Scammed by Phuket Airport Immigration?

[EBlair48]

The scary thing about this story is that now we know it costs only 500B if you want to traffic a human though Phuket airport immigration.

Meanwhile I have heard from 4 separate groups just today that they were all asked for money to be expedited though the long que's at Phuket airport immigration. One group waited in line with small children for one hour, had moved only about 5 meters in that time, before being approached by officials who offered the "special permission" line, then literally pocketed the money with, of course, no receipt. They were very frustrated with the fact that 4-5 "VIP" lanes were open with no line, while the same, or less were opened for general arrivals. Most of them expressed a feeling that they were being intentionally slowed in order to make paying for the VIP lane more attractive.

Once the NCPO finishes with the taxi's, immigration MUST be next.

IMO Immigration is sharing with the correct and most recently empowered people, no reason to stop their scams. IMO The taxis cartel in Patong was not, but now they will.

Can you really, really really believe the hype? Knowing Thais and Thailand? I just cannot trust this, it is too ... Well maybe I need to stop reading alternative news sites then I too, will be happinessed

[EBlair48]

me to at the patong office for my 90 day report last month, they ask me for 100 bt service fee,where can we complaint about that,look like the immigration is getting very bad right now!

Yes, because the Junta, with its crackdown on visas, have given immigration even more discretionary power. And of course, as every one knows, a Thai official with power will use it to make money. That is why he paid for his job in the first place.

Crackdown on visa exempt entries was already announced by previous government.

And Prayuth already has rescinded it, on his first day as PM in fact. Wasn't it his first act ?

Discretionary is the key, ( to the loot) IMO

[LivinginKata]

Had a few days down in Singapore, arrived back yesteday. Must admit that after reading these reports I was expecting some hassle. But I am pleased to report everything was quick and trouble free. Arrived Immigration 09.00, no queues, straight though. Wifey chose a lady officer and told she could not have been nicer. Nothing to pay. On way back yesterday at 15.00 about 4 officers waiting for our flight, but immediately another 6 offers turned up and I was through in 5 minutes, wifey told to go to Thai nationals desk and she was through before me.

All in all a very pleasant experience. Longer wait getting through Singapore Immigration.

[steelepulse]

Had a few days down in Singapore, arrived back yesteday. Must admit that after reading these reports I was expecting some hassle. But I am pleased to report everything was quick and trouble free. Arrived Immigration 09.00, no queues, straight though. Wifey chose a lady officer and told she could not have been nicer. Nothing to pay. On way back yesterday at 15.00 about 4 officers waiting for our flight, but immediately another 6 offers turned up and I was through in 5 minutes, wifey told to go to Thai nationals desk and she was through before me.

All in all a very pleasant experience. Longer wait getting through Singapore Immigration.

Apparently the Transport minister was at the airport yesterday, so you got a glimpse of how the airport should be operating on a daily basis and not as a one off.

BTW LIK, you can go to the Thai queue with your Mrs at immigration.

[glassdude007]

Graft is good sometimes...

I departed Phuket airport on Sept 14 around mid night.

I was There with plenty of time to spare 10:30 ish at departure security & immigration.

Security and Departure hall Packed with clueless Korean and chinese tourist all with to much hand carry and liquids in bags forms not filled out etc.

All the counters full of long slow lines.,

In 20 years in and out of Thailand I have never paid an airport immigration official.

But since reading this forum I had my eyes peeled for the guy taking the cash and BOOM there he was.

On the left after the security checkpoint near the Priority lane (empty).

I just walked straight up to him passed all the clueless folks waiting in line, and just said How much? (in Thai) in reply with a REAL Thai smile he said 50 bht in english....

Proceed to empty counter for VIP 100 bht in my passport not a word spoken.

Two immigration guys behind the counter sitting there shooting the breeze shat eating grin towards me nothing towards the room full of korean tourist waiting in long lines..

Bump Bump Bump passport stamped not a word spoken...Total of 10 minutes max at FULL security and immigration hall..

Straight to Priority Pass lounge for 1 1/2hrs of free beer and munchies.

