Blogger Richard Barrow Tweets Pic Of Corrupt Thai Official

[Locationthailand]

Next time I go to do 90 day reporting I am going to take a camera --Last week I saw a farange police volunteer take a passport with 500 bt in it from a farange at the door ,---jump the queue of about 40 people waiting for the 90 day reporting at Soi 5 Immigration Pattaya and get that passport checked and paper stamped straight away

Why pay? All you do is do the Thai thing, jump the queue and just push in...

[endure]

Flames have been removed. If you can't be civil be quiet.

[jackspratt]

Next time I go to do 90 day reporting I am going to take a camera --Last week I saw a farange police volunteer take a passport with 500 bt in it from a farange at the door ,---jump the queue of about 40 people waiting for the 90 day reporting at Soi 5 Immigration Pattaya and get that passport checked and paper stamped straight away

Why pay? All you do is do the Thai thing, jump the queue and just push in...

How many Thais have you seen doing 90 day reports?

[nontabury]

Fgis quote]
Really I wish the worst to the people who complain the system here ! Just go home ! You are less than nothing in this country and you should accept it as it is or leave ! If we all get in trouble because of 1 guy I hope he will feel pain until the rest of his life.

I wonder what situation the human race would be in,if we all thought the same as you.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Lite Beer

[Fgis]

If you notice, the one using a rude word is you not me, I haven't called anyone by the name you are using.

I just said that somebody looking for problems here is a bxstard and should be punished ! A bxstard is someone who is not even in his home country and want to change the system, just like the German who called the police because my music was too loud for a special party: I think he still think pain years after.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Fgis

[pedro01]

If you notice, the one using a rude word is you not me, I haven't called anyone by the name you are using.

I just said that somebody looking for problems here is a bxstard and should be punished ! A bxstard is someone who is not even in his home country and want to change the system, just like the German who called the police because my music was too loud for a special party: I think he still think pain years after.

Fortunately, people in other countries are rather more tolerant that you Fgis. Those countries are also less corrupt because people stand up to it.

Coincidentally, they are also better educated, healthier and wealthier in those countries too. Strange that.

[Charlie Cheap]

Good on yer Barrow, but watch your back.

It's comments like this that make me throw up a little in my mouth. "Watch your back"

I hope this guy keeps exposing the people that are extorting and fight the good fight, protest and survive, its that simple!

If more people expose the extortion and corruption it would end.

Break the chain people, don't be a slave to corruption and greed!

By making statements like these I am guessing you haven't been in Thailand long to understand it's dangers.

Long enough to know that people like you are submissive and weak and have possibly lost touch with reality.

How about a nickel's worth of free advice? Stop living in fear, stop paying extortion, try eating some spinach and toughen up.

Also, have you been complaisant and submissive your entire life?

[Pi Sek]

If you notice, the one using a rude word is you not me, I haven't called anyone by the name you are using.

I just said that somebody looking for problems here is a bxstard and should be punished ! A bxstard is someone who is not even in his home country and want to change the system, just like the German who called the police because my music was too loud for a special party: I think he still think pain years after.

Funny post this one. Barrow was not looking for problems, he found one in Thai bureaucracy whilst going about his business. So, being a blogger, he blogged it. This may have been brave or stupid or both - but rather than clamouring for his punishment, I rather see some nobility in his actions.

I had a similar incident involving the civil court. I told a judge outside the courtroom that systems should be fixed if they are broken, as it seemed when I couldn't get the court to issue paperwork to allow me to proceed with a case. He explained to me that the system was not broken, it was just that the court administrator was too lazy to do her job. He then told the administrator to do her job. She then told me to stop making problems, this is Thailand, "mae tong wah ratchakarn"... much like you are... and I told her that she should be quiet and do her job rather than playing on facebook and that I was wah'ing her, not the ratchakarn. She was in the wrong, as confirmed by her superiors.

FYI "bxstard" (or even the version using an 'a' instead of the 'x') is a rude word. It means someone who is born to parents out of wedlock and has evolved into a derogatory term for someone without worth. I didn't notice any of the previous posts using rude words, either.

