Police Questioning Single Males Travelling To Thailand

[torrenova]

A few years ago I was making a lot of trips back to the UK (perhaps once a month) and they pulled me at customs asking this and that. I took their paperwork which had my details on it and asked why. They just asked a couple of question about what I had in my (only) carry on luggage. When they asked what my business was I told them it was none of their business, as it was not, is not and never will be.

Were I to be pulled at LHR going (for me) back to Thailand then they would have to have some very good reason to want to know anything and I would not be intimidated. If they had a genuine reason then I would assist but not just to pander to their meaningless request.

[soi4girl]

So why do you horny bastards got to thailand? Climate, food, bicycle paths, etc?

If you not a paedophile or drug smuggler, whats the problem.

If they happen to catch one , its great. I bet some doofus will be caught with kiddie porn in his suitcase.

Thank god theres no pervets in usa!

[jasreeve17]

Personally I would tell them to mind their own business.

That is precisely the wrong attitude and one that will get you untold grief and the opportunity to come on this forum complaining about the police, the procedures, the coffee and just about everything. No matter how much you'd like to tell them that you have to remember these people in these times have the power and capability to <deleted> you upside down, inside out and back to front.

The best approach is to politely answer their questions exactly as asked, offer them no additional information and remain calm.

Yes you might consider this approach to be demeaning and an affront to your manhood but, given that the alternative might be a missed flight and a night in custody, it's worth putting up and shutting up.

Especially airport police - they have far reaching extra powers.

As a teenager I made the mistake of telling Gatwick police to fuk off and mind their own business... silly me... learning experience. You have no rights at British airports, local bylaws take them away!

[Mosha]

Yes, smart arse answer, ok bend over we want to do an internal examination.

[Mosha]

Personally I would tell them to mind their own business.

That is precisely the wrong attitude and one that will get you untold grief and the opportunity to come on this forum complaining about the police, the procedures, the coffee and just about everything. No matter how much you'd like to tell them that you have to remember these people in these times have the power and capability to <deleted> you upside down, inside out and back to front.

The best approach is to politely answer their questions exactly as asked, offer them no additional information and remain calm.

Yes you might consider this approach to be demeaning and an affront to your manhood but, given that the alternative might be a missed flight and a night in custody, it's worth putting up and shutting up.

Especially airport police - they have far reaching extra powers.

As a teenager I made the mistake of telling Gatwick police to fuk off and mind their own business... silly me... learning experience. You have no rights at British airports, local bylaws take them away!

Once through immigration you have probably technically left the country.

[boneidlegit]

Some of you have got it all wrong, England is not yet a police state, you still have rights, just cos some copper wants to know something, you don't have to go weak at the knees.

You are not going to miss your flight, if it was a law that you had to give explanations about your travel arrangements, then fair enough.

You still have rights you know.

What do they hope to gain by these method.

Do they think people are going to tell them they are going there, to take part in illegal activities.

It's nearly as bad as on the back of the American dep/arr cards.

"Are you, or have you ever been a member of a terrorist orginization" What sort of response do they hope for ?

[OxfordWill]

actually this is just for legal reasons, so they have on record you stating NO.

[fresnoboy]

I have been asked questions, that I considered to be inappropriate, at an airport in the USA. I respectfully declined to answer and that was the end of it.

(I also am the type that does not allow the police to 'search' my vehicle in a traffic stop in the US etc. Never an issue of having any contraband in a vehicle, I just do not think that allowing oneself to be subjected to random queries and searches is a good thing to do.)

You're pretty lucky !

At least in California, they do have the right to detain you until a warrant arrives. So, apparently, you don't fit any 'known' offender, at that time !

[misterman21]

Some of you have got it all wrong, England is not yet a police state, you still have rights, just cos some copper wants to know something, you don't have to go weak at the knees.

You are not going to miss your flight, if it was a law that you had to give explanations about your travel arrangements, then fair enough.

You still have rights you know.

What do they hope to gain by these method.

Do they think people are going to tell them they are going there, to take part in illegal activities.

It's nearly as bad as on the back of the American dep/arr cards.

"Are you, or have you ever been a member of a terrorist orginization" What sort of response do they hope for ?

Actually you have it wrong my <snip> friend - the UK is a police state!

Edited December 16, 2008 by Jai Dee
Flame deleted.

[PeaceBlondie]

My favorite example of outrageous profiling occurred a few hours before I met my new team mate, Scott. An adult American citizen, he landed in Mexico City, on Mexican soil, and was interrogated by an American FBI agent, looking for Zapatista supporters. Scott jumped on the phone and complained to the American embassy. Later, he joined the Zapatistas on their caravan to Mexico City, by invitation of indigenous pacifist Christians.

