Thai Customs Dept Facing Overhaul

[chefshane]

I find it strange that the Government has recognised a problem and chosen to address it - and the majority of responses n this forum are condescending and negative.

When they ignore it, the majority of responses are also condescending and negative.

And if the problem is covered up - guess what?........condescending and negative.

I say good on the Government for publicising it, and trying to address it.

The armchair army on this forum are laughable.

How should they do it right in your faultless, all-knowing and mocking opinions?

Come on, give us the benefit of your great wisdom and experience in tackling a major problem that has taken 5 centuries to establish, so we can eradicate all criminal activities and negative traits within the Kingdom by 01 September 2009.

Perhaps instead of criticising others, you could prepare a comprehensive reort and action plan?

Or are you just parroting catch phrases at email headlines without any actual facts, knowledge or deeper understanding of the myriad underlying issues?

<sigh>

Wake up, and hop off the over crowded bandwagon of arrogance and superiority.

[chefshane]

All Governments are corrupt to a certain extent. It actuality the lobbying of politicians in the USA is corruption, it has just ingrained itself into the system. I suspect the Thai government is no different. You cannot have a non-corrupt government. Obama has standing orders not to hire any past lobbyist for government work and it is not working --they are the only people who are experienced enough to get anything done. There several hundred positions he cannot fill.

Instead of picking on Thailand maybe look at your home country --England for example just went through a whole series of news breaking corruption--MP's misusing fund for personal use. It is not that I agree with corruption it is just that is it never goes away. But yes I ham happy when a they are stripped of their "ways and means" but it is usually just a scapegoat for the rest who are never touched. Wall Street and the bank boys rip off the world everyday -yet a common thief or a simple drug user go to a prison for a long time --we never see the real bastards in there.

At last.

A poster who can see beyond the tip of the nose.

This is a reality.

Eradicating corruption is like eliminating crime.

Making it taboo, reducing it to manageable levels, and making it hard to get away with are all good initial goals.

It is a permanent and ongoing process of change, training, management and enforcement.

[Jaydillon]

I will believe this, when I see it. The customs department is about as corrupt as the police. Here is a recent post from one of

my thai corruption rants:

This is one of those posts that gets right to the heart of an issue that seems to really bother alot of ex-pats, who are

exposed to the corruption here. I have read many of the replies, and there seems to be a sense of resignation. How

can anything change? Well, it is changing throughout the region. Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Vietnam are making

serious efforts to root out the corruption. Officials, CEO's, and people in positions of authority and power are getting

arrested, and sentenced. Of course, that seems almost impossible here, but I do hope it happens. I guess the aspect that

is not getting mentioned much, is why Thailand has so little interest in addressing it's staggering level of corruption. Malaysia

has set up a corruption commission, and is making DAILY arrests of top officials, ministers, local politicians, and businessmen. Indonesia

has set up a corruption commission, and so far their antigraft commission has achieved a 100-percent conviction rate in 86 cases of bribery

and graft related to government procurements and budgets. And where is Thailand in all of this. Why aren't men like Newin, and others, who

are coming up with expensive schemes to line their pockets being arrested, and tried? Why is the CEO of King Power still employed? Why is the

Police Captain in charge of the airport security, who appears to be involved in the King Power scam, still in his position? Does anyone really think

there is even a chance that the King Power scheme is not real? That they are arresting only guilty shoplifters? Does all King Power have to do is

post one video on the internet, of a guilty party, for all of us to let them off the hook? Is that all it takes? Even India is getting actively involved

in tackling corruption. When was the last time we heard of a government minister, or top official, or corporate CEO being arrested on corruption charges,

here in Thailand? There was a recent story of jet ski operators in Koh Samui, extorting $1,000's of dollars out of tourists, with the threat of,

and occasionally acts of violence, right on the beach in front of dozens of tourists, for supposedly getting a scratch on a jet ski. When one tourist

caught this on video, and presented it to the authorities, the culprits were confronted, and forced to a pay a fine of 1,000 baht! I am sure they

have not stopped laughing since the incident. Unless Thailand gets serious, and starts introducing fines and jail sentenced that are in proportion

to the crime, nobody will take them seriously. Thailand will continue to be the laughing stock of the world. They will continue to be considered

"that 3rd world country with so much promise, that could not do ANYTHING, to help itself". Or, "the country that always shoots itself in the foot".

