Thailand's location a boon for international criminals

[techboy]

Oh fantastic story.

U see we are such an amazing hub, even despite all our hard work, criminals use our natural location to become a hub too. Its not our fault, we are just hubtastic.

You have entered a pathetically obtuse post- It is a lie of mischaracterization. Opportunity and a favorable logistics venue for corruption is going to be exploited by criminal agents anywhere. The article gave information on why certain types corruption can thrive in Thailand. It was not a refutation or defense. A guy like you must really disapprove of Western democracies. Look at how crime proliferates in them.

[kamahele]

Is this not something everyone in the world already knew?

[techboy]

Oh fantastic story.

U see we are such an amazing hub, even despite all our hard work, criminals use our natural location to become a hub too. Its not our fault, we are just hubtastic.

I wonder that the word “greed” did not appear in this article. Isn’t that the force that makes all this possible? But of course it can’t be the greed of Thais as they value “thainess” and high moral standards much more than profane bahtism.

This is self sanctimonious blather. Greed is a common denominator throughout the human species (Perhaps excepting yourself?) and quite subjective as to the person(s) doing the intrepreting. It had no place in this article which attempts to give the reader an objective presentation.

[gemini81]

Its a place for domestic criminals- police, politicians. So of course, the lawlessness attracts international ones. The cause is found from criminal behavior originating internally, so they ought to crack that nut first.

[ggt]

Those who are in trouble at home can easily seek shelter, lead easy lives and even run businesses here. Gangsters of all sorts, be they from Asia, Russia or anywhere in the West, always feel at home in Thailand.

The reason they feel at home...is because they are among like minded people...

[patayayaya]

Oh fantastic story.

U see we are such an amazing hub, even despite all our hard work, criminals use our natural location to become a hub too. Its not our fault, we are just hubtastic.

i dont see too many international criminals outside of the "hangover 2" mostly just old farts ruining there liver.

[JoeThePoster]

Thailand's location a boon for international criminals

Being centre of the universe has disadvantages.

[bigbamboo]

Thailand certainly is a boon for international criminals.

And even more of a boon for the indigenous ones.

[me313]

Some of the comments are so purely brilliant, it's like a comedy show and I mean this with all respect and admiration for the funny comments people have written in this particular forum. What people write in humor says more than the editorial, as a more realistic embellishment to the editorial piece. Love it!

[lostmebike]

SURADIT will be along in moment to tell you all how wrong you are and that the authorities are merely just misunderstood and by no means corrupt.

[chooka]

Oh fantastic story.

U see we are such an amazing hub, even despite all our hard work, criminals use our natural location to become a hub too. Its not our fault, we are just hubtastic.

i dont see too many international criminals outside of the "hangover 2" mostly just old farts ruining there liver.

I guess you only watch movies and not the news. Numerous ATM/Credit card scammers of various nationalities being arrested, numerous people on interpols list and fugitives from other countries being located and arrested every year. Pedo's from across the globe thriving like maggots on a piece of rotting meat. They are amongst us in all shapes and sizes from every corner of the globe.

[soalbundy]

This article is too hard on the authorities, try working as an illegal tour guide and you're <deleted>. Where it counts they are on the ball.

[Runamile]

If Thailand ever has a Government, and if it is able to do anything, then feels like doing anything, crime is the space, at EVERY level, from petty crime to serious international crime, though, often, the two are one and the same. Those stolen passports go somewhere, as we're now seeing.

The fact is that Thailand is turning, at speed, to become the Wild West, from the Phuket taxi and boat scams ever on upward. The issues are beginning to be known internationally. Wonderful for tourism - unless the "tourist" you want to attract, likes to pop into Pattaya travel agents and get a package deal of a new passport and an air ticket (who uses travel agents anymore - those who don't want transactions traced to their computer?), and is on the look-out to pack a .38. And he can easily lay hands on a gangsta moll!

Amazing isn't it, thinking more domestically, that we assume that knives, maybe guns, and certainly trucks-full of Thai friends represent the potential resolution of minor Thai on Thai or Thai/farang disputes.

