The government has vowed to crack down on illegal Chinese businesses in the country after a company’s billboard in Bangkok claimed to offer services to clients to secure citizenship and travel documents from other countries, causing an uproar on social media.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made the pledge while visiting Huai Khwang police station, where he was discussing ways to combat common crimes in the area, including loansharking and drug trafficking. Mr Srettha also ordered authorities to check for shady Chinese businesses in the Huai Khwang area, a popular destination for Chinese tourists and expats.
The controversy first arose after Facebook user Pai Charudul posted a photo of the billboard on Sunday.
The Chinese-language billboard advertised quick passport and citizenship services for emergency needs. It claimed its services were 100% legal and could arrange new citizenships in 30 days. It promised personal data privacy and delivered services before collecting fees.
The billboard showed pictures of Indonesian, Cambodian, Turkish and Vanuatuan passports with different fees. It also had a picture of a man of Chinese appearance in business attire holding a passport.
It also claimed to have a worldwide service with 13 years of experience.
Other information on the billboard said it was an advertising service by the Xin Xijia Group, which had a director named Chen Da Fa. The company’s local telephone number was also included, but when the Bangkok Post called the number, nobody answered.
Despite the controversy, Pol Maj Gen Panthana Nuchanart, deputy head of the Immigration Bureau (IB), said that the message on the billboard is legal, as it is not advertising for Thai citizens. The billboard, instead, advertised services for other nationalities such as citizenship and passports, he added.
But Traisuree Taisaranakul, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman, said Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the billboard to be removed yesterday morning. She added that he also ordered a probe into whether it had been legally erected and whether the business was legal, demanding that the findings be made public. “The government facilitates visits [from foreigners] to attract currency inflow and distribute income to people. Simultaneously, it prioritises screening to prevent criminals from arriving as tourists and using Thailand as a base for illegal activities,” Ms Traisuree said.
Paitoon Ngammuk, Huai Khwang district chief, said the billboard was removed at 11.20am yesterday. He said the district office was checking whether the billboard was legally posted, and his revenue subordinates were checking the billboard structure owner’s tax payment records.
Meanwhile, Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police Office, said national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol ordered the Metropolitan Police Bureau to identify the billboard’s owner and its legality.
“Wrongdoers must be reached for prosecution in all dimensions without delay,” the deputy spokesman said.
Pol Maj Gen Siriwat said the national police chief also ordered the IB to check visitors and expatriates and enforce immigration regulations effectively to maintain a balance between tourism and security.
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MP for the Move Forward Party, said that the billboard damaged the government’s reputation and ruined the country’s image.
It also attracts transnational criminals to lay low in Thailand before escaping their warrants via third-party countries or turning the country into a centre for Chinese criminals, he added.
“Such acts spur transactional criminals to escape their warrants and live peacefully in Thailand, as they may think they can bribe Thai officials to ignore their crimes,” Mr Wiroj added.