Border area corruption drives away investors

Border area corruption drives away investors

BANGKOK (AFP): Corrupt police officials along the Thai-
Malaysian border have taken on the dark image of mafia-style
bosses, souring investment opportunities for both countries,
officials charged in a local daily yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi said immigration
police had been extorting bribes from businessmen in Thai border
provinces to the point that they had become the "single biggest
obstacle to investment between our two countries," The Nation
said.

He told the paper he had officially complained to the interior
ministry, which would look into the matter.

Supachai has been negotiating with Malaysian authorities to
keep border check-points open longer, to lengthen visa stays and
to persuade police to accept credit cards rather than just
passports as identification of tourists and businessmen,
according to The Nation report.

But police officials have been extorting visitors "despite my
efforts," he was quoted as saying.

Thai immigration chief Lieutenant-General Kiatisak Prapawat
was reported as saying some officials within his ranks resembled
the mafia-style bosses they were supposed to be fighting.

"I'm worried that our country's reputation will suffer if
things keep going on this way," he was quoted as saying.

Kiatisak has promised harsh punishment for corrupt police.
Officials could not be reached for comment Monday on the report.