We also assume, rightly or wrongly, that corruption is endemic at every level of Thai bureaucracy, possibly Thai society. Political choices, in fact, are, for the most conscientious, from the basis of which politicians are likely to be more, which less likely to be corrupt. Thereagain, most aren't conscientious, care little for that abstract thing "Thailand", despite protestations otherwise, and just run with who would be best for them.

I've no idea how Thailand got into this mess, but the epithet "paradise" that so many tourists have applied to Thailand is falling away fast. Not good for a tourist economy. Not good for those who live here. Thailand was always about quality of life.

[soalbundy]

SURADIT will be along in moment to tell you all how wrong you are and that the authorities are merely just misunderstood and by no means corrupt.

That will be supported by "Geriatrickid" who will bleed his heart out telling us about all the forgiveness that is necessary to achieve a world wide nirvana

[Greenhill]

Just waiting for Chalerm to pronounce - 'there's not a smidgin of corruption here'!!! 5555555

[BigC]

Police are under funded by the government which opens room for pressure to be corrupt

For example they have to buy their own guns which are not cheap

So they either have to get them on finance or find another way

The sub stations are under funded

As for singling out thailand

What abouts Switzerland secret bank accounts

I beleibe Singapore is similar to Swiss bank To system

The whole world is corrupt

Just happens that some of thailands expats are criminals but please don't punish the rest of us with stricter laws that can be maniliptlated and leave more room for corruption

[soalbundy]

If Thailand ever has a Government, and if it is able to do anything, then feels like doing anything, crime is the space, at EVERY level, from petty crime to serious international crime, though, often, the two are one and the same. Those stolen passports go somewhere, as we're now seeing.

The fact is that Thailand is turning, at speed, to become the Wild West, from the Phuket taxi and boat scams ever on upward. The issues are beginning to be known internationally. Wonderful for tourism - unless the "tourist" you want to attract, likes to pop into Pattaya travel agents and get a package deal of a new passport and an air ticket (who uses travel agents anymore - those who don't want transactions traced to their computer?), and is on the look-out to pack a .38. And he can easily lay hands on a gangsta moll!

Amazing isn't it, thinking more domestically, that we assume that knives, maybe guns, and certainly trucks-full of Thai friends represent the potential resolution of minor Thai on Thai or Thai/farang disputes.

We also assume, rightly or wrongly, that corruption is endemic at every level of Thai bureaucracy, possibly Thai society. Political choices, in fact, are, for the most conscientious, from the basis of which politicians are likely to be more, which less likely to be corrupt. Thereagain, most aren't conscientious, care little for that abstract thing "Thailand", despite protestations otherwise, and just run with who would be best for them.

I've no idea how Thailand got into this mess, but the epithet "paradise" that so many tourists have applied to Thailand is falling away fast. Not good for a tourist economy. Not good for those who live here. Thailand was always about quality of life.

Thailand was always about quality of life. Don't forget the cheap women

[Runamile]

Ah, yes, the women, whether cheap or otherwise.

Was a time when to walk along a Bangkok street required a large packet of tissues. Not any more.

You'd look askance and just think "Wowa". In some areas, you might think "How much?" Actually, still true - but it's "how much would she have to pay me?" And trust me, I'm getting older and uglier by the day!

Just something else that went wrong along the way. Though, it's a bit easier to pin the blame! Hello 7-Eleven.

So we've found something else - sugar, processed food, etc, where Government could intervene. To be fair they're already trying.

[Thai at Heart]

Oh fantastic story.

U see we are such an amazing hub, even despite all our hard work, criminals use our natural location to become a hub too. Its not our fault, we are just hubtastic.

You have entered a pathetically obtuse post- It is a lie of mischaracterization. Opportunity and a favorable logistics venue for corruption is going to be exploited by criminal agents anywhere. The article gave information on why certain types corruption can thrive in Thailand. It was not a refutation or defense. A guy like you must really disapprove of Western democracies. Look at how crime proliferates in them.

That's the whole point. It has virtually nothing to do with the physical location of thailand, and everything to do with the thai system.

Is it because of the geography that an Iranian comes here to get a stolen passport and buy an international plane ticket through a bloke living in thailand on a tourist visa for 17 years.

Seems like every dodgy Iranian is in thailand.

It's just the crime hub place to be. What does the title emphasise? Location. Duh

[Thai at Heart]

Oh fantastic story.