[evadgib]

So what will Mr Mark Kent do about it when we report it to him or the honoury consulates in the regions ,there is only one answer " NOTHING "

so why make such a stupid statement.

It's you that's making the stupid statement if you don't realise in who's juristiction we live.

[nidieunimaitre]

Really I wish the worst to the people who complain the system here ! Just go home ! You are less than nothing in this country and you should accept it as it is or leave ! If we all get in trouble because of 1 guy I hope he will feel pain until the rest of his life.

Thank you for editing the rude word away.

[watcharacters]

Really I wish the worst to the people who complain the system here ! Just go home ! You are less than nothing in this country and you should accept it as it is or leave ! If we all get in trouble because of 1 guy I hope he will feel pain until the rest of his life.

.

You seem a little tightly wound figs.

Try to relax in the Land of smiles

Edited March 13, 2013 by watcharacters

[Sing_Sling]

Really I wish the worst to the people who complain the system here ! Just go home ! You are less than nothing in this country and you should accept it as it is or leave ! If we all get in trouble because of 1 guy I hope he will feel pain until the rest of his life.

.

You seem a little tightly wound figs.

Try to relax in the Land of smiles

fgis is clearly a very, very tough man . .

just like the German who called the police because my music was too loud for a special party: I think he still think pain years after.

Yup, a real tough man.

And so rational . . . and primitive

[robblok]

Really I wish the worst to the people who complain the system here ! Just go home ! You are less than nothing in this country and you should accept it as it is or leave ! If we all get in trouble because of 1 guy I hope he will feel pain until the rest of his life.

.

You seem a little tightly wound figs.

Try to relax in the Land of smiles

fgis is clearly a very, very tough man . .

> just like the German who called the police because my music was too loud for a special party: I think he still think pain years after.

Yup, a real tough man.

And so rational . . . and primitive

Real tough guy, Thailand seems to attract those that are not the sharpest pencils in the box and love the lawness aspects here as it allows them to bully people around without getting into trouble. Much like those Brith hooligan that got killed in Pattaya... it goes well untill you meet someone who is more tough then you.

Me I love Thailand but certain aspects I could do without, this is one of them.

[EyesWideOpen]

If you notice, the one using a rude word is you not me, I haven't called anyone by the name you are using.

I just said that somebody looking for problems here is a bxstard and should be punished ! A bxstard is someone who is not even in his home country and want to change the system, just like the German who called the police because my music was too loud for a special party: I think he still think pain years after.

Fortunately, people in other countries are rather more tolerant that you Fgis. Those countries are also less corrupt because people stand up to it.

Coincidentally, they are also better educated, healthier and wealthier in those countries too. Strange that.

You are right !!!!!!!!!!!! There could possibly be a link between the fact the least corrupt country in Asia, Singapore, is also the most successful.... Something everyone is aware of in Thailand. But the Thais are used to the system so put up with it. And the upper classes and officials doing the corrupting are sure as hell not going to change anything to endanger the ability to make Mercerdes Benz payments...

I am always a bit disappointed when I see farangs championing corruption indirectly by saying if you don't like it go home. They seem to want a screwed up country so they can boink cheap women. The simple reality is that this country would be like paradise without corruption draining away 20 to 30 percent of the country's wealth. So maybe the women would be even cheaper with a lot of money flowing around, instead of being sent off to Switzerland... :-)

[youngXpat]

If you notice, the one using a rude word is you not me, I haven't called anyone by the name you are using.

I just said that somebody looking for problems here is a bxstard and should be punished ! A bxstard is someone who is not even in his home country and want to change the system, just like the German who called the police because my music was too loud for a special party: I think he still think pain years after.

I understand what you mean about looking for trouble here and not spoiling it for the rest of us but c'mon, WOW, he should be punished because he didn't agree to being ripped off!?! And you like being conned do you?

About the German calling the police, 'I think he still think pain years after.' What does this mean? He deserves pain? You should learn to relax a bit more a lay off the 'special parties'.

