Picture: Manager

 

Thai social media was abuzz with comment after tourists were stopped for traffic misdemeanors on motorcycles in Phuket.

 

RTP spokesman Maj-Gen Khemmarin Hatsiri said that traffic police were out making sure that everyone was safe and following the rules on Ratuthit 200 Years Road near the Bangla intersection. 

 

They were checking both Thais and foreigners on motorcycles for misdemeanors like not wearing helmets or not having a licence. 

 

It was standard practice, he said.

 

He notes that Phuket provincial chief Pol Maj-Gen Sermphan Sirikhong would stand for no backhanders being taken by traffic police and promised offenders would face disciplinary action or criminal prosecution.

 

But he also noted that police were within their rights to let off those who were breaking the law as a first offence and show leniency.

 

The spokesman told Manager that police were requesting that motorcycle rental shops checked tourists' documents and said that it was important that tourists knew the requirements and road rules before taking to the roads.  

 

ASEAN NOW notes that Phuket has been at the forefront of the reopening of Thailand.

 

Manager did not make it clear whether there was online criticism of the police for picking on tourists or taking bribes in this case. 

 

Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2021-11-25

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Police will face trouble if caught taking bribes

 

Maybe this headline should read - Police will face trouble if caught NOT taking bribes .............................LOL

Finances are clearly tight if they are stopping and fining Thais now. A few years ago I was at this location and watched the cops stopping many bikes. They were only stopping farangs, most who were wearing helmets, for licence checks and fining pretty much all of them. At the same time there were hundreds of Thais riding past helmetless and often 3 or 4 per motorbike who didn't even get a glance from the cops. 

 

Edited November 25, 20214 yr by soi3eddie

I think some of these tourist need to get a grip and follow the laws, Lots of tourist I have spoken to seem to think being fined or handing money over at the roadside is some form of corruption or bribe,

I remember talking to a couple of tourist in the bar a couple of years ago and they was asking me about police corruption, if you are committing a road traffic offence and you get fined how is that corruption............? 

Right now you are drinking in the bar you have no helmets, I saw you pull up, do you have a license on you.........Nope! so right away there is 3 offenses, Oh bye the way do you have your passports on you? Nope, ok add that to the list

So if you get fined tonight with that little lot you are calling that corruption? 

I told them I have lived here 25 years and been fined twice and both times was my fault,

15 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I think some of these tourist need to get a grip and follow the laws, Lots of tourist I have spoken to seem to think being fined or handing money over at the roadside is some form of corruption or bribe,

I remember talking to a couple of tourist in the bar a couple of years ago and they was asking me about police corruption, if you are committing a road traffic offence and you get fined how is that corruption............? 

Right now you are drinking in the bar you have no helmets, I saw you pull up, do you have a license on you.........Nope! so right away there is 3 offenses, Oh bye the way do you have your passports on you? Nope, ok add that to the list

So if you get fined tonight with that little lot you are calling that corruption? 

I told them I have lived here 25 years and been fined twice and both times was my fault,

Often hard to follow the "rules" when they're sometimes made up or at best selectively implemented. 

28 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I think some of these tourist need to get a grip and follow the laws, Lots of tourist I have spoken to seem to think being fined or handing money over at the roadside is some form of corruption or bribe,

I remember talking to a couple of tourist in the bar a couple of years ago and they was asking me about police corruption, if you are committing a road traffic offence and you get fined how is that corruption............? 

Right now you are drinking in the bar you have no helmets, I saw you pull up, do you have a license on you.........Nope! so right away there is 3 offenses, Oh bye the way do you have your passports on you? Nope, ok add that to the list

So if you get fined tonight with that little lot you are calling that corruption? 

I told them I have lived here 25 years and been fined twice and both times was my fault,

`i have to carry passport with me.  how about a copy of it

i would have to carry my passport with me on my moto in addition to carrying my dl.  and international drivers license.  ? in addition to carry ing moto rental docs.????? that is at least 4 docs i need to produce?  isnt a copy of passport page enuf

what is a backhander?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The spokesman told Manager that police were requesting that motorcycle rental shops checked tourists' documents and said that it was important that tourists knew the requirements and road rules before taking to the roads.  

 

It wouldnt take long to explain the road rules in Thailand .

1 . Avoid Police checks

.......................thats about it 

Article Title needs correction: "Police will face trouble if caught taking bribes....and not sharing with higher ups"

16 minutes ago, yogi yogi said:

`i have to carry passport with me.  how about a copy of it

No one carries their passport with them, a photo of your passport page and entry stamp/tourist visa/TM 6 should be enough on your mobile. Original international driving/riding permit, licence driving/riding licence from your country should do it, and the rental agreement.

