Nong Khai man arrested for providing foreign tourists with fake departure stamps

[webfact]

Nong Khai Man Arrested With Fake Passport Stamps
By Khaosod English


Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge [MATICHON]

NONG KHAI — Police have arrested a man in Nong Khai province who allegedly provided foreign tourists with fake departure stamps in their passports.

The suspect, Chatchai Chaikhamthong, 40, was arrested at a parking lot in Wat Sri Muang temple yesterday in a sting operation, said Pol.Maj.Gen. Pallop Suriyakul na Ayutthaya.

According to Pol.Maj.Gen. Pallop, the suspect had been offering the fake stamp service to foreign tourists — mostly Chinese and Vietnamese — who wished to leave the country via the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The stamps exempted these tourists from having to have their immigration documents examined when they passed through checkpoints, the officer said.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Pallop said the tourists who sought Mr. Chatchai's service were those who either overstayed their visas or had arrest warrants on their records. Mr. Chatchai reportedly charged tourists 5,000 baht per stamp.

A search of Mr. Chatchai's home by military officers turned up four passport rubber stamps and boxes of departure (TM 6) immigration forms.

Mr. Chatchai claimed he had the rubber stamps made at a shop in Nong Khai province and acquired the immigration forms from a contact in Bangkok, police say.

However, Pol.Maj.Gen. Pallop said police are trying to determine whether Mr. Chatchai may have actually acquired the stamps from immigration officers, because each stamp bears a number that belongs to a respective official.

Mr. Chatchai reportedly said he has been offering the service for two years.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1404299367

-- Khaosod English 2014-07-03

[lostsoul49]

Been doing this for 2 years?

He must have made a good few baht... I wonder how you advertise such a service.

My guess is that he is actually involved with an immigration officer.

[siampolee]

lostsoul49 post # 2

Been doing this for 2 years?

He must have made a good few baht... I wonder how you advertise such a service.

My guess is that he is actually involved with an immigration officer.

Would this action by military personnel of searching and subsequently arresting the culprit give rise to suspicion that the police farce force in all its assorted guises and factions (in this case one must presume the immigration police and the immigration department staff in general) were not really interested in actually law keeping practices but more law breaking along with financial self improvement practices?

Would such matters have been under the orders of superior officers or superior politicians (ex or otherwise) either here in Thailand or elsewhere one must ask

Edited July 3, 2014 by siampolee

[noitom]

These Thai announcements of arrests are in reality, petty busts. There is no follow up to nail Thai Mr. Bigs and haul them off in handcuffs. The Thai financiers, immigration, police, the local mafia for bar girls pushing the service. What about the Thai bank accounts and money laundering? When do we see massive immigration stings and Thai bankers being hauled off in handcuffs on the evening news? Is the military serious or do they just wish to impress folks with a few random petty arrests like this one?

[Dee Kwa]

Wouldn't fancy having those stamps in my passport now.

[ezzra]

The sad part is that there are many more like him, rouge operators, some sanctioned

and enabled by real immigration's personal who gets their cut from such people,

[Robby nz]

These Thai announcements of arrests are in reality, petty busts. There is no follow up to nail Thai Mr. Bigs and haul them off in handcuffs. The Thai financiers, immigration, police, the local mafia for bar girls pushing the service. What about the Thai bank accounts and money laundering? When do we see massive immigration stings and Thai bankers being hauled off in handcuffs on the evening news? Is the military serious or do they just wish to impress folks with a few random petty arrests like this one?

Go have a look at the Phuket pages and see how one of the mayors and his offsiders are being done.

[brfsa2]

"acquired the immigration forms from a contact in Bangkok"

corruption at its best.

I hope the military will follow up with this "contact" and make an example of it.

Edited July 3, 2014 by brfsa2

[ericthai]

The sad part is that there are many more like him, rouge operators, some sanctioned

and enabled by real immigration's personal who gets their cut from such people,

Really? there are many more? Where do they operate? Do you have a list? How many more?

I have had a difficult time finding these numerous operators. I know back in the

early 90's and up to the end of the 90's there were quite a few mainly in the south, but

I have had a hard time finding any in the past 10 years or so. Please enlighten us as

to where these operators are.

[alfalfa19]

The sad part is that there are many more like him, rouge operators, some sanctioned

and enabled by real immigration's personal who gets their cut from such people,

There are indeed a lot of rouge operators, but I believe they are starting to get shut down.

[Maejo Man]

The sad part is that there are many more like him, rouge operators, some sanctioned

and enabled by real immigration's personal who gets their cut from such people,

Really? there are many more? Where do they operate? Do you have a list? How many more?

I have had a difficult time finding these numerous operators. I know back in the

early 90's and up to the end of the 90's there were quite a few mainly in the south, but

I have had a hard time finding any in the past 10 years or so. Please enlighten us as

to where these operators are.

Pray tell why you would want to know where they are

[apetley]

Been doing this for 2 years?

He must have made a good few baht... I wonder how you advertise such a service.

My guess is that he is actually involved with an immigration officer.

In the past I have been approached at border crossings when doing a visa run and told that for a small fee I can avoid the hassle of actually crossing the border or for a bigger fee that they can arrange an extension of stay without money in the bank. All done with the help of a friendly officer in the local immigration office.

I'll add that I didn't take them up on their kind offer of help.

[robblok]

These Thai announcements of arrests are in reality, petty busts. There is no follow up to nail Thai Mr. Bigs and haul them off in handcuffs. The Thai financiers, immigration, police, the local mafia for bar girls pushing the service. What about the Thai bank accounts and money laundering? When do we see massive immigration stings and Thai bankers being hauled off in handcuffs on the evening news? Is the military serious or do they just wish to impress folks with a few random petty arrests like this one?

