Road Blocks Manned By Soldiers

[duratanium]

I have seen most road blocks manned by soldiers during my past 3 months driving around Thailand from as far north as Khao Kho to Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Chang Island.

My Thai girlfriend says the police have been relegated to other minor duties.

Not having driven in Thailand before December 06 I was wondering if this has been the norm for some time?

Is there anything sinister to read into this?

I have never been stopped yet .... just waived through each one.

[SamuiJens]

I have seen most road blocks manned by soldiers during my past 3 months driving around Thailand from as far north as Khao Kho to Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Chang Island.

My Thai girlfriend says the police have been relegated to other minor duties.

Not having driven in Thailand before December 06 I was wondering if this has been the norm for some time?

Is there anything sinister to read into this?

I have never been stopped yet .... just waived through each one.

"Something is happening, but you don't know what it is. do you Mr. Jones"

[Hampstead]

I have seen many stops by the thai army in thailand, as they are looking for illegal immigrants or smugglers of any kind. Mostly the smuggling part will get through as this is such a corrupt country, but i have seem many people from burma and cambodia be taken from a vehicle and taken into custody by the thai army over the years.

Edited March 12, 2007 by Hampstead

[ColPyat]

Is there anything sinister to read into this?

I don't know if you are aware of the fact that we had a military coup recently, are governed by a military junta, and large parts of the country are still under full martial law.

If you are not, then be informed that this is in fact so.

[jdinasia]

Yes, It is normal.

Over the 10 years I have been coming here and the 4 years I have been living here I have seen mostly army at checkpoints unless it was at the borders of one tambon to the next, then it is often police.

(coming onto the island ... at major road checkpoints from province to province .. and anywhere near the borders of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia)

Edited March 12, 2007 by jdinasia

[phazey]

Welcome to the neighbourhood......

Edited March 12, 2007 by phazey

[Maestro]

Some people think they are soldiers when they are in fact police of the transportation department. And in some parts of the country, checkpoints are manned by officials of the forestry department. They all have uniforms that can lead one to mistake them for soldiers.

And yes, in some places soldiers have been seconded to man checkpoints.

--

Maestro

[Greer]

Actually the only sinister thing you can read into this is that the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Police and various others do try to enforce the law and catch criminals and ne'ere to wells!

Seriously, there is nothing sinister in the various forces manning road blocks. I have been stopped at a few and once they knew who I was or whatever else, they gave a smart salute, and thanked me, then allowed me to continue my journey. I have absolutely no problem with this. They are doing a job, and their presence helps to assure many that they are safer than if the guys were not out there.

Continue the good work boys!

[bmanly]

Yes, It is normal.

Over the 10 years I have been coming here and the 4 years I have been living here I have seen mostly army at checkpoints unless it was at the borders of one tambon to the next, then it is often police.

(coming onto the island ... at major road checkpoints from province to province .. and anywhere near the borders of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia)

Yes this is correct, it's common, seen it and been checked myself several times when on a bus or even riding a motocy.

[ColPyat]

Yes, It is normal.

Over the 10 years I have been coming here and the 4 years I have been living here I have seen mostly army at checkpoints unless it was at the borders of one tambon to the next, then it is often police.

(coming onto the island ... at major road checkpoints from province to province .. and anywhere near the borders of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia)

Yes this is correct, it's common, seen it and been checked myself several times when on a bus or even riding a motocy.

Actually, at sensitive borders you have so called "Khet Dahan" - areas controlled by the army. There Army checkpoints are the rule.

Nowadays, after the coup, under martial law, army is manning checkpoints in all provinces, even in Bangkok. This is not normal, or common.

What may have been mistaken as army are police checkpoints by police with Or Bor Dor Lor volunteers with their Khaki uniforms to assist police.

[pampal]

If you want to see check points manned by soldiers try driving around Ratchadamnoern Nok Street at night times, Bangkok is filled with soldiers.

At Sanam Luang there are armed soldiers stationed between trees as to be somewhat camouflaged.

[Mid]

been soldiers manning certain check points in the south for as long as i can remember .....................