Thailand is rapidly approching a point of being way past redemption. If nobody does something truly gutsy or courageous, the time will pass, for

Thailand to turn things around. History may show Thailand as having achieved it's greatest apex of development in 2000-2005. History may show

it being all downhill from there. The Thai people nor the Thai government seem to have no realization of how serious things are, and how perilous a

time this is for the nation. Very, very, very few people here seem to get it. A country can only make so many mistakes before the world leaves it

behind. Especially when neighbors like Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and others are making so much progress, and trying so hard. This makes

the lack of effort here seem all the more staggering, and shocking. Someone needs to act. So what if jobs are lost. So what if heads roll. So what if

people in power are humiliated, and their lives are ruined. So what. It is not too late for Thailand, but the time when it is, is rapidly approaching. Change

is hard. Progress is difficult. But, not impossible. Thailand is not beyond redemption. There are many good people here who would like to see things

different. Conviction, with fines of 500,000 baht and up, and jail terms of 5-10 years is a good place to start. Tony, of course would be a great example

for a first conviction. I would suggest a fine of 2,000,000 baht, and a jail term of 20 years for him. He deserves it. He earned it.

17 Aug 2009

So, the real question is, who in the government is prepared to grow a set of balls big enough to tackle a problem that is holding Thailand firmly

locked into 3rd world status? Abhisit? Who else could do it?

All Governments are corrupt to a certain extent. It actuality the lobbying of politicians in the USA is corruption, it has just ingrained itself into the system. I suspect the Thai government is no different. You cannot have a non-corrupt government. Obama has standing orders not to hire any past lobbyist for government work and it is not working --they are the only people who are experienced enough to get anything done. There several hundred positions he cannot fill.

Instead of picking on Thailand maybe look at your home country --England for example just went through a whole series of news breaking corruption--MP's misusing fund for personal use. It is not that I agree with corruption it is just that is it never goes away. But yes I ham happy when a they are stripped of their "ways and means" but it is usually just a scapegoat for the rest who are never touched. Wall Street and the bank boys rip off the world everyday -yet a common thief or a simple drug user go to a prison for a long time --we never see the real bastards in there.

Yes England is not perfect we do something about ii when people in authority take the piss.With the MP's scandal steps have been taken to stop it from happing again.there is NO comparison between Thailand and the UK.

[Oliver Reed]

Can somebody give Norris McWerter a call at tha Guiness book of records, to get him to enter up the ministry of crackdowns for the record number of failed crackdowns?

[asean]

Here is another vewpoint from someone who spends a lot of time in the klongtey customs offices.

There is good corruption and bad corruption. Good corruption gets things done and bypasses a lot of the BS red tape and it eventually works out cheaper after the incentives are paid. Bad corruption (eg Cambodia) steals and harms someone. I do a lot of biz with Thai customs and have eventually found them the most helpful, pleasant department to deal with after i learnt how it all worked. I have to say it is easier and cheaper to deal with than Australia and USA customs.

The best part is that if ever there is a problem with paperwork or similar a few thousand baht (peanuts compared to Australian union run wharves) can make the whole problem disappear and prompt release of the containers. There is even a special "do not open the box fee" which i am very fond of.

All it takes is a few cheap nights at poseidon and savan deng and business happens and gets done faster here than anywhere else. You just have to play the game and the end it is quite fun and will save you a lot o money and not to mention make a lot of useful friends forever.

I also have to say that the ladies on the 4th floor of customs house are the most helpful and charming and always give the most correct precise efficient answers to all my questions regarding duty tariff and excise calculations. In fact they will even re-write a shipping invoice to say whatever i want it to say. Then call it down to the boys in the warehouses for me. Now that is service. Is it not?? I wish it was like this everywhere. But you have to pay a little extra for it. Isn't that normal?

[Stone]

I'm captain on a chemical tanker and recently called Mapthaput, after Argentina I think Thailand is the 2nd worst country in the world when it comes to customs. The port call cost me 12 bottles of whiskey and 2000 cigaretts just to get the ship cleared, not to mention all the several hundreds of papers needed, In other countries it is usually enough with 10-20 papers to clear the ship.

And if that wasn't enough the customs officer went into the galley to get a few bottles of instant coffee and creamer before he left.

Well I'm a Chief Engineer on a LNG carrier and been around for different ports. Have you ever sail to Nigeria or true Suez channel?