 

Make sure the bike is registered and wear a helmet and you will get waved on, simple really.

 

EDIT: Also a backhander is giving the cop money.

 

Edited November 25, 20214 yr by 4MyEgo

My double lol of the day... ????

36 minutes ago, yogi yogi said:

`i have to carry passport with me.  how about a copy of it

Debatable but a copy should be enough

36 minutes ago, yogi yogi said:

what is a backhander?

Ask the lady at the massage shop.

A lot of tourist rent a motorbike using their driving license the police have been onto that for few years, Make sure your license covers you to ride a bike, I think the law also now states you must have an International Driving Permit 

51 minutes ago, yogi yogi said:

what is a backhander?

a secret payment, typically one made illegally; a bribe.

"a fortune had been paid in backhanders to local officials"

"Hi, I would like to report a police officer taking a bribe"

"Do you have a receipt to prove it?"

 

Please. This is Thailand. Corruption is a way of life.

Edited November 25, 20214 yr by Karma80

2 hours ago, webfact said:

They were checking both Thais and foreigners on motorcycles for misdemeanors like not wearing helmets or not having a licence. 

 

It was standard practice, he said.

Now I am wondering why so many people still don't follow the rules if they are checking helmets and driverslicenses..I all those years I should think eveyrbody a=was fined alredy several times, or is it only at a checkpoint now and then that they do the standard practice??? But with more tourists it is easier to earn some money... but who cares.. Let the tourists come in and wonder why there less every time

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

I think some of these tourist need to get a grip and follow the laws, Lots of tourist I have spoken to seem to think being fined or handing money over at the roadside is some form of corruption or bribe,

I remember talking to a couple of tourist in the bar a couple of years ago and they was asking me about police corruption, if you are committing a road traffic offence and you get fined how is that corruption............? 

Right now you are drinking in the bar you have no helmets, I saw you pull up, do you have a license on you.........Nope! so right away there is 3 offenses, Oh bye the way do you have your passports on you? Nope, ok add that to the list

So if you get fined tonight with that little lot you are calling that corruption? 

I told them I have lived here 25 years and been fined twice and both times was my fault,

If they are fined they should be given an official receipt. No receipt = corruption.

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

No one carries their passport with them, a photo of your passport page and entry stamp/tourist visa/TM 6 should be enough on your mobile. Original international driving/riding permit, licence driving/riding licence from your country should do it, and the rental agreement.

 

Make sure the bike is registered and wear a helmet and you will get waved on, simple really.

 

EDIT: Also a backhander is giving the cop money.

 

what if im shirtless with nipple piercing will that be frowned upon by the white helmet cops

1 minute ago, yogi yogi said:

what if im shirtless with nipple piercing will that be frowned upon by the white helmet cops

Try it out and see what happens, maybe he will give your nipple a little squeeze, that or if your wearing a chain with it, ripping the chain off of it.

 

 

Police will face trouble if caught taking bribes.

 

Interesting how that is worded......'if caught' as opposed to......

 

Police will face trouble if they take bribes

standard practice indeed.  the 200 baht "courtesy stop"  maybe it's more now, with less victims, they must up the ante.  

The old normal. 

1 hour ago, Chris.B said:

If they are fined they should be given an official receipt. No receipt = corruption.

gee, what if you're doing absolutely nothing wrong and you get stopped and fined anyway?  it's happened  to me and my driver.   of course , we had the option of not paying the 200.  we would simply have to sit in the cab on the side of the road for a few hours until the cops shut down their little scam for the day.   the driver was nearly in tears, he said:   " i no understand thai policeman".   i told him i understand thai policeman very well.  

Some years ago an old friend was riding his rented motorbike in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, when he was pulled over by some cops. He was a bit worried because he had a small amount of cannabis in his bag. He wasn't wearing a crash helmet, so the cops said they would have to fine him. When he asked how much, they said "Up to you" (heard that before!?)????. So he handed over a crisp $10 bill. When he handed the bike back to the renter he related his tale of woe to the guy. the man became visibly angry and said "Why you give $10, $2 more than enough!"????

No.. not another police take bribes article, guys guys guys, i ran out jokes to post for such to "news" long times ago, this one is the best and the last i have, no more "police takes bribes" please...

Are high season bribe prices now in effect? 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

But he also noted that police were within their rights to let off those who were breaking the law as a first offence and show leniency.

What a great statement that basically says "carry on selling leniency guys!"

52 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Try it out and see what happens, maybe he will give your nipple a little squeeze, that or if your wearing a chain with it, ripping the chain off of it.

 

 

i dont do chains with police