Police Checks

[RayOday]

Some background...I am 65 and in good shape so I do not look my age. I have lived in BKK for 5 years. Just after the last coup, there was a sharp spike in Thonglor police shaking down foreigners. In my case I was stopped by 2 motorcycle patrolmen. They wanted 50k baht because they said I had drugs on me. I told them I did not have drugs. They aggressively searched me and found nothing. They said if they wanted me to have drugs then they would make it so and I would be found guilty. I gave them 2k and they left. As a result of the many shakedowns

there was a public outcry with many expats registering their concern with their respective consulates. The concerns were communicated to the Thai leadership and positive action was taken.

Well last night at 10:15 I was walking briskly down Sukhumvit when 6 motorcycle police came at me from all sides. The location was near Asoke and within the Thonglor police  jurisdiction. They asked what I was doing and I told them I was out for a walk to keep fit. They asked to search me and spent about 25 minutes throughly, almost meticulously, going through everything I had with me. They saw my money but made no move or said anything that would lead me to think they wanted to keep it.  In fact they were careful to hand it back to me exactly as I gave it to them. This stop was not about trying to extort money from me. I find it troubling and strange that there were so many police focused on me. After a long yet fruitless search they turned and left as they came. I am writing of this account as I wonder if anyone recently had a similar experience or insight as to what is going on. I am interested in whether the search was a one off or is there an initiative underway and it's purpose. Tonight I did not go out.

Edited November 9, 2020 by RayOday
Auto correct was not correct

[DDBKK]

Police did a stop and search and didn't extort any THB from you. TIT - just be glad and move on with your life.

[varun]

Maybe they searched you thoroughly, in light of the recent protests, and not really to extort you?

Hard to say.

[smutcakes]

I have lived on Thonglor for 11 years and i run and walk up and down multiple times daily. I have never ever seen one farang being stopped and searched. Plenty of Thais stopped in their cars, but never seen a farang. No idea where on Thonglor all these searches go on- the police there always seem friendly when i walk or run past and say a greeting. Maybe its the way you look or conduct yourself.

 

I have been stopped once i think in a taxi near Asok many years ago, but never ever since then.

 

I have a sneaky suspicion this is a click bait or wind up post.....

[userabcd]

1 hour ago, smutcakes said:

I have lived on Thonglor for 11 years and i run and walk up and down multiple times daily. I have never ever seen one farang being stopped and searched. Plenty of Thais stopped in their cars, but never seen a farang. No idea where on Thonglor all these searches go on- the police there always seem friendly when i walk or run past and say a greeting. Maybe its the way you look or conduct yourself.

 

I have been stopped once i think in a taxi near Asok many years ago, but never ever since then.

 

I have a sneaky suspicion this is a click bait or wind up post.....

Between Thonglor and Phrom Phong and have seen at least 3 different times foreigners stopped by police who were searching their belongings and questioning them.

 

I have never been stopped and searched but it came close one evening. I was out for exercise along sukhumvit when 2 police on a motorcycle passing by stopped and called me over to them. When they called me over, I just looked at them, bewildered, and after a few moments they muttered to each other and just took off on their motorcycle down Sukhumvit. That incident left me feeling uneasy for many days as to what their motive was.

[RayOday]

Given the current issues in the cyber security space I can empathize with click bait. I can assure you that my experience was not virtual. The stop was between the Asoke intersection and opposite the Exchange Tower. The Thonglor police jurisdiction ends at Ratchadaphisek Road and the Lumpini jurisdiction begins just before T21. So it was the Thonglor police although not in Thonglor proper. I may be one the first few to voice a potential concern yet after the coup the first reports, out of hundreds of incidents, were also met with a measure of incredulity. Let's hope that this was a one off. Who knows? The cliff drop in tourists, and probable police check quotas, may have positiined me as an easy mark for 6 officers. Before I would write a letter of concern to my country's consulate I prefer to set a waypoint here to determine if there may be a trend or not. Thanks to all those responding.