Go have a look at the Phuket pages and see how one of the mayors and his offsiders are being done.

The Taksinites are becoming desperate. They know their side is never coming back and they can't post much on the forum. Because there is almost no negative news about the coup. Like an other user said maybe they can start a twitter group with Jonathan Head from the BBC.

You see changes and arrest you have never seen before. As for going after Mr Big, look in Phuket and look at the PTP bunch that was in prison.

[SanukJoeII]

These Thai announcements of arrests are in reality, petty busts. There is no follow up to nail Thai Mr. Bigs and haul them off in handcuffs. The Thai financiers, immigration, police, the local mafia for bar girls pushing the service. What about the Thai bank accounts and money laundering? When do we see massive immigration stings and Thai bankers being hauled off in handcuffs on the evening news? Is the military serious or do they just wish to impress folks with a few random petty arrests like this one?

I wonder if you wrote the same sentences re bankers when the main US banks were found guilty of fraudulent actions? Not one US banker went to court in handcuffs and not one US banker was jailed. Other than in Iceland, where the population demanded prosecution of the fraudulent bankers, resulting in bankers behind bars.

This "petty" bust is very important, as the guy let possible criminals leave the country and his actions had a financial disadvantage in case of overstayers.

[Hatyaier]

The Thai police force must be very effective at interrogating suspects. They all seem to admit they have been doing these crimes many times.

[Seastallion]

The sad part is that there are many more like him, rouge operators, some sanctioned

and enabled by real immigration's personal who gets their cut from such people,

Why would he be a red? Could equally be a yellow (jaune).

Edited July 3, 2014 by Seastallion

[kannot]

I know of at least TWO people who get a full extension of stay here "under the table" DIRECT from an immigration officer, price 25k baht per year no money in the bank.

[kannot]

Its really quite simple, to stamp out ( excuse the pun) the problems like this and many other scams/fraud they are gonna have to pay the police a LOT more. Ive said it before they need to halve the force size and double their salary.................I really dont see the problem.

As Tebbit said the ones losing their jobs would just have to "get on their bikes"

They could start with the most corrupt Police.

[keestha]

There is one thing about this story which I don't understand. How could these people pass through the bridge immigration checkpoint, Thai side, whilst having exit stamps already?

[Nemesis7]

This guy offering the service for two years..? And with those fake seal those foreigners crossed borders without being checked, and were never stopped?.? It's not possible unless it was a pre arranged affair with the immigration ... Who knows he must have been one of their confidante who collected the weekly tea money in their behalf...

[Puyai]

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These Thai announcements of arrests are in reality, petty busts. There is no follow up to nail Thai Mr. Bigs and haul them off in handcuffs. The Thai financiers, immigration, police, the local mafia for bar girls pushing the service. What about the Thai bank accounts and money laundering? When do we see massive immigration stings and Thai bankers being hauled off in handcuffs on the evening news? Is the military serious or do they just wish to impress folks with a few random petty arrests like this one?

Go have a look at the Phuket pages and see how one of the mayors and his offsiders are being done.

Didn't he get released on bail shortly afterwards? On medical grounds I believe....

Edited July 3, 2014 by Puyai

[choochoo]

The sad part is that there are many more like him, rouge operators, some sanctioned

and enabled by real immigration's personal who gets their cut from such people,

There are indeed a lot of rouge operators, but I believe they are starting to get shut down.

I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahaha!

[bushwacker]

Well we all know that there is corruption from the grass roots to the top of the largest tree. Just follow the money.

[Benmart]

These Thai announcements of arrests are in reality, petty busts. There is no follow up to nail Thai Mr. Bigs and haul them off in handcuffs. The Thai financiers, immigration, police, the local mafia for bar girls pushing the service. What about the Thai bank accounts and money laundering? When do we see massive immigration stings and Thai bankers being hauled off in handcuffs on the evening news? Is the military serious or do they just wish to impress folks with a few random petty arrests like this one?

Perhaps as petty as the assumptions, criticisms and conjecture that seems to follow any announcement of improvement or attempts to clean house.

[taony]

There is one thing about this story which I don't understand. How could these people pass through the bridge immigration checkpoint, Thai side, whilst having exit stamps already?

I was thinking maybe they go some other way and straight to the Lao immigration entry? Because also, if someone takes a look at the passport, the number of the departure card gets written on the stamp in the passport, right? It wouldn't match the number on the entry stamp. So no one would be able to scrutinize it, therefore have to skip Thai exit immigration all together. Why even need a stamp then? Don't know, maybe Lao immigration looks for it.

[belg]

hahahah...

and the official that sold this stamp, will be on temporary leave ... or transferred...

or he will claim it was stolen, face saved

[Thai at Heart]

The sad part is that there are many more like him, rouge operators, some sanctioned

and enabled by real immigration's personal who gets their cut from such people,

There are indeed a lot of rouge operators, but I believe they are starting to get shut down.

Coz immigrating n was squeaky clean before. Look the whole raison d etre with immigration and stamps and visa runs and paper and petty overstay was to generate rubbish like this anyway.

They haven't simplified and closed the loopholes forever. Why? £££££££

[Maestro]

Removed a troll post and the replies to it.

[elliss]

I know of at least TWO people who get a full extension of stay here "under the table" DIRECT from an immigration officer, price 25k baht per year no money in the bank.

There are many farlangs who foolishly choose this option , all seems to be ok ,

UNTIL, they exit thailand at Swampy immigration , and the closer scrutiny of passports.

Curtains .

[Frank James]

I know of at least TWO people who get a full extension of stay here "under the table" DIRECT from an immigration officer, price 25k baht per year no money in the bank.

Dear Khun Kannot:

Please report to nearest NCPO Office immediately. You help us please to find these bad apples.

PolCol. Somchai