"Free Tour" foreign businessmen a national security issue for Thailand, says immigration chief

[webfact]

"Free Tour" foreign businessmen a national security issue for Thailand, says immigration chief

 

Image: tnamcot

 

BANGKOK: -- The head of Thailand's immigration has called for increased action to stop foreigners arriving in Thailand under the cover of tourism who then set up businesses in the country.

 

The issue is referred as "free tour" in Thai. 

 

Businessmen slip into the country then set up illegal operations in the kingdom often with Thais as nominees up front to hide what is really happening, reported tnamcot.

 

Immigration chief Nathathorn Phrosunthorn announced in Ayutthaya yesterday that he is setting up a task force to delve into the matter as it is one of national importance and national security.

 

He said that all departments concerned need to examine the motives of people coming into Thailand to make sure they are not abusing the law.

 

He pointed out that businessmen were using the cover of "free tours" all over the country but that it was a practice most prevalent in tourist areas themselves.

 

He also promised action against Thais acting as nominees in facilitating the breaking of the law.

 

Source: tnamcot

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-09-13

[PatOngo]

The noose slowly tightens.......

[colinneil]

Look at the other policemen in the photo trying to keep their faces straight. 

 

[phycokiller]

5 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Look at the other policemen in the photo trying to keep their faces straight. 

 

looks more like they are trying to hold farts in

[Sharp]

28 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

The noose slowly tightens.......

No different from other countries with regard to this subject! 

[jamesbrock]

So, let me get this straight, foreigners financing their Thai spouses and supporting the Thai economy is a matter of "national importance and national security" deserving of a taskforce, but locals and tourists on business or visiting area casinos were paying between 50 and 500 baht to cross the border with "no documents of any kind" required is fine??

[waldroj]

"...Businessmen slip into the country..." after being cleared by Immigration, with visas issued by Immigration!

 

Maybe, this new "task force" needs to start its delving internally before they get too xenophobic?

[Crossy]

A post discussing moderation has been removed, per forum rules.

[NongKhaiKid]

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

Look at the other policemen in the photo trying to keep their faces straight. 

 

 

1 hour ago, phycokiller said:

looks more like they are trying to hold farts in

And stomachs too.

Do the uniform outfitters deliberately make police uniforms ill fitting ?

I don't mind seeing uni girls with blouses a size or two small but not the BIB

[Alive]

I'd bet most foreign small businesses started this way especially in the nightlife and tourism sectors. No doubt the Chinese who now have more access to the world than ever are interested in getting set up in Thailand this way.

[zakk9]

I think this is mostly about the Chinese. Most of the companies involved in the "zero dollar tourist" scams seem to be owned by Chinese through Thai nominees.

[Bluespunk]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Immigration chief Nathathorn Phrosunthorn announced in Ayutthaya yesterday that he is setting up a task force to delve into the matter as it is one of national importance and national security.

 

How exactly is it an issue of national security?

[Briggsy]

24 minutes ago, NongKhaiKid said:

 

And stomachs too.

Do the uniform outfitters deliberately make police uniforms ill fitting ?

I don't mind seeing uni girls with blouses a size or two small but not the BIB

Much of what is now classed as tradition in Thailand can be traced to the United States in the decade after the Second World War. Thailand went through a sea change as the power of the central government spread to every corner of the kingdom through one-nation policies. Many of these policies were heavily influenced either by Thais copying America or through American advisors. America has moved on but Thailand remains more resistent to change.

[worgeordie]

National Security can be rolled out to cover just about

anything,and its not just in  Thailand.

regards Worgeordie

[Brer Fox]

I though the General and his cronies were desperate for foreign investment in Thailand. Is this another communistic style deterrent for potential foreign investors?

[Brer Fox]

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Look at the other policemen in the photo trying to keep their faces straight. 

 

To me they all look like they are missing a chromosome.

[khunpa]

Great statement and post. I am sure Foreign Businessmen will find it motivating.

 

Ohh sorry forgot! Foreign Investment is of importance or needed in Thailand. 

[cumgranosalum]

3 hours ago, colinneil said:

Look at the other policemen in the photo trying to keep their faces straight. 

 

They all get one point each, but no bonus points for pointing.

[cumgranosalum]

Will somebody please tell them how ridiculous these photos look to the world at large?