So a little graft can be good sometimes even though I never got the change from the 100bht note for a 50 bht graft charge, Next time I will be prepared with a 50 bht note..

Thanks for the info from Thai Visa.

Edited September 30, 2014 by glassdude007

[merijn]

I never had any problems with Phuket immigration with my wife but during the coup the military had a extra desk behind immigration where they would check my wife's ID to see if she was not on the no fly list.

(many Thai's where not allowed to leave the country during that time)

We used the VIP/Thai passport holders lane and no papers where required and no money asked.

[Old Croc]

Had a few days down in Singapore, arrived back yesteday. Must admit that after reading these reports I was expecting some hassle. But I am pleased to report everything was quick and trouble free. Arrived Immigration 09.00, no queues, straight though. Wifey chose a lady officer and told she could not have been nicer. Nothing to pay. On way back yesterday at 15.00 about 4 officers waiting for our flight, but immediately another 6 offers turned up and I was through in 5 minutes, wifey told to go to Thai nationals desk and she was through before me.

All in all a very pleasant experience. Longer wait getting through Singapore Immigration.

Apparently the Transport minister was at the airport yesterday, so you got a glimpse of how the airport should be operating on a daily basis and not as a one off.

BTW LIK, you can go to the Thai queue with your Mrs at immigration.

Partners should always stay together going through any airport.

Pick the most advantageous lane.

[Peterocket]

Graft is good sometimes...

I departed Phuket airport on Sept 14 around mid night.

I was There with plenty of time to spare 10:30 ish at departure security & immigration.

Security and Departure hall Packed with clueless Korean and chinese tourist all with to much hand carry and liquids in bags forms not filled out etc.

All the counters full of long slow lines.,

In 20 years in and out of Thailand I have never paid an airport immigration official.

But since reading this forum I had my eyes peeled for the guy taking the cash and BOOM there he was.

On the left after the security checkpoint near the Priority lane (empty).

I just walked straight up to him passed all the clueless folks waiting in line, and just said How much? (in Thai) in reply with a REAL Thai smile he said 50 bht in english....

Proceed to empty counter for VIP 100 bht in my passport not a word spoken.

Two immigration guys behind the counter sitting there shooting the breeze shat eating grin towards me nothing towards the room full of korean tourist waiting in long lines..

Bump Bump Bump passport stamped not a word spoken...Total of 10 minutes max at FULL security and immigration hall..

Straight to Priority Pass lounge for 1 1/2hrs of free beer and munchies.

So a little graft can be good sometimes even though I never got the change from the 100bht note for a 50 bht graft charge, Next time I will be prepared with a 50 bht note..

Thanks for the info from Thai Visa.

Hopefully this fast track will be a permanent feature.

[Flying Clog]

Absolutely agree - as a regular commuter through Phuket airport (every week), I absolutely LOVE the 100 baht fast track line!

Leave the Chinese and Russians to their chaos and misery in the 'plebs' line. I couldn't feel less sorry for them to be honest!

[glassdude007]

Graft is good sometimes...

I departed Phuket airport on Sept 14 around mid night.

I was There with plenty of time to spare 10:30 ish at departure security & immigration.

Security and Departure hall Packed with clueless Korean and chinese tourist all with to much hand carry and liquids in bags forms not filled out etc.

All the counters full of long slow lines.,

In 20 years in and out of Thailand I have never paid an airport immigration official.

But since reading this forum I had my eyes peeled for the guy taking the cash and BOOM there he was.

On the left after the security checkpoint near the Priority lane (empty).

I just walked straight up to him passed all the clueless folks waiting in line, and just said How much? (in Thai) in reply with a REAL Thai smile he said 50 bht in english....

Proceed to empty counter for VIP 100 bht in my passport not a word spoken.

Two immigration guys behind the counter sitting there shooting the breeze shat eating grin towards me nothing towards the room full of korean tourist waiting in long lines..

Bump Bump Bump passport stamped not a word spoken...Total of 10 minutes max at FULL security and immigration hall..

