Pai Police Arrest 4 Foreign Tourists for Smoking Marijuana on Walking Street

[Spock]

33 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Exactly what I did but unfortunately the market has been closed down for now nation wide. Trying to protect kids from vaping. Those kids who now are more than likely addicted to nicotine to some extent will now buy cigs if they can't get hold of a vape. This is once again a knee jerk reaction to that 14 year old girl dying a couple of weeks ago. I still don't understand how a 12 year old girl can vape so much in two years that her lungs fail. That's a lot of vaping in a day, a week, a month, a year, two years. Very expensive. A very isolated incident that has closed down the entire market (for now). Vaping should be legal.

Thailand specialises in kneejerk reactions to single incidents, no matter how atypical those incidents may be. Happened with drinking alcohol on the trains and destroyed one of the more pleasant ways to pass time on a long journey.

[Andytheburiramman]

Sooner they criminalize marijuana the better.  Thailand is becoming a <deleted>-hole with weed shops everywhere.  These places are frowned upon in the west, mainly because of the tattooed retards that frequent them and to make matters worse they think smoking weed is a bit of harmless fun.

[EVENKEEL]

I'm a fan of a few tokes myself but these nupties get what they deserved. There's no reason to be smoking in such public places. I really hate walking with our kid and the pot smoke is so thick. 

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The individuals, each from a different nationality - German, British, French, and Dutch - were fined under charges of causing a public nuisance.

What is the fine? 500 Baht? Or banned for 5 years?😳

[freedomnow]

1 hour ago, Harrisfan said:

He should know better

Tell it to all the retiree expats in Pattata....

[CFCol]

2 hours ago, Bangel72 said:

Is arrest the right word?

 

 As others mention it seems similar to the fine for dropping a cigarette butt on the street, would that be called arrested?

 

Anyone know what the fine was?

If at any time you are not at liberty to leave then you are under arrest.(there is no such thing as detain in Th)

[sambum]

"The individuals, each from a different nationality - German, British, French, and Dutch - were fined under charges of causing a public nuisance."

 

How much were the fines? 500 baht? Oh hang on, they're farangs - better make it 5000 baht!

 

 

[faraday]

2 hours ago, Spock said:

His mate Dutertes was arrested today as he stepped off the plane for his role in overseeing over 6000 extra judicial killings. Be nice to see Teflon Thaksin face similar charges.

It'll never happen. 

[dinsdale]

48 minutes ago, sambum said:

"The individuals, each from a different nationality - German, British, French, and Dutch - were fined under charges of causing a public nuisance."

 

How much were the fines? 500 baht? Oh hang on, they're farangs - better make it 5000 baht!

 

 

I believe the fine is indeed Bt5000 and the same for vaping. Smoking in a non smoking area is Bt2000 but I have this niggling feeling I saw a no smoking sign Bt5000 fine. Can't quite remember.

[kwilco]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

Four foreign tourists were apprehended for smoking cannabis on Pai's Walking Street in Mae Hong Son, following a police crackdown aimed at maintaining order and discouraging such behaviour.

 

On 9 March 2025, a coordinated operation led by Major General Songkrit Onarchaikrai and other local officers took place on Pai's bustling Walking Street.

 

The law enforcement team, comprised of officers from various departments, including Deputy Inspector Virapat Kalapitch, conducted patrols to address complaints from both locals and tourists about cannabis and cigarette use in public areas, which had been causing discomfort and health issues for passersby.

 

As part of their efforts to enforce regulations and prevent public disturbances, officers detained four tourists for smoking cannabis.

 

Picture courtesy ofNaewna

 

The individuals, each from a different nationality - German, British, French, and Dutch - were fined under charges of causing a public nuisance.

 

The initiative to patrol and educate tourists on local laws continues, with the aim to curb illegal activities and enhance visitor experience in this popular tourist destination, reported Naewna.

 

-- 2025-03-11

 

 

 

Marijuana used to be a big money spinner for Pai, until it was decriminalised.

 

[petedk]

3 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"What should be a routine practice for a police officer to issue a fine for smoking in prohibited areas. Easy... Finished, End of Drama. It is called doing their job".

That's what the police did!

 

"Instead you get this;

"The law enforcement team, comprised of officers from various departments, including Deputy Inspector Virapat Kalapitch..."

That's just how the media reported it

 

 

 

The media get all their information from the authorities. It's easy to be a journalist in Thailand.

[231778_1469957276]

9 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Big police crackdown nationally to "maintain order". Smoking cigs, smoking dope and all vaping shops temporarily closed yet the high daily death rate on the roads remains and people still riding without helmets. This stinks of Thaksin.

Anyone that rides without a helmet is mentally challenged, taking your life into your own hands everytime you hop onto the bike

[Gknrd]

Pai police meeting:   Ok guys make sure you do your homework before arresting.  Must be a foreigner, lots of gold or very expensive clothes.  And you SomChai. Last time you brought in a drug smoking foreigner he did not have any money. You are docked a weeks pay. 

The rest of you your bonus checks will be handed out Friday and good work.

[Dr Jon]

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

...This stinks of Thaksin.

But doesn't stink as much as marijuana.

[JulesMad]

For sure, nobody else than these 4 were smoking ganja in Pai

[Khun Loong]

Hope they were charged with fashion crimes also.

[freedomnow]

What is the fine for being off your tits on a Pai Happy Pizza ?

