110 immigration officers tied to illegal visas for Chinese gangsters

110 immigration officers tied to illegal visas for Chinese gangsters

Immigration police officers gather to listen to crime suppression instructions from their supervisors at their headquarters in Bangkok. (File photo)
Immigration police officers gather to listen to crime suppression instructions from their supervisors at their headquarters in Bangkok. (File photo)

About 110 immigration officers are suspected of involvement in the illegal issuing of visas for Chinese investors in so-called grey businesses, Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan said on Monday.

He said they would be charged with malfeasance and demanding and taking benefits in return for illegal services.

Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat said he expected the investigation report would be completed and forwarded to the national police chief, Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, this week.

In addition to criminal charges, they would also face investigation for serious disciplinary offences.

The immigration chief admitted the number of officers accused of involvement in corrupt practices was historically high. He said wrongdoers would not be protected.

As head of immigration and immediate supervisor of the accused, Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat said, he would look for weak points in the system ahead of a review to prevent a recurrence of the offences.


Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (22)

TV preacher Pat Robertson dies at 93

WASHINGTON: Pat Robertson, the fire-and-brimstone televangelist who brought the religious right wing into the mainstream of US politics, died on Thursday at the age of 93, his organisation announced.

21:45

It's official: El Nino has arrived

A US government forecaster on Thursday confirmed that El Nino conditions are now being seen, with farmers from Australia to India bracing for the possible hit to crops from the dry, hot conditions it could bring.

21:32

Phase 1 of high-speed rail ready ‘by 2026’

The first phase of a high-speed railway that will eventually link the Chinese city of Kunming with Bangkok will be completed in 2026, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.

20:44