Immigration Officers Charged Over Illegal Visa Malfeasance

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has revealed that over 100 immigration police officers have been accused of issuing visas illegally to foreign visitors.

 

According to Pol Gen Surachate, 110 officers have been charged with malfeasance in office and accepting bribes. The case is expected to be sent to the public prosecutors this week.

 

The investigation, which is an extension of a previous probe into the conduct of a few immigration police officers, implicates immigration police officers and local administration officials.

 

The officers were allegedly involved in issuing visas to businessman Chaiyanat Kornchayanant and other Chinese nationals who were connected to "grey" businesses in Thailand.

 

Chaiyanat and several of his associates are currently in custody on multiple charges, including narcotics trafficking, money laundering and involvement in organized transnational crime.

 

Full Story: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230207120518785

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2023-02-07

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Maybe it's time that agents were also done away with and the requirements made easier for those expats who have problems meeting the money in the bank requirements 

[ozz1]

Oh no this can't be happening there is no corruption in the immigration service I thought that they went up on the lack of corruption ranking on

[Enzian]

Like I told a younger business partner, do the work but don't get greedy. Like that couple arrested for using the same MO to break into 34 gas stations. These guys were involved in more than issuing visas, stuff more humanly serious, and probably by more than association. There has to be more details to come out.

[SoilSpoil]

Another crackdown on expats is due

[bamnutsak]

33 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The officers were allegedly involved in issuing visas to businessman Chaiyanat Kornchayanant

 

FWIW, it was reported that Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, AKA Tuhao, had been granted Thai citizenship so I'm not certain he needed a visa? How he gained citizenship should probably be investigated, or not.

 

Chaiyanat is a Chinese businessman who was granted Thai citizenship after marrying a senior police officer and is believed to be behind a Chinese triad dealing in drugs and other criminal activities.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023752

 

[Pib]

OK, this will probably mean the Ministry of Inactive Posts will need to add 110 desks....maybe even build another wing to the building as the little known ministry continues to grow rapidly. 

[Xanthe]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Maybe it's time that agents were also done away with and the requirements made easier for those expats who have problems meeting the money in the bank requirements 

If people can't meet the financial requirements or they don't to put 800K baht in a Thai bank, agents are there to facilitate the process. What is wrong with that? It helps lots of people. 

Edited February 7, 2023 by Xanthe

[pegman]

5 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Maybe it's time that agents were also done away with and the requirements made easier for those expats who have problems meeting the money in the bank requirements 

How about no visa without meeting the requirements? 

[Damrongsak]

Corruption is an ugly word.  Malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance are better words to use when talking about government workers.  ????

[ThailandRyan]

8 hours ago, Xanthe said:

If people can't meet the financial requirements or they don't to put 800K baht in a Thai bank, agents are there to facilitate the process. What is wrong with that? It helps lots of people. 

Ergo, it leads to corruption and technically bribes being paid between the agent and the I/O for which the expat pays a fee.  If they relaxed this issue, and accepted the monthly transfers with a smaller amount in the bank then the agents could be done away with. Plenty of folks have tried to use the combination method of income transfers and bank account reduced amount here in many places, only to fond out that their specific I/O wont accept the combination method.  It is legal to use the combination method, yet because they disallow it in places it makes using the agent and the fee paid part of the issues.  Immigration is the primary cause of the visa extension of stay issues.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Maybe it's time that agents were also done away with and the requirements made easier for those expats who have problems meeting the money in the bank requirements 

I kind of agree, dodgy agents handling visa applications when really the applicant should be at the immigration office in person.

Agents have made a good living by charging exorbitant fees form applicants to smooth the way with bent officials. 

Get rid of agents.

[Xanthe]

22 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Ergo, it leads to corruption and technically bribes being paid between the agent and the I/O for which the expat pays a fee.  If they relaxed this issue, and accepted the monthly transfers with a smaller amount in the bank then the agents could be done away with. Plenty of folks have tried to use the combination method of income transfers and bank account reduced amount here in many places, only to fond out that their specific I/O wont accept the combination method.  It is legal to use the combination method, yet because they disallow it in places it makes using the agent and the fee paid part of the issues.  Immigration is the primary cause of the visa extension of stay issues.

Why the IOs won't accept bribes? Just because they are unfortunate to be born in Thailand and no access to Western incomes don't not mean that they can't have desires and aspirations to send their sons and daughters to fancy schools, buy expensive cars or keep their mia nois happy.  It is the fault of the foreigners not to be able to come up with adequate incomes even though born in a Western country. No adequate incomes, pay up the money to the IOs for the privilege to live in Thailand.

[Smokey and the Bandit]

12 hours ago, SoilSpoil said:

Another crackdown on expats is due

Only if you are Chinese involved in a business?

