Immigration free services

Post by **wiking** » March 12, 2015, 9:59 am

The Phuket Immigration chief has asked foreigners who believe they have witnessed extortion at the hands of his officers, while applying for address verification letters and other free services, to report such incidents directly to him.

“There is no fee for this service or for 90-day reporting. If any foreigner is asked to pay for these services by one of our officers, he or she should come to my office to report the matter,” Phuket Immigration Office Chief Sunchai Chokkajaykij told the Phuket Gazette.

Col Sunchai’s statement follows a report from a Gazette reader that officers were openly charging 300 baht per person for address verification at the immigration office in Phuket Town yesterday.

“I doubt that this really happened. However, if it did, or does happen, please give me the exact name of the officer and I will deal with it,” said Col Sunchai.

Last year, similar allegations of extortion were made against the Patong Immigration Office, which also falls under the authority of Col Sunchai.

That complaint was filed to the Damrongtham Center (ombudsman’s office) at Phuket Provincial Hall and was taken up by Governor Nisit Jansomwong. The case eventually led to the removal of the offending officer (story here). - See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-new ... 6sEoT.dpuf

Post by **FrazeeDK** » March 12, 2015, 8:29 pm

"I doubt this really happened." that's the general attitude right?? I seem to recall a similar incident locally where the aggrieved party elevated it up to the big boss.. It was all determined to be a big misunderstanding.. Language difficulties you know... The supposed demand for money was merely a pleasant solicitation for a contribution to the coffee fund..

Post by **bamboozle** » March 13, 2015, 7:17 am

Mmmm. Some of us wish we had a similar Immigration Chief's attitude here. There seems to be no way of contacting them anonymously by email or whatever to lodge a complaint. And how does anybody lodge a complaint to the army about corruption or anything else for that matter if you don't speak Thai?

Post by **papaguido** » March 13, 2015, 9:26 am

bamboozle wrote:Mmmm. Some of us wish we had a similar Immigration Chief's attitude here. There seems to be no way of contacting them anonymously by email or whatever to lodge a complaint. And how does anybody lodge a complaint to the army about corruption or anything else for that matter if you don't speak Thai?

At Udon immigration there is an immigration officer that holds the title of "Udon Immigration Inspector General" and is assigned to handle complaints and grievances. In my experience, when I complained to the IG for being charged for a "free" service I got the same response as...

FrazeeDK wrote:"I doubt this really happened." that's the general attitude right?? I seem to recall a similar incident locally where the aggrieved party elevated it up to the big boss.. It was all determined to be a big misunderstanding.. Language difficulties you know... The supposed demand for money was merely a pleasant solicitation for a contribution to the coffee fund..