Ripped off silom road for having beer In taxi

[Date Masamune]

25 years (or so) ago in Japan VERY SEVERE drunk driving penalties, I was offered to drink beer in a private car. At that time at least it was legal.

As long as the driver is not drinking what is the problem? The alcohol does not give a contact high, you can also drink 24/7 there and buy from vending machines. No dry days. Do you have safety issues there? Sensible behavior is the keys not silly laws and cops jailing people for serving a tourist a beer at 3pm.

[balo]

You should have just said to the cop : Let's go to the police station. Or ask for a receipt. 

I am pretty sure he would have lowered the penalty to 500 baht . 

 

Even if it's the law I am pretty sure the cops in Silom are there only for the money , 100% corruption,  

 

 

[dinsdale]

You were and weren't ripped off (Thai would probably pay Bt500) you got caught. Surprised the taxi driver didn't warn you that it's against the law.????

[jesimps]

20 hours ago, stevymac said:

Sounds like I dodged a bullet then. Pardon the pun as they all had a gun on them as well. Weird thing is my mate that I was with said let’s just go police station then when he said 5000 baht and looked like he wasn’t going to budge on price and I said to cop 2k or that’s it and he quickly took it and put it under his book so maybe the cop didn’t wanna go station either. Was probably just happy to make the easiest 2k of his life. The fine and punishment like a few guys said above no where near matches the crime when u consider u can beat someone up and pay 500baht. Sometimes this country makes no sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

"Sometimes this country makes no sense."

 

Wrong! This country NEVER makes sense. Still prefer to live here rather than the old country.

[bluesofa]

8 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

You were and weren't ripped off (Thai would probably pay Bt500) you got caught. Surprised the taxi driver didn't warn you that it's against the law.????

Nah, he's on a 50-50 profit share with the cops. How do you think they stopped him in the first place?

[zoza]

20 hours ago, thedemon said:

 

Or ones that aren't boring old codgers.

for your information'' Pattaya Limo '' a decent taxi firm in its day used to pick us up from the airport with a few nice cold beers as part of the deal.

they went west about ten years ago....may of heard about the upcoming beer ban. am I a boring old codger at 69 years old? probably until I have had a few....lol

Edited February 26, 2019 by zoza

[rskdev]

Hell, I have been in and out of Thailand so many times. After a 15 hour flight from my home country, my girl is waiting for me at the gate. After we get the taxi she has nice cold ones waiting for me. I suck them down on the way from the airport to the condo. Taxi man has never said anything about it, i am sure he can smell it. Its just a way for me to wind down after the long flight and be happy to see my girl again. Also I always have 6 beers in my day pack when I take the bus to Pattaya, drink them on the way. If I am worried about the bus driver or taxi man, I have an empty soda bottle I pour my beer into and drink from that. Never a problem. I,m on vacation, its what I like to do. Having a smoke now is a little more difficult these days with there insane smoking law. Like the rest of the atmosphere is so pure, right!!! The dust kicked up from the road by vehicles passing by when walking down any of the streets in Thailand is way worse for breathing.

 

Cheers

[IAMHERE]

22 hours ago, bluesofa said:

I had to read it three times to realise you probably meant the police stopped you, rather than the taxi driver stopped and shone a torch into the back of his vehicle?

I thought the taxi driver was trying to rip you off, as the police weren't mentioned.

 

Might be a good chance the taxi driver called the police and gets a cut or other perk.

[madmen]

3 minutes ago, rskdev said:

Hell, I have been in and out of Thailand so many times. After a 15 hour flight from my home country, my girl is waiting for me at the gate. After we get the taxi she has nice cold ones waiting for me. I suck them down on the way from the airport to the condo. Taxi man has never said anything about it, i am sure he can smell it. Its just a way for me to wind down after the long flight and be happy to see my girl again. Also I always have 6 beers in my day pack when I take the bus to Pattaya, drink them on the way. If I am worried about the bus driver or taxi man, I have an empty soda bottle I pour my beer into and drink from that. Never a problem. I,m on vacation, its what I like to do. Having a smoke now is a little more difficult these days with there insane smoking law. Like the rest of the atmosphere is so pure, right!!! The dust kicked up from the road by vehicles passing by when walking down any of the streets in Thailand is way worse for breathing.

