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With the recent increase in the number of foreign tourists due to the growth of Thai tourism, there has also been a reported increase in the number of cases of foreigners violating Thai law. This development has led to several incidents involving foreigners engaging in illegal activities, sometimes even posing a threat to Thai society.
In response to this worrying trend, Pol. General Roy Ingpairoj, the deputy chief of the Royal Thai Police, issued a letter of instruction to the Commissioner of Immigration ordering stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
Investigations have revealed that a number of foreigners have entered Thailand illegally with the intention of settling permanently in the country, ignoring local laws. Their presence in Thailand not only proved to be detrimental to the country, but also caused damage to society, economy, politics and national security.
To prevent foreigners temporarily staying in Thailand from committing crimes, causing disturbances or in any way posing a threat to peace, security or national security, the following measures have been proposed:
- Strict screening of foreigners upon entry and exit from the Kingdom. This also includes processing applications for extensions of stay, visa stamps, and changes in visa status. It is required that all relevant laws, regulations and orders are strictly followed.
- Investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by foreigners, including violations of the Immigration Act, the Employment of Foreigners Act, the Entertainment Venues Act, illegal business activities, and nominee schemes whereby Thai nationals own shares or real estate on behalf of foreigners in order to violate the law to circumvent. The behavior of foreigners should also be evaluated for possible mafia-like influences. Collaboration with relevant authorities is essential for effective enforcement.
- Revoking the residence permits of foreigners who are staying in Thailand without a valid reason or whose behavior justifies the revocation of their permit, in accordance with the Aliens Act.
The Immigration Bureau has been directed to develop an action plan and establish a schedule for continued and comprehensive inspections in all regions at appropriate times.
In addition, a thorough investigation must be conducted for each arrest, with the results of the operations reported before the 10th of each month. The first report is expected on April 10, 2024.
Source: Khaosod English
Well then the real estate on Thai Company is over... provided they enforce it now, but it sounds serious
How do you bully foreigners from your country, well that's how it is!!!
Let them first enforce their own rules consistently, driving without a helmet, driving on the sidewalk, driving against the direction of traffic, burning rice waste and so on, there are plenty of rules but few are enforced.
They, not we, decide what happens in their country. If you just obey the law you have nothing to fear, but it is those who place themselves above the law who will make it difficult for us. Misbehavior is particularly rampant in tourist areas. It has been warned for years that buying a house on company name can be risky in a country that adjusts the rules at will, you would say that forewarned does not count for two, but don't complain afterwards.
Dear Cees, of course they decide what happens in their country, but driving without a helmet, driving on the sidewalk, driving against the direction of traffic, burning rice waste and so on are all things that are against the law, but they don't enforce that is the big problem in Thailand.
And yes, I also stick to the rules, but to pay special attention to farang is either crooked or am I crazy.
If every country were to apply the rule that every foreigner who is a guest in a country is deported from the country in question for serious crimes, then we would have come a long way. Referring to what the Thais do wrong is out of place here (in my opinion!)
The idea is nice to come up with stricter rules, but corruption will always exist because they are not averse to lining their own pockets and by that I mean, let them first tackle those illegal agencies where you can buy a visa for an outrageous amount of money. . Then you also separate the wheat from the chaff.
When I see that Phuket is almost being taken over by a Russian invasion, you are not going to tell me that all those 'foreigners' are legally in the country.
Let's just start cleaning up this place. Things are really starting to get out of hand. But we all know that where the big money is, they will leave it alone.
0.001% of foreigners break the rules, but they are to blame for everything going wrong in Thailand, a bit cheap, right? Just say that Thais are xenophobic, that's better.
Thais do nothing wrong abroad, just look at South Korea, Taiwan or the US, how many Thais illegally disappear under the radar there every year...
It was actually expected. More and more violence and other crimes are occurring among foreigners. You can imagine how the good foreigners in our country must feel to be unfairly targeted all the time!
The Thai police want stricter rules for foreigners, and simply ignore the fact that there are already enough laws and regulations in Thailand.
Laws and rules that apply to both foreigners and Thais and simply need to be checked.
If they were to consistently carry out this task, which should actually be part of their daily work, Thailand would have many fewer problems.
So why shout to make something stricter for a certain group if they already often do not do their own work properly?
Anutinism has another chapter.
The right hand (more control over foreigners) does not know what the left hand wants and does: more tourists to Thailand and no visa if you come for a maximum of 30 days (or perhaps 60 days).
The Prime Minister who himself visits Suvarnabhumi and says that long queues to enter the country must end: more immigration officials and more electronic scanning of the passport. There is not enough manpower for the intended growth in the number of tourists.
The really big foreign criminals who have been arrested in the last year (mainly Chinese from the gambling world) stayed here on the Elite visa: pay a large sum of money once and no more restrictions for five years. What am I saying? Even be picked up at the airport with the limosine. This is how you pamper criminals. They know that.
The soup is undoubtedly not eaten as hot as it is served. What if all those little foreign criminals went crazy and told (in the courtroom) which Thais helped them with their activities?
My own algorithm says that most foreign criminals reside in some major cities such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya (where money can be made or extorted), in tourist areas (such as the islands) and in some border areas with Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Not in Sisaket, Ubon, Lopburi or Trang.
Hello readers,
I have just read the article and the responses.
Strictly speaking, I fully agree with the measures as described in the article.
In the responses I notice the mention of “Thai Company” and “discrimination against foreigners” and “invasion of the Russians”. I would also like to respond to this in turn.
Personally, I think the measure is justified. But mainly to track down foreign criminals and deport them from the country. I think it is in the interest of everyone - and therefore also for us, Dutch and Flemish - that the existing laws are respected by EVERYONE. And yes, I try to adhere to Thai laws as much as possible and behave like a Thai.
When I read the responses, I immediately got the impression that “Thai Company” is being eagerly used to allow them to stay in Thailand permanently. As far as I understand, you are allowed to run a business in Thailand. But only on the condition that you actually employ at least a number of Thai people there. You must therefore pay these people a monthly wage according to Thai standards. You must be able to prove this. I therefore think that it is not the intention to financially support your Thai in-laws through that “Thai Company”. As long as the “Thai Company” exists under Thai law, I don't think anyone should fear it. And no, I don't have a “Thai Company”.
Personally, as a foreigner I do not feel discriminated against in terms of checks, fines and arrests. I have not been confronted with it until now. Military, police, airport and station staff have always been very friendly and respectful towards me. Personally, I have nothing but praise for them. But I do understand that there is discrimination in terms of fines and the associated amounts. Sometimes unfairly in front of foreigners. I cannot deny its existence. But I've never experienced it myself.
The “invasion of the Russians” is also understandable. I think this has to do with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As a result, they are no longer welcome in many countries and neutral Thailand remains in the greatly reduced number of countries for their holiday destination. Thailand should not remain a permanent refuge. Russians have a reputation for their behavior. My neighbor (in Belgium) is of Russian descent. She is very friendly. Today she feels exiled from her motherland. Please realize that many Russians do not agree with the politics in their country, where free speech is being suppressed. But as with everything and everyone, there are bad guys and good guys.
Respect and everything will be fine. This applies in all directions.
Enjoy your stay in Thailand 😉
Regards,
Daniel M.
Drastic measures, let them first take matters into their own bosom, having driven within 1 km on the highway, I have already noticed many violations, which I do not have to mention, everyone knows what happens on the road, otherwise a nice story , but then a number of pockets will first have to be sewn shut in our own top ranks, as long as they are wide open and set to receiving, many wealthy people from other countries will buy their freedom and do everything that cannot stand the light of day and call the shots, it would would be so simple if everyone followed the rules