2 officers from the Nonthaburi Immigration Office have been suspended after a viral video exposes an officer asking foreigners for special money to help speed up the visa process.
Police Colonel Kritsana Pattanacharoen reported on 21 July 2020 about a viral Facebook post. The Facebook user captioned the post “This is real, such a shame, to when will the cheating stop”. The post then further explained the video “Thailand is good, foreigners get Visas to work in the country.
They go to the Nonthaburi Immigration for the application. The papers were submitted and the officer told the foreigner that if he wanted the application to be completed fast then it would take 20,000 THB. The officer then put the money in his pocket. Nonthaburi Immigration should stop cheating the country and foreigners”.
Immigration Division 3 stated that an investigating committee was formed to find out the truth on Nonthaburi Immigration officers.
As a result, 2 immigration officers have been suspended. Orders have been given to take the matter seriously with justice. If the officers connected to the incident are guilty then they will meet disciplinary actions and legal punishment.
Police General Chakthip Chaijinda the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police has always made sure that police work must be done with fairness to the people according to the law. The people must be able to rely on the police and officials must not act like thieves by using their power in the wrong way.
Police General Suwat Chaengyodsuk the Deputy Commissioner-General has received orders to enforce strict measures on the Immigration Bureau, to never let the incident repeat itself in the future. Immigration officers will now have to carefully watch their actions, especially when concerning foreigners who have chosen Thailand out of all the countries in the world as a location to visit, work, or live in.