 

Cheers

Tv non drinkers will automatically brand you an alcoholic. They dont get it because it has nothing to do with "cant wait to get to your hotel for a beer"

As a tourist I used to do the same in the taxi but these days I just got to pattaya for a break from BKK and get the sky train. Near the BTS entrance at the airport there is a 7/11 that sells beer at 7/11 prices, inside the airport ! I usually pull in their for a few on the way to BKK

[rskdev]

Yep, madmen,

I agree with you there. Seems like there are always a lot of alcohol policemen on forums. I wonder what they would think the people if they went to the October Fest in Germany.

 

Also I wonder what non-drinkers think of the people that make Beer and Whiskey or Wine. There are taste testers there just for that job. And the owners of the Breweries who are probably very wealth and successful drink also. So they must all be raging alcoholics.

[Time Traveller]

That's interesting. If you're going to get fined for doing the right thing by getting a taxi, then you might as well just drive drunk and save the taxi fare.

 

 

Edited February 26, 2019 by Time Traveller

[Tony125]

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

That’s not what he said...  he implied that it may be boring old codgers who consider enjoying a beer whilst stuck in a Bangkok traffic jam as not being acceptable...  he didn’t write that it was exciting !!!

 

Lets face it, with any degree of intelligent balance, where is the harm to anyone in benign able to enjoy a beer as a passenger ????? 

 

And who really thinks it’s wrong? 

... only boring numpties (well, and of course whoever agreed this daft regulation, which, I also think exists in the USA).

Seems the answer is not boring oldcodgers think it's not ok to drink in taxi but drunk alcoholics think it's ok. Yes against the law in USA as well. I don't drink, never have but was driving home one night when I was like 21 and got stopped by police. They told my 2 friends to dump the cans of beer they had or be arrested. I told the police but I am driving them home and I am not drinking, was told makes no difference no open alcohol in a vehicle.

[Tony125]

31 minutes ago, Time Traveller said:

That's interesting. If you're going to get fined for doing the right thing by getting a taxi, then you might as well just drive drunk and save the taxi fare.

 

 

Kind of a stupid statement. You can get drunk get a taxi and if get stopped  by police will not get any fine or be arrested. If you get drunk try and drive home and are stopped you will be arrested, fined , possible jail time and lose license not to mention possibly killing someone or yourself.

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Tony125 said:

Seems the answer is not boring oldcodgers think it's not ok to drink in taxi but drunk alcoholics think it's ok. Yes against the law in USA as well. I don't drink, never have but was driving home one night when I was like 21 and got stopped by police. They told my 2 friends to dump the cans of beer they had or be arrested. I told the police but I am driving them home and I am not drinking, was told makes no difference no open alcohol in a vehicle.

 

Your implication here is that anyone who is unable to see anything wrong with drinking while a passenger in a vehicle is a Drunk Alcoholic....  Is this correct? - because this is a huge leap and indicates a significant bias against those who enjoy a beer... 

 

Its just a beer in a taxi...  Why must I be considered a drunk alcoholic if I have a beer on a 30minute journey to a restaurant while my Wife navigates Bangkok traffic (its the same thing - drinking a beer in a vehicle). I can do without and mostly do, but sometimes I fancy taking the journey with a cold beer, in much the same way I prefer the journey with the Air-con on and my Spotify playlist humming along quietly... This is not drunk alcoholism, this is relaxation and enjoying life... the beer is not a necessity, but it is enjoyable, if it tasted just the same a non-alcoholic beer would be just fine.

 

Can you think of any reason for this law?... the only thing I can think of is that in the USA it has been decided that the driver may also partake if there is open booze in a car and this law was made before breathalysers. Thailand may have copied this law from the US. 

 

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Tony125 said:

41 minutes ago, Time Traveller said:

That's interesting. If you're going to get fined for doing the right thing by getting a taxi, then you might as well just drive drunk and save the taxi fare.

 

 

Kind of a stupid statement. You can get drunk get a taxi and if get stopped  by police will not get any fine or be arrested. If you get drunk try and drive home and are stopped you will be arrested, fined , possible jail time and lose license not to mention possibly killing someone or yourself.

 

Agreed... the reason I never DUI is not because of fear of the rediculously weak DUI penalties here, but because of the potential consequences to others. 

