I have just popped down to 7/11 at my condo complex in Naklua and coming out I was met by 2 gentlemen from Immigration; wearing smart new jackets with Immigtation badges; who wanted to take my photo. I asked why and was told "new system" and that my photo would be sent to their boss at Soi 5 in Jomtien. They did not request my name nor did they ask for ID. They did ask how long I had been here and I told them (9 years). They showed me photos they had already taken of other people: farangs as well as some Asian types. I consented to them taking my photo.

Has anyone else had this experience recently and does anyone know the whys and wherefores of this apparent "new system"?

Also, maybe consider this a heads up should you happen to meet my new friends or some of their colleagues.

I wonder what happens if you politely decline to be photographed?

I would have kept on walking.

I was told I didn't have to have my photo taken if I didn't want to. I consented because that is all they asked for and they can just add it to their already large collection of my photos that they have accrued over the years.

Happened to me about 4 years back.

Apparently they just wanted pictures of themselves to send to the boss to show how hard working they are.

I would have said yes but only to a selfie with those two in it. Sounds suss to me. Immigration has your photo on file as you point out.

Nirun condo?  I heard some criminals live their maybe that is why?

Just now, bkk6060 said:

Nirun condo?  I heard some criminals live their maybe that is why?

 

Where in Naklua is Nirun ?

6 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Nirun condo?  I heard some criminals live their maybe that is why?

Nobody mentioned Nirun Condo..why bring it up?

8 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Nirun condo?  I heard some criminals live their maybe that is why?

No.

6 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Where in Naklua is Nirun ?

It's not in Naklua...in Soi Arunotai

When someone says they are immigration police, at least ask politely for their immigration credentials. Why would anyone take your picture in public? You have to be wary.

They are probably testing their new system, ID you using image only

11 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

It's not in Naklua...in Soi Arunotai

 

no <deleted> Sherlock.

16 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

no <deleted> Sherlock.

Silly boy...

35 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Nobody mentioned Nirun Condo..why bring it up?

Just because @bkk6060 didn´t understand that they already have photos either. Just needed something stupid to post!

1 hour ago, champers said:

wearing smart new jackets with Immigtation badges

Were they imitation Immigration badges?

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Were they imitation Immigration badges?

How would I know? These guys just took my photo. They didn't ask for anything else.

2 minutes ago, champers said:

How would I know? These guys just took my photo. They didn't ask for anything else.

Sorry Champers, I was merely playing on the way that you spelled Immigtation in your OP. 

1 hour ago, Jerzy Swirski said:

Happened to me about 4 years back.

Apparently they just wanted pictures of themselves to send to the boss to show how hard working they are.

Doesn’t sound like the IO’s were in the photos of Champers ??, so there goes that theory .

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Sorry Champers, I was merely playing on the way that you spelled Immigtation in your OP. 

I woz no gud at speling at skool. I cannot edit now. Grammar police and Immigration police in one day.

I did a selfie with the home visit Immigration ladies a few years back

Seems sus. I wouldn't have consented and would have said I'll meet them at Soi 5 immigration for the photo instead. 

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

They are probably testing their new system, ID you using image only

 

Definitely. Testing their facial recognition systems. 

 

...and soon we hear about a new scam....🙈

23 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

...and soon we hear about a new scam....🙈

Explain how I could be scammed by just having my photo taken.

54 minutes ago, champers said:

I woz no gud at speling at skool. I cannot edit now. Grammar police and Immigration police in one day.

Do you not get a wiggly red line underneath a mis-spelt, or is it mis-spelled, word?

2 minutes ago, champers said:

Explain how I could be scammed by just having my photo taken.

They could superimpose it onto the video of the guys robbing the Louvre, then come and get you. 555

So some guys @champers photo coming out of a 7/11? Whats that do to with immigration? Maybe for a gay dating app site?

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

They are probably testing their new system, ID you using image only

face recognition, yes.

They need sh*t load of images to run against current database to see recognition ratio.