 

[Hayduke]

 

As with a lot of other people, police have seen moneymaking opportunities quickly drying up all around them. And with true entrepreneurial spirit…they’re looking at ways to diversify, modernize, and expand their business model.

 

 

[Ireland32]

13 hours ago, RayOday said:

Some background...I am 65 and in good shape so I do not look my age. I have lived in BKK for 5 years. Just after the last coup, there was a sharp spike in Thonglor police shaking down foreigners. In my case I was stopped by 2 motorcycle patrolmen. They wanted 50k baht because they said I had drugs on me. I told them I did not have drugs. They aggressively searched me and found nothing. They said if they wanted me to have drugs then they would make it so and I would be found guilty. I gave them 2k and they left. As a result of the many shakedowns

there was a public outcry with many expats registering their concern with their respective consulates. The concerns were communicated to the Thai leadership and positive action was taken.

Well last night at 10:15 I was walking briskly down Sukhumvit when 6 motorcycle police came at me from all sides. The location was near Asoke and within the Thonglor police  jurisdiction. They asked what I was doing and I told them I was out for a walk to keep fit. They asked to search me and spent about 25 minutes throughly, almost meticulously, going through everything I had with me. They saw my money but made no move or said anything that would lead me to think they wanted to keep it.  In fact they were careful to hand it back to me exactly as I gave it to them. This stop was not about trying to extort money from me. I find it troubling and strange that there were so many police focused on me. After a long yet fruitless search they turned and left as they came. I am writing of this account as I wonder if anyone recently had a similar experience or insight as to what is going on. I am interested in whether the search was a one off or is there an initiative underway and it's purpose. Tonight I did not go out.

I would move , That’s Ridiculous 

[NoshowJones]

6 hours ago, userabcd said:

Between Thonglor and Phrom Phong and have seen at least 3 different times foreigners stopped by police who were searching their belongings and questioning them.

 

I have never been stopped and searched but it came close one evening. I was out for exercise along sukhumvit when 2 police on a motorcycle passing by stopped and called me over to them. When they called me over, I just looked at them, bewildered, and after a few moments they muttered to each other and just took off on their motorcycle down Sukhumvit. That incident left me feeling uneasy for many days as to what their motive was.

They called you over to them?? Who do they think they are? You did the right thing.

The police, IOs etc are no more important than you. You are a human being, make sure you are treated like one, and

if you are not, then don't be afraid to tell them straight.

[tandor]

14 hours ago, RayOday said:

Some background...I am 65 and in good shape so I do not look my age. I have lived in BKK for 5 years. Just after the last coup, there was a sharp spike in Thonglor police shaking down foreigners. In my case I was stopped by 2 motorcycle patrolmen. They wanted 50k baht because they said I had drugs on me. I told them I did not have drugs. They aggressively searched me and found nothing. They said if they wanted me to have drugs then they would make it so and I would be found guilty. I gave them 2k and they left. As a result of the many shakedowns

there was a public outcry with many expats registering their concern with their respective consulates. The concerns were communicated to the Thai leadership and positive action was taken.

Well last night at 10:15 I was walking briskly down Sukhumvit when 6 motorcycle police came at me from all sides. The location was near Asoke and within the Thonglor police  jurisdiction. They asked what I was doing and I told them I was out for a walk to keep fit. They asked to search me and spent about 25 minutes throughly, almost meticulously, going through everything I had with me. They saw my money but made no move or said anything that would lead me to think they wanted to keep it.  In fact they were careful to hand it back to me exactly as I gave it to them. This stop was not about trying to extort money from me. I find it troubling and strange that there were so many police focused on me. After a long yet fruitless search they turned and left as they came. I am writing of this account as I wonder if anyone recently had a similar experience or insight as to what is going on. I am interested in whether the search was a one off or is there an initiative underway and it's purpose. Tonight I did not go out.

...so you paid them for no reason..unbelievable!

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, Ireland32 said:

I would move , That’s Ridiculous 

Don't let them scare you, I know it's easier said than done, but I got used to standing up to people back in the UK ever since I left school, I have spoke back to police, bosses etc, but just one thing, make sure you are right and don't just jump right in.

