Extortion by Immigration Police - How to Stop ?

[ThaiCitizen]

Recently, I’ve heard of immigration police stealing money from immigrants, tourists and retirees.

This seems to be common when giving a “proof of residence”, which should be free. Some places steal as much as 500 baht.

Also, believe it or not, some ask for 2000 baht for the 90 day reporting.

I hear of many being harassed to leave a 100 baht tip when paying for the 1900 baht visa.

OK, there are many naïve people out there that will pay this. I certainly wouldn’t but have lived here 22 years.

What is the advice to people when facing extortion by the police?

I can’t understand why they do it.

Is there a hotline to call? If not let’s start one.

In these days of social media, it wouldn’t take long to stop this pathetic corruption.

[glegolo]

Yes I fully agree with you! Without openess there will NEVER be any change and corruption will always be present...

 

But on the other hand there also seems to be a endless stream of newcomers to this country who all allow this shit to happen. And "allow" it, just to let it happen without any reaction whatsoever...

 

I agree, publish the things that happens to you, naming the Immigration office point out blank... 

 

Glegolo

[paul18620]

The hotline number for Thai Immigration matters/issues is 1111

[IMA_FARANG]

comment deleted

 

 

 

[IMA_FARANG]

comment deleted

ubonjoe is the immigration Guru in the forum

He can probably tell you the immigration call number.

 

 

 

[worgeordie]

Been here 30 years ,never experienced any of the corruption

you post about,not saying it does not happen,but never to me.

different Immigration offices I suppose.

regards worgeordie

 

PS I have yellow book so dont need document for "Proof of residence",

always post my 90 day report,and give the exact 1900 THB when doing 

extension.

[soumanioco]

Have been here for 20 years, not once have I been asked for one (1) extra satang. This goes for both Bangkok (Chaengwattana) and Phuket immigration. 

[RBOP]

Happened to me once personally and all the time when using an agent. 

[01322521959]

Agreed. Been here 20 odd years and have always been treated very well at immigration. Even had a joke with them.

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[BWPattaya]

13 minutes ago, RBOP said:

Happened to me once personally and all the time when using an agent. 

Well, if you are using an agent you don't know who is asking for extra. The agent or immigration.

i have never been asked for extra in Pattaya immigration in 16 years. 

I once offered a tip for being very helpful once and she was horrified

[Chip Allen]

Best to pay the bribe and shut your mouth. Thailand changes like the glaciers. Someday, bribery may not be the standard way of doing business, but it is NOT going to be THIS year or NEXT year. Suck it up and pay.

[Caca4u]

I would try to record and put it on the internet in a way you stay anonymous.

I always hold my ground and never give in when they try to extort me.

Once I got pulled over by the police and as soon as I noticed the extortion coming I pulled out my phone and started recording. the police backed away and was scared.

SPECIALLY foreigners. if we give in wasy we will always be a target

[jpinx]

So many people leave themselves open to these problems.  As others have said, if you speak a little Thai and have a smiling friendly face, dress reasonably and only hand over the exact money -- the chances are you will be fine.

[carlyai]

2 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Been here 30 years ,never experienced any of the corruption

you post about,not saying it does not happen,but never to me.

different Immigration offices I suppose.

regards worgeordie

 

PS I have yellow book so dont need document for "Proof of residence",

always post my 90 day report,and give the exact 1900 THB when doing 

extension.

I still don't think you live here. 

[Tagaa]

The office I go to has a sign stating that if anyone asks you for a tip or tea money to call the number posted on the sign.

 

I've never been asked by an Immigration Police officer for any extra fee. However, many farangs around here say they put 500Bt in their passport at extension time for "preferred service." I don't know why you would need preferred service, as when I did my extension in 2015, it only took 25 minutes from exiting my truck until re entering my truck. Last year it took forrrrrrrever....45 minutes.

 

We'll see what happens this July. Maybe, since it will be 10 years, they'll have balloons and confetti.

[Marvo]

I am horrified and sickened by the corruption at local immigration.

A few years ago, I forgot to do my 24 hr report on arrival in my town. Went to immigration 2 weeks later, apologizing profusely. Girl behind the desk disobeyed all the rules, stamped my passport and said "don't do it again". I left her 500 baht under the blotter on her desk, and again, with total disregard for "the rules", she came running out after me to give it back!

