Destroying a foreign passport

[bluesofa]

Sorry if theis is slightly OT, but I thought it perhaps could come under visas.

 

I just read a news article (BKK Post) about a Cambodian caught issuing fake Thai entry stamps to fellow Cambodians. The article said that  Sa Kaeo immigration police seized and destroyed two passports with fake stamps.  What right do the Thai police have to destroy passports from other countries?

 

[lopburi3]

As I have not read the report can only suspect this was done in coordination with Cambodian authorities as it is on the border and the stamps apparently were in Cambodian passports.

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

As I have not read the report can only suspect this was done in coordination with Cambodian authorities as it is on the border and the stamps apparently were in Cambodian passports.

 

If that's the case, then fair enough. The article doesn't mention specific details saying that though.

I don't think I'm allowed to post a link, but it's in the News>General section of today's BKK Post.

 

[BritTim]

I have little confidence in media reports of such an incident. However, taking the reports at face value, the Thai immigration police could, perhaps, justify their action. In essence, the Cambodians were entering Thailand on false papers, and were probably stopped at a checkpoint close to the border. The argument would be that they want to prevent the perpetrators being free to sneak across the border again with the falsified papers. Yes, I would agree some red stamps ought to be sufficient, but their action is not clearly unlawful.

[bluesofa]

2 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I have little confidence in media reports of such an incident. However, taking the reports at face value, the Thai immigration police could, perhaps, justify their action. In essence, the Cambodians were entering Thailand on false papers, and were probably stopped at a checkpoint close to the border. The argument would be that they want to prevent the perpetrators being free to sneak across the border again with the falsified papers. Yes, I would agree some red stamps ought to be sufficient, but their action is not clearly unlawful.

That surprises me you say it's not clearly unlawful.

I was under the impression that one country was not allowed to wilfully destroy a passport issued by another government? Or am I completely wrong in that assumption?

[lopburi3]

Reading report the destroyed documents did not belong to those involved/arrested but were held by a forgery group and may not have even been any more real then the stamps they held.   But, as with most news reports, not all is clear.  

[chrisinth]

Reading report the destroyed documents did not belong to those involved/arrested but were held by a forgery group and may not have even been any more real then the stamps they held.   But, as with most news reports, not all is clear.  

Even so, destroying evidence before the closure of legal prosecution is a bit silly. But I am only assuming this as I haven't read the article.

I also have problems with immigration having the authority to destroy passports (if that was the case). Confiscate yes, but destroy?

[overherebc]

More likely a case of false stamps in forged passports.

If so then sending the guys back and destroying the 'passports' after informing the Cambodian Imm' office.

Again most likely is cutting of a corner, as UK does.