Phuket: English language 'complaint' centre could address immigration corruption

[webfact]

PHUKET: English language 'complaint' centre could address immigration corruption
Saran Mitrarat


Governor Nisit Jansomwong.

PHUKET: -- Governor Nisit Jansomwong announced plans to open an English language section of the Damrongtham, government complaint centre, to address allegations of immigration 'service fee' corruption.

The governor’s announcement follows a number of complaints about “immigration service fee” allegedly collected by Patong Immigration officers, for between B200-B500 on top of the B1,900 fee for extending a permit to stay.

According to the complaints – made by some foreigners who wish to remain anonymous – immigration officers refused to issue receipts for said fees.

Reporters on October 13 passed on the complaints to Gov Nisit, who firmly replied “I will assign relevant officers to investigate this allegation. The government’s working process must be clean, clearl and be able to scrutinize.”

“The Damrongtham Centre is a place where everyone can make a complaint. On this point, I will look to establishing an English section to receive complaints from foreigners.”

Phuket Governor added that he is trying to secure a budget to expand CCTV coverage in Phuket to cover all public and government office areas.

“CCTV will provide good evidence when such situations happen. Most criminals captured by CCTV can be arrested,” Gov Nisit said.

“Lucky for Phuket, we have a hotel association to support these [initiatives to expand CCTV coverage]. I have assigned every municipality to allocate a budget for more CCTV. Safety is the first priority in Phuket,” he added.

“CCTV can serve as a warning for people that they are being watched all the time, which can lead to decrease in criminal [activity] and also for [improving] work flow of government officers,” he explained.

However, the governor could not specific an opening date of said English section at the local Damrongtham Centre.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/english-language-%E2%80%98complaint%E2%80%99-centre-could-address-immigration-corruption-in-phuket-49183.php


-- Phuket News 2014-10-16

[bongoz]

CCTV the new LAW in Thailand...

[Costas2008]

Dear farangs, please do not complain next time you will not be able to obtain your extension for stay.

We in the immigration, can make your lives a misery, if we want...............................

After all we not only here to serve you but also fight corruption, according to our new PM.

Always happy to see you next time, with a broad smile in our faces.

NOT, the immigration department.

[kkup]

All those that ever asked for a "receipt" might as well back your bags next time you try to get an extension.

[monkeycountry]

So in order to catch a couple of criminals whose name and workplace is already known, you need a "complaint centre"??

I assume it is the same few officials at immigration that always takes the bribes, and that everyone knows exactly who that is. If they want to catch these officials, simply find a foreigner who is willing to cooperate, and send him in to get his visa. Let him go with his fake girlfriend, who is really a police officer (not from Phuket) and have them wear a wire/camera, once the evidence of the bribe payment is on tape, arrest the corrupt officer(s).

Of course, if the real goal is not to catch the corrupt officials, but just to pretend to be solving the problem (as usual), then the above will not work.

[Lupatria]

You feel you are underpaid and dead tired of your boring job?

Get caught on CCTV and apply for an inactive post so you can open your own business.

[jeanpierre]

put the cctv camera's on the desk of immigration directed on their wallets

[LivinginKata]

All those that ever asked for a "receipt" might as well back your bags next time you try to get an extension.

Have to say that I thought this after my rejection of an officer's demands for his 'fee' on processing my very first one year extension many many years ago (and he was looking for big money). When I showed up the next year for my one year extension that officer would not even take my paperwork and passed me on to a younger new officer who gave good service and no 'extra' charge. That older officer was transferred to the front desk tourist extensions and then disappeared for ever.

Over the years I have rejected (politely) any demands for 'extra' payments.

[gyrosman]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

[razer]

Standardized regulations ... in writing ... not subject to local interpretation ... would fix a lot of woes.

[ZeldasCavern]

Who's going to step up to the plate?

Edited October 16, 2014 by ZeldasCavern

[Time Traveller]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

The issue is not 200 baht or 2000 baht or 200,000 baht. The issue is the fee for service was paid already. This is corruption - the amount they demand does not matter.

If these immigration officers don't like their jobs or not paid enough then just quit and do something else. Or stand out front of the building with a begging cup for some extra coin.

Thai visa costs are not cheaper than visas to other countries. Yet other countries manage to pay their immigration staff high enough wages that they don't have to extort money from every foreigner. Can idiots like you understand that?

And who do you think you are to say who should be here or not. Any rational person would not pay anything extra than what the cost is. People do have a right to complain.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Time Traveller

[joebrown]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

I don't think 'tourists' would worry about a couple of hundred baht 'tea money', not being wise to Thai practices. What do you think about 'tea money' being asked for Retirement Extensions. Are you condoning corruption? Please tell us.

[gerry123]

could address ???

[davidmann]

i like corruption it always works

[Arandora]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer consumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

People like you are as much a part of the problem as the corrupt officials extorting money illegally from both visitors or ex-pats. To compare paying illegal charges with legal sales taxes and service charges is the height of stupidity and ignorance. As for tips, whatever amount is given is given willingly to reward good service not to reward corrupt officials using threats of denying a legal process paid for by the legal amount. It amazes me, if you are Thai, if you would support any corruption in your country whatever the amount. If you want to get rid of a weed, you attack the root system. You, my friend, are part of the root system.