12 bottles of whiskey and 2000 cigaretts is what we call peanuts.

[12DrinkMore]

I will believe this, when I see it. The customs department is about as corrupt as the police. Here is a recent post from one of

my thai corruption rants:

This is one of those posts that gets right to the heart of an issue that seems to really bother alot of ex-pats, who are

exposed to the corruption here. I have read many of the replies, and there seems to be a sense of resignation. How

can anything change? Well, it is changing throughout the region. Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Vietnam are making

serious efforts to root out the corruption. Officials, CEO's, and people in positions of authority and power are getting

arrested, and sentenced. Of course, that seems almost impossible here, but I do hope it happens. I guess the aspect that

is not getting mentioned much, is why Thailand has so little interest in addressing it's staggering level of corruption. Malaysia

has set up a corruption commission, and is making DAILY arrests of top officials, ministers, local politicians, and businessmen. Indonesia

has set up a corruption commission, and so far their antigraft commission has achieved a 100-percent conviction rate in 86 cases of bribery

and graft related to government procurements and budgets. And where is Thailand in all of this. Why aren't men like Newin, and others, who

are coming up with expensive schemes to line their pockets being arrested, and tried? Why is the CEO of King Power still employed? Why is the

Police Captain in charge of the airport security, who appears to be involved in the King Power scam, still in his position? Does anyone really think

there is even a chance that the King Power scheme is not real? That they are arresting only guilty shoplifters? Does all King Power have to do is

post one video on the internet, of a guilty party, for all of us to let them off the hook? Is that all it takes? Even India is getting actively involved

in tackling corruption. When was the last time we heard of a government minister, or top official, or corporate CEO being arrested on corruption charges,

here in Thailand? There was a recent story of jet ski operators in Koh Samui, extorting $1,000's of dollars out of tourists, with the threat of,

and occasionally acts of violence, right on the beach in front of dozens of tourists, for supposedly getting a scratch on a jet ski. When one tourist

caught this on video, and presented it to the authorities, the culprits were confronted, and forced to a pay a fine of 1,000 baht! I am sure they

have not stopped laughing since the incident. Unless Thailand gets serious, and starts introducing fines and jail sentenced that are in proportion

to the crime, nobody will take them seriously. Thailand will continue to be the laughing stock of the world. They will continue to be considered

"that 3rd world country with so much promise, that could not do ANYTHING, to help itself". Or, "the country that always shoots itself in the foot".

Thailand is rapidly approching a point of being way past redemption. If nobody does something truly gutsy or courageous, the time will pass, for

Thailand to turn things around. History may show Thailand as having achieved it's greatest apex of development in 2000-2005. History may show

it being all downhill from there. The Thai people nor the Thai government seem to have no realization of how serious things are, and how perilous a

time this is for the nation. Very, very, very few people here seem to get it. A country can only make so many mistakes before the world leaves it

behind. Especially when neighbors like Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and others are making so much progress, and trying so hard. This makes

the lack of effort here seem all the more staggering, and shocking. Someone needs to act. So what if jobs are lost. So what if heads roll. So what if

people in power are humiliated, and their lives are ruined. So what. It is not too late for Thailand, but the time when it is, is rapidly approaching. Change

is hard. Progress is difficult. But, not impossible. Thailand is not beyond redemption. There are many good people here who would like to see things

different. Conviction, with fines of 500,000 baht and up, and jail terms of 5-10 years is a good place to start. Tony, of course would be a great example

for a first conviction. I would suggest a fine of 2,000,000 baht, and a jail term of 20 years for him. He deserves it. He earned it.

17 Aug 2009

So, the real question is, who in the government is prepared to grow a set of balls big enough to tackle a problem that is holding Thailand firmly

locked into 3rd world status? Abhisit? Who else could do it?

Great post.

and, in one word, the answer is ARROGANCE rules in Thailand. The rich have money and can do what they want. Including murdering police officers in night clubs.

Those that are already rich make the rules and don't really care what the rest of the world thinks. They will still be rich and the poor will remain poor. The long term success of country is far beyond their view for the next decade.

[luangtom]

Folks, save yer breath to cool yer soup...'tain't gonna change. TIT.....

[Milo]

Here is another vewpoint from someone who spends a lot of time in the klongtey customs offices.

