without the money in the bank , those visas may not be issued anymore

[Thailand]

Looks like a few will be sent to early retirement, a few exonerated, some to inactive posts. Maybe a couple of real scapegoats?

 

Others will take their place and life will be good and carry on as before.

 

I do get the impression that BJ has some sort of key to some skeletons around the place?

[zzaa09]

Allegedly....

[proton]

50 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

This could be the end of getting certain visas without all the necessary documents .

   If its the same office/guys who are getting removed from their positions at Immigration, if its those guys that are issuing the retirement visas without the money in the bank , those visas may not be issued anymore

Or they might put the price up as it gets more dangerous, of course those at it will continue to lie about it all being legal and above board.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Surachate Hakparn’s investigation centres on assistance allegedly being provided to Chinese triad gang members to help them remain in the kingdom illegally. The huge investigation has implicated not just the 80 immigration officials but also up to 3 Thai army generals as well.

Should be interesting to see where this goes.

[Orinoco]

23 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Should be interesting to see where this goes.

I suspect the usual white wash and the rest.

 

 

Edited January 25, 2023 by metisdead
Trolling image removed.

[Grusa]

I suspect BJs life expectancy just shortened. 

[bangon04]

18 hours ago, Thailand said:

I do get the impression that BJ has some sort of key to some skeletons around the place?

maybe it is on Chuwit's keyring?

[Bangkok Barry]

18 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

This could be the end of getting certain visas without all the necessary documents .

   If its the same office/guys who are getting removed from their positions at Immigration, if its those guys that are issuing the retirement visas without the money in the bank , those visas may not be issued anymore

Just like in the real world - if you don't qualify you don't get.

[thailand49]

Yes interest likes soap opera which we know always how it turns out.  I don't know about other immigration but Jomtien the official officiers you see for a number of years uniform weren't at their stations as usual we know Jomtien is one of those that issue a lot of them to the Chinese.. Majority of the staff although regulars are on contracts don't have uniforms. 

The three general are they Army or official staff immigration?  If they attended with Big Joke young to have rise to general so quickly although they hand positions like the come out of a cracker Jack box

[PETERTHEEATER]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

.......his findings will be submitted to the top inspector general, with a view to disciplinary action being taken against the police officers in question.

But not the three Army officers of General rank?