U see we are such an amazing hub, even despite all our hard work, criminals use our natural location to become a hub too. Its not our fault, we are just hubtastic.

i dont see too many international criminals outside of the "hangover 2" mostly just old farts ruining there liver.

How long did it take Thailand to get onto the anti money laundering lists? Drugs, prostitution, people trafficking, lax visas.

Be thankful you don't know too many international criminals. This is a country where a prime minister was prevented from taking office because of links to drugs. Says a lot.

[Noi657]

International criminal syndicates of all kinds such as arms and narcotics traders, human traffickers, sex businesses, money-laundering operations and even terrorists have used Thailand as a hub to facilitate their tasks.

It is easy to find products, materials and facilities for grey, if not totally black, businesses.

Those who are in trouble at home can easily seek shelter, lead easy lives and even run businesses here. Gangsters of all sorts, be they from Asia, Russia or anywhere in the West, always feel at home in Thailand.

Now wouldn't this make an excellent promotional video!

Maybe it comes under the "quality tourist" category thx government keeps harping about!

[thailampang2012]

I do not understand....If Thailand is soooooooooo bad, sooooooo corrupted, why you are here?

Or...may be some people do not know what it is happening in other countries.....

Trade and falsification of passports is going on for decades, since WW1...and was not started in Asia.

Brazil always was the best shelter for world criminals because do not have extradition ...A famous train robber from the UK was living under his real name in Rio de Janeiro until his dead, and was even protected by the Brazilian police when Interpol agents tried to kidnap him to bring to justice. He married a Brazilian and had children. Becomes a landmark on the beaches of Rio. Nice guy. I met him in 1988 introducing his life memories book.

The US is the number 1 supplier to weapon's smugglers, and in not other country is so easy to buy and transport it...

In 2008 Bank of America had to pay a heavy fine...because was laundering money from the Mexican drug traffic....

Afghanistan is the number 1 supplier to Europe of heavy drugs like heroine and others...

The Philippines is the number 1 "supplier" of infants and underage women for prostitution and for sex trading...Manila is a scary and dangerous city.

Mexico and Colombia are the number 1 in kidnapping and extortion of wealthy people and in political assassinations, and the main supplier of drugs to the US. Mexico City is famous for many things, also because it is the 2nd most dangerous city in America....after Sao Paulo, Brazil.

California is famous for its mild weather....now is also famous because so many homeless people are living on the streets and parks.

In most South American countries walking late at night is very dangerous, specially for foreigners. Driving too..cars do not stop in red light afraid to get carjacking or harassed by the police.

Those are countries that I know very well.....but if you are looking for more corruption and danger.......just go to the Middle East, India or Africa..

I never live in Europe..just visiting..but...

Only 2 weeks in Paris in 2003, I was robbed at night in a subway station....

Only 2 weeks in Rome in 2005....I was close to lose my wallet to a pickpocket expert...but my friend lost her watch to another one..on the subway.

Comparing with some countries....I think Thailand is a Paradise!

Edited March 12, 2014 by thailampang2012

[Runamile]

thailampang2012 The point about Thailand is just how at variance perception, to date, is from current reality. Note my words there (to date) - the world gets to hear ever more. Note, also, that Thailand is a tourist economy.

I've only once heard the virtues of Colombia extensively extolled, and he was in hiding from his family! I don't think even the keenest person in Colombia Tourism Organisation, if they have one, lays claim to it being one of the great tourist economies or magnets for retirees.

If you want to find worse than Thailand, it's easily done. Try, for instance, Iraq. I'm not sure, though, that global comparatives are on any relevance. What concerns us, here, is the deterioration in Thailand. If there's any relevance in comparatives it's comparing Thailand now, as against in the past.

Nobody is ever going to disagree with you that Thailand IS Paradise against some other countries, but the point is that gaps are narrowing, and as to the comparison to it's own past, don't even think about it.

[slipperylobster]

I hoped Thailand never gets dehubbed. It would cause great psychological damage.

[charlesfrith]

Aangirfan blog frequently claims that the CIA/MI6 handlers meet Al Qaeda in Pattaya. Aangirfan is more often right than wrong.

[Thai at Heart]

I do not understand....If Thailand is soooooooooo bad, sooooooo corrupted, why you are here?