[Charlie Cheap]

Good on yer Barrow, but watch your back.

It's comments like this that make me throw up a little in my mouth. "Watch your back"

I hope this guy keeps exposing the people that are extorting and fight the good fight, protest and survive, its that simple!

If more people expose the extortion and corruption it would end.

Break the chain people, don't be a slave to corruption and greed!

As virtue would have it...

But then this guy should fight only for himself, unless the Thai people start changing their opinion on this issue.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/thailandnews/2012/Corruption-in-Phuket-Is-there-now-hope-for-a-cure-19836.html

Corruption is a serious and systemic problem in Thailand. A recent Abac Poll reported that most (63.4 per cent) Thai people believe that corruption in government is acceptable provided it is beneficial to them personally - a view that is also shared by many young people. This explains why corrupt politicians keep returning, sparking grave concerns about the country's political and economic sustainability.

Politicians keep returning...worrisome. They have power.

All considered, I think 'Watch your back' is a fair comment.

The guy doesn't need to watch his back, he needs to keep looking forward and fighting back every chance he gets!

Is buying into idle threats and scare tactics the "Thai way"?

Obviously this guy is smart, he's not about to bow down to "terrorist" tactics. He's not going to be the slogan boy for "don't mess with Thailand".

[Pimay1]

Good on yer Barrow, but watch your back.

It's comments like this that make me throw up a little in my mouth. "Watch your back"

I hope this guy keeps exposing the people that are extorting and fight the good fight, protest and survive, its that simple!

If more people expose the extortion and corruption it would end.

Break the chain people, don't be a slave to corruption and greed!

As virtue would have it...

But then this guy should fight only for himself, unless the Thai people start changing their opinion on this issue.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/thailandnews/2012/Corruption-in-Phuket-Is-there-now-hope-for-a-cure-19836.html

Corruption is a serious and systemic problem in Thailand. A recent Abac Poll reported that most (63.4 per cent) Thai people believe that corruption in government is acceptable provided it is beneficial to them personally - a view that is also shared by many young people. This explains why corrupt politicians keep returning, sparking grave concerns about the country's political and economic sustainability.

Politicians keep returning...worrisome. They have power.

All considered, I think 'Watch your back' is a fair comment.

The guy doesn't need to watch his back, he needs to keep looking forward and fighting back every chance he gets!

Is buying into idle threats and scare tactics the "Thai way"?

Obviously this guy is smart, he's not about to bow down to "terrorist" tactics. He's not going to be the slogan boy for "don't mess with Thailand".

Try this tough guy. If you travel to the US, upon arrival when you are about to be patted down by the infamous TSA just tell them if they touch your genitals they are in deep shit. Tell them you will not bow down to their "terrorist" tactics. Look forward and fight back. Then let us know how it comes out.

[Charlie Cheap]

Good on yer Barrow, but watch your back.

It's comments like this that make me throw up a little in my mouth. "Watch your back"

I hope this guy keeps exposing the people that are extorting and fight the good fight, protest and survive, its that simple!

If more people expose the extortion and corruption it would end.

Break the chain people, don't be a slave to corruption and greed!

As virtue would have it...

But then this guy should fight only for himself, unless the Thai people start changing their opinion on this issue.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/thailandnews/2012/Corruption-in-Phuket-Is-there-now-hope-for-a-cure-19836.html

Corruption is a serious and systemic problem in Thailand. A recent Abac Poll reported that most (63.4 per cent) Thai people believe that corruption in government is acceptable provided it is beneficial to them personally - a view that is also shared by many young people. This explains why corrupt politicians keep returning, sparking grave concerns about the country's political and economic sustainability.

Politicians keep returning...worrisome. They have power.

All considered, I think 'Watch your back' is a fair comment.

The guy doesn't need to watch his back, he needs to keep looking forward and fighting back every chance he gets!

Is buying into idle threats and scare tactics the "Thai way"?

