British Tourist Faces Charges for 'Destroying an Official Document'

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Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

UPDATE

 

A British tourist has found himself in hot water in Pattaya after his dramatic response to receiving a traffic ticket. Caught on camera, the man consumed the ticket issued for riding a motorbike without a helmet and licence, drinking it down in protest.

 

His disruptive behaviour, which included playing loud music and dismissing police efforts to enforce the law, escalated into a scuffle, necessitating police reinforcements for his arrest.

 

Following the incident, on the evening of 22 December, Pattaya Police Chief, Pol. Col. Navin Thirawit, instructed the responsible officer to formally charge the individual, identified as 34-year-old Emmanuel, with "destroying an official document".

Immigration authorities had already detained him for an initial inquiry.

 

Emmanuel had entered Thailand on a tourist visa on 10 December. Turning up at the station in a calm and subdued state, he donned a casual black vest and patterned shorts, contrasting sharply with his earlier demeanour.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Police emphasised the importance of adhering to Thai laws while advising him and reiterated their expectations for tourists and residents to comply with local regulations.

 

The legal proceedings will continue as the authorities aim to resolve the issue while educating the tourist on acceptable conduct during his stay in Thailand, reported Siam Rath.

 

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Foreign Tourist Swallows Traffic Ticket in Odd Pattaya Incident

 

In an unusual scene in Pattaya on Saturday, a foreign visitor attempted to evade a traffic violation by swallowing his ticket. Stopped at a checkpoint outside the Pattaya police station, the shirtless man on a motorcycle was caught without a helmet or valid driving licence.

 

When issued a traffic citation for these infractions, the visitor bizarrely ingested the ticket, washing it down with water, surprising officers and bystanders alike.

 

Police immobilised his motorcycle by locking its front wheel, and despite his initial resistance to arrest, the man eventually agreed to enter the police station for processing.

This incident sheds light on the cultural and behavioural challenges faced by Pattaya authorities, emphasising the critical need for tourists to respect local laws.

 

While fines for such violations typically total several thousand Thai Baht, this situation highlights the ongoing struggle of ensuring effective enforcement among international visitors.

 

Ultimately, the encounter adds to Pattaya’s trove of quirky tourist stories, reminding all of the importance of adhering to local customs and regulations.

 

-- 2024-12-24

 

 

[ikke1959]

Silly Thai laws.... a ticket is an official document.....destroying it will be punished......How low can you go

[jacko45k]

Well I was wrong on that account as I thought him from USA, they seem to argue with the police a lot there. Glad to hear they are giving the guy a hard time though. 

[Briggsy]

Many posters just immediately assumed he was from an African country. How wrong they were.

 

It doesn't surprise me he is British. They are very soft on crime in my home country and criminals are very entitled constantly playing the victim card knowing that they will likely not be charged. If they are charged and convicted, the penalties are very light.

 

Hopefully the Thais will deport him in due course.

 

I can't understand why he was not held in custody.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

Teenage behavior from a 34 year old.  What a loser.

[mikebell]

If you can't hold your beer, you shouldn't be driving a motor bike.

[steven100]

a nutcase tourist,   send him to Nigeria .....  he'd fit in well there.  

[jacko45k]

Just now, steven100 said:

a nutcase tourist,   send him to Nigeria .....  he'd fit in well there.  

As Tim Newton said, the crime of wearing socks with sandals justifies severe reaction!

[brianburi]

Bro maybe from Brixton, argy bargy with the Law is the norm......

[Denim]

 

 

Not to be confused with his namesake 

 

[daejung]

4 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Many posters just immediately assumed he was from an African country. How wrong they were.

The future of UK and Europe ?

[Coxy]

Deport the idiot and set an example to others

[thairookie]

The name Emmanuel in the Bible means "God with us."

 

Thai police cannot tackle him.

[riverhigh]

" individual, identified as 34-year-old Emmanuel, with "destroying an official document. Turning up at the station in a calm and subdued state, he donned a casual black vest and patterned shorts"

 

34 years old and acted like an unruly teenager by swallowing a driving violation ticket in front of the police officers. His outfit is a joke and fits his mental age of lets say 15. He needs to grow up. No sense of awareness, still living in high school.

[Rickman66]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

As Tim Newton said, the crime of wearing socks with sandals justifies severe reaction!

Hang em high 

[shackleton]

No sympathy for this guy should respect the Thai laws

Not a lot going for him eating the ticket not wearing a helmet plus no licence 

Deportation  comes to mind 😱

Gives out a message to others not respecting Thai laws 

 

[riclag]

4 hours ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Teenage behavior from a 34 year old.  What a loser.

Thai authorities have to teach him a lesson in respect, obey the law!

Its apparent he lacks respect and lacks empathy for others.

[Ebumbu]

Well, then why did they flavor it with Nam Jim Jaew (น้ำจิ้มแจ่ว) then? 

[newnative]

Deport him and ban him for 10 years.

[OneMoreFarang]

Another quality tourist... 

[Richardsamui]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Silly Thai laws.... a ticket is an official document.....destroying it will be punished......How low can you go

Do this in your own country and find out what you get. This law is international

[KannikaP]

Did we not have this story on Sunday morning here on AN?

[RichardColeman]

I'd deport him purely for showing disrespect 

[newbee2022]

At least death sentence 😂

[Trip Hop]

Appearing at Pattaya Provincial Court should be enough. Especially when he surrenders on the morning and they put him in the big holding cell with the locals, some wearing forged leg irons. That and then being marched into the courtroom in file and seeing the big chair is a rather sobering thought. I can smile at it now but sh*t myself at the time!

[metisdead]

11 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Did we not have this story on Sunday morning here on AN?

 

As noted in the opening post, this topic is an UPDATE to the topic running here:

 

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Foreign Tourist Swallows Traffic Ticket in Odd Pattaya Incident

[kiwikeith]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Silly Thai laws.... a ticket is an official document.....destroying it will be punished......How low can you go

Thais are riding around with no helmets and young children on bikes oblivious to the law, 95% dont wear helmets (guess)

However a falung friend got pulled the other day, and had to pay up 900BHAT on the spot , the police wanted 1000, 900 was all he had.

They excepted this and said otherwise you have to come to Police station and pay 2000Bhat.

Meanwhile Thais ignore the helmet rules and police are now picking on tourists and expats, as Thais probably dont have that sort of money, I was not aware they raised the fine from150 to 2000 Bhat, it seems only to exploit those they think have money, very sick corruption nothing to be proud off shame on the Police.

[NoDisplayName]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Silly Thai laws.... a ticket is an official document.....destroying it will be punished......How low can you go

 

In the US, you can do what you want with your copy of the ticket.  You have to sign it to indicate it's been received by you, and then you either pay a fine by mail or have a court appearance.  The copy is official, but it is yours to keep.

 

However, if you simply throw it on the ground to show your displeasure, you may receive a fine for littering.

[GammaGlobulin]

5 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Many posters just immediately assumed he was from an African country. How wrong they were.

 

It doesn't surprise me he is British. They are very soft on crime in my home country and criminals are very entitled constantly playing the victim card knowing that they will likely not be charged. If they are charged and convicted, the penalties are very light.

 

Hopefully the Thais will deport him in due course.

 

I can't understand why he was not held in custody.

 

His behavior is African.

His passport is UK?

How odd.

 

At least, he knows how to dress to impress.

 

 

 

[Peabody]

In 2004, I discarded an old immigration form in the trash. Should I be worried?