Fake visa scandal: Nearly 100 Myanmar people arrested since start of June

A leading immigration spokesman has warned people in Myanmar to double check their visas to ensure that they have not been duped with fake stamps.

The warning comes as more people are being found with the fake stamps in Thailand on a daily basis.

Pol Maj Gen Itthiphon Itthisanronchai – deputy immigration chief and acting as spokesman – told Thai Rath that 97 cases had been identified since the start of June until July 22nd.

Most were people crossing in Tak province in Thailand’s north west followed by the central region.

Ninety percent of the fakes were tourist visas.

Investigations are ongoing into possibly corrupt officials or people connected to the Thai embassy in the Myanmar capital of Yangon.

Maj Gen Itthiphon said that people should make sure their visas are genuine as they could face up to 200,000 baht in fines and 10 years in jail.

Earlier reports suggest that the 97 cases might just be the tip of the iceberg, however.The Thai media reported last week that thousands of Myanmar folk could be living in Thailand with fake stamps in their passports.

Another case was discovered on Saturday of a person with a fake stamp who had paid 6,000 baht for a “fast track” service.

Thai Visa / Thai Rath

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