 

That said, I think the point Time Traveller was attempting to make is that the penalty for DUI is out of balance when compared to something as harmless as having an open can of beer in a car.  And, that if you are drinking a beer in a taxi instead of ‘doing the wrong’ thing and driving drunk and still get fined extortionate amounts then what is the point in following the law? (Yes we know the answer is multifaceted) but on the comparison of the penalties alone it highlights just how out disproportionate the penalties are. 

 

 

[PerkinsCuthbert]

Call that a rip off? A rip off is where you weren't drink a beer in the back of a taxi and the cop says you were and fines you. Then you have some basis for feeling sore.

[Tony125]

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I get your point...  but why is there a need to draw a line which makes having a beer in the car indicative of dependence?

 

In the bar, at home, watching TV, in the Movie theatre.... in a 30-40min car / taxi journey from home or a bar to a bar or restaunt... it just doesn’t feel abnormal.... supping from a bottle of whiskey or vodka would... 

 

Enjoying a beer is different from needing alcohol... 

If after drinking at a restaurant or hours at a bar and you still feel  the need to drink a beer on 30 min ride home then your dependant and probably an alcoholic. If taking a taxi home after leaving a restaurant, movie theater ect  and if the taxi is airconditioned I don't feel the need to drink water, a Coke or juice as I am not thirsty . If you need to drink a beer on a ride  home in taxi then it's not because your thirsty as you have just come from bar but because your alcohol dependant.

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, Date Masamune said:

25 years (or so) ago in Japan VERY SEVERE drunk driving penalties, I was offered to drink beer in a private car. At that time at least it was legal.

As long as the driver is not drinking what is the problem? The alcohol does not give a contact high, you can also drink 24/7 there and buy from vending machines. No dry days. Do you have safety issues there? Sensible behavior is the keys not silly laws and cops jailing people for serving a tourist a beer at 3pm.

Quite... Japan is a mature and considerate society...  I spend a couple of weeks there every year... I just got back from there and didn’t see a Policeman for 2 weeks. 

 

I’m sure they are around, but for the most part society self regulates and is mature. 

 

There are strict regulations there which drive me a little insane (such as not crossing the road when its clear until the pedestrian light turns green).

 

In short Japan is a fully functioning modern, civilised, socialist country whose citizens self regulate.... Thailand in comparison is a ‘corrupt mess full of character’ which is highlighted by daft laws such as this and the sporadic enforcement which was (possibly) specifically targeted at a foreigner.

[robblok]

1 hour ago, rskdev said:

Yep, madmen,

I agree with you there. Seems like there are always a lot of alcohol policemen on forums. I wonder what they would think the people if they went to the October Fest in Germany.

 

Also I wonder what non-drinkers think of the people that make Beer and Whiskey or Wine. There are taste testers there just for that job. And the owners of the Breweries who are probably very wealth and successful drink also. So they must all be raging alcoholics.

I don't think much about the alcohol loving others, as long as they are not driving a vehicle or starting a alcohol fueled fight.  As long as they don't bother anyone then let them have fun.

 

I just can't identify with the need for a beer the way you seem to have, I am sure I got habits you find strange.

 

People are different and as long as others don't bother / endanger me I don't really care.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, Tony125 said:

If after drinking at a restaurant or hours at a bar and you still feel  the need to drink a beer on 30 min ride home then your dependant and probably an alcoholic. If taking a taxi home after leaving a restaurant, movie theater ect  and if the taxi is airconditioned I don't feel the need to drink water, a Coke or juice as I am not thirsty . If you need to drink a beer on a ride  home in taxi then it's not because your thirsty as you have just come from bar but because your alcohol dependant.

Quite an extreme view... but perhaps you are right.... I would consider it alcohol dependant if I needed to crack open the vodka and whiskey while on the journey... 

 

And if I can’t go 30mins without a beer on a night out and have to take a carrier then there is perhaps something wrong... i.e. beer (alcohol) dependance. On the otherhand there are plenty of situations I’d enjoy a beer in a taxi or car which I don’t think indicate a dependance... i.e. on the way out and having to sit in a traffic jam. I can do without, but why should I have to if I would enjoy the journey more with a beer in hand in much the same way I may enjoy watching a movie with a beer in hand or glass of wine or a nice Whisky.

