Surly immigration officers and long waits at the airport? : Region 2 IB chief faces investigation

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: Secret investigation ordered

 

Daily News reported that the upper echelons of the Royal Thai Police are investigating the activities of Region 2 immigration that is responsible for Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main Bangkok hub.

 

This follows a damning post on a popular online page from a very unhappy immigration officer at the airport.

 

A secret investigation has been ordered that could see the Region 2 chief sanctioned or removed for not following orders.

 

The immigration officer said online that there were an ever increasing number of tourists coming into Thailand and leaving but there was not enough officers manning the booths.

 

So 120 officers from the north and south were brought in to handle the extra work.

 

No one wanted to go to Suvarnabhumi but orders were orders and they were trying to make the best of it.

 

But the poster complained that the chief was favoring what he called "Dek Sen" and many of the officers brought in were being assigned to other duties leaving booths unmanned.

 

Without stating it directly, the officer was implying that his chief was deliberately ignoring orders from the top of the RTP for whatever reason.

 

This followed a 20th of March communication within the RTP from senior deputy Pol Gen Roy Inkhaphairoj who mentioned the problem of foreigners doing business in Thailand via nominees who needed to be investigated at the airport and elsewhere.

 

This practice was damaging Thailand's economy.

 

The communication mentioned the lack of staff at the airport and the need for all the booths to be manned.

 

In order to crackdown on foreigners staff also needed to be assigned to check on overstaying foreigners.

 

Hotels and guest houses needed to be checked to make sure they were reporting foreigners staying at their establishments as a matter of priority.

 

The communication suggested that the Region 2 chief may be culpable in the mess at the airport by not following the orders of the RTP chief Pol gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat.

 

Roy said that an investigation into what was happening was paramount.

 

Daily News said that their sources suggested that a secret internal investigation was underway by the police inspectorate to force immigration chiefs at the airport to follow the rules.

 

If they didn't then they could expect trouble - either disciplinary or removal.

 

ASEAN NOW suggests that the online post could explain some of the complaints about surly immigration staff - and the lack of officers - filling the booths at the airport.

 

Staff from upcountry don't want to be there after being assigned from cushy jobs up country.

 

And even when they are assigned to the airport they are being put on other duties so that favored staff can get the best jobs.

 

The IB (Immigration Bureau) has been under mounting pressure recently over a host of corruption issues.

 

This latest storm brewing at the "Gateway to Thailand" will be followed with interest, especially due to its impact on tourists and travellers.

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2023-03-29

 

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[ukrules]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

This practice was damaging Thailand's economy.

Yes, it most certainly is. Fire the lot of them.

Edited March 29, 2023 by ukrules

[soi3eddie]

Bring in the army to staff the immigration points just as was done in the UK during recent border force strikes there. In the UK, the army did a much better job and got people through a lot faster. Or, they could develop e-gate for foreigners to use, just as is done in Singapore.

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by soi3eddie

[soi3eddie]

31 minutes ago, webfact said:

Staff from upcountry don't want to be there after being assigned from cushy jobs up country.

Read: more rewarding jobs where the receiving of TIPs is common!

 

[Shuya]

14 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Bring in the army to staff the immigration points just as was done in the UK during recent border force strikes there. In the UK, the army did a much better job and got people through a lot faster. Or, they could develop e-gate for foreigners to use, just as is done in Singapore.

 

They still work on the cash payment system attached to the e-gates. 

[ikke1959]

too busy with handling VIPs I suppose..... Why can other countries, manage to have less problems at the immigration...Computersystems, enough staff, and less administration?? Everytime, facepicture here, fingerprints, double check passports, and boardingpasses for foreigners, as for Thai passports it is much easier to enter  

[brianthainess]

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

Hotels and guest houses needed to be checked to make sure they were reporting foreigners staying at their establishments as a matter of priority.

