RM2 tea money practice at Thai immigration booths stopped

PETALING JAYA: The immigration police chief of Thailand has put a stop to the practice of taking RM2 tea money at the Sadao border crossing during office hours.
Immigration police commissioner Natthathorn Prohsunthorn was at the border crossing on Tuesday following reports that visitors from Malaysia had to insert RM16 in their passports before presenting the documents to immigration officers for stamps.
Six immigration officers were transferred from the main southern border checkpoint pending investigation, the Bangkok Post reported today.
It was said to be a 20-year practice at the Sadao Thai-Malaysian border crossing.
Natthathorn vowed to punish those who defied his order, saying the payment was valid if visitors arrived outside official work hours, and between 6pm and 11pm. The Interior Ministry set the rate to pay for the overtime of officers during such hours.
Huge signs had been erected at the checkpoint, saying: "No fee is charged when passing this border during office hours".
As at least 5,000 people entered Sadao each day, meaning the tea money collected would amount to RM10,000 daily.