Prime Minister orders comprehensive review of visa-free entry

[Gaybutton]

Good!

The article does not reveal the results of the psychiatric evaluation.
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Belgian Man to be Deported and Blacklisted from Thailand After Repeated Drunken Rampages at Pattaya Convenience Stores

By Adam Judd

May 5, 2025

Pattaya, Thailand – On May 4th, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the Chonburi Immigration Office revoked the visa of Mr. Mustafa Hakan Aslan, a 25-year-old Belgian national, and ordered his deportation after he caused disturbances and damaged property in two separate incidents at convenience stores within a week.

Acting on orders from senior immigration officials, the Chonburi Immigration Investigation Unit sought approval to cancel Aslan’s temporary stay permit (visa).

The decision followed reports from Banglamung Police Station, which arrested Aslan on April 26, 2025, for damaging property at a convenience store while intoxicated.

He agreed to pay 35,000 baht in compensation, and the store owner withdrew the complaint. However, on April 30, 2025, at approximately 12:30 AM, Aslan caused another disturbance at a different convenience store in Soi Yensabai as reported here.

Intoxicated and acting erratically, he was taken to Pattaya Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation to prevent harm to others. The second convenience store reported no damages and did not press charges.

Despite the resolution of both cases, the Chonburi Immigration Office deemed Aslan’s behavior a threat to public safety and a violation of Thai laws and cultural norms. His repeated misconduct, including public intoxication and property damage, was seen as grounds for visa revocation under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, which prohibits individuals posing a danger to society or public security from remaining in Thailand.

Aslan was informed of the visa cancellation and will be detained for deportation. His details will be added to a blacklist, barring him from re-entering Thailand, although the period of the ban was not revealed to the press. Authorities stressed that foreign visitors must respect Thai laws, customs, and traditions, and Aslan’s actions demonstrated a disregard for these principles.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/05/05/b ... ce-stores/

[Gaybutton]

More high quality "tourists".

I think they ought to come up with a better word than "tourist" to describe people like these. They are anything but tourists. Any suggestions?

Many do not attribute these incidents to having anything to do with the visa-free entry. But I do. I don't recall anywhere near as many incidents and to this degree before the visa-free entry got started. Merely coincidence? Decide for yourself.
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British Tenant Trashes Pattaya Rental, Landlord Seeks Legal Action
https://aseannow.com/topic/1359687-brit ... al-action/

Brawl Between Foreign Tourists Erupts in Central Pattaya, Three Injured
https://aseannow.com/topic/1359768-braw ... e-injured/

Foreign National Slaps Driver & Rams Van in Phuket Road Rage Incidents
https://aseannow.com/topic/1359717-fore ... incidents/

Australian Man Arrested at Airport on Armed Robbery Charges
https://aseannow.com/topic/1359688-aust ... y-charges/

[Jun]

I don't recall anywhere near as many incidents and to this degree before the visa-free entry got started. Merely coincidence? Decide for yourself.

You might be right. On the other hand:

1 At least some of the people listed have been entitled to visa free entry for as long as I can remember.

2 The number of tourists is significantly higher than it has been during the last 5 years. More tourists = more incidents.

3 If you and the AseanNow contributors are looking for reports of incidents, you will find them. Finding four reports of altercations in the last week does not seem abnormal for a large city.

4 The way to form conclusions is with large data sets. However, I can't find any statistics.

I can't remember when I last saw any violence. What I have seen during my trips was the odd brief fight among some locals. Thai, Cambodian or whatever.

I also suspect the main perpetrators of illegal activity are Thais wearing uniforms.

[Gaybutton]

I also suspect the main perpetrators of illegal activity are Thais wearing uniforms.

In some forms of illegal activity, I don't dispute that. But for what has been going on lately, it's the low-life types who have been doing it - and none of it has had anything to do with tea money. There are all kinds of things being blamed for it, ranging from those who were low-lifes to begin with to marijuana spiked with drugs.

Nevertheless, it has been happening and to a far greater extent than normal. Maybe it is normal for a large city, but it is not normal for so much of it perpetrated by foreigners supposedly in Thailand for a holiday. Apparently you don't agree. The fact for me is as long as I have lived in Thailand I have never seen so much of it - with, of course, the exception of the Kuwaiti motorbike maniacs.

With all the computer and AI technology, maybe they can come up with a low-life detector that can prevent these people from getting in to Thailand in the first place . . .

[ilz]

Same incidents are more and more frequent in Europe too ; I guess that bad behavior in Thailand by "western" "tourists" is only the extension of what we can see every day in western Europe.