 

I have a Wine fridge full of wine... does that make me Alcohol dependant?... I have about 6 or 7 bottles of good Whisky sat next to the wine fridge... and a lower shelf in the fridge with about 10 beers... I feel no urge to drink any of it now (at 10am) - I don’t think I am dependant on alcohol... but I may chose to enjoy any one of those drinks tonight... and if we go out for a meal I may take a carrier... Is that really dependancy?... 

 

More commonly I’ll take a bottle of water with me in a taxi or in the car... Clearly I am dependant on water, but I can go 30-40mins without... I just prefer not to have to.

 

 

[robblok]

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

Quite an extreme view... but perhaps you are right.... I would consider it alcohol dependant if I needed to crack open the vodka and whiskey while on the journey... 

 

And if I can’t go 30mins without a beer on a night out and have to take a carrier then there is perhaps something wrong... i.e. beer (alcohol) dependance. On the otherhand there are plenty of situations I’d enjoy a beer in a taxi or car which I don’t think indicate a dependance... i.e. on the way out and having to sit in a traffic jam. I can do without, but why should I have to if I would enjoy the journey more with a beer in hand in much the same way I may enjoy watching a movie with a beer in hand or glass of wine or a nice Whisky.

 

I have a Wine fridge full of wine... does that make me Alcohol dependant?... I have about 6 or 7 bottles of good Whisky sat next to the wine fridge... and a lower shelf in the fridge with about 10 beers... I feel no urge to drink any of it now (at 10am) - I don’t think I am dependant on alcohol... but I may chose to enjoy any one of those drinks tonight... and if we go out for a meal I may take a carrier... Is that really dependancy?... 

 

More commonly I’ll take a bottle of water with me in a taxi or in the car... Clearly I am dependant on water, but I can go 30-40mins without... I just prefer not to have to.

 

 

I think you know best how dependent you are on alcohol, but many don't want to look honestly at themselves and feel attacked in a topic like this.

I make no claims about you or your dependency but in reality people know if they have a problem but many times they just don't want to admit it.

 

There are all kind of guidelines that can show you what is normal and what is not. Those are made by professionals and just check your use vs the use mentioned there and you got an honest evaluation. (i have no idea what the guidelines tell as i never really had to look them up my use of alcohol has never been high)

 

I don't think you can say someone is dependent based on taking a beer in a taxi, but you can if you look at their consumption as a whole vs the guidelines that are available. Also you can't compare people who are on a holiday with normal people who live here. On holidays people have different patterns usually more alcohol. 

[maprao]

23 hours ago, simon43 said:

Jeez, what sort of people drink beer in a taxi <deleted>!

People on vacation!

Never thought Thailand would become a nanny state.

Drivers yes, but passengers??

In my old days I used to chose a taxi that 1 let me smoke 2 let me drink.

Now I'm old I do neither so don't care.

Glad I had the opportunity to visit Thailand 20 years ago

[stevymac]

Is the taxi driver supposed to issue a fine?
I thought it's the police's biz.
I wouldn't have paid....just walk away slowly...then run!
Btw...what's next? Trannies issuing fines? [emoji16]

Police stopped my car. Fined paid to police not taxi. Try reading the post.


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[richard_smith237]

37 minutes ago, robblok said:

I think you know best how dependent you are on alcohol, but many don't want to look honestly at themselves and feel attacked in a topic like this.

I make no claims about you or your dependency but in reality people know if they have a problem but many times they just don't want to admit it.

 

There are all kind of guidelines that can show you what is normal and what is not. Those are made by professionals and just check your use vs the use mentioned there and you got an honest evaluation. (i have no idea what the guidelines tell as i never really had to look them up my use of alcohol has never been high)

 

I don't think you can say someone is dependent based on taking a beer in a taxi, but you can if you look at their consumption as a whole vs the guidelines that are available. Also you can't compare people who are on a holiday with normal people who live here. On holidays people have different patterns usually more alcohol. 

Alcohol dependancy is quite and an emotive subject... the phrase is often thrown around in an attempt to turn someone into a social pariah... 

 

As you accurately identified..... people themselves will know if they are pulling the wool over their own eyes, those around them will have already have an idea. 

 

I’ve often heard the phrase ‘functioning alcoholic’...  IMO people can do what they want just as long as there is no immediate or lasting negative impact on anyone else. 

