As Thailand’s tourism industry roars back to full speed, and attracting many new nationalities to the Land of Smiles, there has been a noticeable uptick in cases reported involving foreigners violating the law. Statistically, the rise has not been significant, but the reporting and social media frenzy over recent incidents, is spurring the police and Thai immigration officials into a reactive stance.

 

Police now claim that some of the recent cases “pose significant threats to societal order”. So, Pol. Gen. Roy Ingpairoj, Deputy Chief of the Royal Thai Police, is taking decisive action. He has publicly issued a number of public directives to the Commissioner of Immigration, “mandating stricter enforcement of immigration laws”.

 

Even as turmoil swirls in the upper ranks of Thailand’s police force (the Chief of the Royal  Thai Police and one of his high profile deputies are currently transferred to desk duties at the prime minister’s office pending an investigation into allegations of corruption involving some online gambling gangs), Pol. Gen. Roy Ingpairoj has issued the orders that will, at the very least, shine a spotlight on some, or many, visa renewals, the issuance of new long-term visas, and greater scrutiny on tourists arriving into the Kingdom.

 

By Peter Roche

Caption: File Photo - Bangkok Post

 

Full story: Phuket GO 2024-03-25

 

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1 minute ago, snoop1130 said:

Police now claim that some of the recent cases “pose significant threats to societal order”.

 

Not if they're leaving, right?

 

 

4 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

“mandating stricter enforcement of immigration laws”.

 

So it's national "do your job day" today?

 

And were they "laxly" enforcing immigration laws previously?

 

 

It's almost as if they really, really don't want us and our foreign exchange!

 

Quelle surprise!

 

9 minutes ago, Crossy said:

It's almost as if they really, really don't want us and our foreign exchange!

 

Quelle surprise!

 

"They" ? or their Chinese masters?

When leaving they will check your bank accounts and credit cards, and it you did not withdrawal enough or go into enough debt, you will be forced to return to your hotel and spend until authorities are satisfied.

It took me 15 minutes to cross the border at Aranyaprathet this afternoon. 

LOnger queues at the airport.. while in the meantime people are ordered to make it more convenient. Left doesn't know what right is doing again

 

3 hours ago, Yagoda said:

It took me 15 minutes to cross the border at Aranyaprathet this afternoon. 

 

Not surprised you were at that dump. Did your tuk-tuk driving pal take you? 😆

 

16 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

LOnger queues at the airport.. while in the meantime people are ordered to make it more convenient. Left doesn't know what right is doing again

 

They will need to get immigration sorted at the airport. Taking longer to process people is not an option for them.

 

With their neighbours down south implementing auto-gates for foreigners, Thailand is again notably lagging behind.

“mandating stricter enforcement of immigration laws”.

 

Cracking down on agents paying bribes so IO's ignore the law might be a good start
😄

 

i'm surprised they don't have reasonably robust measures in place already, and the question is; would these new stricter measures have prevented entry to any of the recent high profile miscreants?

 

what they need is more focus on compliance once people are here, e.g. identifying and removing overstayers - it can't be that difficult, and stamping down on corruption between locals and foreigners - bit of a no-brainer you'd think...

No mention of visa agents, who might get even more business if it becomes harder to get an extension of stay. 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

pose significant threats to societal order”

Something perhaps lost in translation?

Failure to install a government elected by a majority of voters and substitute with a military-backed government representing a minority of voters would seem a greater threat. 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Statistically, the rise has not been significant, but the reporting and social media frenzy over recent incidents, is spurring the police and Thai immigration officials into a reactive stance.

Law enforcement driven by public opinions and not by the rule of law (especially when successfully enforced) would seem more a threat to societal order.

Oh those foreign cheeky devils!  

Be on guard!  

Last month the PM wanted faster entry for arrivals at airports.  Would this not dramatically slow down the process? 

13 hours ago, Crossy said:

It's almost as if they really, really don't want us and our foreign exchange!

 

Quelle surprise!

 

They want the tourists revenue, but not the people.

Thi is patently obvious with their immigration regulations and virtual non ability to work.

Don't sty, spend, spend, spend and go home.

 

Listen to you guys, goodness me!

 

The Dep Police Chief reminds Immi officers to do their job and suddenly, Thailand is anti-farang and only wants their money! 

