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The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Thai immigration files complaint after Chinese tourist filmed officer, alleged bribes can ease entry into country
BANGKOK: Suvarnabhumi Airport immigration officers have filed a formal complaint after a viral video surfaced showing a Chinese national secretly filming an officer while falsely claiming that entering Thailand is easy as long as you have money. The video, which was edited and narrated in Chinese, suggested that Thai immigration officers could be bribed to 'open the way' for entry — even offering assistance with luggage. It also falsely claimed that working in Thailand without a visa is possible if one has connections with the Immigration Bureau. On Monday (June 9), Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, chief of Immigration Division 2 at Suvarnabhumi Airport, confirmed that the video was filmed inside the airport's immigration arrival hall. The officer featured in the clip was identified as Pol Capt Eknarin Chantamatharapaskul, Deputy Inspector of the inbound immigration unit. According to Eknarin, a Chinese tourist had approached him for help filling out the online entry form (TDAC), claiming he didn't understand the system. Out of goodwill, he assisted by entering the information. Later, the same individual asked for expedited passport processing, explaining he was in a hurry due to the delay. Eknarin escorted him to the regular passport control queue and returned to assist other travellers — unaware that he had been secretly filmed from behind. He stressed that his actions were purely intended to help a tourist in need, and said he was shocked to learn the footage had been misused — edited and paired with false commentary — causing reputational harm. Choengron added that Thailand has recently cracked down on foreign nationals abusing visa-free entry. Between January and May 2025, immigration officers denied entry to approximately 8,193 foreigners, many suspected of entering under the guise of tourism to work illegally. He noted that some individuals and agents have been trying to mislead Chinese nationals through fake content and advertisements, claiming they can arrange entry into Thailand through 'connections' with immigration officials. Others have turned immigration checkpoints into "challenge content" zones — secretly filming staff and restricted areas to generate viral videos. Eknarin has since filed a defamation complaint with investigators at Suvarnabhumi Police Station. The Immigration Bureau is also pursuing legal action under immigration law to revoke the tourist's visa and blacklist them as a prohibited person. Authorities are urging the public not to believe or share misleading content that could damage the integrity and credibility of Thailand's immigration services. - The Nation/ANN
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- New Indian Express
South Korean tourist cleared in drone incident near Padmanabha Swamy Temple; police probe aviation students
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city police have cleared a South Korean female tourist of any wrongdoing in the incident involving a drone spotted flying over the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram on April 10. Initially, the police had been suspicious of the woman, who is also a vlogger, and sought information about her from the Immigration Bureau, believing she might be responsible for the drone's presence near the temple. However, following further investigation, authorities found that she was at a hotel near Kovalam when the incident occurred, ruling her out as a suspect. 'The woman has already left the country and was found to be nowhere near the temple when the drone was detected in the restricted area,' said a police officer. The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is classified as a high-security zone where flying drones is strictly prohibited. Police are now looking into the possible involvement of students from a nearby aviation institute who may have unintentionally flown the drone into the restricted area. Footage from the incident revealed an emblem on the drone that resembled that of the institution, leading investigators to believe it may have been used for academic purposes. According to reports, the drone was first spotted crossing the Padmatheertham pond and flying up to 'Kizhakke Gopuram' before returning. The incident was reported by on-duty policemen to the control room around 10 pm.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Police suspect aviation institute students behind drone over Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple incident
Thiruvananthapuram: Fort police investigating the flying of a drone over Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, suspect that students from Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RAGAAT) were behind the incident over the no-fly zone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The incident happened on April 10. Fort police earlier sent a request to the Immigration Bureau at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, demanding details of a South Korean woman on the suspicion that she was involved in the incident. During investigation, it was found that she was staying in a hotel in Kovalam at the time. Police verified this with the help of CCTV footage from the hotel. "It is suspected that the students at the institute are behind it. To verify it, we need to question them after collecting sufficient evidence. We have collected CCTV footage of the incident and spotted an emblem of the institute on it. The drone was not flown over the temple but near the main road. Reports stating that the drone flew over the temple are baseless and the students might have flown it as part of study purposes," said police. However, no case has been registered yet regarding the incident. The drone was spotted by security officers on duty, but they could not trace it.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Kerala IB officer suicide: Telegram chat reveals accused urged victim to end life
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A disturbing piece of evidence has emerged in the sensational suicide case of a female Immigration Bureau (IB) officer at Thiruvananthapuram airport, on March 24. The Telegram chat she had with Sukanth Suresh, a former IB officer who is accused of raping her and abetting her suicide, has been recovered by the cops where he is heard telling the woman to die by suicide so that he can marry another person. The chat was recovered from the phone that was earlier seized by the police from a building where Sukanth was hiding after the police booked him in the suicide case. Police said the retrieved chats clearly revealed that Sukanth was pushing the woman to suicide. When the woman said she wanted to die by suicide, Sukanth reportedly asked her when she was going to end her life so that he can marry another girl. To this she replied 'August 9'. The woman's mobile phone was completely damaged when she jumped in front of a train and forensic experts had confirmed that retrieving data from the phone was not possible due to its condition. Hence the data retrieved from Sukanth's phone will be crucial in further investigation. The police case is that the woman was exploited financially and physically by the accused following which she was forced to take her life. Sukanth had gone absconding after the incident and the police have so far failed to nab him. Hearing the anticipatory bail plea of Sukanth, the High Court had barred the police from arresting him till Monday. The HC is expected to deliver its verdict on the bail plea on Monday.
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Thailand warns travellers of fake Digital Arrival Card website charging US$10 for free entry form
BANGKOK, May 1 — Thai authorities have issued a warning about a fraudulent website imitating the newly launched Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) portal for foreign travellers. The fake site, which claims to represent an official third-party service provider, asks users to pay a processing fee of US$10 (RM43) even though the real service is free, the Bangkok Post reported. The TDAC, which came into effect today, replaces the traditional paper TM6 form and is now required for all foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, sea or land. 'The system is fully ready, and backup measures are in place to ensure smooth operations,' said the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in a statement. 'During the initial phase, travellers who encounter any issues can temporarily use a paper immigration form,' the ministry added. Travellers must fill out their details on the official TDAC website and will receive a confirmation email to present upon arrival. The Immigration Bureau has also clarified confusion about the application timeline. Applications can be submitted up to three days before arrival but not earlier, contrary to earlier reports suggesting they had to be filed at least three days in advance. Computer terminals are available at Suvarnabhumi Airport's Immigration area for travellers who need to complete the TDAC on arrival.
