What to do if Thai police stop you and attempt a ‘shake-down’

[snoop1130]

Thai police

 

First thing… keep calm. Let them lead the conversation and don’t say anything other than answering their questions.

 

Secondly, the vast majority of Thai police are there to do a job, protecting fellow Thais and foreign visitors. But there are a few who will take advantage of situations where they think they can get away with stitching you up for a few thousand baht.

 

Recent events have brought this to our attention, again, and we would invite everyone to just review these recommendations if you find yourself in this situation.

 

Thai police are entitled to stop you on the street, or in a car going through a checkpoint, if they are suspicious about anything. 

 

• Don’t admit to anything or agree to having your photo taken at this stage.

 

• If they ask to see your passport and ID, do so without fuss, and then politely ask for their return.

 

• You are entitled, politely, to ask for their ID as well

 

• Allow any bags or your pockets to be searched – you are entitled to record this process, as long as your filming doesn’t interfere with their search. You should also ask for someone to act as an independent witness during the search.

 

• Don’t sign anything, especially as the documents are likely to be full in Thai language

 

• Don’t agree to leave the immediate area you have been stopped, even if they insist that you go to the police station 

 

• Ask, politely, for the Tourist Police or to contact a Thai friend who can act as an intermediary and interpreter.

If the situation is even slightly serious – a crash or an accusation of drug possession – insist that you can call for a consular or embassy representative of your country.

 

• Absolutely remain polite and don’t cause a scene or start shouting – this will NOT end well

 

• If they start talking about a fine, or a pay off, whatever the situation, just politely refuse saying that you’re waiting for an interpreter, consular official or tourist police.

 

On the other hand, if you’ve done something wrong – speeding, drunk, drunk driving, possession of a small amount of drugs, caught vaping or with a vaping  device – be prepared to negotiate an on-the-spot fine and payment. Whatever the police want as a payment will be a lot less than the trouble you’ll have to go through if you choose to refuse their on-the-spot offer. If the Tourist Police, or a consular official, advise you to pay up, do so – they’ve been in these situations a hundred times before.

 

If you start demanding to see a lawyer, raise your voice or get angry, the situation will escalate and will cause the police to lose face, and that’s about the worse thing to happen.

 

Infrequently the ‘cops’ that stop you may not be police and, instead, be posing as police officers. If you suspect anything like this then be additionally vigilant about waiting for some witnesses to arrive before you do ANYTHING.

 

You are well within your rights to protect yourself from bad or fraudulent police officers. Be diligent when someone claiming to be a police officer wants to search you or your property.

 

Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/what-to-do-if-thai-police-stop-you-and-attempt-a-shake-down/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-31

 

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[Neeranam]

3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

• Ask, politely, for the Tourist Police or to contact a Thai friend who can act as an intermediary and interpreter.

The tourist police are useless.

[Upnotover]

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

The tourist police are useless.

Quite so, but they do exist, I am doubtful telling them you are "waiting for a consular official" will cut it, at certainly if they see you are a Brit.

[Neeranam]

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Don’t agree to leave the immediate area you have been stopped, even if they insist that you go to the police station 

Why not? 

[ThailandRyan]

One moment sir while I call Chuvit, he will be here soon, oh and can you please smile for the camera embedded in my left eye, thats a good boy, now if you want to survive this encounter with me Mr. Falang then you can pay me 10k Thb and I will be out of your hair and call  off Chuvit,  Thats a good man, and thank you.

 

Hows that for how to deal with a shakedown.

[Elkski]

I can't see them emptying their trouser and shirt pockets upon your request prior to searching your bags.  I can't imagine they are going to let you call someone.  

[Thailand]

"be prepared to negotiate an on-the-spot fine and payment"

 

This article appears to be advocating bribery and corruption?

[2baht]

9 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Hows that for how to deal with a shakedown.

You must open with "Do you know who I am?" Then threaten Chuwit!

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, 2baht said:

You must open with "Do you know who I am?" Then threaten Chuwit!

You are a true hero in my book, thanks for the lead in...

[ThailandRyan]

8 minutes ago, Elkski said:

I can't see them emptying their trouser and shirt pockets upon your request prior to searching your bags.  I can't imagine they are going to let you call someone.  

Ah but do you not know of the old inspector gadget cell phone in my back tooth....

[Woof999]

4 minutes ago, Thailand said:

This article appears to be advocating bribery and corruption?

This article said that, if you'd done something wrong and were offered an on the spot fine, it would likely be a lot less hassle and cost than going to court.

 

Sounds like decent advice to me.

[djayz]

1. Remain calm. 

2. Whip out phone and record the whole incident, preferably LIVE (still haven't figured out how to do that). 

3. Smile and tell him "I'm going to make you famous". 

[bdenner]

10 minutes ago, djayz said:

1. Remain calm. 

2. Whip out phone and record the whole incident, preferably LIVE (still haven't figured out how to do that). 

3. Smile and tell him "I'm going to make you famous". 

As I do.

Always carry my phone in my shirt pocket with the camera just above the crest. (Including when dealing with Imm.). Not always recording but can point to it if needed!

Certainly has worked in my favour in the past.

[Lorry]

2 minutes ago, bdenner said:

As I do.

Always carry my phone in my shirt pocket with the camera just above the crest. (Including when dealing with Imm.). Not always recording but can point to it if needed!

