Crackdown ordered on organised crime in Pattaya, stricter visa screening after Ralter Mack murder

[webfact]

Deputy National Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn, or Big Joke, has ordered a survey of organised crime activity in Pattaya, a crackdown and stricter screening of visas for foreigners in the wake of chilling details emerging related to the murder of 62-year-old Hans Peter Ralter Mack at the hands of an extortion gang led by 52-year-old Olaf Thorsten Brinkmann (inset right).

Pattaya Hell: police believe that Hans Peter Ralter Mack was tortured and may have died from either horrific injuries at the hands of his tormentors or a heart attack due to the terror inflicted upon the 62-year-old German businessman. The investigation has identified evil gang member Olaf Thorsten Brinkmann as the ring leader behind the crime.

The murder of German businessman Hans Peter Ralter Mack has resulted in a police operation to identify possible organised crime elements in the resort city with top police chief General Surachate Hakparn ordering a crackdown and a tightening of Immigration Bureau screening of visa applicants particularly for retirement visas applicants who may have links to crime. He also has ordered police to pay special attention to organised groups with distinctive tattoos and who ride Harley Davidson motorcycles.

 

Deputy National Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn also known as Big Joke, has announced a crackdown on gang and criminal elements in Pattaya following the outrageous murder of 62-year-old German businessman Hans Peter Ralter Mack last week in the resort city.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/07/16/pattaya-organised-crime-crackdown-after-hans-peter-ralter-mack-murder-visa-screening/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-07-17

 

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[brucegoniners]

So basically all people applying for retirement visas are going to have to go through additional BS just because of this scum? Yeah, makes sense to me.

[HappyExpat57]

Start with those guys wearing orange vests.

[VinnieK]

I predict a new form to fill up.

'Are you into organized crime'? ????

Btw...are you in the clear if you are into un-organized crime? ????‍♂️..

..or is it dis-organized?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy National Police Chief General Surachate Hakparn also known as Big Joke, has announced a crackdown on gang and criminal elements in Pattaya following the outrageous murder of 62-year-old German businessman Hans Peter Ralter Mack last week in the resort city.

Should this not be an ongoing thing anyway?

[ChipButty]

Just make sure you don't go to the immigration on your Harley

[jacko45k]

46 minutes ago, brucegoniners said:

So basically all people applying for retirement visas are going to have to go through additional BS just because of this scum? Yeah, makes sense to me.

If it means stripping off my shirt in immigration to show I am not covered in tough guy tatts, well I can do that!

[mokwit]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

a tightening of Immigration Bureau screening of visa applicants particularly for retirement visas applicants who may have links to crime

Here we go. Likely criminal record info from home country as per teacher applications will be required, although criminals will likely find a way around this, leaving the law abiding with more paperwork to obtain in advance of extensions.

Edited July 16, 2023 by mokwit

[ChrisY1]

They, well Big Joke especially, continue to ignore that the RTP are at the center of everything....they are the organised crime gang....the rest are secondary.

But as always, the cops investigating.....it's just smoke and mirrors:)

[wombat]

40 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Should this not be an ongoing thing anyway?

How long have you been here?

[hotchilli]

4 minutes ago, wombat said:

How long have you been here?

Long enough to know better...

apologies for my over-sight.

[redwood1]

police to pay special attention to organised groups with distinctive tattoos 

 

I know plenty of bar girls with tattoos........I will not be inviting them over anymore until I get rid of my freeezer.....

[Caldera]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

General Surachate Hakparn ordering a crackdown and a tightening of Immigration Bureau screening of visa applicants particularly for retirement visas applicants

They could start with introducing a criminal records check. Some of those retirees probably have criminal records as thick as a phone book back home, and filtering them out would be easy. I've never understood why this isn't a requirement for ALL longterm visas and extensions. 

[mokwit]

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

They could start with introducing a criminal records check. Some of those retirees probably have criminal records as thick as a phone book back home, and filtering them out would be easy. I've never understood why this isn't a requirement for ALL longterm visas and extensions. 

Why only for longterm? Why not include all VOA/VE/TR arrivals? Seems e.g ATM fraud gangs arrive his way. Thailand makes ST entry very easy. Imagine the ques at the Airport if they introduce the need to show no criminal record proof from home country as a condition of entry. Likewise, longer ques at Imm as more documents to examine. Of course those calling for tighter regulations don't use agents, so they will be spitting blood on extension day.

 

Again, those wishing for tighter visa requirements, be careful what you wish for, you might find the rising tide reaches you.

 

Supposing we have to prove out retirement funds are not ill gotten gains? Typically Imm has very narrow criteria and is rigid about them, so if they specify a handful of acceptable options then maybe those on here who have vast holdings of real estate and securities in lieu of a defined benefit pension might not qualify.......

