Thai Immigration Boss Vows New Crackdown On Foreign Criminals In Thailand

[hammered]

This is a good initiative and even if only a fraction of the scum are removed it will be a good thing

[Pitbullman1]

Well I certainly would love to see this happen but as we already know, the criminals know how to beat the system leaving us good guys to be penalised by more visa problems. As if we haven't enough to encounter.

But Good Luck to this man and I sincerely hope that he will keep to his words and make the real thing happen.

[ronrat]

[q

I don't carry my passport with my in my jeans pocket when I visit the 711, but just a photocopy of those important two pages in my wallet. By the same token I dont waltz around with 50 grand in my wallet either, because I don't want to get robbed, and the authorities probably wouldn't like that either, for it's not very civilised publicity.

I am sure the foreign embassies would love having to replace 10000 passports a day ruined during Songkran. If it is such a problem why don't the Thais issue a card sized temporary ID at immigration. Name, Photo, visa expiry, nationality. Unless they want to attract a few hundred professional pickpockets from other countries.

[SeanMoran]

I don't carry my passport with my in my jeans pocket when I visit the 711, but just a photocopy of those important two pages in my wallet. By the same token I dont waltz around with 50 grand in my wallet either, because I don't want to get robbed, and the authorities probably wouldn't like that either, for it's not very civilised publicity.

I am sure the foreign embassies would love having to replace 10000 passports a day ruined during Songkran. If it is such a problem why don't the Thais issue a card sized temporary ID at immigration. Name, Photo, visa expiry, nationality. Unless they want to attract a few hundred professional pickpockets from other countries.

Precisely. A temporary credit-card style ID card would be much more sturdy, but until that happens, I reckon it's a compromise, and technically breaking the law, but I stick up for the decency of the civilised police on the street here in Thailand, and have never had a problem with showing that photocopy of the real thing when out and about, doing the right thing and minding my own manners, although I accept that these forms of humane behaviour wouldn't have any value at all back in the land where my passport was issued. Above all else apart from the weather, that's why I am here. Thailand is a civilised nation. I'll make sure my passport and visa are valid, and behave myself, and everyone happy.

[spongeman]

They must get commission for every crackdown announced.

[MisterMan]

could be russian, chinese, japanese, white, black, baddies

dont assume its just ol whitey pattaya phuket

ALL

personally i would start with the ones that tattoo their heads

as this is a sign of a baddie

at least they are probably guaranteed to have a record and a parole violation!

[sharecropper]

We should start a new forum of english words and phrases used by thais along with their true meaning -

"Crackdown" = there is a big problem that I will do nothing about!

"It's Up to you" = do whatever you like as long as it is exactly what I want

any more????

"No" - yes

"Yes" - no.

[Igor]

I'm betting the US gov't is offering some sort of financial incentive. After all, the US of A is only a few trillion in debt. What's a few billion more?

[teacherpaul]

That's right, and hasta-la-bye-bye to all their money too!

With all due respect (or not) to board members, if this policy was strictly enforced, for 80% of all male foreigners living or visiting in the Kingdom, it would be Hasta-la-bye-bye...but of course, its not going to happen..

[neverdie]

It's good to know that the constabulary here are decent to an honest man, and that any ID I'm required to show can be shown as legitimately as I can carry it without ruining that passport which is too fragile and valuable to carry with me everywhere I go. I hope that this doesn't suddenly turn me into one of the 80% of baddies. I just want to protect my passport from getting destroyed. It's almost five years old already, and slightly dog-eared from all the use it gets put through when I move hotels, so let's not wreck a good thing. It's not even mine to wreck, but the property of the Australian government.

Your post reads like one of those children who just never lets up.......it also leaves me wondering exactly what part of the earth you are situated on Sean. Are you sure you are talking about Thailand? The words Constabulary, good, honest (twice) and legitamately don't normally go in one sentence here.

[khaowong1]

Good golly. That's going to put a dent in the bar revenues of Pattaya and Phuket. Looks like there's going to be a stream of refugees heading for the seedier parts of Cambodia if they actually do what they say they will do.

Cambodia is already bad enough with all the cowboys there, how can it get worse? oh yeah, if half of Pattaya moves over there.

[Jimi007]

A new National Criminal Centre, to be based at the immigration office in Soi Suan Phlu, will open next month to handle police requests from abroad to track down foreign criminals

So sounds like at this point they will be only acting on requests from nations abroad. So if you have some small misdemeanor or unpaid child support or something you likely have nothing to worry about. Your country wouldn't even be willing to pay for you to be extradited much less go to all of the trouble to track you down and request Thailand to arrest you.

This sounds like they are going after serious offenders - which I think is a very good thing. Hopefully it will at least reduce the russian mafia element building up in Pattaya - though I've never seen anything in Chiang Mai or Koh Samui to suggest it is a haven for criminals...

