paulbrun

I used to refer to it as the 'Last Resort'. Not idea if it''s still open, but I hope not. It was a dump 20 years ago, and it won't have improved..!

And the world is flat that's why we don't all fall off

Might happen probably not

¿ɥʇɹɐƎ ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ ƃuıddoɹp ɯoɹɟ suɐılɐɹʇsn∀ ǝɥʇ dlǝɥ ʇɐɥʇ sǝop ʍoH

How the hell did you do that..?

Could this also be a Hawkmoth caterpillar..? It must be a hell of a size of moth, or butterfly. It was about 4 inches long. And it wasn't in my garden.

The bottom line was that I was unlucky that night. And I was not the only one. I could have insisted on going to the police station, and being properly fined. But my passport was with immigration, and my wife was not in Phuket, she was up north. So I had no-one to go to collect either the passport, or the receipt for it, from my house. I was also very tired, having been up since early that morning, and working all day. The cop was not in a good mood, and it was only after several phone calls to my wife that he finally said what he REALLY wanted. Cash..! I did lodge a complaint with my consul, and I have highlighted the incident both here, and amongst all my friends and contacts in Phuket. I am hoping that this will help others who are caught in similar circumstances, to deal with it more successfully..!

What was the amount of 'the fine' you had to pay?

2000 baht

I would be interested to meet and chat about your idea. Which area are you living in..? I am on the north side, near Mee Chok plaza.

Or maybe I should keep some detailed photos on my smart phone, showing the passport, visa etc..? Not a bad idea..!

And in future, I will carry a photo-copy of my passport / visa, with me at all times..

You have one of this fancy smart phones?

An i-Phone, which he used to talk to my wife on. For a while, I thought he wasn't going to give it back..! If you were going to suggest taking a picture of him, it did cross my mind, but I don't think it would have helped the situation..!

I think the police could round up every farang on the beach, if everyone was required to carry their passport at all times, and the beach bums would have a field day, stealing everyones bag when they went into the water, or do you take the passport into the water also?

I have a copy of mine, but never been asked for it. Passport is always at home, hidden away, except when traveling.

If the police want the 400 baht, they will get it, with or without your passport.

How about 2000 baht..!

Where was this roadblock, please?

Thepkassatri Road heading north out of town. Just before the top of the winding hill near Laem Hin. There is a U-turn, and they blocked off our side of the road completely. All cars were checked, though they only pulled over farangs driving on their own (without a thai). A few Burmese were also pulled over, but they didn't get much cash from them, and they were quickly released.

Sorry, forgot to mention, no receipt, of course..!

OK, thanks for the comments. I will just add a few more details. The incident occurred a few nights ago. The new chief of police in Phuket is apparently hard-line, and is determined to make a name for himself. This is mentioned in the press. I do not usually carry my passport around with me, unless there is a good reason for doing so, or if I am going further away from home. I sometimes carry a copy..? I was within a very short distance of home when this happened, but as luck would have it, my passport was with immigration that day, getting a visa extension. I don't understand why they had to keep my passport overnight, but they often do..? That is another issue though. The passport copy was face page only, and the immigration receipt for my passport, was at home. I had my 5 year driving licence on me, which has my picture and address, so he knows I am legit. He also talked to my wife, who backed up everything I said. No, it was all a 'game' to squeeze a few extra baht out of some farang, before the end of the month (it happened on 31st Oct). My friend who was with me also was pretty shocked, as he has also been here over 20 years, and has never experienced such aggression. The policeman in charge was/is a nasty piece of work. Final comment. We moved away from Phuket a few months ago, because of the high cost of living, the increase in crime, and lack of help from the police towards the victims. I was only back there for a few days to tidy up some loose ends. So I am now quite certain we made the right decision..! And in future, I will carry a photo-copy of my passport / visa, with me at all times..

A Police Scam appears to be in operation in Phuket, whereby they set up a roadblock and check the occupants. They don't bother Thai's, or faransg traveling with Thai's, only farangs alone. They then demand to see your passport, and visa. I usually just carry my driving licence for ID, and have never had a problem before. This time I did have a copy of my passport face page, but not the visa. I was threatened with jail , and held with a friend, for over an hour at the side of the road, along with a few others. Eventually the roadblock was lifted and we were 'invited' to pay an on-the-spot fine, rather than going to jail..? The guy in charge was young and very tough, and obviously hated farang for some reason..? Anyway, just a warning to carry a copy of your ID and visa if driving alone.

Good idea, but I doubt it will work..? I just got 'hit' for the second time this month, and it really pisses me off, and leaves a bad taste. There was no justification on either occasion, and both times it was done in such a way, that I coughed up just to get on my way. I noted his name on both occasions, and considered taking a picture, but thought better of it..? Maybe it is time to move on..

Why do they allow them to block roads and behave in such a ridiculous way..? Just another cash cow for chinese businesses..!

You should be able to extend the 30 days by another week, at a cost of about 50 dollars, by going to any immigration office..?

Opinions are like A-holes - everyone has them.

And your comment proves the point..!

I am looking for someone (in Chiang Mai) who can do translations of legal documents into Portuguese, from English..? I need to do this for a short-term visa (STV) application for Angola. Likewise, I also need a 'police report', to prove that I don't have a criminal record here in Thailand..? Any advice on either matter would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Does it take Nespresso capsules, or another type/size..? I understand Nespresso capsules can be refilled. Do you have an outlet in Chiang Mai..? I am seriously looking for a capsule-type coffee machine.

I remember meeting Tony Stevens, when he was with Savoy Brown, along with fellow Foghat member, Roger Earl. A great couple of guys, and both still going strong 30+ years on..! Have a great night..!

A lightning strike seems to be the latest way of averting attention from the truth..? An recent oil tanker fire in Malaysia was explained the same way..!

Thanks to all the good, and the dubious advice. I have been here 20 years and only been stopped and 'fined' 4 times. I would have argued with him, but I had my family with me, in a car that was not running well, and we were 'lost' and looking for a garage. I realise I made a mistake by handing over my license, and was on loser thereafter. Lesson learned..! It happened at the junction of Wireless and Rama 4, and he claimed I changed lanes illegally..? As I said I was lost, and certainly did nothing dangerous. I have his number if I ever see him again..!

Is there any way, or any point, to make a complaint against a traffic policeman, who fabricated an offence, so he could get 1000 baht from me..? I would just like to let someone know what he's doing, in the hope he will be stopped. I did nothing illegal, but he pulled me over, demanded my driver's license and refused to return it unless I paid him. I realise this is going on every day, everywhere, and I am not going to get the money back, but I still think it should be reported. Any ideas..?

Like everyone else, he does not have a crystal ball, so it's just an opinion. I have talked to him, and yes, he does do his research, but in reality he has no more idea which way things are going to go than you,

or me..?

Sorry, wrong again. It is working in the south, around Phuket, but not in the north..?