[mania]

This guy need to buy a vowel or a clue.....Yesterday he was accusing married foreigners of just being fake marriages so they could stay in this

place aka:heaven on earth & start businesses.

he warned officials under his command to be on the lookout for illegals with fake marriage certificates

 

Now today he see's a boogeyman under the bed slipping into this country on tourist visa's to open a business

because gawd knows anyone can easily become a millionaire in Thailand right??

 

Puleeze he really needs to wake up from his delusions

If someone wanted to start a business & make actual money there are so very many better places to do so & be welcomed

while doing so. Not to mention having a better customer base & logistics

 

I have no idea of what the true intent is here but this "Threat To National Security" is way out there in left field.

Same as his calling many marriages in Thailand fake to do business.

 

 

 

[klauskunkel]

 

Threat to National Security...look in the mirror - there is your threat

[craigt3365]

4 hours ago, Sharp said:

No different from other countries with regard to this subject! 

Not so sure about that.  Thailand is the #1 country for tour groups like this:

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/tourism/2015statistics/outbound.htm

 

Top 10 Destinations for Tourists Organized by Travel Agencies in Quarter One:

1. Thailand (15%)	2. Hong Kong (13%)	3. South Korea (12%)	4. Japan (11%)	5. Taiwan (8%)
6. Macau (7%)	7. Singapore (4%)	8. Vietnam (3%)	9. Malaysia (3%)	10. Indonesia (2%)

 

I doubt South Korea, Japan or Taiwan would put up with this.  Not as much corruption there.

 

[Dakhar]

wife wants to start a cosmetic company empire (her dream).   I spot her the seed money, and now I'm a threat?

Edited September 13, 2016 by Dakhar

[craigt3365]

27 minutes ago, mania said:

This guy need to buy a vowel or a clue.....Yesterday he was accusing married foreigners of just being fake marriages so they could stay in this

place aka:heaven on earth & start businesses.

he warned officials under his command to be on the lookout for illegals with fake marriage certificates

 

Now today he see's a boogeyman under the bed slipping into this country on tourist visa's to open a business

because gawd knows anyone can easily become a millionaire in Thailand right??

 

Puleeze he really needs to wake up from his delusions

If someone wanted to start a business & make actual money there are so very many better places to do so & be welcomed

while doing so. Not to mention having a better customer base & logistics

 

I have no idea of what the true intent is here but this "Threat To National Security" is way out there in left field.

Same as his calling many marriages in Thailand fake to do business.

Just down from my house, the Chinese have bought a big piece of property.  They're going to build a hotel for Chinese tour groups only.  It's all part of the game.  Bring these tourists in for next to nothing, have optional activities that are expensive and run by Chinese, take them to restaurants run by Chinese and to souvenir shops run by Chinese.  Great way to make money if you can put it all together.

 

I stayed in a hotel in Bangkok that had just been purchased by a Chinese group.  It is now serving primarily Chinese tour groups.  The front desk barely spoke English.  Terrible place to stay.  Sadly, we got there just a week or two after the change.  The Trip Advisor page has been updated to reflect this.

[Squeegee]

I love Thai Cops All In A Sinking Boat pictures.

[HenryB]

How about Farangs who Help wife running Penny Ass Landry hanging the clothes? This is done by many in Pattaya

Edited September 13, 2016 by HenryB
left word out

[denkiblue555]

3 minutes ago, Dakhar said:

wife wants to start a cosmetic company empire (her dream).   I spot her the money, and now I'm a threat?

 

definitely a threat to national security...

 

[Dakhar]

 

Wish I'd have known this 3 weeks back....  as getting the seed money back will be a bit precarious.

[brianinbangkok]

Thailand is ideal for Chinese guy to immigrate to. Money made in China invested here. Marry a local chinees/thai girl and the kids are Thai nationals and will look and be treated like lokals by the authorities.
The whole visa and PR system was introduced to control the influx of Chinese in the 1950's.
The big difference is now they come and have lots of cash.

[vagabundo]

I have no idea why Thai government is such close-minded. There are many examples all around the world where governments allowed to foreigners to set up any kind of business, buying properties, makes it easier by lower taxes etc. Then economy is growing really fast, wealthy businessmans earn (and spend!) a lot of money, they are hiring a lot of locals and everybody is happy. I have at leats a few business ideas where I would hire 5-20 local people, give them good salary, I would implenent high western standards (for instance keeping my word that something will be done tommorow, not tommorow in one week )  
Such a shame that so amazing country is going to collapse day by day because of not too smart people.