Edited July 17, 2023 by mokwit

[mockingbird]

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

They could start with introducing a criminal records check. Some of those retirees probably have criminal records as thick as a phone book back home, and filtering them out would be easy. I've never understood why this isn't a requirement for ALL longterm visas and extensions. 

A criminal background check is required for the Non OA, so it would hardly be a stretch if they made this a requirement for the Non O's.

But most likely absolutely nothing will change.

[petermik]

Crackdown aught to start with Immigration officials allowing agents to circumvent the rules.......????

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, mokwit said:

Why only for longterm? Why not include all VOA/VE/TR arrivals? Seems e.g ATM fraud gangs arrive his way. Thailand makes ST entry very easy. Imagine the ques at the Airport if they introduce the need to show no criminal record proof from home country as a condition of entry. Likewise, longer ques at Imm as more documents to examine. Of course those calling for tighter regulations don't use agents, so they will be spitting blood on extension day.

 

Again, those wishing for tighter visa requirements, be careful what you wish for, you might find the rising tide reaches you.

 

Supposing we have to prove out retirement funds are not ill gotten gains? Typically Imm has very narrow criteria and is rigid about them, so if they specify a handful of acceptable options then maybe those on here who have vast holdings of real estate and securities in lieu of a defined benefit pension might not qualify.......

Yeah, true.

 

First they came for the guys with mullets ...

 

Etc. etc.

[thailand49]

This is profiling,  so let me add and second it start with the Immigration and the agents. 

Edited July 17, 2023 by thailand49

[Jumbo1968]

I renewed my Extension of Stay/‘Retirement Visa’ today, I always use an agent even though I have the money in the bank, too lazy, hate going to immigration and it’s the other side of the city.

It was a visit to agent office then the bank, rep from agent there as well who took my photo then I had to go to Jomtien and have some one take a photo outside the office showing me standing next to the immigration logo.
Lady in the agent office said more checks were in place now due to the murder of the German fella.

[Mr Meeseeks]

 

11 hours ago, webfact said:

a tightening of Immigration Bureau screening of visa applicants particularly for retirement visas applicants who may have links to crime. He also has ordered police to pay special attention to organised groups with distinctive tattoos and who ride Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Retirement visas going to get a lot more difficult to obtain in the near future I reckon. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

2 hours ago, mokwit said:

Why only for longterm? Why not include all VOA/VE/TR arrivals? Seems e.g ATM fraud gangs arrive his way.

It's impossible to implement and would cripple tourism overnight.

 

Not many people will bother to get a criminal record check for a two week holiday to Thailand.

[mokwit]

3 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

take a photo outside the office showing me standing next to the immigration logo.
Lady in the agent office said more checks were in place now due to the murder of the German fella.

Criminals react like Dracula to a cross or sunlight when confronted with the IB logo?

[mokwit]

10 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

It's impossible to implement and would cripple tourism overnight.

 

Not many people will bother to get a criminal record check for a two week holiday to Thailand.

Valid points but it doesn't mean they wouldn't implement first, find out the effects later.

Edited July 17, 2023 by mokwit

[champers]

7 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

Retirement visas going to get a lot more difficult to obtain in the near future I reckon. 

Are all undesirables over 50 and of retirement age? Asking for a 40 year old friend.

[mokwit]

16 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

Retirement visas going to get a lot more difficult to obtain in the near future I reckon. 

My best guess is criminal record check from home country same as OA visa. Proof of origin of funds a very distant second possibility.

Edited July 17, 2023 by mokwit

[mokwit]

14 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Lady in the agent office said more checks were in place now due to the murder of the German fella.

Seems too quickly implemented - I would guess this is a follow on from the Chinese Triad crackdown.

Edited July 17, 2023 by mokwit

[mokwit]

2 minutes ago, champers said:

Are all undesirables over 50 and of retirement age? Asking for a 40 year old friend.

No. Undesirabiliy starts to set in after someone has been here more than 30 days.

[Mr Meeseeks]

Just now, mokwit said:

Valid points but it doesn't mean they wouldn't implement first, find out he effects later.

Even they are not that stupid to implement something that would cripple their tourism industry. 

 

They cannot get access to other countries' criminal databases either, so sharing data is another non-starter. 

 

Retirement visas, different story. Fewer applicants, and longer term stayers so less work overall. Difficult to manage but not impossible. I could see it being implemented for new applicants or renewals.

[Mr Meeseeks]

2 hours ago, mokwit said:

No. Undesirabiliy starts to set in after someone has been here more than 30 days.

I thought it started when the money ran out?

[jacko45k]

8 hours ago, Caldera said:

They could start with introducing a criminal records check. Some of those retirees probably have criminal records as thick as a phone book back home, and filtering them out would be easy. I've never understood why this isn't a requirement for ALL longterm visas and extensions. 

Since I have spent the last 18 years here perhaps I should either get a pass, or a check from the Thai police? I bet there are more tourists with criminal pasts coming in!