Thai Immigration Corruption At Bukit Kayu Hitam Border

[kashrel]

We are a couple and traveled from Phuket to Singapore by Bus. From Phuket new Bus Terminal 2, we took a bus for Hat Yai. For Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur we purchased Sri Maju bus ticket through Davis tour located near Diana Shopping complex. Upon arrival at Bukit Kayu Hitam border we were asked to leave bus and make Que to get exit stamp from Thai Immigration officer.

Here it is important to mention that we hold Pakistan passport. At the time of our arrival at Bukit Kayu Hitam Border we already had prearranged double entry Thai tourist visa with one entry already utilized at Bangkok airport together with double entry Malaysia and multi entry Singapore Visa in our passports.

Once they found out that we are holding Pakistan passport, they asked us to leave the Que and come in their air conditioned special room. Over there they openly informed us that we must "BRIBE THEM" and if we don't do it, they won't allow us to exit Thailand and we must go back to Hat Yai or wherever we like. It was extremely ridiculous and I informed them that I have every required Visa and documents with me. I showed them my return ticket to Pakistan, hotel reservations in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore but no use. He started from 1500 Baht for two persons and I quickly realized that I was helpless. I did not want to miss my bus and I also started to bargain with him and finally he was agreed at 600 Baht for two persons. Whole process took more than 20 minutes and I paid him 600 Baht with a very bad mood. This whole negotiation process was handled by officer's assistant young man. After taking the money, officer quickly chopped exit stamp in our passports with an evil smile and allowed us to leave.

Things were not finished yet. We spent our holidays in Malaysia and Singapore and on our way back to Thailand, they again stopped us and same story repeated. This time we ended up paying 1000 Baht for two persons. Again it was same assistant young man and same officer. I memorized officer's name.

Please do share your thoughts or experiences so that it can help future travelers.

P.S: We have used low cost airlines many times and this time we wanted to experience road travel. It was still very cheap including the cost of bribe as compare to budget airline fares. But I hope Thai Government will take some measures to stop this kind of corruption and take strict action against this cruel practice.

[Misterwhisper]

This is outrageous, although unfortunately not unusual. You had all ncessary visas/re-entry permits and they simply had no right attempting to prevent you from leaving (or entering) Thailand. The singling-out of you and your spouse presumably just because you are citizens of Pakistan also is nothing short of blatant racism. If I were you I'd file a formal complaint either with Thai Immigration headquarters in Bangkok or at any Thai embassy abroad. Unfortunately, you only have the name of the offending officer and it's not even sure whether you've noted it down correctly. You should have asked him for his full name, rank and supervising immigration unit, and also asked for the same details of his superior. If they had refused, you could add another item to your complaint, because by law officers are obliged to reveal their names and ranks when requested. Well, in theory that is.

[laurentbkk]

welcome to Thailand ... unfortunately those practices are also common in any immigration offices ..included Bangkok and the suburbs.

[Hedghog]

You assisted corruption,by paying.

Rather than change your itinerary.

Such is life.

[David48]

A warning to all Pakistan Nationals reading this Forum.

.

[kashrel]

You assisted corruption,by paying.

Rather than change your itinerary.

Such is life.

I understand your point but given the situation, who will back off and spoil his or her holidays?!!!

[Hedghog]

Pakistan is free of corruption then?

I would think in Thailand,you should feel well at home,in this regard.

[keestha]

Pakistan is free of corruption then?

I would think in Thailand,you should feel well at home,in this regard.

Pakistani, Indians and so on might be used to corruption, but this doesn't mean it annoys them less.

[kashrel]

Pakistan is free of corruption then?

I would think in Thailand,you should feel well at home,in this regard.

We love Thailand so much that we go there every year. Their reception and hospitality is undoubted. Only a small group is spoiling the image of whole nation. They are promoting tourism and providing endless facilities to foreign tourists which is much appreciated. But their bad practices should also be highlighted so that people get to know more about this society. Edited February 14, 2013 by kashrel

[williewolf]

You assisted corruption,by paying.

Rather than change your itinerary.

Such is life.

I understand your point but given the situation, who will back off and spoil his or her holidays?!!!

If you had stood your ground and not paid people like this would be saying "why go to all that trouble, Just pay the bribe" You try to help people and get this sort of reply. Feel sorry for you.

[roamer]

Sorry about this. I travel on a UK passport and I'm white English. I have paid bribes to customs officers, immigration officers, police on numerous occasions in Asia (including Pakistan) and Africa and South America. There are those on this forum that would give you a false sense of entitlement, tell you its outrageous and of course it is. However the reality is that officials in these sorts of positions are corrupt and will exploit you. I learnt many years ago that my passport was only a marker of how much I could be asked for. Get over it and enjoy your travels.

[CHRISTIANa9]

Every south East Asian has to pay B10 per passport per entry and exit. Not sure it's legal but most likely not as no receipts were issues. Those officers there must be rich beyond wildest dream.

[BrianCR]

You assisted corruption,by paying.

Rather than change your itinerary.

Such is life.

I understand your point but given the situation, who will back off and spoil his or her holidays?!!!

If you had stood your ground and not paid people like this would be saying "why go to all that trouble, Just pay the bribe" You try to help people and get this sort of reply. Feel sorry for you.

Well posted, we know the thoughts of TV posters quite well by now - anything to cause controversy!

As for Hedgehog's comment - Pakistan is free of corruption then? I would think in Thailand,you should feel well at home,in this regard, (This comment applies to virtually every country in the World). I think the comment is completely out of line, has no bearing on the original posting and (as with many other posts) beneath contempt!!!

[NanLaew]

You assisted corruption,by paying.

Rather than change your itinerary.

Such is life.