Obviously this guy is smart, he's not about to bow down to "terrorist" tactics. He's not going to be the slogan boy for "don't mess with Thailand".

Try this tough guy. If you travel to the US, upon arrival when you are about to be patted down by the infamous TSA just tell them if they touch your genitals they are in deep shit. Tell them you will not bow down to their "terrorist" tactics. Look forward and fight back. Then let us know how it comes out.

Okay guy, will do!

Hey, why are you si aggravated?

Where you always pessimistic and argumentative, or did you just turn into this "thing" that you are now since moving to Thailand?

[Pimay1]

Good on yer Barrow, but watch your back.

It's comments like this that make me throw up a little in my mouth. "Watch your back"

I hope this guy keeps exposing the people that are extorting and fight the good fight, protest and survive, its that simple!

If more people expose the extortion and corruption it would end.

Break the chain people, don't be a slave to corruption and greed!

As virtue would have it...

But then this guy should fight only for himself, unless the Thai people start changing their opinion on this issue.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/thailandnews/2012/Corruption-in-Phuket-Is-there-now-hope-for-a-cure-19836.html

Corruption is a serious and systemic problem in Thailand. A recent Abac Poll reported that most (63.4 per cent) Thai people believe that corruption in government is acceptable provided it is beneficial to them personally - a view that is also shared by many young people. This explains why corrupt politicians keep returning, sparking grave concerns about the country's political and economic sustainability.

Politicians keep returning...worrisome. They have power.

All considered, I think 'Watch your back' is a fair comment.

The guy doesn't need to watch his back, he needs to keep looking forward and fighting back every chance he gets!

Is buying into idle threats and scare tactics the "Thai way"?

Obviously this guy is smart, he's not about to bow down to "terrorist" tactics. He's not going to be the slogan boy for "don't mess with Thailand".

Try this tough guy. If you travel to the US, upon arrival when you are about to be patted down by the infamous TSA just tell them if they touch your genitals they are in deep shit. Tell them you will not bow down to their "terrorist" tactics. Look forward and fight back. Then let us know how it comes out.

Okay guy, will do!

Hey, why are you si aggravated?

Where you always pessimistic and argumentative, or did you just turn into this "thing" that you are now since moving to Thailand?

Good one. I am far from aggrravated. I just think you are a little bit overboard in calling this incident a terrorist tactic. And I tried to respond in kind to the contextual intent of your post. If you have been to the US you know if you reacted in the way I suggested you would be in deep shit and probably have a cavity search by Buba and be detained also.

Common sense is always the best policy in any situation. As for the argumentative accusation, you may have something there as I was on a debate team in my younger years. Peace brother.

[watcharacters]

an official at the Revenue Department

.

Has the official and his office been named?.

before it could be deleted, the photo began circulating throughout the Thai online community

.

Can the photo be posted here for the English-language online community?

.

just go to his twitter acc ,can see it there.

And if one doesn't have a twitter account?

[dantilley]

Doesn't matter you can still see other people's accounts.

[Charlie Cheap]

an official at the Revenue Department

.

Has the official and his office been named?.

before it could be deleted, the photo began circulating throughout the Thai online community

.

Can the photo be posted here for the English-language online community?

.

just go to his twitter acc ,can see it there.

And if one doesn't have a twitter account?

Twitter is pretty lame!

Imagine if everybody told the truth about what they were doing in this town on Twitter.

[Fookhaht]

Can someone please fix the new lousy quote system so that we can easily edit quotes? Obviously, TV members don't know how to deal with it, and the "new system" is far from intuitive. Translation: please revert to the older programming.

[webfact]

UPDATE
Anti-Corruption Views - Tweeting toward a corruption-free Thailand?
By Alisa Tang

BANGKOK: -- When an official in this Bangkok suburb of Samut Prakan asked British blogger Richard Barrow for 1,000 baht ($33) to finalise some tax documents, the longtime Thailand resident requested a receipt.

The official refused to give one, and conceded that the money was to buy lunch for him and his staff. Barrow then pulled out his iPhone and outed the bribe-demanding official, complete with photo, to his 22,000-plus Twitter followers.