If you have unpaid child support and you are a US national, if you go to the US Embassy for any reason, they will check your passport number and you will most likely be detained. I know when I had pages added to my passport, they checked me out before they added my pages. But I don't know that Thai Immigration would come after you. And yes, I would say the US government is applying some pressure on Thailand's government. Haven't you seen how Thailand has "cracked down" intellectual piracy after losing trading status with the US?

[OZEMADE]

so if you have a unpaid parking fine or speeding ticket..does this make you a criminal? i better watch out..i might be kicked out..

In case you dont know, if you have an outstanding parking fine or a speeding ticket you have not paid in Thailand, when you want to leave Thailand to travel back home, as you go through Immigration at the airport their computer red flag's you for the above. You are pulled to one side and detained until they make inquiries in relation to the above.

The down side to all this is you miss your flight, you are not reimbursed the fare, you are made pay the fine, you already have a record re the red flagging on the computer (unpaid fines).

If you dont have the cash to pay the fine/s, you are further charged. Of course if it is a holiday you get to stay in the clink for a short period of time and if the offence was committed in Pattaya for instance you are bought back to their court house to answer all charges. So be warned.

[OZEMADE]

A new National Criminal Centre, to be based at the immigration office in Soi Suan Phlu, will open next month to handle police requests from abroad to track down foreign criminals

So sounds like at this point they will be only acting on requests from nations abroad. So if you have some small misdemeanor or unpaid child support or something you likely have nothing to worry about. Your country wouldn't even be willing to pay for you to be extradited much less go to all of the trouble to track you down and request Thailand to arrest you.

This sounds like they are going after serious offenders - which I think is a very good thing. Hopefully it will at least reduce the russian mafia element building up in Pattaya - though I've never seen anything in Chiang Mai or Koh Samui to suggest it is a haven for criminals...

Re the unpaid child support. Yes if requested by what ever country to arrest you for the above they will extradite you to the requesting country. You are placed on the plane with an agent and handed over to the requesting country. You appear in court in that country and will have to pay the outstanding child support, also the air fare for your self and the escorting officer and his return flight. So pay up.

[tonglen]

Interesting story about the dirty, dodgy tax dodging dane. Alliteration, anyone?

I think he would have faired better on the lam if he was IN Klong Toey rather than the Emporium AROUND Klong Toey. One could hide in Klong Toey for a bit longer if you could manage not having your throat cut by some yaaba. Cops are even hesitant about going there.

[IanForbes]

OMG am I safe? I once crossed a red light.

That was the red light DISTRICT!

You're now on their list.

[IanForbes]

What about all those unpaid bar fines?

Oh, I paid for those already... carry on.

[shawndoc]

cops in the USA for example, have jurisdiction ONLY in criminal matters, and CANNOT enforce traffic violations/ infractions...

I don't know what state you live in, but cops give out tickets for infractions and traffic violations in every state I've lived in and I've never heard of any place they don't.

[ingvar]

"Wut" seems a pretty smart guy, he can speak English!

What is "Pattaya times"?, never heard of it?

Fugitives from the US pops up just about everywhere in the world, why? because the US is one of the most criminal countries in the world.

One wonders why it is, just a step across the border you arrive in Canada and you are suddenly in a country where relatively few crimes are comitted compared to US?

[GungaDin]

It always amuses me when I see the public address the US cops as "Sir" in progs like "Cops".

If you did that in Aus, you'd get a smack in the mouth for taking the piss.

[selftaopath]

"We will not stand for letting foreign gangs operate in Thailand or criminals to live freely here"

So domestic gangs are quite acceptable???? " When will the police crackdown on the police" That's gonna happen real soon, hold your breath.

I wonder if the other corrupt groups/individuals “lobbied” for this “crackdown"? This is a great way of diminishing competition. Thailand has many monopolies which benefit the rich and powerful. Yes let the Thai gangs/criminals/police/politicians benefit from all of Thailand. Keep those foreign gangs OUT.

The honest/Buddhist Thai people really deserve a country which has even a modicum of interest in their well being. What would it look like if the Thai people had a voice/representation in anything?

[junglist]

dam_n there goes half of my friends. Oh well!!!

[ericthai]

Nice a new crackdown! Sad to see the new immigration boss starts his new job with the focus that foreigners here are a big criminal problem.

he is doing his job. he is with IMMIGRATION, this means working with FOREIGNERS, not Thai's

[chmike]

In case you dont know, if you have an outstanding parking fine or a speeding ticket you have not paid in Thailand, when you want to leave Thailand to travel back home, as you go through Immigration at the airport their computer red flag's you for the above. You are pulled to one side and detained until they make inquiries in relation to the above.

The down side to all this is you miss your flight, you are not reimbursed the fare, you are made pay the fine, you already have a record re the red flagging on the computer (unpaid fines).

If you dont have the cash to pay the fine/s, you are further charged. Of course if it is a holiday you get to stay in the clink for a short period of time and if the offence was committed in Pattaya for instance you are bought back to their court house to answer all charges. So be warned.