There is good corruption and bad corruption. Good corruption gets things done and bypasses a lot of the BS red tape and it eventually works out cheaper after the incentives are paid. Bad corruption (eg Cambodia) steals and harms someone. I do a lot of biz with Thai customs and have eventually found them the most helpful, pleasant department to deal with after i learnt how it all worked. I have to say it is easier and cheaper to deal with than Australia and USA customs.

The best part is that if ever there is a problem with paperwork or similar a few thousand baht (peanuts compared to Australian union run wharves) can make the whole problem disappear and prompt release of the containers. There is even a special "do not open the box fee" which i am very fond of.

All it takes is a few cheap nights at poseidon and savan deng and business happens and gets done faster here than anywhere else. You just have to play the game and the end it is quite fun and will save you a lot o money and not to mention make a lot of useful friends forever.

I also have to say that the ladies on the 4th floor of customs house are the most helpful and charming and always give the most correct precise efficient answers to all my questions regarding duty tariff and excise calculations. In fact they will even re-write a shipping invoice to say whatever i want it to say. Then call it down to the boys in the warehouses for me. Now that is service. Is it not?? I wish it was like this everywhere. But you have to pay a little extra for it. Isn't that normal?

Agreed, my furniture came through without a hitch because the company I used liaised with a Thai import company who knew how to get things through customs, didn't pay a penny extra. And as for these folk moaning about the police and wanting to turn Thailand into the same kind of over-protected, over-regulated nanny @rse-wiping state that they came from, obviously unable to enjoy the extra freedoms they have... grow up!! Corruption abounds all over, they're simply better at hiding it in the 'civilised' world. Plus it costs more. Doesn't make it right, but is a fact of life. Flame away all of you who either think you live in a perfect world or expect one by the end of next century! Thailand has a long way to go, but is trying, and I for one hope that being behind us allows them to learn from our mistakes.

Edited August 20, 2009 by Milo

[hazz]

Just curious but how does an official who is making 22,500 baht a month acquire 4,000,000 baht so that he can get a promotion to a new position which will allow him to accept bribes unless he himself was accepting bribes in his other position?

Is there a Dept of Bribery somewhere that makes loans??? If there is such a governmental department the guy who thought of that scam gets my Thai "Hutzpah", award vote of approval.

on this salary it would be hard to borrow more than 1 million B legitimately, maybe that explains that police loan shark scheme that hit the news a month or so ago.

But yes the obvious route to promotion is collect bribes now; so you can buy the promotion and collect even more bribes. This would explain the presence of some amazingly greedy and corrupt individuals in very senior positions. how else could they afford to get there?

In the ordinary ministries promotion seems to depend more on your ability to ingratiate yourself with your seniors rather than offers of money or actually being good at your job. same as every organization I have ever worked with would over. you know promotion until you become incompetent followed by promotion to get you out of harms way.

[BSJ]

It would be nice to think change is in the wind, but the wind maybe blowing in the wrong direction!

[Crash999]

The best part is that if ever there is a problem with paperwork or similar a few thousand baht (peanuts compared to Australian union run wharves) can make the whole problem disappear and prompt release of the containers. There is even a special "do not open the box fee" which i am very fond of.

Looks like I've found my new customs clearance agent right here!

My first introduction to the wonderful folks at the customs department was when they tried to charge me 8000 Baht duty for a box of old underwear, socks, and exercise t-shirts that wouldn't fit in my suitcase and I had couriered over. I told them to keep it and next thing I know it was delivered! I think someone in customs probably opened up the carton and passed out.

[Johpa]

Exactly. In the West the corruption is more invisible, more high level, more sophisticated and much more money involved. You have to belong certain country club or go to a 5000 dollar "dinner" to discuss or hear some election candidate to speak. Or officials get free benefits from certain lobby groups or "holiday trips". The possibilities are endless. No need to carry suitcases of cash to the officials. That is sooo barbaric

Then they screw the J6Ps out there with bailout money for the banks. The money they do not need to pay back and are using to pay outrageous bonuses to their employees. Is that any better than in Thailand?

Thailand is still at the "hey man, better show me the money and some whisky too!"-corruption level. In a way much more honest way of corruption. Both of course are wrong but that "I am so much better as a white man and sure know how these pesky natives should behave"-attitude is not going to work.

