After a company’s banner in Bangkok claimed to provide services to clients obtaining membership and go documents from other countries, leading to outcry on social media, the government has pledged to crack down on illegal Taiwanese businesses operating in the nation.
Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, made the commitment while speaking with him at the Huai Khwang police station about ways to combat popular crimes in the area, including drug trafficking and loansharking. Additionally, Mr. Srettha directed the government to investigate dark Chinese companies in the Huai Khwang neighborhood, a well-known vacation spot for Chinese expats and tourists.
The discussion began when Pai Charudul, a person on Facebook, posted a picture of the billboard on Sunday.
The Chinese-language banner promoted fast passport and citizen services for urgent needs. It claimed it could obtain fresh visas in 30 days and that its services were entirely legal. Before collecting costs, it provided services and promised specific data protection.
The poster showed images of Indonesian, Vietnamese, Greek and Vanuatuan visas with different fees. Additionally, there was a picture of a Chinese-looking gentleman wearing business attire and a passport.
It even claimed to have a global company with 13 years of experience.
According to other details on the banner, it was an advertisement by the Xin Xijia Group, which had a producer named Chen Da Fa. The company’s local phone number was also included, but when the Bangkok Post called the number, anyone 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 poster, rather, advertised solutions for different nationalities such as citizen and passports, he added.
But Traisuree Taisaranakul, an Interior Ministry spokesperson, said Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the poster to get removed yesterday night. She emphasized that he also mandated a review of the company’s legality and legality, and demanded that the results be made public. ” The government facilitates visits ]from foreigners ] to attract currency inflow and distribute income to people. Instantly, it prioritises screening to stop thieves from arriving as travellers and using Thailand as a foundation for illegal actions”, Ms Traisuree said.
Paitoon Ngammuk, Huai Khwang city captain, said the banner was removed at 11.20am yesterday. He claimed that the city office was checking the poster construction owner’s income payment records and that his income subordinates were checking whether the billboard was legitimately posted.
However, Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, assistant official of the Royal Thai Police Office, said federal police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol ordered the Metropolitan Police Bureau to determine the publication’s operator and its legality.
The lieutenant spokesman called on “wrongdoers to be immediately prosecuted in all dimensions.”
According to Pol Maj Gen Siriwat, the federal police chief also mandated that the IB check foreign visitors and expatriates and successfully enact immigration regulations in order to maintain a balance between security and hospitality.
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MP for the Move Forward Party, said that the poster damaged the government’s standing and ruined the country’s picture.
International criminals are likewise drawn to Thailand before escaping their warrants through third-party places or turning the land into a hub for Chinese crooks, he added.
Contextual criminals are encouraged to evade their warrants and live happily in Thailand because they might believe they can bribe Thai officials to conceal their crimes, according to Mr. Wiroj.