[winstonc]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

I don't think 'tourists' would worry about a couple of hundred baht 'tea money', not being wise to Thai practices. What do you think about 'tea money' being asked for Retirement Extensions. Are you condoning corruption? Please tell us.

foot in mouth he wont be back...

[tancred]

If you decline to pay extra when asked ,you can be called back several times to "clarify "a point,obviously costing time and money especially concerning. marriage extension,you know the system,so there.

[LivinginKata]

If you decline to pay extra when asked ,you can be called back several times to "clarify "a point,obviously costing time and money especially concerning. marriage extension,you know the system,so there.

Yes, I agree, you have a valid point. And I well know the system here. Trouble is that it's just so easy to pay and that only encourages the corruption. If we all made a stand then the officers would have to back down. Oh ... and I dream on .....

[JoeLing]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

Are you serious? Are you real?

You really believe, having to pay a bribe for a service is the same

as voluntarily giving a tip for exceptionally good service?

Well, at least one defender for corruption on this forum.

[Andre0720]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

The issue is not 200 baht or 2000 baht or 200,000 baht. The issue is the fee for service was paid already. This is corruption - the amount they demand does not matter.

If these immigration officers don't like their jobs or not paid enough then just quit and do something else. Or stand out front of the building with a begging cup for some extra coin.

Thai visa costs are not cheaper than visas to other countries. Yet other countries manage to pay their immigration staff high enough wages that they don't have to extort money from every foreigner. Can idiots like you understand that?

And who do you think you are to say who should be here or not. Any rational person would not pay anything extra than what the cost is. People do have a right to complain.

I would think that back home, we are able to negociate with the employer all of our fringe benefits...which we do get...

Here, the negociation is between the employee and the customer....

Why are people so upset at this difference of MO?....

[JoeLing]

If you decline to pay extra when asked ,you can be called back several times to "clarify "a point,obviously costing time and money especially concerning. marriage extension,you know the system,so there.

Yes, I agree, you have a valid point. And I well know the system here. Trouble is that it's just so easy to pay and that only encourages the corruption. If we all made a stand then the officers would have to back down. Oh ... and I dream on .....

Maybe a Mass Burning of Expats in some immigration office would do the trick?

[JoeLing]

Just wonder:

1.) will there be any english speaking staff at hand at this english language "complaint" center?
2.) why is "complaint" in between quotation marks?

[JetsetBkk]

So in order to catch a couple of criminals whose name and workplace is already known, you need a "complaint centre"??

I assume it is the same few officials at immigration that always takes the bribes, and that everyone knows exactly who that is. If they want to catch these officials, simply find a foreigner who is willing to cooperate, and send him in to get his visa. Let him go with his fake girlfriend, who is really a police officer (not from Phuket) and have them wear a wire/camera, once the evidence of the bribe payment is on tape, arrest the corrupt officer(s).

Of course, if the real goal is not to catch the corrupt officials, but just to pretend to be solving the problem (as usual), then the above will not work.

I know exactly which couple of criminals to catch.

The two on the extreme right of the front desk.

[Beetlejuice]

Considering that the Immigration Departments is all about dealing with foreigners and it would be very few Thais making any complaints, than I would have thought that creating an English language complaints section would have been the department`s first priority.

Would anyone really have the guts or dare to make any official complaints against their Immigration departments? Naming names and actually making reports trying to establish proof against them accusing of corruption or extortion? Somehow I doubt it, as I know I wouldn`t risk it.

[asdecas]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

The issue is not 200 baht or 2000 baht or 200,000 baht. The issue is the fee for service was paid already. This is corruption - the amount they demand does not matter.

If these immigration officers don't like their jobs or not paid enough then just quit and do something else. Or stand out front of the building with a begging cup for some extra coin.

Thai visa costs are not cheaper than visas to other countries. Yet other countries manage to pay their immigration staff high enough wages that they don't have to extort money from every foreigner. Can idiots like you understand that?

And who do you think you are to say who should be here or not. Any rational person would not pay anything extra than what the cost is. People do have a right to complain.

To those not of Thai nationality who wish to join the brave fight against corruption in this ancient and magnificent country I say, good luck, you will need it, and if perchance you succeed then be prepared for unintended consequences.

[GeckosDiving]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

What a dumb ass post !!

[Jambo]

And the one on the back desk with the designer specs and ear piece for his mobile phone.

[mango66]

very simple,

why you not make it like in the food court,

an extra cashier,

you pay the coupon for extension, 1.900,- forup

before you go to the counter, finished;

[VINCENT2012]

For all tourist, if 200 baht is going to impact your beer comsumption, well 1f 7$ usd breaks the bank, stay home. Where are you from, paying sales taxes, service charge 10%, tips. Somethings need to fix here, but bitching when your on holiday for 200 baht, take it home.

The issue is not 200 baht or 2000 baht or 200,000 baht. The issue is the fee for service was paid already. This is corruption - the amount they demand does not matter.

If these immigration officers don't like their jobs or not paid enough then just quit and do something else. Or stand out front of the building with a begging cup for some extra coin.

Thai visa costs are not cheaper than visas to other countries. Yet other countries manage to pay their immigration staff high enough wages that they don't have to extort money from every foreigner. Can idiots like you understand that?

And who do you think you are to say who should be here or not. Any rational person would not pay anything extra than what the cost is. People do have a right to complain.

i aplaud this answerd bravo