Bangkok, —
Thai immigration authorities have revoked the visa of a Chinese national and placed him on a permanent blacklist after a violent incident at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s outbound immigration checkpoint involving breaking and forcing through an electronic exit gate and an altercation with Thai Immigration officers.
The incident occurred on May 13th at approximately 2:00 p.m., when Mr. Zheng, 30, attempted to pass through the Automated Border Control (ABC) system before boarding flight 9C7282 to China. Instead of following the proper procedure, he placed his boarding pass on the passport reader, causing the system to malfunction. Frustrated, he kicked the glass door of the machine, damaging it. When he tried again with his passport incorrectly placed, the system failed once more, prompting him to kick the door a second time and force his way through without clearance.
Immigration officers quickly intervened, but Mr. Zheng responded with profanity in both Chinese and English, and allegedly attempted to assault the officers before being restrained by his wife. He was then handed over to police at Suvarnabhumi Airport station.
Authorities charged him with criminal damage to property, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and/or a fine of 60,000 baht. He is also liable for 450,000 baht in damages to the ABC system. In addition, he faces charges of insulting an officer on duty, punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht. Police plan to submit the case to the Samut Prakan Provincial Court on May 15.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, ordered Mr. Zheng’s visa revoked and his name entered into the immigration blacklist, permanently banning him from re-entering Thailand. He stated that such behavior poses a threat to public safety and will not be tolerated. Once legal proceedings conclude, Mr. Zheng will be deported.
Immigration spokesperson Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee reminded foreign visitors that Thailand welcomes tourists from all nations, but expects them to respect local laws and customs. Any criminal acts or behavior deemed offensive to Thai society can result in visa cancellation and deportation and is part of a current national crackdown of zero tolerance on bad tourist behavior as we reported previously here.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
