Did I Cause The Bibs To Lose Face?

[Jim's_a_Thai_Fox]

Hi,

Upon my recent return to LOS, I had a lovely 2 week journey around my lovely Lanna Kingdom (thanks Peace Blondie, I'll take to using that lovely term for the north). As you can imagine, in the provinces that border Myanmar, there are quite a lot of police checkpoints.

At one such checkpoint on the main Highway 1 between Lampang and Tak, I was instructed to pull over by the police. There was your usual aray of pick ups and trucks being fined.

I was in a hire car and had all the necessary documentation, including my license.

Now, having done nothing 'wrong' (I wasn't stopped for speeding , I wasn't carrying out any inter-provincial smuggling of any kind) I was pretty loathe to pay up some 'tea money' to extricate myself, my TGF and my good friend and his wife from this scenario...

I was very polite to the policeman in question, speaking to him in Thai and saying 'krab' every second word . My missus is a very law abiding citizen, and as such, she looked totally embarrassed by the whole event. In fact, she was so uncomfortable, she almost looked guilty of something!

Anyhow, I went over to their little table, where they demanded the car's 'blue book'. I politely told them that as this was a car from Budget, I did not have one...

His response was to take my license and 'order' me to get back in the car, turn on the air con (basically, just <deleted> off and stop being an annoying farang so he can intimidate this young lady he has in front of him, i.e. my girlfriend.

Back in the car, I called Budget. After some explaining that I hadn't crashed and I was simply on the side of the road being asked to produce the 'tabian rot' which I had never received as this was rental, the guy on the other line asked me if he could speak to speak to the police directly.

So, I got out of the car, walked over to the table, held the phone to the BiB, who was still chatting to the missus, and told him that 'Budget' would like to speak with him.

Well well well... the policeman indicated that he didn't wish to speak to Budget, gave me a 'dismissive' gesture coupled with something along the lines of 'get in your car and get going'. My missus picked up my licens from the table, we both gave them a wai, said our thanks to them and buggered off. In the car, my girlfriend told me that the policeman had 'requested' 1000 Bhat in order for us to be on our way.

Given this wonderful country and the importance the populace place on saving face... surely this BiB lost a huge chunk of it in that little scenario... and to a bleedin' farang to boot!

...uhm, not sure if I have a point really. Just thought I'd share a motoring story. Apologies if any of my fellow motorists subsequently felt 'the pinch' resulting this outcome.

Cheers, and safe motoring.

James

(slightly tipsy and not behind the wheel)

[apetley]

Well done for standing your ground.

[micksterbs]

Hmm, good for you.

If I'm out driving without TW, I usually just play dumb farang (surprisingly easy) when stopped having done nothing wrong. I just speak a mix of French, German and a few bits of Tagalog and the poor bugger just ends-up waving me away in frustration. I just bloody hate playing their game, you know? Same situation in the Philippines; worse, actually. There, every time you go to any sort of government office for anything, the minion behind the desk tells you that you have 15 forms to fill-in and then come back next week. Then they just look at you and hold out their hand. A few Pesos passes over, a rubber stamp comes down with a thump and you walk out. I hated it but you did it or wait weeks for the machine to grind into action.

[mikethevigoman]

Hi,

Upon my recent return to LOS, I had a lovely 2 week journey around my lovely Lanna Kingdom (thanks Peace Blondie, I'll take to using that lovely term for the north). As you can imagine, in the provinces that border Myanmar, there are quite a lot of police checkpoints.

At one such checkpoint on the main Highway 1 between Lampang and Tak, I was instructed to pull over by the police. There was your usual aray of pick ups and trucks being fined.

I was in a hire car and had all the necessary documentation, including my license.

Now, having done nothing 'wrong' (I wasn't stopped for speeding , I wasn't carrying out any inter-provincial smuggling of any kind) I was pretty loathe to pay up some 'tea money' to extricate myself, my TGF and my good friend and his wife from this scenario...

I was very polite to the policeman in question, speaking to him in Thai and saying 'krab' every second word . My missus is a very law abiding citizen, and as such, she looked totally embarrassed by the whole event. In fact, she was so uncomfortable, she almost looked guilty of something!

Anyhow, I went over to their little table, where they demanded the car's 'blue book'. I politely told them that as this was a car from Budget, I did not have one...

His response was to take my license and 'order' me to get back in the car, turn on the air con (basically, just <deleted> off and stop being an annoying farang so he can intimidate this young lady he has in front of him, i.e. my girlfriend.

