Immigration Arrests Foreign Nationals with Fake Passports at Suvarnabhumi Airport

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Immigration officers on 8 March, have arrested two foreign nationals attempting to leave the country using counterfeit Spanish passports. The suspects admitted they had hoped that successfully passing through Thailand would make it easier for them to enter Europe for work.

 

Under the orders of Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Police Major General Cherngron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, instructed airport immigration officers to intensify screening procedures to detect foreign nationals who may pose security risks.

 

During routine exit screening at Suvarnabhumi Airport, immigration officers became suspicious of two travellers:

 

• Mr. El Asyly Ismail, 30 years old

• Mr. El Wannasse Abdelmalek, 24 years old

 

Both were holding Spanish passports and checking in for a flight with Oman Airlines at 07:50. Upon closer inspection, the passports displayed irregularities, including suspicious entry stamps from Don Mueang Airport immigration. The officers detained the individuals and transferred them to Immigration Division 2’s investigative team for further examination.

 

A detailed biometric check revealed no records of their entry into Thailand. Additionally, their passports lacked standard security features such as watermarks, and the font and stamp design appeared inconsistent with genuine Spanish passports.

 

A search of their belongings uncovered genuine Moroccan passports, confirming that both suspects had entered Thailand legally on 24 February via Suvarnabhumi Airport under a visa-free entry scheme.

 

During questioning, the two men confessed that their Spanish passports were counterfeit, procured through a Moroccan agent for 7 million Moroccan dirhams each. Their travel route included stops in Istanbul (Turkey) and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) before arriving in Thailand. They had stayed within the airport terminal and prayer areas before attempting to board a flight to Spain, where they planned to seek employment.

 

The suspects explained that they chose Thailand as a transit point instead of flying directly to Europe because European immigration authorities tend to trust passengers screened through Thailand’s strict security measures.

 

Both individuals were handed over to Suvarnabhumi Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

Police Major General Cherngron Rimpadee emphasised that the Immigration Bureau is intensifying scrutiny at all checkpoints, particularly for individuals abusing the visa-free entry scheme. Special attention is being given to those who:

• Make frequent in-and-out trips that do not align with legitimate tourism or short-term business visits.

 

• Have suspicious travel histories, such as frequent entries into neighbouring countries with casinos.

 

• Lack clear travel itineraries or accommodation details.

 

On average, Thai immigration denies entry to 400–500 foreign nationals per month due to security concerns.

 

Despite stricter screening, airport immigration authorities reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating smooth entry for genuine tourists and investors, ensuring that Thailand remains an attractive and secure destination for international visitors.

 

-- 2025-03-09

 

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The suspects explained that they chose Thailand as a transit point instead of flying directly to Europe because European immigration authorities tend to trust passengers screened through Thailand’s strict security measures.

 

Well, they were not wrong in this instance.

[Gsxrnz]

"The suspects explained that they chose Thailand as a transit point instead of flying directly to Europe because European immigration authorities tend to trust passengers screened through Thailand’s strict security measures."

 

Some people will believe just about anything. 

[Jone500]

Sent them to England rather than back to Oman.

[Nick Carter icp]

That's a long way to go from Morocco to Spain 

[CallumWK]

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

would make it easier for them to enter Europe for work.

 

Sure for work

[lordgrinz]

16 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

.A detailed biometric check revealed no records of their entry into Thailand..

 

A search of their belongings uncovered genuine Moroccan passports, confirming that both suspects had entered Thailand legally on 24 February via Suvarnabhumi Airport under a visa-free entry scheme.

 

What?! How did they enter without biometrics?