 

With regards to dependancy: Well, I have a dependancy on Cheese, Wine, bread, Bacon, Japanese restaurants, BBQ restaraunts...  and other things like Holidays, riding my motorcycle etc...  I depend on all of these things to make my life more enjoyable, beer, Whisky, coffee and tea too.... I can do without all of these things, but in some way or form I am somewhat dependant on them as my life is more enjoyable with these luxuries....

 

Thus: Dependancy I assume refers to a physical dependancy - where someone physically needs alcohol or they break down. I don’t understand the ins and outs of Alcoholism and Imagine I am quite wrong in making this common misconception. 

 

However, I do think that on this thread a lot of people (not yourself Rob) have taken things a little out of balance and accused the op of ‘needing to desperately suck down a beer’ and implying that he is an alcoholic. 

 

I’ve enjoyed attempting to defend the op in my spare time today and yesterday as the Op is being attacked (by some) for having a beer in a taxi, nothing worse, no fights no arguements, he didn’t fall asleep on the pavement and get robbed or bring a Hooker back to his room and discover she was a he etc...  he just had a beer in a taxi which is an extremely harmless action (which you, Rob, have also pointed out - so again as I am primarily in agreement with your sentiments) 

 

On the greater scale of things... I don’t think this displays alcohol dependancy, it simply displays a dependancy on enjoying life....

 

 

Edited February 26, 2019 by richard_smith237

[steven100]

Your topic heading is incorrect .....  you weren't RIPPED off .....  you were lucky to not end up in the slammer.

I suggest next time you try to be a bit more responsible with your drinking habits.

Imagine if you did that in Australia or the UK  ....

[Speedhump]

23 hours ago, stevymac said:

 

 

Ones that like a nice cold refreshing beverage for what may be a good 30 minute journey squire.


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

You mean a beverage that would be lukewarm after only 3 minutes and warm after 5. Geezer. ????

[madmen]

A lot of non drinkers are hard core mainly because many are REFORMED alcoholics. They dont like there reality of never being able to have even a thimble of beer as it will trigger extreme drinking, these guys have zero control and like to bash anyone who dares have a beer in taxi . I get it as being a reformed drinker must be frustrating especially in stinking hot Thailand where one of the great pleasures is having an icy cold beer without drinking the bar dry and thats why reform drinkers get upset because their reality is zero control so they can never even entertain the thought.

Edited February 26, 2019 by madmen

[richard_smith237]

11 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Your topic heading is incorrect .....  you weren't RIPPED off .....  you were lucky to not end up in the slammer.

I suggest next time you try to be a bit more responsible with your drinking habits.

Imagine if you did that in Australia or the UK  ....

Indeed Imagine if you did that in Australia or the UK...  nothing would happen because its not illegal... 

 

Having a beer in a Taxi (or car) is now an irresponsible drinking habit?... purleeese... get real.... 

 

 

 

[robblok]

8 minutes ago, madmen said:

A lot of non drinkers are hard core mainly because many are REFORMED alcoholics. They dont like there reality of never being able to have even a thimble of beer as it will trigger extreme drinking, these guys have zero control and like to bash anyone who dares have a beer in taxi . I get it as being a reformed drinker must be frustrating especially in stinking hot Thailand where one of the great pleasures is having an icy cold beer without drinking the bar dry and thats why reform drinkers get upset because their reality is zero control so they can never even entertain the thought.

I just never liked the taste of alcohol, so I just don't see the attraction. I only drink to get drunk not for the taste. I know its rare for people not to like alcohol (taste) but that is just how it is for me. Its not a choice or anything though I am happy I don't need alcohol as it helps the fight against the fat belly.

 

The times I do drink, i drink too much. It is a rare thing though a few times a year if that. Now if they made weed legal.. that would be something ???? although that probably would kill my diet ????

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, stevymac said:

22 hours ago, vinniekintana said:

Is the taxi driver supposed to issue a fine?
I thought it's the police's biz.
I wouldn't have paid....just walk away slowly...then run!
Btw...what's next? Trannies issuing fines? 

Police stopped my car. Fined paid to police not taxi. Try reading the post.

In defence of vinniekintana, there is nowhere in the OP the word 'police' appears.

 

That was the point of my much earlier post saying I had to read it three times to understand it, I also thought it was the taxi driver you were referring to.