I just hope the thai police will deal with them in the harshest way, and not like our own policemen which are bound hand and foot by backward and inadequate laws.

[Gaybutton]

Same incidents are more and more frequent in Europe too ; I guess that bad behavior in Thailand by "western" "tourists" is only the extension of what we can see every day in western Europe.

That old saying - "I don't know what the world's coming to". Whatever it is and whatever is going on, it's certainly not an improvement.

[Jun]

I just hope the thai police will deal with them in the harshest way, and not like our own policemen which are bound hand and foot by backward and inadequate laws.

I strongly agree. Europe needs some stronger policing and low cost long stay prisons.

However, in Thailand, given the tendency of certain uniformed officials to go for the tea money, I'm not optimistic about them fixing the problem either.

[Gaybutton]

However, in Thailand, given the tendency of certain uniformed officials to go for the tea money

In your opinion, is there anything in Thailand that doesn't involve tea money?

[Jun]

In your opinion, is there anything in Thailand that doesn't involve tea money?

That's too difficult to answer.
However, it's obvious that tea money is the prime consideration for almost all decisions made by certain officials wearing dark uniforms.
I don't recall the politicians tackling that problem either. Which says a lot.

The rail industry construction programme is severely irrational, which also leads to suspicion of corruption. Why do places like Khon Kaen have enormous elevated rail stations, when there are about 4 trains per day in each direction, occupying about 20% of the length of the platforms ? Just in case you think high speed will increase demand, well high speed requires a wider track gauge. Apparently the plan is to construct another enormous elevated station for that. Which ought to reduce traffic at the existing station. So why was it built ?
For comparison, there's a town near me with a similar population to Khon Kaen. The railway station building is single storey & is quite compact. They have at least 4 fast trains in each direction per hour, running on the victorian era rail routes.
Khon Kaen would be far better off if the money were spent on a better train service, rather than white elephant buildings.
It's the same in many other locations.

On the other hand, many private sector companies seem to offer a good service, without obvious problems from corruption. Although, in some sectors, competition has been reduced below levels seen in the west.

[Gaybutton]

What in the world was this man thinking?

And how did he manage to get these materials onto his flight into Phuket without getting caught?

And why was he carrying these in the first place?

I'm not even going to try to ask where he got them from or whether any of them were functional.

My guess is getting deported will be the least of his problems.
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Australian Man Detained for Carrying Grenade Rounds at Phuket Airport

May 7, 2025

In a significant security breach, Phuket International Airport officials have detained an Australian national, Mr Peter Davison, for carrying grenade rounds in his luggage.

The incident unfolded on 6th May when airport staff conducted routine checks at the domestic terminal, prompting a thorough investigation by local police and explosive experts.

Peter Davison, a 61-year-old Australian, raised suspicions when his black fabric bag underwent a luggage inspection by Ms Pakkanut Dumlak, a diligent baggage screening officer. Her alertness to the contents in Davison's luggage led to an immediate call for more comprehensive scrutiny.

Inside, potentially dangerous items were discovered, including an 81mm grenade round, a 60mm grenade round, an unidentified type of mine, and two semicircular explosive components.

Acting swiftly, Ms Dumlak alerted the local police at Sakoo Station and the airport's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. The EOD were promptly dispatched to handle and secure the items, highlighting the importance of strict security protocols in dealing with such potential threats.

Upon further investigation, law enforcement officials corroborated that Davison did not possess the necessary authorisation to carry such items.

Under Thai law, possession of unregistered munitions is a grave offence, typically reserved for armed forces or individuals with explicit governmental permission, neither of which applied to Davison.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Korapoom Potpongpaiboon from Sakoo Police Station took the lead in the investigation, ensuring the case followed appropriate legal channels.

Davison was formally charged with the illegal possession of munitions that cannot be registered or licensed, a charge that carries severe penalties in Thailand, reflecting the country's stringent stance on illegal arms and explosives possession.

As the legal proceedings unfold, this incident serves as a stern reminder of the crucial role airport security plays in maintaining public safety and preventing potential threats. Moreover, it underscores the diligence required by airport staff to identify and neutralise risks, ensuring safer travel experiences for all passengers.

Davison remains in custody as authorities continue their investigation. The case calls attention to the necessity for stringent security measures at airports worldwide and highlights the collaborative efforts needed between airport authorities and law enforcement to maintain travel safety.

Story and photos: https://aseannow.com/topic/1359989-aust ... t-airport/