Police Road Block in North Pattaya - Just Wanted To See Drivers License - Why?

[The Hammer2021]

It's SOP at a VCP. Currently there are travel restrictions due to covid. Police can check vehicles, paperwork, occupants etc. Me an my driver frequently get stopped between Pattaya and Issan. TBH I'm surprised at the question.

[The Hammer2021]

23 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Take your pick: 

 

1) To check people with ID from outside of the province (covid protocol)

2) To enforce ‘driving with a driving licence’ - BiB short of money !

3) To extort foreigners scared of their own shadow !

4) To check families living in the same household are wearing their masks in the car !

It's a normal, legitimate, common practice. Why the question?

[Scott Tracy]

The answer has to be, why not?

 

In many countries, drivers license and registration and sometimes insurance documents are required to be shown. 

 

Is this your car, sir? Do you know why I stopped you..? Standard questions too.

 

perhaps the boys are doing what they are paid for.

[Heng]

Just practice.   They'll might have to lock everything down (day and night) soon enough.

[PB172111]

10 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It would be great to find out what is deemed as necessary travel!  The passport/legal status check will be a worry for anyone overstaying!

1. They shouldn’t be overstaying.

2. use your head. It’s not that difficult to work out.

 

[MrJ2U]

2 hours ago, fredscats said:

Use the railway road

Or just have a valid license.  

[arick]

They haven't been allowed to have road blocks for almost a year and now they are allowed again to have them. Why is their five road blocks in a 40 km strip in Chiayaphum? Why ask why? 

[NoshowJones]

On 7/14/2021 at 7:57 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

I know there's a pandemic, but unless it was during the "curfew" hours, there's no law banning people from driving just because they live in a particular place!  It would suggest that what the OP experienced was just a police licence check that happens regularly.

There has to be tea money involved somewhere.

[NCC1701A]

12 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Police checkpoint asking to see your drivers license?

Is that a story in your country?

illegal in USA. it took awhile for me to get used to police checkpoints here. 

 

really a bad feeling if you are not used to it. 

 

 

[brianthainess]

You may think they were only checking DL but in reality they are also  checking seat belt, road tax, masks if more than one, and they normally peer inside for others that may be hiding. IME All perfectly normal here.

Edited July 15, 2021 by brianthainess

[jomtienisgood]

On 7/14/2021 at 6:33 AM, jacko45k said:

I would suspect so, checking you are local and not out from Bangkok. 

Pre-Covid they used to do it about 3-4 times/ year..

[jomtienisgood]

57 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

illegal in USA. it took awhile for me to get used to police checkpoints here. 

 

really a bad feeling if you are not used to it. 

 

 

I'm tempted to say ' Amazing USA ' 55555

[jomtienisgood]

11 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

Or just have a valid license.  

Not a good idea. They're checking almost every morning at the corner of Kao Talo... Lifting their check-point around 1pm.

[jomtienisgood]

23 hours ago, bbko said:

Why not ask the police while handing over your license? Asking after the incident only leads to speculations, guessing and a chance for others to feed the rumor mill. 

Correct , but who cares why they do whatever they do when they do something...

[brewsterbudgen]

12 hours ago, PB172111 said:

1. They shouldn’t be overstaying.

2. use your head. It’s not that difficult to work out.

 

OK then. 

 

2. What do you think would be classed as necessary travel? 

 

Visiting friends?

Dentist appointment?

Going to the shops?

Work meeting?

Going to the beach?

 

 

[bbko]

A few years ago there were several Line groups where members would send out messages notifying others if they came across a Pattaya police checkpoint, I left one group when I went back to the USA to work, anyone know if those groups are still around?

[mikebell]

On 7/14/2021 at 7:29 PM, Bangkok Barry said:

We have a thread about a policeman wanting to check for a driving license? Astonishing.

It is newsworthy when Pattaya Plod do some work.

[JDJD]

I'm driving on a valid US drivers license (with motorcycle endorsement), and a valid US passport with COVID extension visa. I have not been able to register a Thai license through Land Transport due to COVID regulations not accepting new license requests at this time.  I spoke with a few agents, they seemed to believe it wouldn't be a problem. Am I likely to have problems going through one of these checkpoints? The motorbike tax and insurance are paid. 

 

I have yet to be pulled over or checked during my stay. Should I stick to English only or use my marginal+ Thai to greet and show the officer respect? Should I wai? I'm sure results will vary, but your experiences would help. Thank you. 

