What are the implications of Thailand arresting foreigners with criminal records or deemed a threat to public order?

Jun 25, 2018
6 years ago
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It happens more than we think. 3.600 foreigners with criminal records have been arrested at or turned away from five major airports in the first six months of the year.

More than 3,400 foreigners deemed to “pose a risk to public order” were also turned away. Most were from South Asian countries and suspected of trying to enter the country to work illegally, Choengron said.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
In the first half of the year, over 3,600 foreigners with criminal records were arrested or turned away at major Thai airports, along with more than 3,400 individuals considered a risk to public order, predominantly from South Asian countries. The debate around these figures highlights concerns about immigration policies, profiling, and the efficiency of Thailand's immigration system in identifying potential threats.
Darren *********
You have to consider the fact databases and networks are continuously being updated and integrated at a significant rate. Combine this with enhanced ID hardware, it’s only reasonable to assume that a higher number of undesirables will be identified and turned away.
Terary **********
Fear mongering? (CNN? Fox?) It would be another thing entirely.

".022% of tourists Thailand are turned away because of criminal records" -- equally true

"1 in 5,000 visitors to Thailand are turned away because of criminal records" -- equally true

"If you have a Criminal record you may want to go to different country" -- equally true (subjective)
Bruce *****
Interested to know how the thai authorities know in advance criminal record or that you pose a threat
Darren *********
@Robert ******
if you’ve been flagged by Interpol you won’t get into Thailand now.
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thailands Immigration is connected and using the Advanced Passenger Processing system and Interpol database.
Ivan ************
A lot of blue and white striped tops in that photo
Mary ********
I think Thailand has unique problems when it comes to immigration. From the lotus eaters who come because it is inexpensive and repeatedly use tourist visas to stay to known pedophiles. Add in an undeclared war in the south and it gets crazy. 3400 out of 5 million tourists is a blip on the radar screen.
Peter *********
Would you care to explain your comment in English.
Jason ******
They're not turning away people from western countries who have multiple tourist visas, who can show proof of funds, they're turning away the criminals and people who overstay their visas, they're profiling south african people.
Ivan ************
South Asian, not South African. Indians, Pakistanis, etc.
Ivan ************
The article is a bit confusing, it sounds like only 156 were turned away for having criminal records, while the "more than 3,400" were turned away because they were deemed to "pose a risk to public order" (i.e. they were Indians).
Luke ******
I think some here are taking this anti foreigner media propaganda too seriously. It would not be the first time I have seen made up numbers in Thailand.
David *******
@Robert ******
if it was more than 7 000 that would be the initial number quoted, I also read it to be totl of over with a break down of 156 wanted criminals and 3400 undesirables.
Ivan ************
What's the intended purpose?
Joseph *****
I would not get hung up by the numbers. The intended purpose is very clear.
Ivan ************
There's another article referenced in ThaiVisa from Daily News.

It references:

- 30 sex offenders

- being 20% of all serious criminals stopped at the airports

- 156 foreign nationals that represented a serious threat to Thailand's security had been arrested

- The 30 sex offenders were part of a larger group of 3,461 people who came under suspicion for exploiting Thailand as a "Sex Country"
Ivan ************
They're just referencing the same Khao Sod article
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
This law forum counts the same as me, but maybe I'm wrong:
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Ivan ************
3,600 total refused: 156 with criminal records and also 3,400+ suspected of looking Indian
Ivan ************
The 3,400 also is after the mention of 156. That's what the also refers to, the 156.
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
English is not my first language, but if 3600 people are turned away or got arrested and later in the article they write more than 3400 or ALSO turned away is indicates to me that the total is more than 7000, not just 156.
Ivan ************
That's not my reading of it, "more than 3,400" plus 156 adds up neatly to 3,600. It's just confusingly written. There is no mention of a total of 7,000, there is mention of a total of 3,600, and then it breaks that down into 156 with criminal records and a further "more than 3,400" whose main crime seems to have been excessive brownness
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
3.600 with criminal records PLUS more than 3.400 to “pose a risk to public order”, so it is more than 7.000 People.
Pak ***********
I think this is a good trend. Thailand certainly doesn't need any more illegal immigrants, drug pushers or Aussie bikie gangs.
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