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Phuket Governor to Order Investigation of Extra Fees at Phuket Immigration Offices
By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Monday, October 13, 2014
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong said today that he will set up a committee to investigate claims that Immigration officials on Phuket are charging illicit extra fees.
The governor's declaration came at a meeting today with Phuketwan journalists who passed on a Letter of Complaint from a reader.
The letter was about the Immigration office in Patong but it has been followed since being published on Phuketwan by other readers' complaints about other Immigration outlets at Phuket International Airport and at the headquarters in Phuket City.
Governor Nisit said he also plans to make the Damrungtam complaints office at Phuket Provincial Hall more effective by adding more officers who speak other languages and can deal directly with complaints by tourists and expats.
He met with Phuketwan shortly after marking National Police Day at the island's police headquarters in Phuket City.
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Comments
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All Phuket Immigration Officers are since long time in Phuket and should be moved to other provinces and replaced by new ones.
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
October 13, 2014 14:02
I have been charged 200 baht for address verification letters at Phuket Town many times and Patong the one time I went there. I will happily sign an affidavit to that fact if the governor is interested. Everyone I know has had to pay.
Posted by
Amazing Thailand
on
October 13, 2014 14:39
Yes, Phuket immigration officers, as well police officers should be for a great deal replaced. Commanding Officers who in press denie-denie what is reality should be transferred immediately to restore image and respect. Phuket Immigration this moment is a wild west mess. Unbelievable things happen, and the boss denies. That has to stop.
Posted by
Kurt
on
October 13, 2014 15:03
There we go again... another investigation in an issue the whole world knows...
I somehow feel that the investigation will stop again after the authorities deny it.... as usual.
However I still hope I am wrong.
Posted by
Mr. K
on
October 13, 2014 16:11
I fully agree - Transfer all of the Immigration officers to other provinces and replace them with new once. Also educate the new once so they will give good service and to be polite.
Posted by
Mj
on
October 13, 2014 16:50
Only in Thailand do corrupt officials get moved. In other countries, they get sacked, jailed or in some countries in Asia, worse!
Posted by
Logic
on
October 13, 2014 18:21
Anybody who thinks corruption does not occur in their own country is dreaming. In 18 months australian investigations have uncovered corrupt deals to benefit politicians, land deals and murders, prostition for political favours, backhanded electoral funding deals, Union slush funds, perjury to protect illegal union activity, child abuse cover ups by churches, illegal deals in local councils, backhanders for supply contracts, university contract fraud, corruption in the emergency services sectors.
Thai officials are looking quite ammaturish in comparison but they should all suffer the same fait.
Posted by
Manowar
on
October 13, 2014 18:34
It was reported today that the Bt 10.000 fee for catching someone offering a bribe to a police office has been made reciprocal. Catch a police officer asking for a bribe and get 10.000.
I wish the same would be applied to ALL government officials, incl Immigration.
I just wonder what would happen to me next time I try to enter Thailand if I actually blew the whistle on a corrupt immigration officer and he ended up being convicted, as the conditions of the Bt 10k payment stipulate.
For this plan to be practical, people should be able to report anonymously to prevent retaliation.
Posted by
Herbert
on
October 13, 2014 19:17
Herbert, anonymous reporting does not work as the evidence of corruption cannot be verified. It can also be abused by a person who has a falling out with another and uses this as a way of getting even.
If you have evidence, you should be willing to face that person and seek justice.
It would also be hard to receive your 10,000 Baht reward as you may have to share it with many other anonymouses.
Posted by
Manowar
on
October 14, 2014 03:14
Here we go again... same stories, different dates. When will the Thai Govt realise that by just shuffling the deck of cards you still end up with the same number of cards... in different locations. it's time to enact a new law... you get caught taking bribes you're removed from the pack forever. People in position might then start to sit up and think a little more about their future before hitting on someone for a bribe.
Posted by
DG
on
October 14, 2014 03:45
To those who suggest that the immigration officers should be moved, I suggest you reconsider your position. All that would be done is to move corrupt officials to another region where they would continue their activities. Phuket is not an isolated case. This activity occurs in other regions, although not on the same scale. What is needed are criminal prosecutions and convictions. If the police can use "undercover" foreigners to set up stings in the bar and drug trade, why can't they give foreigners some currency with the serial numbers recorded, and then ask the immigration officers how they came to amass all those marked 100 baht notes.