Yes, in the west they keep the rabble on the up and up so that it is hard to scam the tax man. And then they take that tax money and hand it over to the elite who own the politicians. They use smoke and mirrors (lawyers and accountants) to hide the transfer of the money. They also insure that the politicians that they control insert or leave in loopholes into the laws that do such things as lower the tax rates on themselves and facilitate the transfer of funds offshore. Actually the politicians no longer write the laws, rather the corporate lawyers write up laws that are given to the lobbyists who then hand them over to their politicians to be presented as legislation. So I too prefer the blatant in your face corruption, buy me a bottle of whiskey corruption of Thailand rather than the corporate malfeasance of the likes of Goldman Sachs or the 25 hedge fund operators who insured that a tax loophole in their favor was not closed by buying off a Senator Schumer of New York State.

[chefshane]

Hoping that this is not just a PR ploy to make it seem like Thailand is doing what other ASEAN countries are doing... but a genuine attempt at reform. Time will tell.

Oh! Don't we all wish. I do not see the CORRUPT canvssing themselve. It is like the blind leading the blind and saying to each other,"follow me and we will avoid the presipous'.

I came here on a non-immigrant O-A multiple entry one year visa with my wife and my dog in tow. Customs was to NOT charge Custom Duty on my dog. I even had all papers and custom clearances on my pet, not my wife. They charged Duties and took bribes to reduce a Duty that according to Thai Custom Law was exempt.

When I challenged the charge and showed them the Law that covered my circumstances, they said that it did not count because they had to charge. I could refuse and my best friend would not survive under the conditions that he was held iin.

No I do not think that reform or clampdown or crackdown is going to be fruitful for the Thais but to the corrupt, AGAIN.

I had the opposite experience.

I arrived with my cat at BKK airport, Suvarnabhumi and due to a mix up at the other end, lacking one crucial document.

Additionally, due to hasty flights and bizarre circumstances, I would have to stay in a hotel and friends of family were arranged last minute to meet at the airport and pick up the cat.

Naturally the animal needed a residential address to enter.

It had been a stressful day already all around, and the officer in charge of Animals and livestock at the airport was interested in the welfare of the animal, and this was demonstrated by his manner and the way he spoke to the cat to inspect it, but had his hands tied by regulations.

He spent time talking to me, checking what could be done, then spoke by phone with my wife overseas, then called the friend who was coming to pick up the cat.

(I had just arrived and had no sim, so couldn't call myself)

He systematically went through the options and found a solution that helped me and also satisfied the regulations.

At all times he was courteous, caring, professional, polite and with an amazing demeanour.

He not only helped to put a positive influence on my already shattered day, but he saved a bunch of drama for the cat, and unnecessary expense and logistical nightmare for me.

He asked me for nothing, and played down my thanks by saying he was just doing his job, and he also wished me good luck with my new work in Thailand.

He could teach Australian customs a thing or two.

Consider this a belated second follow up "Thank You"

[SMEEERE]

If only this were true,,but i have zero confidence,.only today i have had a box arrive with fedex from the uk, some bike bits, customs declaraion of 65 pounds, cost of transport/fedex 135 pounds 200 total, even if you do cif, taxes charged ? 6250 baht, i hate them with a passion, its like the police, putting the fox in charge of the chickens,.

[chefshane]

Exactly. In the West the corruption is more invisible, more high level, more sophisticated and much more money involved. You have to belong certain country club or go to a 5000 dollar "dinner" to discuss or hear some election candidate to speak. Or officials get free benefits from certain lobby groups or "holiday trips". The possibilities are endless. No need to carry suitcases of cash to the officials. That is sooo barbaric

Then they screw the J6Ps out there with bailout money for the banks. The money they do not need to pay back and are using to pay outrageous bonuses to their employees. Is that any better than in Thailand?

Thailand is still at the "hey man, better show me the money and some whisky too!"-corruption level. In a way much more honest way of corruption. Both of course are wrong but that "I am so much better as a white man and sure know how these pesky natives should behave"-attitude is not going to work.

Yes, in the west they keep the rabble on the up and up so that it is hard to scam the tax man. And then they take that tax money and hand it over to the elite who own the politicians. They use smoke and mirrors (lawyers and accountants) to hide the transfer of the money. They also insure that the politicians that they control insert or leave in loopholes into the laws that do such things as lower the tax rates on themselves and facilitate the transfer of funds offshore. Actually the politicians no longer write the laws, rather the corporate lawyers write up laws that are given to the lobbyists who then hand them over to their politicians to be presented as legislation. So I too prefer the blatant in your face corruption, buy me a bottle of whiskey corruption of Thailand rather than the corporate malfeasance of the likes of Goldman Sachs or the 25 hedge fund operators who insured that a tax loophole in their favor was not closed by buying off a Senator Schumer of New York State.