Edited July 16, 2021 by JDJD

[bbko]

5 hours ago, JDJD said:

I'm driving on a valid US drivers license (with motorcycle endorsement), and a valid US passport with COVID extension visa. I have not been able to register a Thai license through Land Transport due to COVID regulations not accepting new license requests at this time.  I spoke with a few agents, they seemed to believe it wouldn't be a problem. Am I likely to have problems going through one of these checkpoints? The motorbike tax and insurance are paid. 

 

I have yet to be pulled over or checked during my stay. Should I stick to English only or use my marginal+ Thai to greet and show the officer respect? Should I wai? I'm sure results will vary, but your experiences would help. Thank you. 

How long have you been in country and what type of visa are you on? If it's a tourist visa, no problem.  If you've been in country for a long while and a visa other than tourist you are pressing your luck. 

If you get pulled over, be polite, show respect, and if by chance they still want to fine you and it isn't for something stupid like a DUI, pay the 200-400 baht fine on the spot and move on.

[gk10012001]

On 7/13/2021 at 8:19 PM, brewsterbudgen said:

I what would they have done if it had?  There's no law about driving in Pattaya with a Bangkok address on your licence!  Plenty of Bangkokians have two homes anyway.

well as of this moment, Chonburi was just declared a Red zone, so travel may be not allowed.

[gk10012001]

20 hours ago, JDJD said:

I'm driving on a valid US drivers license (with motorcycle endorsement), and a valid US passport with COVID extension visa. I have not been able to register a Thai license through Land Transport due to COVID regulations not accepting new license requests at this time.  I spoke with a few agents, they seemed to believe it wouldn't be a problem. Am I likely to have problems going through one of these checkpoints? The motorbike tax and insurance are paid. 

 

I have yet to be pulled over or checked during my stay. Should I stick to English only or use my marginal+ Thai to greet and show the officer respect? Should I wai? I'm sure results will vary, but your experiences would help. Thank you. 

you need to go to a different office.  They are issuing licenses.  See Greeny Travels post on u tube

[jacko45k]

16 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

well as of this moment, Chonburi was just declared a Red zone, so travel may be not allowed.

Deep red actually.....

[jomtienisgood]

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Deep red actually.....

Yeah...... That's what Walking Str. used to be. 55555

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, jomtienisgood said:

Yeah...... That's what Walking Str. used to be. 55555

Got the money... just no honey.....

[JDJD]

On 7/16/2021 at 11:35 PM, bbko said:

How long have you been in country and what type of visa are you on? 

It's a tourist Visa. Thank you. IS 200-400 for blown headlight or no helmet, black visor, something like that? 1000 for no mask. How about speeding? I rarely see speed limit signs. 2 beers DUI? Can I turn right at a 4 way intersection with a green straight arrow and no red right turn arrow? Must I wait for the right turn green arrow? In America you can make the turn as long as there is no red arrow and the path is safe and clear. If I don't have 400 in my pocket will they escort me to an ATM? I'm totally just curious about all of these scenarios. Thanks again. 

[jacko45k]

9 hours ago, JDJD said:

In America

What has that got to do with Pattaya.....,and what you say is patently false because you drive on the other side of the road. 

Traffic lights around here open one direction at a time (mostly), and you cannot go against a red light... , you can make a left if there is no sign telling you it is not permitted, turning right you must have a green arrow. If you are stopped and ticketed you can pay the fine at the police station... 

Never race off at a just turned green light here.... they haven't finished coming from the other way yet!

Edited July 31, 2021 by jacko45k

[fishtank]

Just our good friends of the BIB collecting their lunch money.

[LongTimeLurker]

On 7/14/2021 at 6:33 AM, jacko45k said:

I would suspect so, checking you are local and not out from Bangkok. 

That's usually obvious from the number plates of the car that state the province it's registered in.

[LongTimeLurker]

On 7/14/2021 at 2:18 PM, pacovl46 said:

5) None of the above and they were actually just doing their job!

55555 Don't be ridiculous!!

[LongTimeLurker]

On 7/15/2021 at 10:53 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

OK then. 

 

2. What do you think would be classed as necessary travel? 

 

Visiting friends?

Dentist appointment?

Going to the shops?

Work meeting?

Going to the beach?

 

 

Going to golf