AI In-Brief

Thailand News in Brief

Thai PBS World

Thailand and the world, every day

AI can make mistakes. Please double-check.

New immigration chief orders subordinates to stop demanding "tip" from arriving tourists

13 Sept 06:03 Key points summarised by AI

Newly-appointed immigration police chief, Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, ordered an immediate halt to officers demanding 'tips' from foreign tourists at all international airports and border checkpoints.
The directive follows an admission of past corruption, including a recent incident where a Chinese tourist was assaulted for refusing to pay an unofficial 300 baht 'tip' in addition to the 2,000 baht visa-on-arrival fee.
Chief Surachate also vowed to crack down on 'brokers' preying on Chinese tourists by falsely collecting extra fees, claiming to act on behalf of immigration police.
The move aims to protect the integrity of Thailand's tourism sector, especially with a significant influx of Chinese tourists expected during an upcoming national holiday.

Yesterday 16:06 Key points summarised by AI

Two suspected drug couriers were killed in a shootout with narcotics officers in Phetchaburi province.
Authorities seized approximately half a tonne of crystal methamphetamine, also known as Ice, during the operation.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night after officers tracked a network suspected of transporting large quantities of drugs to southern Thailand.
The suspects, identified as Chattharin and Rungarun, both 27, opened fire when confronted by officers, who returned fire, resulting in their deaths.