nzexpat Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Immigration Office Chief Sunchai Chokkajaykij , head of Phuket immigration has stated in a local newspaper that non of his officers are involved in making illegal payment requests in respect of services which should be provided free ! The Colonel requests that any such demand for payment be reported directly to him. I am unsure about posting the link but will do so if a Mod agrees . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merijn Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Hopefully everybody will call him (the Colonel) when they have to pay for free services. This is maybe the only way to get it stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paz Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Hopefully everybody will call him (the Colonel) when they have to pay for free services. This is maybe the only way to get it stopped. The Colonel will be too busy for taking calls from foreigners. He made his appearance saving statement and it ends there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzexpat Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> Hopefully everybody will call him (the Colonel) when they have to pay for free services. This is maybe the only way to get it stopped. The Colonel will be too busy for taking calls from foreigners. He made his appearance saving statement and it ends there. The last time this issue emerged it resulted in "removals" from the Patong office. Corruption needs to be confronted ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I am unsure about posting the link but will do so if a Mod agrees . Phuket Gazette does not object to our quoting from them, as far as I know. I shall put it into the next post. Thank you for having brought this up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) Phuket Immigration extortion allegations denied Phuket Gazette - March 10, 2015 | 05:57 PM PHUKET: The Phuket Immigration chief has asked foreigners who believe they have witnessed extortion at the hands of his officers, while applying for address verification letters and other free services, to report such incidents directly to him. See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-Immigration-extortion-allegations-denied/51532#sthash.cVN0sZLI.dpuf -- Phuket Gazette 2015-03-10 Edited March 11, 2015 by ubonjoe Reduced to one line of text to meet usage requirements set by Phuket Gazette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 The last time this issue emerged it resulted in "removals" from the Patong office. Corruption needs to be confronted ! That was an interesting case, reported by the Phuket Gazette here: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Patong-immigration-officer-removed-amid-corruption-claims/43974 To summarise: A foreigner got charged 500 Baht for a confirmation of address letter by an immigration officer in Patong and filed a complaint with the ombudsman. The ombudsman passed the complaint on the provincial governor. The governor asked the chief of immigration to explain within 15 days. The chief of immigration transferred the errant officer to another location. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzexpat Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> The last time this issue emerged it resulted in "removals" from the Patong office. Corruption needs to be confronted ! That was an interesting case, reported by the Phuket Gazette here: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Patong-immigration-officer-removed-amid-corruption-claims/43974To summarise:A foreigner got charged 500 Baht for a confirmation of address letter by an immigration officer in Patong and filed a complaint with the ombudsman. The ombudsman passed the complaint on the provincial governor. The governor asked the chief of immigration to explain within 15 days. The chief of immigration transferred the errant officer to another location. Not one errant officer but all errant officers ! There was a significant clear out from the Patong office ! BTW Many thanks for posting the article from the PG Corruption can and must be confronted 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post colinneil Posted March 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2015 The problem is not only Phuket immigration but everywhere, officer asks/expects money for residence certificate/ other paperwork. Farang does not want problems, so pays for something that should be free. So it goes on and on. Farang expects to pay /officer expects money. Never ends. Take along relevant government paperwork, show it and refuse to pay. Ok you shout we will get problems in future. No if you do not break laws/rules, you will be ok. I was asked once for 500 baht for residence certificate, i said no it is free, ok up to you i was told got my certificate and left ,no problem. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post robblok Posted March 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2015 <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> The last time this issue emerged it resulted in "removals" from the Patong office. Corruption needs to be confronted ! That was an interesting case, reported by the Phuket Gazette here: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Patong-immigration-officer-removed-amid-corruption-claims/43974 To summarise: A foreigner got charged 500 Baht for a confirmation of address letter by an immigration officer in Patong and filed a complaint with the ombudsman. The ombudsman passed the complaint on the provincial governor. The governor asked the chief of immigration to explain within 15 days. The chief of immigration transferred the errant officer to another location. Not one errant officer but all errant officers ! There was a significant clear out from the Patong office ! BTW Many thanks for posting the article from the PG Corruption can and must be confronted Be careful what you ask for.. where I am from for a long time we could not get residence certificates because they had to be free. Now we can get them again... ok we have to pay but i prefer 600bt to the time price and effort to get it from my embassy. I don't like corruption much and like to take a stand but when it cost me a lot more money and time I rather pay then shoot myself in the foot. Sure there are other ways to look at it.. but in general we don't win against Thais in power. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie61 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Phuket Immigration extortion allegations denied Phuket Gazette - March 10, 2015 | 05:57 PM PHUKET: The Phuket Immigration chief has asked foreigners who believe they have witnessed extortion at the hands of his officers, while applying for address verification letters and other free services, to report such incidents directly to him. See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-Immigration-extortion-allegations-denied/51532#sthash.cVN0sZLI.dpuf -- Phuket Gazette 2015-03-10 250 baht for address verification at Pattaya immigration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wxpwzrd Posted March 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2015 I just don't get this "transfer (insert government title here) to another office" crap. These criminal offenders need to be fired and prosecuted. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dopenhagen Posted March 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2015 I know it's not directly related, however I thought I wanted to share my experience with the Kanchanaburi Immigration. I have since the middle of last year (please read between the lines) not experienced a single incident with me or anyone else for that matter being charged for any service, even when the level of service provided by the Immigration clearly extended their obligations (e.g. assistance to elderly gentlemen in understanding the new requirements and eventually also gathering the correct documents). Perhaps Kanchanaburi stands our as a healthy thumb in a forrest of sore ones, but I think it's important to also hear the good stories amidst the bad ones we are all too used to hearing in this otherwise lovely country. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlQaholic Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 The dear Colonel did not give any phone number or web site with which one could report to him directly? Even if he did both would probably be out of order... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larsjohnsson Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I just don't get this "transfer (insert government title here) to another office" crap. These criminal offenders need to be fired and prosecuted.They can never get fired and prosecuted here. Everyone is corrupted and it's normal here. Just move them around so they can scam people in other places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Croc Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 The question mark in the title was a bit redundant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tchooptip Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Corruption at Samui immigration? Last year I was not asked the 1900 Baht for my yearly extension but shamelessly 5000 Baht It was the first one and honestly I did not know the right amount. What shall I do next time ? (4month) honestly I do not know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ubonjoe Posted March 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2015 Corruption at Samui immigration? Last year I was not asked the 1900 Baht for my yearly extension but shamelessly 5000 Baht It was the first one and honestly I did not know the right amount. What shall I do next time ? (4month) honestly I do not know Put 1900 baht in an envelope and write 1900 baht fee on it. This has been suggest by those that have to go to Samui immigration. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OmegaRacer Posted March 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2015 I went to Chachoengsao Immigration a few months back for a proof of residency document. Expected to pay 200Baht, was asked 500. When I asked to see where it said that it costs that much, the woman said it was "helping money" and if I didn't want to pay I could always go to Bangkok. I asked to see her superior. She said ok and entered a door (which I know is only the door to the staircase) and came back after 2 seconds saying he was not in and I was welcome to wait. I knew it was BS so in the end I grudgingly agreed because I needed the document quickly and didn't have the time to go to Bangkok. The 'kind' officer made a point of making me wait for over an hour while they were doing nothing. When she finally presented the document, I paid and I asked for a receipt, at which point she exploded and tore up the paper in front of me, shouting and telling me to go out. I told her she should be ashamed of herself. I had a few other things in my mind I wanted to tell her, but amazingly I managed to keep them to myself. In the end I had to ask another (really friendly) officer to get the document and eventually got it. I wish I knew the relevant number to call for these kind of extortions. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeycountry Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 It is not just Phuket. Samui and other tourist areas have the same problem. However, considering the Thai mentality of shooting the messenger in order to hide the problem, I think people should be a little careful when calling the immigration boss in order to inform on his staff. Odds are all that will happen is more trouble with your visa. Keep in mind, the immigration boss may not get paid directly, but he most likely gets a substantial cut from whatever his staff gets paid by visa applicants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Neeranam Posted March 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2015 Have you any idea how much it costs to get a position in a busy immigration office? So much hypocrisy from foreigners saying they are againt corruption yet pay for a letter of residence. Stand up for your "rights" or shut up and integrate. Learn Thai and get discount or free. I like corruption and partake in it but incidentally never had to pay for such a letter. I know many who are against corruption yet don't want to travel to do the 90 day report so pay the officer or pay not to get the letter from embassy or bank. why? Because it is convenient for them.Everyone gains. Yet they moan about corruption in other areas. Phuket has so many clueless tourists that are fair game in my opinion. If you are an expat, you should know the game and how to get around obstacles. Make a joke, take them a bunch of bananas etc. Corruption is here to stay. Fight it or accept it and learn how to benefit fron it. it would take many years to change and not in any of our life times. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonawatchee Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 The last time this issue emerged it resulted in "removals" from the Patong office. Corruption needs to be confronted ! That was an interesting case, reported by the Phuket Gazette here: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Patong-immigration-officer-removed-amid-corruption-claims/43974 To summarise: A foreigner got charged 500 Baht for a confirmation of address letter by an immigration officer in Patong and filed a complaint with the ombudsman. The ombudsman passed the complaint on the provincial governor. The governor asked the chief of immigration to explain within 15 days. The chief of immigration transferred the errant officer to another location. Proof that the system works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I went to Chachoengsao Immigration a few months back for a proof of residency document. Expected to pay 200Baht, was asked 500. When I asked to see where it said that it costs that much, the woman said it was "helping money" and if I didn't want to pay I could always go to Bangkok. I asked to see her superior. She said ok and entered a door (which I know is only the door to the staircase) and came back after 2 seconds saying he was not in and I was welcome to wait. I knew it was BS so in the end I grudgingly agreed because I needed the document quickly and didn't have the time to go to Bangkok. The 'kind' officer made a point of making me wait for over an hour while they were doing nothing. When she finally presented the document, I paid and I asked for a receipt, at which point she exploded and tore up the paper in front of me, shouting and telling me to go out. I told her she should be ashamed of herself. I had a few other things in my mind I wanted to tell her, but amazingly I managed to keep them to myself. In the end I had to ask another (really friendly) officer to get the document and eventually got it. I wish I knew the relevant number to call for these kind of extortions. You should take a photo of the officer and record your conversation. Upload it to you tube and send it the office of the PM.put it on forums Thai and English. Take it your embassy. Take it to newspapers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 It is not just Phuket. Samui and other tourist areas have the same problem. However, considering the Thai mentality of shooting the messenger in order to hide the problem, I think people should be a little careful when calling the immigration boss in order to inform on his staff. Odds are all that will happen is more trouble with your visa. Keep in mind, the immigration boss may not get paid directly, but he most likely gets a substantial cut from whatever his staff gets paid by visa applicants. in order to take on the Immigration you will need influence or power. They know that 99% don't have such power and if they did they would use it for 500 baht or so.I once thought of using some inflential friend against an officer. Lucky I didn't as the army kicked him out. Thais love revenge - just take a look at what the army are doing to fight corruption and guess who they are hurting- the police of course. Wait 5 years and all the army led corrupt activities will be getting hit unless Prayuth manages to hurt the police mafia so bad the army will "the power" for many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Have you any idea how much it costs to get a position in a busy immigration office? So much hypocrisy from foreigners saying they are againt corruption yet pay for a letter of residence. Stand up for your "rights" or shut up and integrate. Learn Thai and get discount or free. I like corruption and partake in it but incidentally never had to pay for such a letter. I know many who are against corruption yet don't want to travel to do the 90 day report so pay the officer or pay not to get the letter from embassy or bank. why? Because it is convenient for them.Everyone gains. Yet they moan about corruption in other areas. Phuket has so many clueless tourists that are fair game in my opinion. If you are an expat, you should know the game and how to get around obstacles. Make a joke, take them a bunch of bananas etc. Corruption is here to stay. Fight it or accept it and learn how to benefit fron it. it would take many years to change and not in any of our life times. Your second last sentence is a cracker Neeranam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I went to Chachoengsao Immigration a few months back for a proof of residency document. Expected to pay 200Baht, was asked 500. When I asked to see where it said that it costs that much, the woman said it was "helping money" and if I didn't want to pay I could always go to Bangkok. I asked to see her superior. She said ok and entered a door (which I know is only the door to the staircase) and came back after 2 seconds saying he was not in and I was welcome to wait. I knew it was BS so in the end I grudgingly agreed because I needed the document quickly and didn't have the time to go to Bangkok. The 'kind' officer made a point of making me wait for over an hour while