Apart from Nth Korea, is there any other country in the world, that hotels must report foreigners staying there to immigration? or even ones Family members staying with you on holiday? 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

33 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Bring in the army to staff the immigration points just as was done in the UK during recent border force strikes there. In the UK, the army did a much better job and got people through a lot faster. Or, they could develop e-gate for foreigners to use, just as is done in Singapore.

 

In the UK is worked, in Thailand many of the army cannot speak English, which could pose a problem especially if they work in immigration?

[realfunster]

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

Read: more rewarding jobs where the receiving of TIPs is common!

 

True, I am also fairly confident these up-country 'jobs' will be fairly flexible, quite relaxed and involve minimal work.

 

Sitting at a public immigration desk at BKK under the watchful eye of superiors and cameras for several hours a day is probably quite a culture shock.

As would be dealing with a load of grumpy foreigners just disembarked from their plane who don't show the proper 'respect' to these auspicious public servants.

[ThailandRyan]

Seems to be a daily battle in Thailands Game of Thrones, where every commander anywhere does what they want and do not listen to the tip of the spear....

Edited March 29, 2023 by ThailandRyan

[Gknrd]

Some one draw a pic of "Big Joke" swooping in with a cape and shield to solve the problem.

The caped crusader swoopes in to save swampe.  As the horde of tourists can be heard saying "Thank you big J" we love you.

[richard_smith237]

Soon there will be another announcement from Immigraition that processing of each individual passenger only takes 90 seconds !!! 

 

This has gone on so long, does anyone in a position of decision making power actually care enough to genuinely impact change and improvement ?

 

 

[geisha]

Suvarnabhumi is the absolute worst tourist country airport where delays for entering, and departing are concerned !

i have met many Thai travelers who are absolutely disgusted by the welcome queue they  get when arriving after a 12 to 18 hour journey. 
 What I really don’t  understand is the departure queues.  I have lately been warned it can take hours, with passengers running to get to their far off gates.  For gods sake, a look at passport , stamp out, should take a minute and problem travelers set aside . And the baggage check, leaving ? Cant they open more counters, they don’t look at the screens anyway, I’ve watched them many times. 

[BestB]

prior to covid airports were a lot busier than now and all was working smoothly, what happened to all the staff who were there before and why have not they returned?

[Pdib]

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Apart from Nth Korea, is there any other country in the world, that hotels must report foreigners staying there to immigration? or even ones Family members staying with you on holiday? 

Yes, Belgium for example, but reporting must be made to the local municipal office

[shackleton]

It seems the police commanders in different regions of Thailand do what they want not taking notice of higher authories in Bangkok 

Same as Provincial governors ????

[mijens]

2 hours ago, geisha said:

Suvarnabhumi is the absolute worst tourist country airport where delays for entering, and departing are concerned !

 

Debatable if worse than US

[geisha]

Re the new Asean now post mentioning secret checks into the running of Suvarnabhumi arrivals and departures.  I don’t believe the mention that the immigration and baggage belt people check on hotels/ guest house details of arriving and departing tourists ! Also It should be very easy to see someone on overstay ( or are they blind and can’t count ?) and direct them to the overstay counter. There just aren’t enough manned desks and belts , nuff said.  The boss should be sacked. 

[Wake Up]

2 hours ago, geisha said:

Suvarnabhumi is the absolute worst tourist country airport where delays for entering, and departing are concerned !

i have met many Thai travelers who are absolutely disgusted by the welcome queue they  get when arriving after a 12 to 18 hour journey. 
 What I really don’t  understand is the departure queues.  I have lately been warned it can take hours, with passengers running to get to their far off gates.  For gods sake, a look at passport , stamp out, should take a minute and problem travelers set aside . And the baggage check, leaving ? Cant they open more counters, they don’t look at the screens anyway, I’ve watched them many times. 

My vote for the worst tourist immigration service is Heathrow. Many officers but few doing any work. 

[Menken]

What's hilarious and it truly is that all this hubbabalu, hand wringing and gnashing of teeth. Oh the humanity!!!!