Back in the car, I called Budget. After some explaining that I hadn't crashed and I was simply on the side of the road being asked to produce the 'tabian rot' which I had never received as this was rental, the guy on the other line asked me if he could speak to speak to the police directly.

So, I got out of the car, walked over to the table, held the phone to the BiB, who was still chatting to the missus, and told him that 'Budget' would like to speak with him.

Well well well... the policeman indicated that he didn't wish to speak to Budget, gave me a 'dismissive' gesture coupled with something along the lines of 'get in your car and get going'. My missus picked up my licens from the table, we both gave them a wai, said our thanks to them and buggered off. In the car, my girlfriend told me that the policeman had 'requested' 1000 Bhat in order for us to be on our way.

Given this wonderful country and the importance the populace place on saving face... surely this BiB lost a huge chunk of it in that little scenario... and to a bleedin' farang to boot!

...uhm, not sure if I have a point really. Just thought I'd share a motoring story. Apologies if any of my fellow motorists subsequently felt 'the pinch' resulting this outcome.

Cheers, and safe motoring.

James

(slightly tipsy and not behind the wheel)

I got stopped in ubon on my bike on the way back to pattaya,and the cop asked me for "card ' i produced a mastercard. a visa. a thai frequent flyer card and spoke to him in a home made swahili !, he just looked dumbfounded and said "go ,go" . ,funny,.

[micksterbs]

I got stopped in ubon on my bike on the way back to pattaya,and the cop asked me for "card ' i produced a mastercard. a visa. a thai frequent flyer card and spoke to him in a home made swahili !, he just looked dumbfounded and said "go ,go" . ,funny,.

Haha, yeah. I did something similar once. I always take my IDP with my British licence even though they never ask for the IDP. Of course, the one day I forgot, yep; you guessed. In the back of my wallet, I had an Exeter Angling Association membership card. I showed him that. He looked at it, mouthed some of the words, nodded and handed it back. I often wonder if I could use an IDP by the riverside in Devon...

[Tony Clifton]

NEVER wai the scumbags, like sticking your tail between your legs.

[torrenova]

Respect for your quick thinking and basically telling the little bastard to eff off. Bt1000 to go ? does he think he on the Monopoly board and you've just landed on his hotel ? cheeky bugger !

I remember one time driving into Bangkok, coming down the slip road to arrive on Sukhumvit with the intention of going down through Bumrungrad up Soi 3 and over to the other side of Sukhumvit due to the one way system and the BiB pull me off from the slip road. Window down not enough, they need me to park up and get licence out. "Pay about Bt500" he blabs. "Why ?" I ask. "Just pay". A polite version of "fuc_k off <deleted>" came out and so did the telephone with the intention of getting the tourist police. It seems that his problem was that I had a vehicle not registered either where I lived or from Bangkok so in his pea sized brain, I was due to pay a fine. Complete <deleted> but didn't pay and would never wai or speak Thai to them.

[micksterbs]

Respect for your quick thinking and basically telling the little bastard to eff off. Bt1000 to go ? does he think he on the Monopoly board and you've just landed on his hotel ? cheeky bugger !

I remember one time driving into Bangkok, coming down the slip road to arrive on Sukhumvit with the intention of going down through Bumrungrad up Soi 3 and over to the other side of Sukhumvit due to the one way system and the BiB pull me off from the slip road. Window down not enough, they need me to park up and get licence out. "Pay about Bt500" he blabs. "Why ?" I ask. "Just pay". A polite version of "fuc_k off <deleted>" came out and so did the telephone with the intention of getting the tourist police. It seems that his problem was that I had a vehicle not registered either where I lived or from Bangkok so in his pea sized brain, I was due to pay a fine. Complete <deleted> but didn't pay and would never wai or speak Thai to them.

Yeah, I think that's what bugs me even more than the actual unwillingness to be a part of corruption. When they couch their request in some inventive way and make it look as though they're actually doing you a favour by saving you from a lot of paperwork etc, well, I almost feel like smiling at their cheek. But the arrogance of some, epitomised by the guy above, really pisses me off big-time. I would never pay anything if I know I haven't done anything wrong but sometimes they act as if it's their right to shake-down the dumb farang. Have also encountered a few drunk BiBs too. One was actually leaning against the door for support and I could smell the bloody whiskey on his breath.

[culicine]

I was under the impression that bribes are to be discreetly offered and not requested. Tell the rude fcuker to either charge you with something or release you. Impolite bastard!