[thailand49]

It is sold everywhere legally but can smoke it in public what gives?🤣

[portisaacozzy]

10 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Pai is not the place to be... They will notice soon and than they complain.... On the other hand there are much worse things the police should take care of... simple.. black smoke fuming cars, no helmets on motorcycles, kids on motorcycles, weapons and teenagers.. and so many more

my friend in Phi got fined for wearing bedroom slippers during the day

[erectem]

9 hours ago, KireB said:

No, I know exactly what is going on here, but fail to understand your 'comparison' with road safety, Thaksin. It seems totally unrelated imho. 
 

It's very simple, smoke your weed in a dispensary or at home and don't bother others. 




 

And same as "your" cigarettes!!    At the store or at home.  hot dog!

[KireB]

16 minutes ago, erectem said:

And same as "your" cigarettes!!    At the store or at home.  hot dog!

I dont smoke, nor do I eat hotdogs.  Do you?

[BusyB]

15 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Big police crackdown nationally to "maintain order". Smoking cigs, smoking dope and all vaping shops temporarily closed yet the high daily death rate on the roads remains and people still riding without helmets. This stinks of Thaksin.

 

Sad as I am to have to say it it actually smells of Thailand. It's been like this since way back into the 20th century and way beyond that as well. Thaksin was no different to all the others who've taken/usurped/been elected to power here. He was arguably better than most in what he did for the people in general for the first time.

 

His War on Drugs death toll may well have provided a blueprint for Duterte. But was it worse than Thamassat University in '76? Or Democracy Square in 1992? Or the odd 'disappearances' today? 

 

True, his corruption was staggeringly giganormous even by Thai standards. Selling Shincorp and the country's entire satellite assets to Singapore's Temasek, after getting laws passed to exempt him from the CGT is real James Bond supervillain grade corruption. But is it really worse or different to everyday Thai political corruption or even street life? Was it worse than the perfidy that led to the Tom Yum collapse? He was just the biggest, the smartest. He cultivated it to a high art form. Actually impressive seen in that context.

 

Then the military shifted the goalposts to shaft him and the country has struggled with incompetent and corrupt military juntas pretty much ever since. Since like 1932.

 

TIT

[Nick Carter icp]

9 hours ago, Greenhill said:

And I thought it was only Israeli's who committed crimes in Pai??!!

 

   I thought that there were only Israelis in Pai.

30 000 Israelis, 3000 Thais and no one else .

Some people must have gotten a bit excited when they saw the thread title , only to feel a sense of disappointment that it wasn't Israelis involved 

[dinsdale]

14 minutes ago, BusyB said:

 

Sad as I am to have to say it it actually smells of Thailand. It's been like this since way back into the 20th century and way beyond that as well. Thaksin was no different to all the others who've taken/usurped/been elected to power here. He was arguably better than most in what he did for the people in general for the first time.

 

His War on Drugs death toll may well have provided a blueprint for Duterte. But was it worse than Thamassat University in '76? Or Democracy Square in 1992? Or the odd 'disappearances' today? 

 

True, his corruption was staggeringly giganormous even by Thai standards. Selling Shincorp and the country's entire satellite assets to Singapore's Temasek, after getting laws passed to exempt him from the CGT is real James Bond supervillain grade corruption. But is it really worse or different to everyday Thai political corruption or even street life? Was it worse than the perfidy that led to the Tom Yum collapse? He was just the biggest, the smartest. He cultivated it to a high art form. Actually impressive seen in that context.

 

Then the military shifted the goalposts to shaft him and the country has struggled with incompetent and corrupt military juntas pretty much ever since. Since like 1932.

 

TIT

Interesting post but the upshot is Thaksin should be in jail and the party the majority of people voted for to be in power should be in power. Thailand in essence is an endemically corrupt nation top to bottom with that corruption at the highest levels meant to keep the status quo in place.

[BusyB]

12 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Interesting post but the upshot is Thaksin should be in jail and the party the majority of people voted for to be in power should be in power. Thailand in essence is an endemically corrupt nation top to bottom with that corruption at the highest levels meant to keep the status quo in place.

 

Oh we're on the same sheet there. My point is that it goes far deeper than Thaksin.

 

The last election and what happened to the MF party broke my heart yet again. But it's all of a piece with a deeply entrenched, military backed power structure which also bred Thaksin.

 

He's not in jail because of the people in those structures who colluded to let him back and let him out. He's been forgiven by them because it's in their interests now. Especially with MF lurking in new clothes and not going away. They shifted the goalposts previously  because he threatened the establishment power structures as a whole, both by his supervillain wealth, his popularity, and his relationship with he who shall not be named. Now they've been shifted back. And he has been pardoned or reduced sentence or whatever.

 

Focusing on Thaksin is all of a part with the establishment's 'divide and rule' policy. And it works. Every time. Yet he's a symptom not the problem. He is just as much an expression of the country's culture as green curry or Khon dancing. Or Chinese submarines ... or tuktuk scams .... 

 

TIT

 

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm…. this will certainly encourage more tourists to come to Pai

[The Old Bull]

A Major General, they must have been desperate for a pinch to bring up the stats.

[Liverpool Lou]

15 hours ago, thailand49 said:

It is sold everywhere legally but can smoke it in public what gives?🤣

"but can smoke it in public..."

What gives?   Your understanding of the law is what gives.  It is not legal to smoke it recreationally in public.

[Liverpool Lou]

6 hours ago, bbbbooboo said:

hmmm…. this will certainly encourage more tourists to come to Pai

Perhaps they're thinking along the lines of attracting law-abiding tourists?

[watchcat]

On 3/11/2025 at 2:24 AM, Harrisfan said:

One guy looks 55

 

Youngster.