I understand your point but given the situation, who will back off and spoil his or her holidays?!!!

If you had stood your ground and not paid people like this would be saying "why go to all that trouble, Just pay the bribe" You try to help people and get this sort of reply. Feel sorry for you.

Well posted, we know the thoughts of TV posters quite well by now - anything to cause controversy!

As for Hedgehog's comment - Pakistan is free of corruption then? I would think in Thailand,you should feel well at home,in this regard, (This comment applies to virtually every country in the World). I think the comment is completely out of line, has no bearing on the original posting and (as with many other posts) beneath contempt!!!

Well use the report button!

[kashrel]

Sorry about this. I travel on a UK passport and I'm white English. I have paid bribes to customs officers, immigration officers, police on numerous occasions in Asia (including Pakistan) and Africa and South America. There are those on this forum that would give you a false sense of entitlement, tell you its outrageous and of course it is. However the reality is that officials in these sorts of positions are corrupt and will exploit you. I learnt many years ago that my passport was only a marker of how much I could be asked for. Get over it and enjoy your travels.

I remember that in our bus there were some westerners together with Thai, Malaysian and other nationalities as well. I suppose Thai Border immigration guys were only looking for specific nationalities including 2nd and 3rd world countries passports except Malaysian, Thai and Singaporeans. After long debate I showed them hard cash more than US$10000 but they were only looking for BRIBE and openly told me that without bribing you cannot cross this border. On our way back to Thailand, we met a Moroccan guy and he also paid them RM 60. After paying our part, we came out together and he found out that his bus driver already left without him. He was so helpless that I requested my bus driver to take him to Hatyai and luckily our bus driver agreed. I can tell you that in our country things are not at least like that. These people are not deserved to be called human. They are insane animals slaughtering tourists and spoiling their perception about Thailand. I believe that Bus drivers are also involved and taking their part from Thai immigration officers. Edited February 16, 2013 by kashrel

[GrantSmith]

"I showed them hard cash more than US$10000 but they were only looking for BRIBE"

I do hope you declared this...

Now having said that, I think (and call me a cynic) that 'forking' out $US20 when carrying $US10,000 is really a small drop in the ocean and in all seriousness does not warrant such a 'rant'...

Yes corruption is rife when dealing with government departments this is not restricted to race, it's how things are done.

I last night found out something that is done here that if done anywhere in the western world lands you in shackles for a long time - and it doesn't involve the physical harm of any person.

At first I was totally shocked. But then I remembered where I was and how it is..

This is Thailand..

[kashrel]

"I showed them hard cash more than US$10000 but they were only looking for BRIBE"

I do hope you declared this...

Now having said that, I think (and call me a cynic) that 'forking' out $US20 when carrying $US10,000 is really a small drop in the ocean and in all seriousness does not warrant such a 'rant'...

Yes corruption is rife when dealing with government departments this is not restricted to race, it's how things are done.

I last night found out something that is done here that if done anywhere in the western world lands you in shackles for a long time - and it doesn't involve the physical harm of any person.

At first I was totally shocked. But then I remembered where I was and how it is..

This is Thailand..

Its not about USD20. This is all about extortion money they are taking from every possible tourist...I hope you never get caught in a situation like that...how helpless you feel....

[GrantSmith]

Its not about USD20. This is all about extortion money they are taking from every possible tourist...I hope you never get caught in a situation like that...how helpless you feel....

Well it would have been, but then you mentioned that you showed them that you were carrying $US10,000.

Surprised they didn't ask for more!

Situation like what exactly? Being "extorted" by a government official? Or stuck at a land border crossing in an area that is - according to my government - a no go zone?

Have been "extorted" a number of times by government officials and I'm not one for ignoring travel advise...

[roamer]

Sorry about this. I travel on a UK passport and I'm white English. I have paid bribes to customs officers, immigration officers, police on numerous occasions in Asia (including Pakistan) and Africa and South America. There are those on this forum that would give you a false sense of entitlement, tell you its outrageous and of course it is. However the reality is that officials in these sorts of positions are corrupt and will exploit you. I learnt many years ago that my passport was only a marker of how much I could be asked for. Get over it and enjoy your travels.

I remember that in our bus there were some westerners together with Thai, Malaysian and other nationalities as well. I suppose Thai Border immigration guys were only looking for specific nationalities including 2nd and 3rd world countries passports except Malaysian, Thai and Singaporeans. After long debate I showed them hard cash more than US$10000 but they were only looking for BRIBE and openly told me that without bribing you cannot cross this border. On our way back to Thailand, we met a Moroccan guy and he also paid them RM 60. After paying our part, we came out together and he found out that his bus driver already left without him. He was so helpless that I requested my bus driver to take him to Hatyai and luckily our bus driver agreed. I can tell you that in our country things are not at least like that. These people are not deserved to be called human. They are insane animals slaughtering tourists and spoiling their perception about Thailand. I believe that Bus drivers are also involved and taking their part from Thai immigration officers.

I have to take you up on this point::

" I can tell you that in our country things are not at least like that."

In your country (Pakistan) I have paid $12000+ in less than one year in bribes to customs officials and government officials to import equipment, get permits for specialist staff, ensure "travel security" etc.

I did this on behalf of western charities that provide aid to drill water wells to give a clean source of water to your communities that your government has failed to do.

Last time I looked Pakistan was ranked about 140 out of 170 countries on world corruption indices, and most of those below Pakistan had at least the ability to claim they were either war zones or absolute dictatorships.

It can be argued that I aided that corruption, my way of looking at it is along the lines of "the greatest good for the greatest number etc" I can live with it.

If I were you I would feel a tad uncomfortable about complaining of a $20 bribe extracted from the $10000 you were carrying .

But you won't.

Edited February 17, 2013 by roamer