[micksterbs]

I was under the impression that bribes are to be discreetly offered and not requested. Tell the rude fcuker to either charge you with something or release you. Impolite bastard!

Well, that's true. But they can make life most unpleasant and inconvenient for you if you push it. And don't expect much (or any) sympathty from the big noodle back at the police station. Each station is expected to pay 'tribute' to the local senior officer and so-on up the chain. Until policemen are paid a decent wage, expect this sort of situation to continue.

[stoneman]

I was under the impression that bribes are to be discreetly offered and not requested. Tell the rude fcuker to either charge you with something or release you. Impolite bastard!

Well, that's true. But they can make life most unpleasant and inconvenient for you if you push it. And don't expect much (or any) sympathty from the big noodle back at the police station. Each station is expected to pay 'tribute' to the local senior officer and so-on up the chain. Until policemen are paid a decent wage, expect this sort of situation to continue.

Mick...Do you honestly believe that a pay increase will stop the corruption? How about this...Give them all a big raise and tell each one that if there is one bribe reported and proved, you will go to jail...Not transferred to an inactive post..JAIL...And then do exactly as advertised...Also all fines will be paid to the courts, by mail or in person and not the police dept..

[corkscrew]

I got stopped in ubon on my bike on the way back to pattaya,and the cop asked me for "card ' i produced a mastercard. a visa. a thai frequent flyer card and spoke to him in a home made swahili !, he just looked dumbfounded and said "go ,go" . ,funny,.

Haha, yeah. I did something similar once. I always take my IDP with my British licence even though they never ask for the IDP. Of course, the one day I forgot, yep; you guessed. In the back of my wallet, I had an Exeter Angling Association membership card. I showed him that. He looked at it, mouthed some of the words, nodded and handed it back. I often wonder if I could use an IDP by the riverside in Devon...

Mick, that is so funny...the bit about the Exeter Angling Association membership card.

[micksterbs]

Mick...Do you honestly believe that a pay increase will stop the corruption? How about this...Give them all a big raise and tell each one that if there is one bribe reported and proved, you will go to jail...Not transferred to an inactive post..JAIL...And then do exactly as advertised...Also all fines will be paid to the courts, by mail or in person and not the police dept..

Stoneman, I couldn't agree more. But it would be a start. No, I don't believe that it would stop it dead but it would take away a lot of the need. Mind you, I'm probably arguing against myself here. A lot of the corruption in the world is fuelled by two things:

1. Greed

2. Opportunity/the ability to get-away with it

Look at the rich and powerful in this country. They have plenty of money already but just cannot resist dipping their trotter in the trough just a teeensy bit more...

[micksterbs]

I got stopped in ubon on my bike on the way back to pattaya,and the cop asked me for "card ' i produced a mastercard. a visa. a thai frequent flyer card and spoke to him in a home made swahili !, he just looked dumbfounded and said "go ,go" . ,funny,.

Haha, yeah. I did something similar once. I always take my IDP with my British licence even though they never ask for the IDP. Of course, the one day I forgot, yep; you guessed. In the back of my wallet, I had an Exeter Angling Association membership card. I showed him that. He looked at it, mouthed some of the words, nodded and handed it back. I often wonder if I could use an IDP by the riverside in Devon...

Mick, that is so funny...the bit about the Exeter Angling Association membership card.

Yeah, it's rich, isn't it? What I loved was the way he sort-of nodded gravely and gave a few "Hmm"s before handing it back as if to say "Yes, that all appears to be in order". I felt as if I was in "The Great Escape" or one of those warfilms when the Brit/Yank on the run is waiting nervously while the Gestapo are inspecting the forged papers that say he's an electrician from Lille, or something. I think I might have even given a "Yippee" when I was driving away. I was certainly bloody laughing, I can tell you...

[torrenova]

Pay them whatever you want but the truth is that they pay to become a BiB and those collecting will still want their share and those who have paid will want to enrich themselves by collecting from the public and the new recruits. It is a never ending circle.

[snowflake]

I have to say that with my driving style I am happy to hand over a few notes to get out of a jam, could ofcourse deny the whole thing, get his badge number, go to the police station (which would take 2 hours) for nothing to be done and then still have to pay a fine...

Why bother, they are doing you a favour (when you know that you are speeding).

If they are pulling you over just for cash I would do the above thing just for fun...

Thailand is all about people that you know and I know someone.