 

"The officers were allegedly involved in issuing visas to businessman Chaiyanat Kornchayanant and other Chinese nationals who were connected to "grey" businesses in Thailand."

Edited February 7, 2023 by Smokey and the Bandit

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Maybe it's time that agents were also done away with and the requirements made easier for those expats who have problems meeting the money in the bank requirements 

The whole requirement is overly complicated and needs a review. Particularly in the case of guys in there doing it for the 20th  time.  Perhaps an easier list of requirements for the over 70s? I have no issue with keeping the cash on deposit, but having to spend all day outside in lines, and then return the next day is no way to treat the elderly.... I also think the marriage extension requirements are way over the top. 

People are forced into the agent's hands by inefficient and not fit for purpose facilities... Jomtien is way undersized. 

[bamnutsak]

5 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

Corruption is an ugly word.  Malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance are better words to use when talking about government workers.

Exactly.

 

There is no National Anti-Malfeasance Commission, just the little-used, only driven on Sundays - OK, just one Sunday ever, NACC.

 

https://www.nacc.go.th/english

 

Might as well just change the name of the country to Malfeasancestan.

 

 

 

 

[ignore it]

You just have to pay to stay.

If your skint or risk averse you pay an agent.

If your flush and can take a risk you put your 800k in a Thai bank at 0% return and the bank lends it out and profits.

It's a not win either way.

What's right about it? Not much. 

Simple ain't it.

 

 

[kingstonkid]

old news and really not much there

[sandyf]

15 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Maybe it's time that agents were also done away with and the requirements made easier for those expats who have problems meeting the money in the bank requirements 

Maybe if western countries offered the same number of visa options as Thailand does then Thailand would have a better idea on how to do it properly.

After all western administration is faultless.

[proton]

15 hours ago, SoilSpoil said:

Another crackdown on expats is due

Only the ones doing things illegally 

[BobBKK]

We will all suffer now due to these people. Of course Thais never do anything illegally.

[BobBKK]

1 minute ago, proton said:

Only the ones doing things illegally 

Not true... getting visa and extensions processed is much slower now and we will all be under scrutiny due to crooked officials.

[proton]

1 hour ago, ignore it said:

You just have to pay to stay.

If your skint or risk averse you pay an agent.

If your flush and can take a risk you put your 800k in a Thai bank at 0% return and the bank lends it out and profits.

It's a not win either way.

What's right about it? Not much. 

Simple ain't it.

 

 

800k is hardly flush, if you don't have that and are living so precariously you should probably go home before you become a burden. Anyone can get interest on the 800k

[proton]

Just now, BobBKK said:

Not true... getting visa and extensions processed is much slower now and we will all be under scrutiny due to crooked officials.

Yes because of people doing things illegally

[BobBKK]

1 minute ago, proton said:

Yes because of people doing things illegally

Yes I agree but don't say it wont affect us all... it will

[jonclark]

2 hours ago, Xanthe said:

Why the IOs won't accept bribes? Just because they are unfortunate to be born in Thailand and no access to Western incomes don't not mean that they can't have desires and aspirations to send their sons and daughters to fancy schools, buy expensive cars or keep their mia nois happy.  It is the fault of the foreigners not to be able to come up with adequate incomes even though born in a Western country. No adequate incomes, pay up the money to the IOs for the privilege to live in Thailand.

If Thai people (in this case IO's) consider it "unfortunate to be born in Thailand" then it can hardly be considered a "privilege to live in Thailand" can it? From your post it sounds more like a hardship. 

[jonclark]

We can moan all we like, but just remember and be thankful that VFSglobal are not in charge of issuing visas to all expats here!!

[foreverlomsak]

1 hour ago, ignore it said:

you put your 800k in a Thai bank at 0% return

If that's the account you select then you will get 0% return.

Have mine in a standard savings account, while 0.5% (4,000 THB) is not good, it's way better than my UK account which is ZERO%

[ThailandRyan]

3 hours ago, Xanthe said:

Why the IOs won't accept bribes? Just because they are unfortunate to be born in Thailand and no access to Western incomes don't not mean that they can't have desires and aspirations to send their sons and daughters to fancy schools, buy expensive cars or keep their mia nois happy.  It is the fault of the foreigners not to be able to come up with adequate incomes even though born in a Western country. No adequate incomes, pay up the money to the IOs for the privilege to live in Thailand.

Strong is the sarcasm with this one..... my friend Yoda said.

[brianburi]

14 minutes ago, proton said:

Only the ones doing things illegally 

What's illegal???, my agent assures me everything is just fine.  You can do everything by the Line App now. No need to even visit the office or immigration.  Still require a couple of photos/ bank book and passport sent by post.  Long may it continue....

I'll keep my 800K elsewhere thx.