[thonglorjimmy]

8 hours ago, smutcakes said:

I have a sneaky suspicion this is a click bait or wind up post.....

 An interesting second post from the OP who has lived in Bangkok for five years, and joined TV fifteen hours ago.

Of course I'm not doubting what he has to say. 

[richard_smith237]

In the past the Thonglor Police have been notorious rogues involved with many reported unreasonable shakedowns of foreigners. 

About 8 years ago (or so) at about 6:30 to 7pm, the Police pulled over a taxi I was in (at Asoke Intersection) and I was asked to get out. I refused and called a friend (a Thai friend who is a police officer) - the police at the check point relented and waved me along. 

I’m not sure if it was a shake down, but I wasn’t prepared to be hassled, hustled or have to pee in a cup on demand etc.

 

Since that interval in history as the Op wrote, the negative publicity generated by a lot of complaints resulted in a relatively positive outcome and the Thonglor BiB once notorious for their ‘street hustle’ checked their behaviour. 

 

There have been a handful of stories in the past 5 years or so. Many readers on this forum call ‘troll’ and that the claims are works of attention seeking fiction, however the claims seem legitimate. 

 

 

In this case, OP: The BiB made an illegal search. By law they are not allowed to search you on the street. They have to claim reasonable cause (which realistically can be anything) and take you back to the station for a search witnessed by a commissioned officer.

 

That the BiB did not find anything, nor make any spurious claims indicates this may have been a legitimate search albeit carried out in an illegal old school manner. Its highly likely the police themselves are not familiar with the stop and search regulations, they tend to simply ‘learn on the job’ from their seniors, who if themselves operate with questionable legal boundaries, so will those they trained without even knowing it. 

 

It is quite possible, probably even, that a foreigner who matched your description was reported to the BiB as carrying drugs and this is the simple reason for the ’stop and search’. 

A friend was stopped and searched years ago, and the ‘matched your description’ claim was made by the BiB at the time, my friend had nothing on him and was let go. 

 

 

By all means report the ’stop and search’ to your Embassy, maybe others have encounter the same thing.

 

It's also important to keep discussion such as this going on this forum so that others are aware if there is any increase in frequency of these illegal searches. 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, thonglorjimmy said:

8 hours ago, smutcakes said:

I have a sneaky suspicion this is a click bait or wind up post.....

 An interesting second post from the OP who has lived in Bangkok for five years, and joined TV fifteen hours ago.

Of course I'm not doubting what he has to say. 

 

I lived in Bangkok well over 5 years before I joined this forum, there are many lurkers who do not feel the need to post anything until something happens. 

 

The story of the Op seems perfectly legitimate.

A friend encountered a very similar story about 10 years ago (Sukhumvit 22 - Thonglor Police) 

I was asked to get out of a taxi (to be searched) about 8 years (Asoke - Thonglor Police).

 

 

It could very well be the Thonglor Police getting up to their old games. 

[from the home of CC]

been here almost 20 yrs and the only encounter I had with the police was one was my witness for my first visa extension. Due to the non livable wage paid to cops corruption is epidemic just as it was in the west prior the standards and wage increases. This will not change till the standards and pay change. With that being said, I do not believe this account, sorry..

[richard_smith237]

7 hours ago, userabcd said:

Between Thonglor and Phrom Phong and have seen at least 3 different times foreigners stopped by police who were searching their belongings and questioning them.

 

I have never been stopped and searched but it came close one evening. I was out for exercise along sukhumvit when 2 police on a motorcycle passing by stopped and called me over to them. When they called me over, I just looked at them, bewildered, and after a few moments they muttered to each other and just took off on their motorcycle down Sukhumvit. That incident left me feeling uneasy for many days as to what their motive was.

 

About 12 years ago a friend and I were stopped coming home from Santika night club at about 3am

On a quiet sub Soi, 2 BiB riding pillion on a motorcycle pulled the taxi over, looked inside and indicated they wanted to talk with me. 

I opened the windows about 1 inch. The BiB Said...  “Passport !" I said, "No !!!”... BiB said “ID”. I said “No !!!” - the BiB then lost interest and just waved the taxi on and that was that. 

