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

[talahtnut]

If you look like you haven't two baht to rub together

they probably won't bother you.

[spidermike007]

For most of us, I would prefer the cops here, unless there is a real need for one. Then, it is roll of the dice. At least the cops here stay out of my face, and when they do hassle me, I push back alot. I mouth off to them, I raise my voice, and I make a real stink, if they are engaging in "petty mordida". Usually they back down, and if not I give them 200 baht. Rarely more than that. Impossible to do in the US. And if you need law enforcement, outstanding forensics, or a good detective, you can get it back there. Not here. Not likely.  

 

DUI? How about pulling people over for reckless driving? 

 

The police here are not law enforcement. They are franchisees. The franchisees who represent a morally bankrupt administration, posing as puritans. 

[smedly]

The fact they feel the need to put this out there IMO is admission and evidence they know they have a serious problem - everyone has known it for a very long time

 

unfortunately it goes right to the top and is imossible to do anything about it

 

can anyone imagine what would have happened to that Taiwan actress if she hadn't been smart enough to wait until she was out of the country before blowing the whistle on the Thai police - I be willing to wager she'd have been locked up or worse

[smedly]

19 hours ago, Woof999 said:

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.

the most obvious point here is ............................."""IF""" you'd done something wrong!!!

 

in a lot of cases you haven't and that is the problem

[nigelforbes]

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Erm... it is and it isn’t.... 

 

The vast majority of Police may want to be there to help people, but they are also embedded in a corrupt system which takes advantage of people.

Many of the posters here who are saying that every single Thai copper is bent are the same ones who don't like the police  in any country. And whilst claiming all the police are bent, many will be using dodgy agents to front up the 800k they need for their visa........double standards of adherence to the law! They are the same ones  who are likely to have had run ins with the law in the past and don't like rules in society. To a man they will all be claiming to be UK resident whilst collecting UK State pension increases from the beach in Thailand.

 

And a very good morning to you too. :))

[d4dang]

speed dial your mother-in-law...

[flyingtlger]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

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.

Love it or leave it.....LOVE IT!!!

[kwilco]

A lot of sense in this article.

 

One thing I feel I could chip in with is for motorists.

 

If you are involved in an accident, however minor, if it looks like the police will be involved or a third party wants compensation

RING YOUR INSURANCE AGENT. - straight away!!!

Keep the number on your phone or readily accessible - within 20 minutes or so an agent from the insurance company will show up and act as intermediary between you and the police and third parties.

Don't get involved yourself, don't argue te toss, just calmly and politely tell everyone the insurance man is on his way.

 

Often just his appearance is enough to make complaints go away when the "injured" party realises that you have a champion and they don't. THe police will be able to seak calmly with the insurance guy/girl and you can sit back an wait for the situation to unfold or resolve. Don't get paranoid and think they are conspiring to stitch you up - the truth is the insurance doesn't want to lose money, they have a vested intrst in putting the blame on any other party rather than their own customer.

 

 

 

[Skipalongcassidy]

9 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

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

HAHAHA... I spent 5 years in Costa Rica and believe me there is more than enough corruption to go around.

[tgw]

my addition: have the business card of a Thai lawyer in your wallet.

 

if you have done nothing wrong and something is fishy on the police's side, alone the sight of that card will make them back down. happened twice already. I didn't even need to make the call.

[NemoH]

I think the best advice - like what my mother always say - is don’t stay up late into the night n morning - sleep early n all will be well… I say this with all seriousness ???????? because all ‘bad’ things tend to happen past midnight … ????????????

[kwilco]

10 hours ago, smedly said:

the most obvious point here is ............................."""IF""" you'd done something wrong!!!

 

in a lot of cases you haven't and that is the problem

thst's the point of the article - they can't directly say it though, can they?

[kwilco]

23 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

HAHAHA... I spent 5 years in Costa Rica and believe me there is more than enough corruption to go around.

Actually comparing GN&C in Thailand to other countries is rather pointless - it doesn't mitigate or justify it and it isn't a competition.