 

In US as well as dozens of other countries with functional Immigration services. There is no interest in checking hotels, length of stay, tickets out.

 

It's absolute stupidity if nothing else this could all be managed through technology. This is the 21st century last time I checked.

 

In my opinion they just need to let everybody in and then figure out how they're going to manage overstayers. In Indonesia overstay about us 50 a day.

 

Set up a detention center.

 

So weak, immigration. Barely a few M and can't manage, send reinforcements. Still can't manage.

Edited March 29, 2023 by Menken

[Michael Hare]

Other airports are having long queue problems.

Auckland NZ airport  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/absolute-chaos-air-new-zealand-passengers-caught-in-huge-queues-at-auckland-airport/VJYLGS5JLFHCZMB6XL2GFR2CTY/

Sydney Australia airport https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/photo-of-queue-at-sydney-international-airport-sparks-outrage/R7HZZS6EU5FMJP6HTG43R42S5U/

 

[AloisAmrein]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Apart from Nth Korea, is there any other country in the world, that hotels must report foreigners staying there to immigration? or even ones Family members staying with you on holiday? 

Yes, many countries in Europe. Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, etc. When checking in to hotel, you have to fill in a form with your personal details, incl. passport number, car number plate, etc. 

[Pedrogaz]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Apart from Nth Korea, is there any other country in the world, that hotels must report foreigners staying there to immigration? or even ones Family members staying with you on holiday? 

Italy.

[Burma Bill]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

any other country in the world, that hotels must report foreigners staying there to immigration?

Yes, Cambodia via the FPCS (Foreigners Present in Cambodia System).  For reference:

 

The “FPCS” applies to all foreign nationals, including tourists.................record foreigner information when they arrive in Cambodia at any entry point. It will also record their data when they leave Cambodia. The onus for registration on the App or at a police station is not yours, it is the resposibility of your hotel/apartment/house owner/manager.

 

https://ips-cambodia.com/foreigners-present-in-cambodia-system/

My landlord registered me on the App using his smartphone.

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by Burma Bill
additional information

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Apart from Nth Korea, is there any other country in the world, that hotels must report foreigners staying there to immigration? or even ones Family members staying with you on holiday? 

In 2019 we rented an Airbnb in China. After a couple of days the police were banging on the door. My wife wouldn't open the door, just phoned the owner and a bit later the police left. The owner phoned back and said it was sorted, he had forgotten to report that foreigners were staying in the apartment. He thought one of the neighbours had shopped us to the police.

 

[Doctor Tom]

Surly, rude, nasty and unhelpful,  these are all necessary character traits for all Immigration Officers, Worldwide.  The Thais would have to go some way to get to the unacceptable attitudes displayed by US, IOs, who are the World's worst. 

[Andrew65]

What I often noticed at Swampy, first is the big sign saying "Welcome To Land Of Smile". The secong thing was that you would occassionally/quite often get a smile from a female I O, you would pretty much never get a smile from the (surly) male ones.

[brianthainess]

48 minutes ago, Wake Up said:

My vote for the worst tourist immigration service is Heathrow. Many officers but few doing any work. 

Not if you have a uk passport and no going through immigration on departure either.

[Boyn]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Seems to be a daily battle in Thailands Game of Thrones, where every commander anywhere does what they want and do not listen to the tip of the spear....

Doing whatever the hell you want is a Thai thing anyway, i include my wife in this.

[brianthainess]

13 minutes ago, sandyf said:

In 2019 we rented an Airbnb in China. After a couple of days the police were banging on the door. My wife wouldn't open the door, just phoned the owner and a bit later the police left. The owner phoned back and said it was sorted, he had forgotten to report that foreigners were staying in the apartment. He thought one of the neighbours had shopped us to the police.

 

As an independent traveler ie. backpacker in '88 in China we were only allowed to stay in one hotel in all cities, the rest were for tour groups only.