 

A rather strange experience which led me to wonder if they were even real police. 

[tonray]

In just about every instance in my 5 years here, where police were stopping people or traffic, because I was a foreigner they waved me right thru. As a passenger in my GFs car just a few months ago, once they peered inside and saw a foreigner, they gave her an instant pass without looking at her docs and on our way. Perhaps maybe because I don't frequent the trendy areas like Thonglor or Asok but certainly on the west side of the river dealing with foreigners is more trouble than it's worth

Edited November 10, 2020 by tonray

[solafr]

These cops are idiots, they search my pockets when THC is in my blood...

 

[userabcd]

2 hours ago, possum1931 said:

They called you over to them?? Who do they think they are? You did the right thing.

The police, IOs etc are no more important than you. You are a human being, make sure you are treated like one, and

if you are not, then don't be afraid to tell them straight.

Yep, but when there are Thai people around and I am the only foreigner, it is a little suspicious them calling me over to them in Thai given the history in Thonglor area.

[UTH001]

2 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Don't let them scare you, I know it's easier said than done, but I got used to standing up to people back in the UK ever since I left school, I have spoke back to police, bosses etc, but just one thing, make sure you are right and don't just jump right in.

I agree that 'fully standing up to people' possibly depends on the time of day. Quite happy to do it during the day, different at night time...

 

[tomauasia]

They don't like your head. I wouldn't worry. Your a nice bit of stress relief for them. They wanted to embarrass you. But there is never 6. I don't believe you 

[MadMuhammad]

A good buddy of mine got pulled over in a taxi in the area recently @ 4am and thoroughly searched. They did locate his party supplies though and off to the station they went. 3hrs and 100K later he was on his way. Maybe they’re just running short of funds? 

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, solafr said:

These cops are idiots, they search my pockets when THC is in my blood...

 

All the THC in your blood probably explains a lot...  

Edited November 10, 2020 by richard_smith237

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, solafr said:

 

 

how many millions times you posted this story on this forum ?! Your life is so exciting that you have nothing else to tell !?

And your famous cops friends and immigrations friends.... hahaha....

 

 

 

Interesting comment.... The question you may wish to be asking yourself is how exciting is your life that you remember my previous posts !!!!!....  

 

 

Back on topic - Do you have anything of value or intelligence to add to the subject ??? 

 

[Susco]

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Interesting comment.... The question you may wish to be asking yourself is how exciting is your life that you remember my previous posts !!!!!....  

 

More interesting is a member which joined 9 days ago, remembers posts from years ago

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Susco said:

8 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Interesting comment.... The question you may wish to be asking yourself is how exciting is your life that you remember my previous posts !!!!!....  

 

More interesting is a member which joined 9 days ago, remembers posts from years ago

 

Most likely a previous ‘member’ (in every sense of the word) who trolled people to the point of getting himself banned, has now returned with a similar halfwitted mentality under a different handle.... 

 

It matters little - their posts are often idiotic, but humorous. 

 

 

 

[blackcab]

@RayOday Were you carrying any type of bag such as a shoulder bag, small backpack, etc?

[ericthai]

6 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Don't let them scare you, I know it's easier said than done, but I got used to standing up to people back in the UK ever since I left school, I have spoke back to police, bosses etc, but just one thing, make sure you are right and don't just jump right in.

Come on, you've been in Thailand long enough to know that being right in Thailand means nothing.

[NoshowJones]

20 minutes ago, ericthai said:

Come on, you've been in Thailand long enough to know that being right in Thailand means nothing.

 

20 minutes ago, ericthai said:

Come on, you've been in Thailand long enough to know that being right in Thailand means nothing.

Maybe, but standing up for yourself means everything as far as I'm concerned, and I always will even if it means getting deported.

I will talk and be sociable with any authority, just as long as there is no hostile attitude towards me.

[The Theory]

22 hours ago, RayOday said:

They asked what I was doing and I told them I was out for a walk to keep fit

It happens only to hansom maaaan.