Thai Government Intensifies Crackdown on Foreign Criminals to Protect Tourism

[CANSIAM]

3 hours ago, sungod said:

Make it visa free for most of the world and complain crime goes up.

Spot on, they have not caught on quite yet..........

[Frankie baby]

Like in all countries the top brass as got to be seen doing something to justify their positions. We all have a favorite gripe, mines traffic lights, "false security - hence the most dangerous place to cross". 

[nowhereman]

Just a thought. If any of those alleged criminals doesn't get convicted will their visa be reinstated? Fat chance 😉 What a legal system, if there ever was one.

[Cabradelmar]

Heavy on words, lite on substance. Same as it ever was (or will be). If only they would just toss the criminals they already know about or catch, that would be progress. As a non-criminal, this affects me not. 

[madmitch]

Do they really think that a crackdown on foreign criminals would have an effect on tourism?

 

Are they naive enough to think that the recent incidents make news anywhere outside Thailand?

 

 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Furthermore, comprehensive operations have been launched to eradicate such criminal activities, aiming to refurbish the tourism sector's image and bolster the security perception among visitors.

What image might that be?

 

[transam]

18 minutes ago, jonclark said:

Fine you believe in discrimination  based on nationality and ethnicity. Do not be surprised (in fact embrace it) if it happens to you. I believe all people should be and are equal under the law and the law must be applied equally to all in all cases.

 

Not unequally with minorities which we are, being unfairly treated by a disproportionate application of the law.

😂............Can't believe you wrote that.......😂

So what dodgy enterprise are you involved in.........🤭

[wensiensheng]

Is there a hint of racial profiling to this crackdown?

 

I can just imagine the uproar in a Western country if the authorities announced a crackdown on the criminal activities of any Thai people residing there. Not that there is a need for that of course, no Thai person would commit a criminal offense in a foreign country.

[wensiensheng]

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

Has the Russian woman had her visa revoked and been blacklisted? Need to have exactly the same treatment for her as for the Swiss doctor kicker, who got what he deserved.

I thought she was a “tourist”. In which case, no visa to revoke.

[klauskunkel]

"Thai Government Intensifies Crackdown on Foreign Criminals" to deflect from its ineptitude of dealing with PM2.5 crisis, its corruption of the justice system dealing with Thaksin, its concerted efforts to get rid of any meaningful opposition in Parliament, its ever increasing debt accumulation, and so on.

[spidermike007]

1. Don't crack down on the air pollution which is killing and sickening people. 

 

2. Don't crack down on the do nothing PM. 

 

3. Don't crack down on the local criminals. 

 

4. Don't crack down on army, immigration, customs and RTP corruption. 

 

5. Don't crack down on the  corruption of ethically and morally bankrupt officials. 

 

Just go after the tourists and foreigners. We love hearing about it daily. It gives us a sense of security and makes us feel warm and fuzzy, and very welcome. Thanks guys. Your hospitality knows no bounds. 

[sambum]

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Pardon me but a crack down on local criminals scamming tourists might also benefit tourists  

 

Agreed! And is it just coincidence that the rise in crime figures seems to be running hand in hand with the "visa free" entry scheme for certain nationalities? 

[Chongalulu]

7 hours ago, bob smith said:

Looks like Hate Week is turning into Hate Month, maybe Hate Year who knows.

 

I can definitely feel the Hate outside at the moment. It is palpable. 

 

bob.

Bob,it's always followed you around without boundaries. It's not me,it's you...😆

[mran66]

First time I hear tourists or potential tourists are worried about foreigner crime in Thailand. On the contrary several have mentioned worries about being scammed by locals, even police. 

[nowhereman]

Just a thought. If any of those alleged criminals doesn't get convicted will their visa be reinstated? Fat chance 😉 What a legal system, if there ever was one.

[Srikcir]

A crackdown also can protect long-stay expats too. 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

4 hours ago, sungod said:

Make it visa free for most of the world and complain crime goes up.

Correct, TAT and the Thai Government wants more and more tourists in Thailand, not all tourists are going to be 'good', some will be 'bad'

[JesseHumphry]

I would imagine it's not an uptick in crimes, but an uptick in profile. Which basically means if your nationality isn't in the news, you're probably fine. 

[SiSePuede419]

Last week I was at a moderately expensive resort restaurant on Chung Mon beach in Samui and my wife overheard the Farang manager say a Farang couple took off without paying.

So now, they hired more Burmese people to watch you sneaky lowlife Farangs.

My bill at this establishment was 1800B, I bet they ran up a bigger tab.

You guys should really just stay home outside your bungalows and drink all night like the cheap Germans do.

You guys can't afford to eat out even in a place where restaurants are a fraction of the cost back home.

May I recommend something more in your price range...