Thank you.

Another realist not blinded by the bluster, spin and marketing prowess of the great Western democracies, which according to many on the forum are apparently entirely free of corruption, crime, bad manners and discrimination.

Gardens of Eden. Bastions of the free. Where all are equal and none starve. Where cruelty and hate were eradicated along with polio.

I wonder why we aren't all back there lapping it up.

[abdulrahman]

Agreed, my furniture came through without a hitch because the company I used liaised with a Thai import company who knew how to get things through customs, didn't pay a penny extra. And as for these folk moaning about the police and wanting to turn Thailand into the same kind of over-protected, over-regulated nanny @rse-wiping state that they came from, obviously unable to enjoy the extra freedoms they have... grow up!! Corruption abounds all over, they're simply better at hiding it in the 'civilised' world. Plus it costs more. Doesn't make it right, but is a fact of life. Flame away all of you who either think you live in a perfect world or expect one by the end of next century! Thailand has a long way to go, but is trying, and I for one hope that being behind us allows them to learn from our mistakes.

I know corruption,not only in Thailand,in many other Countries too,developed and underdeveloped.

Pay the "tea money" too,if I must,don't ask me to approve of it!

In Thailand it's a long tradition,part of the marvellous "Thai Culture" already,very difficult to eradicate.

(BTW,over-protected,over-regulated nanny @rse-wiping states,and you pay more?Some contradiction?)

To close:Thais never learn from the mistakes made by the others,they are superior to that.

For the Minister:good try,wish you are successful .(but doubt it)

[KamalaBrian]

Has there been any recent incidents involving travellers carrying laptops etc for their own personal use being hassled by customs staff on arrival? I would not react well to this kind of shakedown.

I carry my laptop in & our of Thailand every other month - have done for years & never had even the slightest hitch or problem with Thai Customs - or any other customs for that matter.

On the subject of the article, well, it sounds like another 'crackdown' to me! This time a 'Customs Crackdown'! It seems like the Govt has a mission to issue a daily 'crackdown' on something or other Yesterday it was tight fitting university uniforms & short skirts & today it's customs - what can we expect tomorrow?

A good start would be a crackdown on the traffic Department who for the right money will issue a drivers licence without even a test . This would ensure that at least potential drivers would have to prove they understand road rules and can actually drive. This may reduce the number of road deaths in Thailand and also reduce the road rage of foreigners who observe the abuse of traffic laws.

[Yaaklenmai]

... "meet the new boss; same as the old boss"..... tit

Who?

[fred007]

No mention regarding the eradication of "tea money"

Keep an eye out.

Thailands Flying Pigs are grounded at present due to Swine Flu..................

[backsoon]

Thai Customs Dept facing overhaul

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit announced yesterday he would seek Cabinet approval to submit a new draft customs law as part of his plan to radically reform the Customs Department so it facilitates more trade.

The new law will also make the Customs Department more open to judicial scrutiny. Meanwhile, all the information relevant to import duties will be made public from September 1. "I will propose the new draft for Cabinet to consider within 60 days," Pradit said.

This overhaul of the Customs Department is said to be the largest since the agency was established more than 135 years ago.

Pradit said, the reforms were designed to make the Customs Department more of a service provider that facilitates trade and less of a collector of duties.

"My vision is for the department to transform from a 'duty collector to a trade facilitator'. The world is moving toward a free-trade environment and we have to adjust to those realities," he said.

In addition, Thailand attributes about 70 per cent of its gross domestic production to exports. "The Customs Department should become easier to deal with if the country wants to boost foreign trade and accelerate economic recovery," Pradit said.

Moreover, he added, the department would also be providing clearer rules on product classification and evaluation methods to help businesses to better estimate importation costs. The newly appointed director-general Wisut Srisuphan will lead this change.

After meeting with representatives of various trade associations and the Chamber of Commerce, Pradit concluded the most common complaint is that companies cannot get the Customs Department to confirm exactly how a particular product will be classified, which leads to vague duties and a waste of time.