Or...may be some people do not know what it is happening in other countries.....

Trade and falsification of passports is going on for decades, since WW1...and was not started in Asia.

Brazil always was the best shelter for world criminals because do not have extradition ...A famous train robber from the UK was living under his real name in Rio de Janeiro until his dead, and was even protected by the Brazilian police when Interpol agents tried to kidnap him to bring to justice. He married a Brazilian and had children. Becomes a landmark on the beaches of Rio. Nice guy. I met him in 1988 introducing his life memories book.

The US is the number 1 supplier to weapon's smugglers, and in not other country is so easy to buy and transport it...

In 2008 Bank of America had to pay a heavy fine...because was laundering money from the Mexican drug traffic....

Afghanistan is the number 1 supplier to Europe of heavy drugs like heroine and others...

The Philippines is the number 1 "supplier" of infants and underage women for prostitution and for sex trading...Manila is a scary and dangerous city.

Mexico and Colombia are the number 1 in kidnapping and extortion of wealthy people and in political assassinations, and the main supplier of drugs to the US. Mexico City is famous for many things, also because it is the 2nd most dangerous city in America....after Sao Paulo, Brazil.

California is famous for its mild weather....now is also famous because so many homeless people are living on the streets and parks.

In most South American countries walking late at night is very dangerous, specially for foreigners. Driving too..cars do not stop in red light afraid to get carjacking or harassed by the police.

Those are countries that I know very well.....but if you are looking for more corruption and danger.......just go to the Middle East, India or Africa..

I never live in Europe..just visiting..but...

Only 2 weeks in Paris in 2003, I was robbed at night in a subway station....

Only 2 weeks in Rome in 2005....I was close to lose my wallet to a pickpocket expert...but my friend lost her watch to another one..on the subway.

Comparing with some countries....I think Thailand is a Paradise!

Well, where to start. Until only a few years ago, the provinces policed themselves, but last year a very prominent local businessman was gunned down in what was once my so called sleepy little town.

Since then, a major employer had a massive protest for having illegally taken their imported Burmese labour passports and notnpayng their social contribution. Massive construction is going on with chinese money through local nominees.

So does this mean its getting worse or that a light is being thrown on it? I think its getting worse. The system isn't set up for legal competitive business. It survived through local hard men controlling everything.

Just wait. As the wealth grows so will the violence. The provinces have little or no law enforcement and no one relies on contracts. Deals will go bad and the retribution will be swift.

Just wait till Yinglucks trains don't get built. There are families in my old town in up to their eyeballs.

Why did we go? No one told me it was quite so lawless corrupt and dangerous. Why did I leave? I don't want my kids anywhere near that type of wild west where only your money and willingness to shoot counts for anything.

[Runamile]

Feudalism, Thai at Heart.

And, the sadness is that it gets worse as the country develops. Of course, by develops, I mean economically, not in terms of political, judicial and law enforcement institutions.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Runamile

[Thai at Heart]

Feudalism, Thai at Heart.

And, the sadness is that it gets worse as the country develops. Of course, by develops, I mean economically, not in terms of political, judicial and law enforcement institutions.

The system isn't set up to allow any thing to really move forward. Want to open a new restaurant legally? Everyone wants a cut, pay this guy, pay that guy. Want to open a company? Pay this guy pay that guy.

The provinces want to go forward but it is being done in an incredibly corrupt way to siphon the money to the old hands. Nothing is being done transparently, and god forbid anyone steps on someone's toes.

A friend of mine had his son killed by a tessaban employee in a car accident. 8 years he is waiting for justice. 2,appeals, dodgy lawyers, dodgy judges.

The facade of thailand is slowly slipping, and the more activity that goes on in the provinces the more the stench will rise.

[dard]

well written article! with sufficient money in thailand, anything is possible

[Blackmirage2013]

Speaking of criminals.... I bet the pilots on this missing Malaysian flight hijacked the plane. I can't believe the plane headed West instead of Northeast to Beijing for so long without the pilots radioing in for help....

They also turned off the transponders....

Now, it could be a hijacking by terrorists, but I'm not so sure... seems to smooth and error free, as if it was the pilots OWN FREE WILL.... but I just don't know... just my best guess at this point.