The 20Baht Chicken Butt on a stick at any local night market?🤣

[cdemundo]

7 hours ago, bob smith said:

Looks like Hate Week is turning into Hate Month, maybe Hate Year who knows.

 

I can definitely feel the Hate outside at the moment. It is palpable. 

 

bob.

Do you feel it on AN?

[bob smith]

Just now, cdemundo said:

Do you feel it on AN?

nah, nothing but love here!! 😉 

 

bob.

[sambum]

10 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

A crackdown also can protect long-stay expats too. 

 

It was stated/implied a couple of days ago that they are going to make it more difficult for long stay retirees/expats! "To protect tourism" 🙂 

[Mr Meeseeks]

58 minutes ago, Guderian said:

It seems that Thaksin is back, only his War on Drugs last time has morphed into a War on Farangs.

 

It was the same in his first term, just less social media around then to cover it, and less of us here in numbers. Off the top of my head:

 

Purachai's pogrom on entertainment venues.

2am closing time.

War on drugs.

The 'UN' is not my father comments.

Thai Rak Thai (Thai loves Thai) Party.

Banning the foreign activists from entering during APEC conference.

Paying off the IMF loan early.

Harrassed foreign reporters and threatened foreign news agencies with expulsion.

Ban on the Economist.

Tightening up on foreign visas especially those that allow longer term stays.

Changes to permanent residency and citizenship requirements, including quotas per nationality.

 

All stimulated a wave of xenophobia and anti-foreigner sentiment during his first term in office. 

[transam]

57 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Do they really think that a crackdown on foreign criminals would have an effect on tourism?

 

Are they naive enough to think that the recent incidents make news anywhere outside Thailand?

 

 

I think you will find that some naughty folk have been in the news back home....🤗

[Ironmike]

3 hours ago, jonclark said:

 

That is a matter of opinion ...not fact. I do not think that a bit of swearing and a kick should result in a person's life being torn apart. I feel the punishment should fit the crime. 

I'm sorry but kicking a pregnant woman 8 months into it is a hate crime I don't care if the Russian whore had her period or not this is not something we should take lightly,, kick her out and ban her for life. 

[findlay13]

4 hours ago, John Drake said:

Has the Russian woman had her visa revoked and been blacklisted? Need to have exactly the same treatment for her as for the Swiss doctor kicker, who got what he deserved.

BUT has he got what he deserves? Unless I've missed something? I've heard nothing about him for awhile has he been kicked out ,blacklisted or is he laying low making his money talk until it all goes away?

[jonclark]

4 minutes ago, Ironmike said:

I'm sorry but kicking a pregnant woman 8 months into it is a hate crime I don't care if the Russian whore had her period or not this is not something we should take lightly,, kick her out and ban her for life. 

Mike -  I was refering to the Swiss / Dr incident in Phuket. But don't let that get in the way of your anger. 

 

IMO she should face the punishment as the law states for anyone who assaults another person, regardless of her nationality or ethnicity. I am sure however, that you will find many supporters for your POV here on the echo-chamber of farang loathing and hate that aseanow has become. Enjoy. 

 

No wonder Thais are starting to dislike us so much when we fan the flames of discontent ourselves. 

[newnative]

     Much ado about relatively nothing.  614 cases since Oct. 2023.  So, a tad over 100 cases a month out of millions of tourists, with most of the cases, from the article, on the petty side.  A handful of the 614, also relatively minor cases but blown way out of proportion, have garnered lots of publicity so something must be seen to be done.  These high-profile but petty cases wouldn't have caused a ripple in the US.  

[newnative]

     Much ado about relatively nothing.  614 cases since Oct. 2023.  So, a tad over 100 cases a month out of millions of tourists, with most of the cases, from the article, on the petty side.  A handful of the 614, also relatively minor cases but blown way out of proportion, have garnered lots of publicity so something must be seen to be done.  These high-profile but petty cases wouldn't have caused a ripple in the US.  

[sambum]

57 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Do they really think that a crackdown on foreign criminals would have an effect on tourism?

 

Are they naive enough to think that the recent incidents make news anywhere outside Thailand?

 

 

 

Of course they are - they think Thailand is the centre of the Universe - the "Hub of Hubs"!

As has already been mentioned by a couple of posters, the increase on foreigners committing crimes seems to be connected to the "Free Visa" scheme, and they would be better employed rooting out the crime and corruption within. A good start today with the transfer of 2 top cops to "inactive posts", but do they honestly think that clamping down on foreign criminals (e.g. retirees on overstay) is going to make an improvement in tourist figures? I think not, if anything, any honest holidaymaker contemplating visiting Thailand is more likely to be put off by the "potential"corruption in the upper echelons of the RTP than arresting a few old people who have overstayed their welcome.

Also, recent reports of rogue cops "waving their guns about" is bound to have more of a negative effect on tourism than the countless reports of crackdowns on "foreign criminals".