Posted by
Ryan
on
October 14, 2014 07:21
(moderated)
Posted by
Duncan B
on
October 14, 2014 08:24
Editor Comment:
Constructive comments or doomsday prophesying, Duncan. The choice is yours. The same old stuff won't get published.
Endemic,engrained ,self serving rhetoric and apathy with no accountability..so what is new..same same but different..way of the whole world methinks?
Posted by
david
on
October 14, 2014 09:14
Editor Comment:
The only thing same same is the remorseless and unhelpful comments of doomsayers who in reality have never had it so good. Give the Governor a chance. Stop spouting off the top of your head, without any knowledge on the topic.
Helmet wearing boatpeople riding metered elephants into immigration offices, arresting corrupt officers and escaping with jetskis dragging endangered animal manned parasails into freedom.
Solved.
Posted by
Luli
on
October 14, 2014 09:21
In Brasil they have a popular system where in case of corruption the person being corrupted films it, this is easily done any amount of small hidden cameras are available. This person is then given a reward for unearthing the corruption. Though doubt that would happen here when they expect tourist police for no money.
Although if they had lifeguard clubs I would happily join for no cost
Posted by
Michael
on
October 14, 2014 13:46
About time something was done.... If it is followed up on it will be great.
Just visited Phuket Immigration office today and spent all morning getting a 1 year visa and re-entry permit - 08:30 to 11:45. NO EXTRA FEES today - a first.
Is the airport express service scam still going? Will this be stopped?
Just stopping officers from asking for "bribes" is not the answer, though, is it? The system needs changing from top to bottom. They need to be paid a decent salary and not need to buy their promotions or feed the money upstream. Easier said than done, I suppose, but it has to be given a go.
Posted by
john
on
October 14, 2014 15:13
(moderated)
Posted by
Geoff
on
October 14, 2014 19:42
Editor Comment:
If you haven't written a Letter of Complaint Geoff, under your real name, what right do you have to complain about anything?
Ed you speak about write letters to Geoff, you crucify a chap I know, Duncan B, yet you are still hoping for the good times. Expats have never had it so good? Where! Well why have 14 families that I personally know, packed up and left these shores, never to return? The place is dog fodder. Speaking of which, I strongly suggest you and Khun Chutima take a flight in a Gyrocopter over Phuket and get a feel for what is really happening on the island, from a birds eye view, so to speak. Chalong, Rawai is a toilet full of sh--.
There is so much hot air spoken and naught done, it nauseates most folks.
BTW I am on very good terms with the Deputy Commissioner Paween Pongsirin. I have sent letters and verbal requests and funny enough, LINE ,messages to the good Deputy Commissioner.
One last comment, when you are facing the incarceration prospect, don't crucify those that could help you either with money or legal. Be humble and think first of K Chutima's welfare, then your own.
Posted by
Graham
on
October 14, 2014 20:51
Editor Comment:
We're not the slightest bit interested in your help, Graham. If all your friends have left, perhaps it's time you left, too. That will leave just the people who believe Phuket has a future. People who live in the past are no help.
@john
The system needs changing from top to bottom. They need to be paid a decent salary and not need to buy their promotions or feed the money upstream. Easier said than done, I suppose, but it has to be given a go.
===
Correct.
Do you have ideas how to make bees to fight against a honey?
I personally don't have one.
Actually, such defects of world-view that materialses in so wide-spread corruption , in my opinion, is possible to wipe-out only with generational change, say, in 15-25 years, all old guard need to become ostracized minority and new cadres need to get in offices in sufficient numbers.
Still, when police cadets, in numbers, agree to pay equivalent of 10,000$ to cheat exam to get guaranteed pass marks, a fact that new cadres will promote new values is under question.
Of course, efforts to be made today and tomorrow to get to those clear sky days of isolated corruption incidents, and yes, those, who can make a change and in some cases leading it today, are part of old guard. To remind them about this obvious fact , probably, is counter-productive , however temptation is high.
Obviously, the best what can be done at the moment is to support the old guard in its endeavors to the System's turnaround , with a hope they will not slip and thrust until the mission is completed.
Posted by
Sue
on
October 14, 2014 21:10
At Krabi immigration office they usually ask for a "tip". If you ask how much, the answer will be "up to you". But once I passed 500 Baht for a service, they said 100 Baht will do it.
Posted by
Werni
on
October 15, 2014 15:48
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All Phuket Immigration Officers are since long time in Phuket and should be moved to other provinces and replaced by new ones.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on October 13, 2014 14:02