The new head of Thai immigration, Maj-General Surachate Hakpal – known as “Big Joke” in the media – has begun implementing his tough anti-corruption message at immigration.

The signage going up nationwide is clear and unequivocal: No Tips. By this he means no more back-handers to corrupt immigration officials or the agents who collect the tea money from tourists and either pass it on or keep it for themselves.

Pictures posted on the Immigration Facebook page showed a permanent sign at an airport that said: No Tips please. The message was also in a graphic with Royal Thai Police insignia behind and “The Immigration Bureau” at the bottom. It was also in Thai and Chinese.

Another stuck on a window at an immigration office clearly stated in English that visa fees were just Bt2,000 – no more.  At Sadao on the Thailand-Malaysia border, a printed sign on a counter said “No Tip” while an accompanying sign said “No other fees charged in passing this border”.

Surachate started his job as immigration commissioner on Monday after his move from deputy chief of the Thai Tourist Police Bureau where he was involved in many highly publicised crime busts.

One of his first statements as he moved to his Immigration desk was to announce an end to the practice of border officials taking bribes of Bt300.

Local media was saying that the practice had become the norm, with agents charging tourists Bt2,300 for their visas.  It was reported that sometimes the fees were kept by the agents themselves but other times they were passed on.  Thus, even honest officials felt they were being tarred with the brush of being corrupt.

Surachate also vowed to go after all agents and their customers nationwide involved in procuring visa extensions with fake documents.

Two Nigerians, who were not named, presented the false papers at the government immigration offices in Chaeng Wattana.

Local media reported that Yupin was handling visas mostly for Indians, Pakistanis and Nigerians.

Yupin was arrested in Soi Dan Samrong, North Samrong after the paper trail led to her residence there.

Source: Courtesy of Nation Multimedia http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30355828

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UDON THANI: Something fishy about that guy, after 4 different robberies by the same man wearing the same getup, police have apprehended Payon Kamsem and charged him with robbery.

With a fish trap over one arm, machete in hand, and balaclava over his face, a man robbed four spots within one week – until police arrested him Sunday.

Authorities arrested Payon Kamsem last night and charged him with robbery after naming him the sole suspect in four robberies in Udon Thani province, mostly at convenience stores.

Payon was found in possession of a motorbike, camouflage trousers, a black balaclava, two caps, a fishing trap, two machetes and coins worth 29 baht.

Col. Phumwit Vejkarma, chief of Udon Thani police, said the first robbery occurred Sept. 26 at a 7-Eleven. The 39-year-old man was carrying a knife and slung a fish trap over his arm. He ran away with ฿7,400 in cash.

Early morning on Oct. 1, the same suspect allegedly robbed two stores: first a 7-Eleven and then a Tesco Lotus Express.

Police said Payon confessed to all four incidents. They added that the building contractor said he had financial difficulties which pressured him into committing the crimes.

Payon allegedly told police he could not afford a gun for the robberies and so used a knife instead. Police said he used the trap to disguise himself by tricking people into thinking he went fish at night.

If found guilty, he faces a maximum of 5 years in prison and / or a ฿10,000 fine.

Source:  http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/10/08/police-fish-trap-robber-arrested-in-udon-thani/

ARGENTINA: In better news the Mu Ba 13 football team of children who were trapped in the Tham Luang cave complex which riveted the world months ago, have been given a warm welcome in the country of Argentina. They will attend a “Thanking the World” activity, which would include exchange of culture and sports with local youth in Los Angeles. More here on The Thaiger.

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BANGKOK: Serious fire power was used in a sudden and deadly gang fight outside a snooker parlor in Bangkok where several tourists were wounded. Forensic cops examining the area found casings used from AK-47’s among other automatic weapons. As usual the investigation’s main concerns are about how this event can affect tourism as opposed to the more serious aspects of limiting gang activity. AND know that immigration issues seem far more a political tool than an actual military-weapon gun fight resulting in homicide.  As yet no suspects have been rounded up which is also in itself, highly suspect. But no less than the deputy prime minister are involved in following this up, so more news soon. Story here at The Thaiger

BANGKOK: Police boss Big Joke ordered that the police RETURN to the condominium where yesterday several foreigners were arrested, one on a major charge of fraud involving his home country of South Korea.  All of this stemming from an initial complaint by a foreign resident that the temple lower the volume of it’s ritual bell tolling. Now it can be said the complainant and everyone in the building and even throughout Thailand here on a legal or illegal status has had their bell rung, including notice yesterday from the British Embassy that they would no longer provide income letters. Police on the premises of the condo inspected all outbound vehicles and levied several fines against Lessors who had been renting to foreigners but had not reported them living there as required by law. More here on Bangkok Post.

BANGKOK:  The British Embassy in Bangkok gave a shock to their constituents living here by summarily issuing a warning that they will no longer issue Income Letters to the expats living here as they are unable to verify they are actually making said income. This comes as a great shock on the heels of very visible and political efforts within Bangkok’s police and immigration police to root out corruption, and stem the tide of immigration-related violations like overstays and romance scams.  More here on Bangkok Post.

NOTICE FROM BRITISH EMBASSY

From January 1,2019, the British Embassy Bangkok will no longer be providing British Nationals with letters confirming their income. This letter has previously served as a supporting document for obtaining a Thai retirement or marriage visa. The British Embassy Bangkok is stopping the certification of income letters because it is unable to fulfil the Thai authorities’ requirements to verify the income of British Nationals.

British Nationals should now demonstrate that they have an amount of at least 800,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the visa application, or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand for a retirement visa. For a marriage visa, the amounts are 400,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the visa application, or a monthly income of at least 40,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand. A bank statement should be used as the supporting document for obtaining a Thai retirement or marriage visa.

All British Nationals concerned should note that the last date for income letter applications is 12 December 2018.

1. A) Requirements for a retirement visa:

• Must be at least 50 years old;
• Must have an amount of at least 800,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the application for a visa, or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB;
• Further information: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_22

1. B) Requirements for a marriage visa:

• Must be legally married to a Thai national;
• Must have an amount of no less than 400,000 THB in an account in Thailand for two months prior to the visa application, or an average annual income of no less than 40,000 THB per month;
• Further information: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_18