Certainly has worked in my favour in the past.

In some countries,  to record them without their prior agreement would be a criminal offence,  And obviously not admissible in court. 

[bdenner]

We are in Thailand! The object of the exercise is to put the wind up em.

[OneMoreFarang]

How much do they want? 5000B? 10k?

 

Do you really want to argue about that kind of money? Give it to them, walk away, and forget about it. It is not worth to get annoyed or in trouble over an amount like that.

 

Sure, you can try to negotiate and offer only half or something like that. But do it like playing a game. I remember the first time the traffic police stopped me, and they wanted 400B. We talked and talked, and I told them it was the first time that I was in that area, and I won't do it again, and anyhow I have not much money. At the end I paid 100B and everybody was happy. TiT

 

[OneMoreFarang]

12 minutes ago, bdenner said:

As I do.

Always carry my phone in my shirt pocket with the camera just above the crest. (Including when dealing with Imm.). Not always recording but can point to it if needed!

Certainly has worked in my favour in the past.

Is it legal to do that with immigration? I think I saw some signs: No camera!

[Denim]

44 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

The tourist police are useless.

They helped me once to get a refund from a travel agent.

 

Thai airways had refunded the return leg of an unused flight to the agent I got the ticket from. Agent refused to give me the 6000 baht. Went to tourist police who sent an officer with me to get the money from the agent. The agent span a cock and bull pack of lies to the police officer unaware that I speak Thai. She was very surprised when I spoke to them both in Thai and she was caught in her lie. I got the money back but she had to perform a final act of spite. She had checked the ticket with my passport ( same name ) but instead of returning my passport she threw it in the rubbish bin and told me to get it myself. Both the officer and I raised our eyebrows but said nothing.

I picked up the bin , emptied the whole contents of it onto her work desk and retrieved my passport from the detritus

She was hopping mad but I had what I came for and we left. Back in the police car the policeman had a good laugh and said ' that showed her ' then took me to the hotel with a wai and a handshake.

[Rohe60]

The easiest way to deal with a police shakedown is not to let it happen at all.
Advice: Stay out of Thailand!

[transam]

Just now, Rohe60 said:

The easiest way to deal with a police shakedown is not to let it happen at all.
Advice: Stay out of Thailand!

How informative.....

[Neeranam]

44 minutes ago, Thailand said:

This article appears to be advocating bribery and corruption?

Indeed

[Neeranam]

49 minutes ago, Elkski said:

I can't see them emptying their trouser and shirt pockets upon your request prior to searching your bags.

Why would they do that?

[daveAustin]

49 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Quite so, but they do exist, I am doubtful telling them you are "waiting for a consular official" will cut it, at certainly if they see you are a Brit.

Nice, no chips on your shoulder.

 

Article is not bad advice. In the past, have found feigning ignorance of Thai and anything they say in English can cause them some frustration and move you along out of their hair.

Sort of like:

Q.  Where you live? 

A.  Eh?

Q.  Where come from?

A.  Wot?

Q.  How long you stay?

A.  Huh!

 

Tried this many moons ago and was eventually told to go away lol.

[digbeth]

some checkpoints do have legit payment desk where they issue you a proper receipt 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

"be prepared to negotiate an on-the-spot fine and payment"

 

This article appears to be advocating bribery and corruption?

To me it seems to be advocating common sense,

 

It does not say offer anything, simply be prepared just in case.

[Andre0720]

55 minutes ago, Thailand said:

"be prepared to negotiate an on-the-spot fine and payment"

 

This article appears to be advocating bribery and corruption?

Yes, and many times it the best way, fastest way, and cheapest way to get rid of a problem. They know it. And so should visitors here...

[billd766]

14 minutes ago, Rohe60 said:

The easiest way to deal with a police shakedown is not to let it happen at all.
Advice: Stay out of Thailand!

And live where exactly?

[pedro01]

26 minutes ago, Denim said:

They helped me once to get a refund from a travel agent.

 

Thai airways had refunded the return leg of an unused flight to the agent I got the ticket from. Agent refused to give me the 6000 baht. Went to tourist police who sent an officer with me to get the money from the agent. The agent span a cock and bull pack of lies to the police officer unaware that I speak Thai. She was very surprised when I spoke to them both in Thai and she was caught in her lie. I got the money back but she had to perform a final act of spite. She had checked the ticket with my passport ( same name ) but instead of returning my passport she threw it in the rubbish bin and told me to get it myself. Both the officer and I raised our eyebrows but said nothing.

I picked up the bin , emptied the whole contents of it onto her work desk and retrieved my passport from the detritus

She was hopping mad but I had what I came for and we left. Back in the police car the policeman had a good laugh and said ' that showed her ' then took me to the hotel with a wai and a handshake.

Similar thing here - I was in Samui and purchased some shoes from a mom and pop store. They fell apart on the first day and the shop wouldn't exchange & told me to do one.

 

An hour later, I turn up with 3 Tourist police who 'negotiated' a refund. The shop owner was furious and at one point he lunged for me but all he got in reply was a big smile from me as the cops held him back. Best day of my holiday that was.

[edwardandtubs]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

The tourist police are useless.

And Thai friends will usually just say pay the police what they ask for.

[edwardandtubs]

22 minutes ago, billd766 said:

And live where exactly?

Singapore? Costa Rica? Neither place has a problem with police extorting foreigers.