Compo

Contrary to popular belief, not all police are corrupt in Thailand, and if the OP does try to offer bribes, than he does so at his own risk and discretion, but I certainly don`t recommend it.

Rather than 'offer a bribe,' I usually just ask 'can I pay the fine here now or do I have to go to the police station?' I'm not asking if I can pay him, I'm asking where to pay the fine. Never had a problem with that. The only time I've ever needed to go to the station was when my wheel was clamped and the cop was standing right there finishing up. I guess perhaps the reason he was on clamping duty rather than roadblock was maybe the other cops didn't trust him to see what was going on!

Thought you had never broken a law.

Cool how you know how to offer a bribe ( which is against the law ) in such a discrete way.

Your post speaks for itself.

Is this whole thread a nice bit of ThaiVisa scaremongering ???

Just returned from a 3 day holiday weekend travelling around.

Could not be bothered to take my passport.

Never asked for it.

Traveled with 3 Thai women and passed numerous police checkpoints, like what you do in the north.

Stayed in 2 good hotels and drove ( without accident ) about 500 kms.

The girls bought 6 litres of scotch and a litre of gin in Tachilek, where they did a bit of fun gambling, whilst I did coffee and the crossword.

( Famous Grouse at 430 a litre and quite nice too.)

Is my ex, the current live in, my landlord, my employer or my office staff supposed to report my return to Chaingmai after 3 days away ??

Don't have a lease anyway.

Whoever it is, it won't happen.

Told the "live in" that she must go to Immigration tomorrow to report my absence away from home and my return, and was answered with a nice bit of Anglo Saxon.

I await arrest............( having had a nice week end with some nice Thai people )

Get a visa.

Try not to get lost.

Pointless thread, and question. We're listening to public opinion, with two answers.....yes, you should carry it.....no, don't bother.

If I was in any doubt, I'd be asking the authority, not anonymous posters online. They won't be paying a fine if they're wrong.

Imagine the police demanding your PP because it's a legal requirement that you carry it, and you saying a voice on the internet, or in your head, said it wasn't necessary??!!

In 45 years of travelling, 40+ countries, some many times, and some like Indonesia and Thailand, legendary for police shakedowns, I have never been asked for my PP, except on entry and exit, of course.

You have never stayed in a hotel in Thailand?

A passport is required for any foreigner to check into a hotel in Thailand.

I use the wife.

She checks in, while I look for beer.

Have not been asked to show any id for years, neither have I been asked for a work permit by an underemployed bellboy for carrying all her sodding baggage...

Anybody remember when the Uk banks used to charge you 5 quid to tell you that you were 3 quid overdrawn ???