Thai Immigration Police Mobilises for Crime Crackdown During Songkran

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

Thailand's Immigration Bureau has announced a nationwide campaign targeting crime over the Songkran festival, while preparing to accommodate a significant influx of international tourists.

 

On 10th April, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with Police Major General Cherngron Rimpadee, launched a unified operation to crack down on crime during Thailand's Songkran Festival 2025.

 

This initiative gathers immigration officers and airport personnel to enhance security and streamline entry procedures, aiming to instil confidence in both international tourists and locals during the holiday period.

 

As Thailand enters its peak tourist season, the number of international arrivals is expected to rise. In response, Panumas has directed national immigration centres to work collaboratively across provinces, fortifying law enforcement efforts to ensure safety and promote a positive image of Thai tourism.

 

 

 

This concerted effort includes coordination with other government bodies, highlighting key tourist cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Phanom, and Songkhla.

 

In the heart of Bangkok, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, led by Minister Suangsong Thienthong, cooperated to launch operations at Sanam Luang.

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

In Chiang Mai, the three kings monument served as the backdrop for northern operations, while the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nakhon Phanom marked the northeastern focus. Meanwhile, in the south, efforts concentrated at the Sadao checkpoint, Songkhla, emphasising intelligence gathering and safeguarding tourists.

 

The Commissioner noted that daily international arrivals during Songkran are anticipated to reach 150,000. To align with government priorities, led by PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra focusing on tourism, immigration officials are preparing to streamline processes, particularly at airports and checkpoints.

 

This includes reducing passport control bottlenecks and collaborating with Airports of Thailand and airlines to facilitate ease of travel, especially for priority passengers such as those with disabilities and families with small children.

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

Based on a story by Thai Rath

 

-- 2025-04-11

 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

Foreigners = "criminals"?? Wonder, whether the regular police does the same with locals...

[Peterphuket]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Foreigners = "criminals"?? Wonder, whether the regular police does the same with locals...

Yes, that was also the very first thing that came to my mind, this group is not for its own people.

[factual monk]

Their is no influx of tourists... airport lines are as usual ... nothing much... and criminals are inside the country not waiting at airport... every evening they line up at all areas frequented by tourists ...  murmuring, taunting, pushing, heckling, soliciting... 

Hotels in tourists areas were showing 40% higher rates than normal hoping throngs of tourists... and from last night most of them are showing down to 10% high... and by 13 and 14 Apr it will go down further... the over hyped balloon will burst... 

[Nickcage49]

Man this country cracks me up!

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Foreigners = "criminals"?? Wonder, whether the regular police does the same with locals...

Nah, this is the meet & greet mob at the airport... the ones they should be watching out for are outside in vehicles with "Taxi" written on it, and that's just for starters.

[madmitch]

Havn't they noticed that tourist numbers drop from the end of March onwards, and this has been the case since I first got involved in the touist business over 20 years ago!

 

Yet every year they blurt out the same old mantra.

[AustinRacing]

Songkran is the time when police and co require more money for Mia Nois as they need to go back home because police need to spend time with their own family. Hosting parties cost money too. So go out there fishing boys. 

[Magictoad]

8 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Nah, this is the meet & greet mob at the airport... the ones they should be watching out for are outside in vehicles with "Taxi" written on it, and that's just for starters.

I thought we all learnt to ignore such  characters when we went to India in our teens. Now in our 60s & 70s implausible characters outside airport don't stand a chance- or do they?

[MangoKorat]

I'm sure the 'tourists' will be happy to learn that they are regarded as potential criminals and will be 'cracked down' on over Songkran - welcome to Thailand!

 

In fact, there seems to be a disconnect between the post's title and its content.

The title refers to a crime crackdown whilst the content seems to concern how Immigration plans to deal with an expected influx of arrivals.

 

Quite how an attempt to 'streamline' the entry process will 'crack down' on crime is beyond me.  Maybe tourists will have to take a lie detector test prior to joining the entry booth queue where they will be asked if they intend committing any crimes?

[Watawattana]

On 4/11/2025 at 3:53 PM, AustinRacing said:

Songkran is the time when police and co require more money for Mia Nois as they need to go back home because police need to spend time with their own family. Hosting parties cost money too. So go out there fishing boys. 

Yeah, the officer the chief is talking to look really pee'd off.  I guess he's just been told what his "sales" target is for the weekend...