 

And then last year, I missed my 90 day report by 3 weeks. 2,000 Baht fine.... "if I wanted a receipt".  I decided to make a stand agsinst corruption right there and then, and handed over 2,000 Baht ...... NOT!

[nard]

in the past iv'e dealt with krabi immigration for 14 years and they never asked for 1 baht extra,and very nice polite people.

iv'e been living near to Buriram now for nearly 8 years and been using korat immigration,also no problems there.

the first problem iv'e ever had was at the new Buriram immigration 2 weeks ago.And next time I go there I'll be making a voice recording of our conversation.

And I will never forget the very drunk traffic cop leaning through the car window demanding 200 baht.with his gun drawn.near trang 12 years ago.

my wife at the time paid him.

[phantomfiddler]

Several years ago I was sitting OUTSIDE a bar, on a friday evening of course, and along comes a group of immigration police. "You own a property in Thailand, therefore you are working, get in the truck", they said ! I was taken away to Soi 5 in Jomtien, where I was told that I had to give them 50,000 Bht or I would be going immediately to jail. It being a friday night (maximum leverage night), contact with my lawyer being impossible and the thought of 3 nights in jail not being very appealing, I knocked them down to 40,000 Bht, paid and went on my merry way. Chip Allen is right, someday it may change but not in the near future.

[Pepper1959]

I have a wonderful relationship with my local office. The officials are always friendly, extremely helpful and even go to the point of completing forms for me when I am halfway through them. So, as I thank you, I generally do something for them, like take in a small lunch for them to share etc. They tell me I don't have to. Always take in a basket for Xmas and New Year. It is not a bribe, but I am genuinely appreciative of their support and I would rather have their support than the opposite and be in a situation like some of the horror stories I hear. Courtesy and respect for these people,  who I  believe do not have an easy job, does not cost a lot in the long run. And, it is something I also did when I was back in Australia with my own staff, so not something I just started when I came here. If people do something well and don't always get the recognition and reward they deserve, it does not cost much to show appreciation.

[chiang mai]

Well I've lived here for a hundred and twenty six years (in July) and I've never had this problem.

 

Do I hear an increase on 126?

[Lamkyong]

18 minutes ago, chiang mai said:

Well I've lived here for a hundred and twenty six years (in July) and I've never had this problem.

 

Do I hear an increase on 126?

126.5

[darrendsd]

OP if you want to make a stand call the number posted above, it's as simple as that

 

 

 

[thai3]

Posters saying they never had a problem is a bit like saying they never had a heart attack so kind of doubt people saying they had one. Corruption is a daily on going crime in a lot of offices, just from what we see posted on here. 

[natway09]

Do not believe what you hear & half believe what you see.

500 Bht for your annual renewal as a tip is too much?????

Get a life outside Thailand preferably

[TheFishman1]

I guess people could complain about the wheather here also TIT

[natway09]

You start the hotline,,, I'll go & have a cold Chang.

Make sure that you cannot be traced or it will be a hot bullet instead

[Fookhaht]

The hotline number for Thai Immigration matters/issues is 1111

Ridiculous advice. Have you tried it?

They don't pick up.


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[Thailand]

Done for 3000THB to "expedite" the retirement visa 

( extension of stay) when we first arrived quite a few years ago. The officer was later moved to an "inactive post" at a border crossing.

 

Nothing since has been requested or intimated. I saw one post relating to a 500baht "tip" being acceptable -seriously!

[louse1953]

Some people here endorse the paying of a tip,they actually say it helps smooth the way and is only a small amount.I'd hate to go in after one of these generous people.All i give is a joke.

[NoshowJones]

6 hours ago, glegolo said:

Yes I fully agree with you! Without openess there will NEVER be any change and corruption will always be present...

 

But on the other hand there also seems to be a endless stream of newcomers to this country who all allow this shit to happen. And "allow" it, just to let it happen without any reaction whatsoever...

 

I agree, publish the things that happens to you, naming the Immigration office point out blank... 

 

Glegolo

Yes, you wonder why so many Thaivisa members are full of praise for Thai Immigration.