Immigration chief urges strict safety checks in Phuket

[webfact]

Immigration chief urges strict safety checks in Phuket

Phuket Gazette

 

          

Gen Nathathorn speaks to a tourist at the Immigration Office. Photo: Phuket PR

 

PHUKET: -- Officials are tightening security checks at Phuket immigration in preparation for the high season, in accordance with orders issued by the Immigration Commissioner yesterday. 

After meeting with officials to discuss safety initiatives, Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn visited the immigration offices in Phuket Town and at Phuket International Airport to review safety procedures and ensure readiness for the high season, particularly given the slash in visa fees announced late last month.

“The cabinet’s decision to reduce the visa fee from 2,000 to 1,000 baht between December and February will increase the number of tourists visiting Thailand and Phuket. Therefore, we have to be ready to handle that influx,” said Gen Nathathorn. 

“A high number of tourists is good for the economy, but also quite risky. Our main duty is to ensure their safety and security, so the top priority is to prevent dangerous people from entering the country. We will also keep a strict eye on blacklisted and criminal elements,” he added. 

 

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Immigration-chief-urges-strict-safety-checks-Phuket/65942?desktopversion#ad-image-1

 

-- © Copyright Phuket Gazette 2016-12-02

 

[LivinginKata]

Actually it's only the Visa on Arrival fee changed from 2,000 baht to 1,000 bat.

 

BANGKOK:-- Thailand is waiving the 1,000 baht fee for a single entry tourist visa for all nationalities from Dec 1st 2016 to 28 February 2017

 

Another example of poor reporting ...

[Familyaffairs]

So he means that they should now actually start doing that which they were always supposed to have been doing  ?

[Felt 35]

 Should like to know who is at most risk two weeks in Phuket , Phuket local security or the tourist "let the hair down" and on top rent a motorbike for the holiday....

[masuk]

7 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

 Should like to know who is at most risk two weeks in Phuket , Phuket local security or the tourist "let the hair down" and on top rent a motorbike for the holiday....

Seems it's mandatory for all Immigration officials to have qualified in parachuting.   Or is that 'air crew'?

[Tidybeard]

I don't get it .... if I was planning a weeks holiday in the LOS I don't think a £20 / $30 visa fee would alter my thinking.

 

If they got rid of the visa and the paperwork altogether ... that might do it !

[stevenl]

7 minutes ago, Tidybeard said:

I don't get it .... if I was planning a weeks holiday in the LOS I don't think a £20 / $30 visa fee would alter my thinking.

 

If they got rid of the visa and the paperwork altogether ... that might do it !

For most countries there is no paperwork and visa required for a short visit like yours.

[Brer Fox]

“A high number of tourists is good for the economy, but also quite risky. Our main duty is to ensure their safety and security, so the top priority is to prevent dangerous people from entering the country......." 

 

Spinmeister Gen Nathathorn seems to be is implying that tourists are at risk from dangerous people entering the country.

Presumably tourists are quite safe and secure with Thais looking after them and don't have a worry in the world. It's just the villainous foreigners who slide in under the radar that they need to worry about.  

Grasping and speaking reality seems to be totally beyond them.

[madmitch]

Why do they continue to announce tightened security? What happens? Increased security for a couple of weeks and then lax security until the next announcement? Why isn't it just an ongoing process? 

[Psimbo]

22 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Why do they continue to announce tightened security? What happens? Increased security for a couple of weeks and then lax security until the next announcement? Why isn't it just an ongoing process? 

A loose screw tightened is still often a loose screw- tis all relative!

 

[Oziex1]

Is there still a tourist high season?

 

[NamKangMan]

17 hours ago, Brer Fox said:

“A high number of tourists is good for the economy, but also quite risky. Our main duty is to ensure their safety and security, so the top priority is to prevent dangerous people from entering the country......." 

 

Spinmeister Gen Nathathorn seems to be is implying that tourists are at risk from dangerous people entering the country.

Presumably tourists are quite safe and secure with Thais looking after them and don't have a worry in the world. It's just the villainous foreigners who slide in under the radar that they need to worry about.  

Grasping and speaking reality seems to be totally beyond them.

 

 

Especially when, in the last couple of weeks, we have had Thai's shooting Thai's, and Thai's killing and injuring other road users here, yet, it's foreigners that pose a risk to public safety.