 

Paranoia much!

Just now, Mike Lister said:

Listen to you guys, goodness me!

 

The Dep Police Chief reminds Immi officers to do their job and suddenly, Thailand is anti-farang and only wants their money! 

 

Paranoia much!

And they are and do!

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

And they are and do!

Not everything is about you or farang, what if, just what if, the focus of their concern is the 3,700,000 other foreigners who are not farang!

I think the photograph on the front of this is a bit old - from what I remember the guy seen is the husband of the Thai owner of a large visa agency. I think they found something like 100 cannabis plants upstairs (this was before it was legalized). After some negotiations he was released and the visa agency re-opened.

3 minutes ago, SbuxPlease said:

I think the photograph on the front of this is a bit old - from what I remember the guy seen is the husband of the Thai owner of a large visa agency. I think they found something like 100 cannabis plants upstairs (this was before it was legalized). After some negotiations he was released and the visa agency re-opened.

 

Sounds about par for course.

 

14 hours ago, Crossy said:

It's almost as if they really, really don't want us and our foreign exchange!

 

Quelle surprise!

 

No surprise indeed, considering how little those who get caught are contributing to the economy. Probably even negative contribution when they are working jobs reserved for Thais.

Good!

Just look at the US and UK for disastrous immigration enforcement 

Watch out, they've got a mandate.

45 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Listen to you guys, goodness me!

 

The Dep Police Chief reminds Immi officers to do their job and suddenly, Thailand is anti-farang and only wants their money! 

 

Paranoia much!

Mike I have to just applaud your response!  If ex-pats here (seems just like the ex-pat complaints in the PI) came here for the good life or better life and obey the laws/regulations, there shouldn't be any real complaints.  I remember how it used to be at immigration for any reports - some people even got in a queue line to get a queue number possibly for that day only - they were in line at midnight!  I used to get in line by 4 AM and yes I normally was able to get a queue number for that day but mostly in the PM times.  Things have definitely improved while changing.  They dropped the TM.28 (according to the IO that processed my last one years ago), starte ENFORCING the TM.30, yeah I understand, they put the onus on the ex-pat and not the landlords but most hotels or rented houselords do a tm.30 for us and there are even agents that can do it for us so not so much problems today.  I just got my LTR and won't have to do the 90-day reports anymore.  taxes - I am an American and cannot escape the federal taxes.  If I remained in the US then I would have to add another 10K USD on taxes so I have always paid my taxes and fortunately my pension is a govt pension so Thailand won't be able to tax that either...but even if my pension wasn't a govt pension with the LTR I could still not have to pay taxes here.  Many local problems are only in people's minds - life here is still way more pleasant than in the US in my opinion.  I also lived in many countries over he years - in Europe - great but not as great as here, Africa - definitely not as great as here, Asia - some really great but in total - still better here.  Things are changing in these Asian states too for the taxes.

It is notable that they dare now in the off-season, do they assume the tourist will forget about it when they come back to LOS?

What do they expect, they want millions & millions of visitors/tourists,

of course the odds are their will be miscreants among them , and they know how useless the RTP are, they also know there is a lot less chance of getting caught here than in their own country along with little knowledge of Thai laws.  

Yes,. harass the retirees comming in with 2 screwdrivers but don't harass the drud dealers and their brown enveloppes.

1 hour ago, Mike Lister said:

Not everything is about you or farang, what if, just what if, the focus of their concern is the 3,700,000 other foreigners who are not farang!

Are you perhaps living in a different country?

As it is, it's so easy for foreigners to get long term visas.

The unwanted ones that don't meet requirements can enter illegally by paying an agent to bribe a rogue immigration officer; this opens the gate for many foreign criminals and undesirables. 

To stop this, and hence make your legitimate visa process easier, report all agents to the authority. 

Jail time for all foreigners(and Thai agents) who bypass immigration scrutiny is the best way to deter them from paying for these illegal extensions and forcing them to be checked like everyone else. 

Many foreigners IMO think because Thais get away with crimes or short sentences some even ignored by the RTP, they think it's ok for them to follow suit. They even think they can drive a M/C better and faster than a Thai, I know that statement will bring a lot of criticizes, but in my local area it is true.