'Single window' system

He also said the department would confirm the classification of duties and the evaluation of products before they are imported. It will also commit to a single, consistent evaluation method for duties on a product, regardless of when and how it is imported.

"These are services that we will provide our customers to help facilitate trade from September 1," Pradit said. He said that once the new law was approved, it would help encourage transparency and consistency in all rulings and allow citizens to appeal for independent judicial review more easily.

"We frequently hear complaints of how judgements by Customs seem to be arbitrary," he said.

Previously, the Customs Act required a fixed "five-times the import value" penalty to be imposed on an importer if he loses a case in court and a substantially lower penalty if the case is settled out of court. "This stopped cases from going to court. Now we are proposing to cut the ceiling down to 'four-times the import value', as well as give judges more flexibility on assessing penalties so they have a chance to recognise genuine mistakes," he said.

Meanwhile, Wisut said the department would cut out a lot of unnecessary paperwork by eliminating redundant forms duplicating information submitted to the department, such as the Cargo Control Form used at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

He said the department will also amend the draft law to allow importers bond-based monthly payments so they do not waste time tending to repetitive processes for each shipment. This way, they will be able to consolidate all their payments to the Customs Department into a single payment at the end of the month from a bond they post with the department.

In addition, the department is accelerating the implementation of a "single window" for the submission of paperwork, so shippers do not have to waste time running from one ministry to another.

"With these reforms, I expect the Customs Department to increase its revenues for the state by around 15 per cent," Pradit said.

He added that the next priority would be to enhance the country's cross-border trade in the next three to five years. The department will also train its customs officials at the borders to ensure they have the know-how to deal with complex transactions.

"We will also work with our Asean neighbours to encourage them to set up a 'single window' system to make trade easier for our exporters," Pradit said.

-- The Nation 2009-08-20

Does this mean I will get my money back for 'importing' my personal effects, like books, CDs, furniture, etc.?

Or that imported cheeses will be less than 3 times more expensive than in Australia?

Or that dried apricots from Turkey will stop being a luxury item? (dirt cheap everywhere)

Or olives will stop being a rare thing to spook the kids with?

Please explain...

[hhgz]

"Thailand's most corrupt Department facing overhaul"

The headline is sensational, but the story does not support the headline.

The "Nation" never uses the phrase "Thailand's most corrupt department", or anything close to it.

[dale8]

Hello, corruption is a serious problem in Thailand as most people that have been in country know. The Thai government must start someplace or it will only get worse, and I hope it will not take many people getting killed for change to happen. At what point do we say that we have had enough and start to video more to provide evidence? That would be dangerous, but if there is enough people doing it and put it on the internet some change will happen. Cheers and get your cameras and phones ready.

[selftaopath]

So, the real question is, who in the government is prepared to grow a set of balls big enough to tackle a problem that is holding Thailand firmly

locked into 3rd world status? Abhisit? Who else could do it?

Thank you for your wonderfully powerful post. Oh how I agree. Corruption in Thailand greatly benefits the powerful/elite. Who could expect police etc to arrest themselves? LOL

Unfortunately I do not believe what Thai officials say/write/propose. WORDS WORDS WORDS.

I thought it so typical when I read the article was the word "encourage" LOL oh hel_l. Encourage transparency and consistency? LOL

Oh and less paperwork???? PLEASE.

Great "spin" however. Maybe next will be the statement there is free press in Land of Scams (LOS)

More of the same and the poor Thai people continue to suffer.

[Ricardo]

No mention regarding the eradication of "tea money"

Keep an eye out.

Thailands Flying Pigs are grounded at present due to Swine Flu..................

They must be really 'pigged off' about that.

[samran]

A few years back I imported my stuff to thailand with no work permit so no duty exemption. Because of a fundamentalist's zeal never to pay bribes I ended up having dealings a number of middle ranking customs officers of head off any issues before my stuff arrived.

Both these officers who were earning about 22,500 B per month, but had paid 4 million B for their last promotions. The only other people I know who have had to buy their positions are in the police and land office. This gives those affected a sense of moral entitlement to expect bribes and partake in extortion rackets after all they have paid for the privilege and how else are they going to get their investment back.

Unless this issue is resolved any attempts to clean up these departments is going fail. Its clearly possible, I have been told that 20-30 years ago the whole civil service was like this; one big extortion racket you paid to join.