they were doing nothing. When she finally presented the document, I paid and I asked for a receipt, at which point she exploded and tore up the paper in front of me, shouting and telling me to go out. I told her she should be ashamed of herself. I had a few other things in my mind I wanted to tell her, but amazingly I managed to keep them to myself. In the end I had to ask another (really friendly) officer to get the document and eventually got it. I wish I knew the relevant number to call for these kind of extortions. You should take a photo of the officer and record your conversation. Upload it to you tube and send it the office of the PM.put it on forums Thai and English. Take it your embassy. Take it to newspapers. Great idea, but I don't think it would go down well if you took a photo of the officer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaZa9 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I got a Letter of Residency yesterday from Patong - after all the hoo-haa about 'proving' where I live and who is the landlord for my recent Retirement Extension at Phuket Town , and yet another piece of paper stapled in my PP saying its all been done , I HAVE to again 'prove' where I live to upgrade my drivers license to '5 Years' On Monday , the girl who does them at Patong wasnt there , so I had lined up for nothing Yesterday she was there and quite efficient , even more so after we had exchanged pleasantries about her various 'kanom' (snacks) We were in a back office area , so I was prepared for a request for sin bon The boss came in and made small talk , but I could see he gave the girl a look when she didnt ask me for anything as she handed over the letter The thing is , the letter proves nothing , and is a complete waste of time for all parties involved I could photocopy a lease agreement and falsify it in 5 minutes - the letter only verifies whatever details I present 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny S Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 (edited) I went to Chachoengsao Immigration a few months back for a proof of residency document. Expected to pay 200Baht, was asked 500. When I asked to see where it said that it costs that much, the woman said it was "helping money" and if I didn't want to pay I could always go to Bangkok. I asked to see her superior. She said ok and entered a door (which I know is only the door to the staircase) and came back after 2 seconds saying he was not in and I was welcome to wait. I knew it was BS so in the end I grudgingly agreed because I needed the document quickly and didn't have the time to go to Bangkok. The 'kind' officer made a point of making me wait for over an hour while they were doing nothing. When she finally presented the document, I paid and I asked for a receipt, at which point she exploded and tore up the paper in front of me, shouting and telling me to go out. I told her she should be ashamed of herself. I had a few other things in my mind I wanted to tell her, but amazingly I managed to keep them to myself. In the end I had to ask another (really friendly) officer to get the document and eventually got it. I wish I knew the relevant number to call for these kind of extortions. Call NACC on 1111 and report the officer. Try to get a look at his/her name on the uniform. NACC will tell you that they will look in to it and you can get always call them back to hear whats beeing done about the "case". I wish all would do it but seems like somebody want to support corruption and whine about it same time .... Edited March 11, 2015 by Johnny S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaRacer Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I went to Chachoengsao Immigration a few months back for a proof of residency document. Expected to pay 200Baht, was asked 500. When I asked to see where it said that it costs that much, the woman said it was "helping money" and if I didn't want to pay I could always go to Bangkok. I asked to see her superior. She said ok and entered a door (which I know is only the door to the staircase) and came back after 2 seconds saying he was not in and I was welcome to wait. I knew it was BS so in the end I grudgingly agreed because I needed the document quickly and didn't have the time to go to Bangkok. The 'kind' officer made a point of making me wait for over an hour while they were doing nothing. When she finally presented the document, I paid and I asked for a receipt, at which point she exploded and tore up the paper in front of me, shouting and telling me to go out. I told her she should be ashamed of herself. I had a few other things in my mind I wanted to tell her, but amazingly I managed to keep them to myself. In the end I had to ask another (really friendly) officer to get the document and eventually got it. I wish I knew the relevant number to call for these kind of extortions. You should take a photo of the officer and record your conversation. Upload it to you tube and send it the office of the PM.put it on forums Thai and English. Take it your embassy. Take it to newspapers. Great idea, but I don't think it would go down well if you took a photo of the officer. Actually I did take her picture (from afar) and asked her for her full name. Not sure if I still have it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoBrainer Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> Hopefully everybody will call him (the Colonel) when they have to pay for free services. This is maybe the only way to get it stopped. The Colonel will be too busy for taking calls from foreigners. He made his appearance saving statement and it ends there. The last time this issue emerged it resulted in "removals" from the Patong office. Corruption needs to be confronted ! Maybe you would care to explain how they are supposed to live without their Tea money? Seems to me it would be next to impossible, unless you were moonlighting as a TukTuk driver. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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