Straight to Priority Pass lounge for 1 1/2hrs of free beer and munchies.

So a little graft can be good sometimes even though I never got the change from the 100bht note for a 50 bht graft charge, Next time I will be prepared with a 50 bht note..

Thanks for the info from Thai Visa.

Hopefully this fast track will be a permanent feature.

The fast track (Priority Lane) at departure (not sure about arivial side?)., has always been there for use by the priority pass card lounge holders and buissness class gold card passengers escorted by airline personel.

It has been only recently that I have seen it being used by Immigration officiers as a que to line there pockets.

Hope it stays this way as 50 bht is well worth the hastle free departure....IMHO

Edited October 2, 2014 by glassdude007

[NamKangMan]

Graft is good sometimes...

I departed Phuket airport on Sept 14 around mid night.

I was There with plenty of time to spare 10:30 ish at departure security & immigration.

Security and Departure hall Packed with clueless Korean and chinese tourist all with to much hand carry and liquids in bags forms not filled out etc.

All the counters full of long slow lines.,

In 20 years in and out of Thailand I have never paid an airport immigration official.

But since reading this forum I had my eyes peeled for the guy taking the cash and BOOM there he was.

On the left after the security checkpoint near the Priority lane (empty).

I just walked straight up to him passed all the clueless folks waiting in line, and just said How much? (in Thai) in reply with a REAL Thai smile he said 50 bht in english....

Proceed to empty counter for VIP 100 bht in my passport not a word spoken.

Two immigration guys behind the counter sitting there shooting the breeze shat eating grin towards me nothing towards the room full of korean tourist waiting in long lines..

Bump Bump Bump passport stamped not a word spoken...Total of 10 minutes max at FULL security and immigration hall..

Straight to Priority Pass lounge for 1 1/2hrs of free beer and munchies.

So a little graft can be good sometimes even though I never got the change from the 100bht note for a 50 bht graft charge, Next time I will be prepared with a 50 bht note..

Thanks for the info from Thai Visa.

"So a little graft can be good sometimes" - "graft" never stays "little." At what baht value would you refuse to pay?

"even though I never got the change from the 100bht note for a 50 bht graft charge" - so, you got scammed whilst paying a scam. Priceless.

[beechbum]

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Graft is good sometimes...

I departed Phuket airport on Sept 14 around mid night.

I was There with plenty of time to spare 10:30 ish at departure security & immigration.

Security and Departure hall Packed with clueless Korean and chinese tourist all with to much hand carry and liquids in bags forms not filled out etc.

All the counters full of long slow lines.,

In 20 years in and out of Thailand I have never paid an airport immigration official.

But since reading this forum I had my eyes peeled for the guy taking the cash and BOOM there he was.

On the left after the security checkpoint near the Priority lane (empty).

I just walked straight up to him passed all the clueless folks waiting in line, and just said How much? (in Thai) in reply with a REAL Thai smile he said 50 bht in english....

Proceed to empty counter for VIP 100 bht in my passport not a word spoken.

Two immigration guys behind the counter sitting there shooting the breeze shat eating grin towards me nothing towards the room full of korean tourist waiting in long lines..

Bump Bump Bump passport stamped not a word spoken...Total of 10 minutes max at FULL security and immigration hall..

Straight to Priority Pass lounge for 1 1/2hrs of free beer and munchies.

So a little graft can be good sometimes even though I never got the change from the 100bht note for a 50 bht graft charge, Next time I will be prepared with a 50 bht note..

Thanks for the info from Thai Visa.

If your using a PP card why'd you pay a bribe instead of using the PP VIP service to go through immigration?

[Flying Clog]

Because often the Priority Pass people renege on their duty (as they're too lazy) and won't assist you through the VIP to channel to the lounge.

I've had to kick up a fuss in the past in order for them to assist me through when there's been a long line at security.

But now with the 50 baht fast track line, I don't even bother.

Happy to part with 50 baht. And the immigration guys are genuinely pleased to see you! It's one of the few times you'll get a smile out of Phuket immigration!