Can Foreign Tourists in Pattaya Expect Fair Legal Treatment?

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

There are claims that local police might exhibit a degree of leniency towards Thai nationals, while imposing steeper fines on foreigners. This perception may stem not only from financial assumptions about tourists but also from potential language barriers and cultural misunderstandings.

It largely depends on how much you pay as to the outcome.

[khunPer]

"Some are more equal than others"...

[Wuvu2]

It's a ridiculous question. Fair treatment by the police - where people are treated equally despite being a citizen or foreigner, racial identity, or economic class - doesn't exist anywhere on earth.

 

Police are paid primarily by the wealthy (via taxes) to protect the wealthy (taxpayers). Who besides the rich and powerful even expects to be treated fairly by the police?  

[Homburg]

Everyone in Thailand will receive the legal treatment that they pay for.  Ask Tony, he is no doubt an expert on the subject.

[spidermike007]

10 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Nothing wrong with that, looking after your own people. 

 

If you need legal treatment, most times you've done something wrong. 

I see lots of tourists these days, disrespecting, rude, arrogant attitude. 

 

Deport these people. 

That is just so completely beyond any scope of knowledge or reasonable perception.

 

I just had an incident at a hotel yesterday where I was denied entrance because I didn't have my passport and visa stamp with me. It was the first time in 20 years I've ever been asked for that. I always travel with a color copy of my passport and visa stamp which I had, and I was still refused entry. No refund was offered. Just leave now.

 

I raised my voice just a little bit and the idiot behind the counter threatened to call the police.

 

Would that have been my fault? Would I have deserved deportation at that point?

Was I showing any disrespect? Did I do something wrong? 

 

The police here are often unfair in their treatment of foreigners, they often times will side with a local, and not take all the facts into account. So in my opinion one must always try to avoid interactions with the police here if possible. 

[riverhigh]

As long as the Thai police force is funded by the amount of fines it collects from the general public one can expect some shenanigans. Most of my foreign friends who get traffic  fines see them as cheap road taxes. TIT. 

[ross163103]

If you have a big enough bank account you can expect fair legal treatment, and if REALLY big, more than fair treatment. TIT

[BritScot]

10 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Nothing wrong with that, looking after your own people. 

 

If you need legal treatment, most times you've done something wrong. 

I see lots of tourists these days, disrespecting, rude, arrogant attitude. 

 

Deport these people. 

If that's your take then maybe it's you who should also be deported for your very offensive attitude to foreign tourists which is causing damage to thai tourism!

[What to do now]

I've never had any problems while in Thailand,  It seems most issues arise from overdrinking or someone bringing their entitled attitude over. 

And after being in Thailand traffic I wouldn't dare to ride a motorbike without a helmet. Lol. 

 

[Johno57]

7 hours ago, hunkidori said:

Don't let yourself get in a situation where you end up at the police station. That's where the problems start.

You cannot win if the police are corrupt or conspire with a third party, mainly thai against you ..I know that from experience..the thing about don't get in that situation is unavoidable in many instances, and yes legally you are compromised if you are a foreigner..

[alien365]

18 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Nothing wrong with that, looking after your own people. 

I think you need to up your meds if you think that relating to the laws of a country.

[RT555]

Been coming to Thailand for 35 years and also working in some of the best hotels there.

Just MYOB, don't be stupid, gather some Thai friends along the way and you'll be fine

 

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, MadAtMatrix said:

Stand in front of Soi 9 on Beach Road and count the ratio of foreigners pulled over to Thais pulled over and then decide if the laws are being applied fairly. Same as the intersection of Soi 15 and second road near Pattaya Tai. The latter spot they target those persons of darker complexion from the largest country to the west of Thailand 

That is true, watched it myself. Many locals seem to sail by. 

That said, no real point stopping them, better hit rate with the tourists. 

[thjames88]

20 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

What is fair treatment? If you behave normal nothing is the matter. But no helmet wearing, as an example, is being fined more for foreigners than Thai. No driverslicense same. That is not fair and equal. Same for vaping which is forbidden, but is even done by policeoffers too. Same law, ssme rules but same punishments is not always the same for netizens and foreigners

i think that is the point  its not about beeaking the laws ita about the treatment.    if a thai drives drunk no helmet no license its different than a foreigner.     pay a finbery and on your way

 

but i like one comment where he says   "good on the thais for protecting their own." 

 

foreigners are treated differently and maybe they should be.