But - corruption in Thailand has some very unique qualities that distinguish it from other countries and t=trying to say they are one and te same is to not understand how it works in Thailand - it is engrained in a millennium of Thai history and has the approval of 65% of the population.

[save the frogs]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The police here are not law enforcement.

some cops are bent.

but the police are the only reason you're still alive.

and ... we have safe desk jobs while they deal with dangerous people on a near daily basis.

 

 

[Tarteso]

This is how it works for me:

 

 

- Good morning Sir.; Here is my ID card and 200BHT... I‘d like to pay a coffee to you.

 

-Thank u, Falang, have a good day.

[Foghorn]

As with drugs , just say NO

[Foghorn]

If they think you are an easy target they will try , like some of the posters who say they give money to police as soon as they are stopped, bet they get stopped all the time ,   If on the other hand they think it’s going to be too hard you’ll not pay anything,  only had me one time for 100 baht , never will get a baht from me again  , unless I do something wrong

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, Thailand said:

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

 

This article appears to be advocating bribery and corruption?

We know how it works... pay us and we'll let you walk away

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, Woof999 said:

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.

Not sure that is fully accurate.......

Usually official fines issued by courts are small...... it is all the extortion they use prior to the case in court.... and having to wait in a cell until the courts are open would not be fun. 

Bloody police have too much authority to be able to initiate body searches and on the spot fines as they see fit. 

[bluemoon58]

11 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think I saw some signs: No camera!

You are correct.

[dallen52]

12 hours ago, bdenner said:

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

Can always start whistling  

Summon up the night spirits. 

They are a superstitious lot.

[BritScot]

12 hours ago, billd766 said:

And live where exactly?

Plenty of other countries out there. 

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

Complete B/S , why, this advocates ways to bribe corrupt Police Officers and also states can can stop if they have a susp[icion. Which means in Police speak for any reason I can think of ! The old ways and means act, stop then think of a reason !

 

My take on this , if stopped immediately afterwards if threatened, harrassed or kust angry go the the hearest Police Station and lodge a formal complaint. 

[Stargeezr]

I have went to the Tourist police, and

1. They spoke and understood English.

2. They helped me with my robbery issue, and let me use their phone to call the credit card companies

that I needed to call.

3. They were polite and professional.

  Even though this was years ago, I was glad that they did exist and still do exist.

[Damrongsak]

10 hours ago, Sandboxer said:

Just pretend you're deaf mute (or retard) and start making snorty sounds while holding your hands up in the international "huh" gesture. Works every time I hear^^.

And if you want to get dramatic, also burp and fart a lot.

[mania]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

• 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.

With all due respect this is the whole problem with Thailand in a nutshell

 

People want their cake & eat it too ????

 

On the one hand loathe corruption like when the cops shake you down

Yet love corruption when it suits their needs

 

Sorry you cannot have one without the other. Thai cops are the dullest tools in the shed.

Trying to have it both ways will only confuse them

 

[Bangkok Barry]

13 hours 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.  

The Taiwanese actress said they were prevented from calling or filming. The 'rules', the advice, in this article doesn't relate to the real world and frightened and intimidated folk going about their innocent business - unlike the police. If Thailand didn't have a police force it would cut the crime rate by half.

[swm59nj]

Some police do what they do because they know they can get away with it.  And some foreigners will succumb to their actions 

[OneMoreFarang]

I think the important part to remember with a shake-down is that the police do not want to arrest you. Because if they would do that it takes time, filling out forms, transportation, etc. All that takes away time which they could use to shake down other people. So they will try to avoid that.

That means you don't want to get arrest and they don't want to arrest you. Now it's negotiation time. They want as much as possible and you want to pay as little as possible. So negotiate!

And I think it is also a good idea to see this as a game. If you laugh while you haggle and give them a chance to get down from their demands then that is a lot better than insulting them, etc.

 

Until now I only had these kind of conversations with traffic police. It's a game. They know it, I know it, so let's play it like a game.

[cheapcanuck]

How about "Not go to Thailand altogether. Bypass this lawless country and go elsewhere."