A retired senator has said that Phuket police and officials are extorting money from foreigners holding proper work permits in Phuket.
Thanyarat Atchariyachai, former chairwoman of the Senate committee on tourism, has heard many cases of foreign workers being harassed by local officials.
She recalled cases of officials asking foreign professionals to see their work permits on Friday afternoons. Despite those workers claiming they had work permits, they were told that they had to pay a fine or spend the weekend in jail awaiting bail. Apparently, they could avoid going to the station at all by paying THB20,000 on the spot, reported Bangkok Post.
Similar situation happened to migrant workers, who were asked to hand over THB5,000 for working in an area other than what was mentioned in their paperwork, even if they were performing errands or delivery service for the business specified in their papers.
She also stated that officials ask travelers for THB200 at the airport to have their immigration queue times shortened.
Thanyarat said that she has told the Deputy Chairman of the National Legislative Assembly about what she has seen and that an investigation will start soon.