I think this is a great post and places things in context. Today, dealing with most parts of the civil service for the average pleb is a no pain proceedure, and suprisingly efficient (having lived in Australia and the UK, this says alot).

Granted, Customs, police, land office and certain offices of certain ministries need a hel_l of a lot of reform. Customs is the most corrupt, no doubt about that, and having stood out the front of their prime offices at the MOF waiting for a meeting, to quote a former presidential cantidate, there was this huge sucking sound (though maybe it was actually the vacuume cleaner...). Paying for promotions is a massive part of the problem, but what is also part of the problem is the complexity in the rules. If you can simplify the process, you also start reducing the opportunities for corruption. Having said that though, in ten years, we will still be talking about customs, and still, not much of it will be good.

[spidermike007]

All Governments are corrupt to a certain extent. It actuality the lobbying of politicians in the USA is corruption, it has just ingrained itself into the system. I suspect the Thai government is no different. You cannot have a non-corrupt government. Obama has standing orders not to hire any past lobbyist for government work and it is not working --they are the only people who are experienced enough to get anything done. There several hundred positions he cannot fill.

Instead of picking on Thailand maybe look at your home country --England for example just went through a whole series of news breaking corruption--MP's misusing fund for personal use. It is not that I agree with corruption it is just that is it never goes away. But yes I ham happy when a they are stripped of their "ways and means" but it is usually just a scapegoat for the rest who are never touched. Wall Street and the bank boys rip off the world everyday -yet a common thief or a simple drug user go to a prison for a long time --we never see the real bastards in there.

You are REALLY missing the point. Instead of being thin skinned, and taking offense, please try to bear in mind that what I am saying is that

Thailand is not doing as much as other countries in the region. It is not a matter of whether or not other countries engage in corruption. Of course

they do. It is a matter of what they are doing to deal with it. Thailand has a "head in the sand" mentality at the moment. They are issuing all of

these "crackdowns", but nothing is really getting done. Until they start taking some of these hooligans to task, it will remain the same.

[Grey11]

Has there been any recent incidents involving travellers carrying laptops etc for their own personal use being hassled by customs staff on arrival? I would not react well to this kind of shakedown.

I carry my laptop in & our of Thailand every other month - have done for years & never had even the slightest hitch or problem with Thai Customs - or any other customs for that matter.

On the subject of the article, well, it sounds like another 'crackdown' to me! This time a 'Customs Crackdown'! It seems like the Govt has a mission to issue a daily 'crackdown' on something or other Yesterday it was tight fitting university uniforms & short skirts & today it's customs - what can we expect tomorrow?

A good start would be a crackdown on the traffic Department who for the right money will issue a drivers licence without even a test . This would ensure that at least potential drivers would have to prove they understand road rules and can actually drive. This may reduce the number of road deaths in Thailand and also reduce the road rage of foreigners who observe the abuse of traffic laws.

I have been in Phuket for three weeks and have already taken a one hour driving course. However, I do not think I can pass the parallel parking aspect of the driving test. I am willing to pay somebody to get a driver's license. Is there a specific person within the traffic department I need to see? Please advise.

Mexico has an excellent system.

In Mexico I have been pulled over numerous times while drivingand running red lights. I would have been classified as "legally" drunk in the U.S. drunk in the U.S. and subjected to thousands of dollars in fines, a night in jail and possibly losing my driver's license for 6 months. There is always one cop that can speak English. They simply tell you what you did wrong and say: "That will be $10 or $20 at times, U.S. And, that's it. You are once again on your way. If that is corruption then it is beneficial.

[England01]

Yes im sure that will make a huge difference. as you all know its like pushing shit up hill here.corruption and stupidity wont ever fade here im affraid.

[Grey11]

No mention regarding the eradication of "tea money"

I am a loss to what constitutes "Tea Money"?

Does an upfront payment of 350.000 Baht for a guaranteed job in the current Police Recrutiment Campaign fall into this category or is this Corruption?

Is 2000 Baht for a Driver's Licence (license to kill!) to a person who has never even sat behind a steering wheel Corruption or Tea Money?

Any enlightment as to where the line would be interesting.

I was wondering what the going rate for a driver's license was. I asked my wife - who is Thai - and she said to ask ------ I told her that on Thai Visa a guy said the price for a Driver's License was 2000 Baht. She said: "That's a pretty good price." I agree. Who do I contact?