“Unbelievable. This revenue officer wants me to pay him 1,000B before he will release my tax documents. I've refused,” Barrow tweeted as he left the man’s office on Monday morning.

Twenty-six minutes later, Barrow tweeted that the official, anxious to have his picture deleted from the Internet, had backed down: “Success against corruption. Price for my tax documents has gone down from 1,000 Baht to 260 Baht with receipt.”

Bribery and corruption pervade all levels of Thai society - from the cash paid for traffic offences and government permits - to the grand-scale leakage that plagues infrastructure projects. Barrow’s blow-by-blow account on Twitter illustrates one way people can fight back.

Full story: http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/blogs/anti-corruption-views/tweeting-toward-a-corruption-free-thailand

-- Trust.org 2013-03-15

[watcharacters]

While i admire his bravery and stand against corruption, i also find it silly in a number of ways.

To start with corruption is a way of life here, like it or not.

The only way to get things done fast and easy is to pay someone to do it fast and easy.

The amount was rather small, so lets hope he has all his paperwork in 100% order, because rest assured he would be audited in the near future.

Yes some Thai have supported him, but just like with everything else in Thailand it passes by pretty fast.

The next year he will try to renew his visa or WP he may find a number of obstacles, not to mention being refused, as WP and Visa is not granted but up to the discretion of issuing officer.

All those claiming to have never paid any bribes, either too oblivious or talking out of their backside.

1000 baht is small ? It's seems he was just after some photocopies of his tax documents, in which case the cost should be no more than the cost for a few photocopies.

Well lemoncake, you know better right?. Just keep on paying that 1000 baht, and pretty soon when they see you coming, they'll be asking for 3,000 or 5,000 baht from you.

That's when the smile needs to keep getting bigger. Or else just pay the requesting piper.

"

UPDATE

Anti-Corruption Views - Tweeting toward a corruption-free Thailand?

By Alisa Tang

BANGKOK: -- When an official in this Bangkok suburb of Samut Prakan asked British blogger Richard Barrow for 1,000 baht ($33) to finalise some tax documents, the longtime Thailand resident requested a receipt.

The official refused to give one, and conceded that the money was to buy lunch for him and his staff. Barrow then pulled out his iPhone and outed the bribe-demanding official, complete with photo, to his 22,000-plus Twitter followers.

“Unbelievable. This revenue officer wants me to pay him 1,000B before he will release my tax documents. I've refused,” Barrow tweeted as he left the man’s office on Monday morning.

Twenty-six minutes later, Barrow tweeted that the official, anxious to have his picture deleted from the Internet, had backed down: “Success against corruption. Price for my tax documents has gone down from 1,000 Baht to 260 Baht with receipt.”

Bribery and corruption pervade all levels of Thai society - from the cash paid for traffic offences and government permits - to the grand-scale leakage that plagues infrastructure projects. Barrow’s blow-by-blow account on Twitter illustrates one way people can fight back.

Full story: http://www.trust.org...n-free-thailand

-- Trust.org 2013-03-15

A better resolution I think.

Edited March 17, 2013 by watcharacters

[metisdead]

Posts with messed up quote headers have been removed.

[Charlie Cheap]

How about all you people out there that are condoning extortion give me your 1000 Baht bills and I will hand them out to the poor people in the street that are not gainfully employed?

[Sing_Sling]

Posts with messed up quote headers have been removed.

I also seem to have problems with the 'new' quoting system . . . as do many others - is there any way they can be altered to make them more user-friendly?

(wrong thread, I know)

[pattayadingo]

Trouble is, Richard has no proof, unless he made an audio recording.

I smell a criminal case against Richard coming up, one in which he'll not have a leg to stand.

Whilst it is admirable, he's not very smart doing this.

That is where those little key fob cameras would come in handy. They record video and sound and very few people would even notice they were being filmed.

Put your keys on the desk or wherever with the camera already filming and you'd get the lot.

[wellred]

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