Nong Khai taxi drivers to help prevent human trafficking

[webfact]

Nong Khai taxi drivers to help prevent human trafficking

NONG KHAI, 06 October 2015, (NNT) - The Nong Khai Immigration Office has urged taxi drivers in the province to look out for human trafficking suspects and prevent crimes.

A meeting between officials and taxi operators was held on Monday at the province's immigration office. Authorities urged taxi drivers to strictly follow immigration regulations, as the government steps up measures against human trafficking nationwide.

Taxi drivers are now held liable for passengers to present their passport to immigration officials, before entering or leaving the Kingdom. Failing to comply with this regulation can result in taxi drivers losing their license.

They also have been urged to inform authorities of suspicious activity along the border, which may involve their passengers. If low-level officials are proving uncooperative, taxi drivers are encouraged to reach out to supervisors at the immigration office.


-- NNT 2015-10-06

[speedtripler]

Blame the taxi drivers for corrupted immigration officials hilarious

[zaphod reborn]

Taxi drivers are now held liable for passengers to present their passport to immigration officials, before entering or leaving the Kingdom. Failing to comply with this regulation can result in taxi drivers losing their license.

I assume that the NNT's understanding of the English language isn't sufficient to comprehend the misinformation they just disseminated. Didn't the PM warn about the media spreading falsehoods? I guess the government's propaganda machine is exempt from such regulation.

Or, maybe they are saying that someone without a passport not only needs to bribe immigration officials, but also their taxi drivers, who in turn, must also bribe various government officials.

Edited October 6, 2015 by zaphod reborn

[chrisinth]

So, before you get a taxi in Nong Khai, you better have your passport ready for an additional check, needed or not. Not long before they will get their own uniforms and personalized immigration stamps.

I hope the taxi drivers have been instructed that copies are OK for normal identification........................

I used to think that the law (in some countries), where bars could be held accountable for drivers involved in drink related incidents was retarded enough. Now we have taxi drivers being responsible for their fare's immigration status. Being alert and vigilant is one thing, to hold the driver responsible for immigration status is another completely.

[Jeremy50]

So now the taxi drivers are a bunch of police informers, very sinister. Anyway surely they mean tuk tuk drivers [an unscrupulous bunch to say the least], I have never seen meter taxis operating in Nong Khai.

[cockatoowho]

Urging them with threats, sounds about on par for Thailand.

[mark131v]

Makes sense really as the police and military are generally busy doing other things and tbh it's not really as if they could do a worse job....

[speedtripler]

Cause everyone knows taxi drivers are well above dishonesty.....

[mark131v]

Cause everyone knows taxi drivers are well above dishonesty.....

This is Thailand there is no dishonesty here.....

[oneday]

With this government they can do anything they want...even if it's unreasonable or illegal.

[sgtsabai]

There are and have been taxis in Nong Khai, although at the border the tuk-tuk mafia reigns supreme. Lao people do not need passport, 3 day pass. Although the single ladies often have to pay an "additional fee". I guess this means that in addition to paying to come across that now they will have to pay tuk tuk driver also.

[speedtripler]

The taxis are supposed to check the documents now instead of the corrupt immigration officials - what an interesting way to deal with this situation....

How are taxi drivers supposed to know what a fake passport or visa looks like?

[Nemesis7]

If the taxi driver is honest its a good step.

But they shouldn't be checking documents as its not their job nor they understand the things in details.

this might give the taxi drivers to get more involved in the crime at some point, and they themselves may become the carrier.and it will give them the scope to blackmail or demand more.

All they can do is remain vigilant and report anything thats suspicious.

[Globalres]

I may have misunderstood this. But is a taxi driver supposed to take passenger to immigration, get off with passenger and make sure that passenger presents his papers to immigration officer? Apologies if I misunderstood the article!

[klauskunkel]

good idea - outsource police duties to cabbies...

next idea - 7Elevens to become substitute police stations...

now the police can concentrate fully on being (insert your favorite adjective or noun here)

[laocowboy2]

So, before you get a taxi in Nong Khai, you better have your passport ready for an additional check, needed or not. Not long before they will get their own uniforms and personalized immigration stamps.

I hope the taxi drivers have been instructed that copies are OK for normal identification........................

I used to think that the law (in some countries), where bars could be held accountable for drivers involved in drink related incidents was retarded enough. Now we have taxi drivers being responsible for their fare's immigration status. Being alert and vigilant is one thing, to hold the driver responsible for immigration status is another completely.

Cue taxi on Sukhumvit turning down farang passenger - 'Sorry but no go - I not sure you immigration status'.

[Barin]

... I have never seen meter taxis operating in Nong Khai.

Actually I believe there are a few dozen of them, we can see them every day...

Edited October 6, 2015 by Barin

[TheKnave]

The collective reading comprehension on TV is abyssmal.

This article is about leaving and entering the Kingdom, I.e., crossing the border, not about taxi drivers requiring passports when providing rides within Thailand.

Anyone make it past kindergarten reading level?

Of course, it's the usual suspects...I'm sure the new owners of TV appreciate the clicks...lol

[hgma]

I wish the press avoided NongKhai, once ranked the no 5 place in the world to retire, now regular in the wrong side of the news.

[duckmandon]

The collective reading comprehension on TV is abyssmal.

This article is about leaving and entering the Kingdom, I.e., crossing the border, not about taxi drivers requiring passports when providing rides within Thailand.

Anyone make it past kindergarten reading level?

Of course, it's the usual suspects...I'm sure the new owners of TV appreciate the clicks...lol

The article states. Taxi drivers are now held liable for passengers to present their passport to immigration officials, before entering or leaving the Kingdom. If your not in Thailand then how can the taxi drivers perform this important duty. Tell me do they accompany you to the counter & wait until immigration say

Mai Pen Rai. If I ride to the border in a taxi but just go shopping at the market then do they take me to immigration? The article is not written well at all so hence the confusion. How do I get the taxi driver to present my passport before I enter the country. DUHHHHHHH

[thailanddogerator]

All taxis and especially motorbike taxis have always been police informers in Thailand. No better grass than a taxi...

So now the taxi drivers are a bunch of police informers, very sinister. Anyway surely they mean tuk tuk drivers [an unscrupulous bunch to say the least], I have never seen meter taxis operating in Nong Khai.