According to a report in Thai Visa, one of the immigration chief’s first statements as he moved to his immigration desk was to announce an end to the practice of border officials taking bribes of 300 baht (US$9).
Thailand’s new head of immigration, Maj-Gen Surachate Hakpal, has launched a crackdown on corruption at the country’s airports and land crossings.
Signs now point out that there are strictly ‘No Tips’ to be offered to immigration officials.
He wants to put a stop to 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.
Maj-Gen Surachate started his job as immigration commissioner on October 1 after his move from deputy chief of the Thai Tourist Police Bureau where he was involved in many highly publicised crime busts.
According to a report in Thai Visa, one of the immigration chief’s first statements as he moved to his immigration desk was to announce an end to the practice of border officials taking bribes of 300 baht (US$9).
Tour agents have been charging tourists 2,300 baht for their visas, which are officially priced at 2000 baht, often passing the extra 300 baht onto immigration officials.