In case YOU don't know "Oze", giving advice on matters you know nothing about is irresponsible. Thailand, at this point in time, does not have an automated system set up to flag minor traffic offenses. It is also highly unlikely that you would have been allowed to leave the police station or courthouse where you were initially charged with the infraction, without having to pay the relevant fine. Don't just make crap up...

[chmike]

Re the unpaid child support. Yes if requested by what ever country to arrest you for the above they will extradite you to the requesting country. You are placed on the plane with an agent and handed over to the requesting country. You appear in court in that country and will have to pay the outstanding child support, also the air fare for your self and the escorting officer and his return flight. So pay up.

Gee "Oze", those of us who actually are lawyers and have a sound understanding of international law don't appreciate guys like you giving legal "opinions" that have zero basis in fact. To wit, ALL extradition requests in Thailand require judicial review. Determination in extradition request cases are based on numerous factors which include: nature of alleged offense (and whether there is a Thai statute corresponding to that offense), current bi-lateral treaties with the requesting country, recent history of bi-lateral cooperation, preponderence of evidence submitted with the request, etc., etc. Stating that "they will extradite you" is ignorant at best.

Further, there has NEVER been a recorded extradition in Thailand for child support. I would point you in the direction of where you can check the records on that but, since you're such a smart guy who likes giving advice, I assume you can figure that out by yourself.

Perhaps the most ludicrous part is your explanation of what will happen after this supposed extradiction takes place. Exactly how many countries are you licensed to practice law in to be able to render a definitive statement of what the judical process, finding, and punishment will be in all countries of the world?

Find something you actually KNOW something about and give advice on that...

[Dap]

With all due respect (or not) to board members, if this policy was strictly enforced, for 80% of all male foreigners living or visiting in the Kingdom, it would be Hasta-la-bye-bye...but of course, its not going to happen..

80%??????? Really?? Just where are YOU getting your statistics. I really need to know.

[Sisaketmike]

Probably Khun Liptapallop's bank balance is getting a little low. Hmmm...I know where he can appropriate... sorry, I meant to say get a great deal on a slightly used yellow Humvee next time he's in Pattaya.

I’m trying to save some money to buy a red Hummer. There will be more SWAT signs on it than color.

Of course some water guns…….and a Superman uniform.

[biggles68]

Let's hope it's not just one more "crackdown" which will go nowhere. This one is needed.

In recent weeks the BIB raided a town house a few doors from us and arrested a guy who it turns out was a Korean mafia guy on the run from the police. He has since been turned over to the Korean police.

About 2 months ago the BIB arrived in force late one night and dragged off 3 black African guys who were living in an apartment block in the same complex as our town house. They had been in possession of and distributing fake $US banknotes.

[ericthai]

Re the unpaid child support. Yes if requested by what ever country to arrest you for the above they will extradite you to the requesting country. You are placed on the plane with an agent and handed over to the requesting country. You appear in court in that country and will have to pay the outstanding child support, also the air fare for your self and the escorting officer and his return flight. So pay up.

Gee "Oze", those of us who actually are lawyers and have a sound understanding of international law don't appreciate guys like you giving legal "opinions" that have zero basis in fact. To wit, ALL extradition requests in Thailand require judicial review. Determination in extradition request cases are based on numerous factors which include: nature of alleged offense (and whether there is a Thai statute corresponding to that offense), current bi-lateral treaties with the requesting country, recent history of bi-lateral cooperation, preponderence of evidence submitted with the request, etc., etc. Stating that "they will extradite you" is ignorant at best.

Further, there has NEVER been a recorded extradition in Thailand for child support. I would point you in the direction of where you can check the records on that but, since you're such a smart guy who likes giving advice, I assume you can figure that out by yourself.

Perhaps the most ludicrous part is your explanation of what will happen after this supposed extradiction takes place. Exactly how many countries are you licensed to practice law in to be able to render a definitive statement of what the judical process, finding, and punishment will be in all countries of the world?

Find something you actually KNOW something about and give advice on that...

Good response Mike, Its amazing how some people seem to know everything, Im no lawyer but Im sure smart enough to know that Thailand is not going to extradite you on child support and actually have an agent fly you home. i have heard that if you go to the US embassy to renew your passport or add pages that if you are in the system for any offences or behind on child support they can keep your passport and issue you travel papers back to the US to resolve these issues. I'm not sure this is true, but this is what I have heard. Mike do you know if this is true, I dont have any issues, just curious.

[djleeflorida]

Not sure if this is related but just got turned away in Tampa Fl on Delta. My ticket was for return to USA over 30 days. Tampa, Fl USA to BKK. Been going 10 years, every-time my ticket was over 30 days (2-3 month ticket) Including my most recent visit in June. I guess now the rule is if you are a US citizen traveling to Thailand for more than 30 days you MUST have a visa and my passport is no longer acceptable if return is over 30 days. I wonder if the Thai government put that rule in recently, just added it or is it just a rule Delta put in because when Americans are forced back, The airline must pay the cost? I wonder if that is off subject but maybe has something to do with this thread. Needless to say I am not on my flight but will be there in 2 days and US$500 more for a forced change fee on Korean Air.