I'd be interested to know exactly how many businesses get this call from people who are looking after your interests.

Also in question is do you get something in return, other than being left alone, eg a lot of bars round Patong used to pay 15k per month to be allowed to stay late open.. 200 baht a night for the late trade was a fair compromise so there was a benefit to the payment.

If your biz is not strictly legit paying them to look the other way would also qualify.. To me thats very different from the pure extortion.

Seems down this way Mob payments are rare.. Police payments are handled with a smile and benefit is given for the payment.. No pressured to accept but better ignoring minor infractions if you do.

For the record I am nto working so no payment needed.

i pay a bit., not mob.

for the small amount i pay, we get a great service.