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.