Scott deserved to be interrogated, but not by an FBI agent on Mexican soil. Soon after, Scott was my witness when I was grilled relentlessly by Mexican immigration for 4.5 hours. 'The man' has a right to mess with you, if he is in his own country.

[OlRedEyes]

Personally I would tell them to mind their own business.

...in a very undiplomatic way indeed.

[SomNamNah]

Going into Zimbabwe, you have to unpack all your luggage before you exit.

I couldnt believe it when my girlfriend at the time (worried about the xmas presents (playstation) in the luggage being confiscated) just told me to walk straight past the customs guys -eyes straight ahead, and dont turn back...

it worked!

I am wondering just how many gems i can ram up my jacksy through Heathrow! (oops.. keyword "jacksy+gems+heathrow" ping.. there goes the wiretap. log passport number #776454). Seriously though, heroin production here will be on the rise. Increasingly so if the unmentionable happens to the unmentionable. Ah well, will give the DEA something to do in Chiang Mai.

Edited December 16, 2008 by SomNamNah

[Orac]

Not wanting to defend the police here but referring back the OPs original post, they could have been acting on specific 'intelligence' (I use the term loosely) and could have been targetting a particular flight or destination looking for bogeymen be it terrorists or pedos. Certainly nobody has yet confirmed that the same has happenned to anyone else in the last few days. I flew out on a direct BKK flight 2 weeks ago and didn't get stopped and will be on the LHR-BKK EVA flight tomorrow night so, if I get stopped, I will report back - I am travelling alone so should fit 'the profile'.

[Scott]

One of my worst experiences was transiting through Heathrow to the US. It was years ago, well before 9/11. I was thoroughly searched and had a computer hard disk that piqued their interest. I ended up missing my flight because of endless questioning. They were nice enough to arrange for a different flight. I wasn't coming from Thailand either and they didn't check the disk--just kept asking senseless questions.

At the time, I was working for the US Department of State and the ticket was booked by the gov't on my behalf. I wasn't even actually in Great Britain, as I was only a transit passenger.

Since I had nothing to hide, I was cooperative, but it was scary when you start realizing that your flight is boarding and there is no sign they are going to let you go.

Going from Thailand to the US is usually a problem when you enter. The last time I went back was the first time I didn't get searched and I was so unsettled and just stood there until a security guard asked me what I was doing! I told him the guy didn't check my bag--he laughed and told me to get the heck out of there! I honestly thought they had made a mistake.

[londonthai]

Un-related I am sure, but wasnt it a day or two ago a few brits about that age got done up for some porn charges here?? Maybe he fit the description.

it was last week - 4 were arrested in pattaya and several searches done in London. Probably they were looking for somebody who escaped raids

[mommysboy]

I have been asked questions, that I considered to be inappropriate, at an airport in the USA. I respectfully declined to answer and that was the end of it.

(I also am the type that does not allow the police to 'search' my vehicle in a traffic stop in the US etc. Never an issue of having any contraband in a vehicle, I just do not think that allowing oneself to be subjected to random queries and searches is a good thing to do.)

You're pretty lucky !

At least in California, they do have the right to detain you until a warrant arrives. So, apparently, you don't fit any 'known' offender, at that time !

At this rate either the waterboard or anal probe seems a certainty.

[GuestHouse]

Perhaps the police where searching for the crooks that frequently make Thailand their new home.

[ourmaninbangers]

Personally I would tell them to mind their own business.

And personally they would turn you around and put you back on the first avialable flight back where you came from,you think your God almighty.

that is not so accurate- I have been doing that for years- in dutch!

in all my years in asia I refuse to write occupation , or any of that nonsense on the back of the current forms, or any personal details

on indian and other places visa form I simply cross out all that nonsense about who is your father, etc, etc

which are simple not any ones business,

if its european immegration I flat out refuse to give any personal info

if asia I simply pretend I do not speak english- no trouble yet.. mind you, they hardly ever ask

returning to europe I sometimes get stopped- I just smile and shake my head

far too much big brother is creeping in..it is good to make a stand,yes, some info is necessary... but fathers name, salery, who do you know?

its too much.. and it is not safe

[12DrinkMore]

As a teenager I made the mistake of telling Gatwick police to fuk off and mind their own business... silly me... learning experience. You have no rights at British airports, local bylaws take them away!

No bloody respect these dam_n teenagers. None at all.

Even if you didn't like why they had questions, you do NOT have the right to to tell somebody trying to keep law and order to F-off. They have a difficult job to do without having to take this crap from a teenager. I hope they kept you overnight and gave you a big fine.

[Ricardo]

About 15 months ago, I had a similar experience, flying from LGW to BKK vis Doha on Qatar Airways. I believe that they were Customs-officers, rather than police, they were pulling & questioning men travelling alone out-of-line as we walked down the airbridge and onto the plane. They had already walked a sniffer-dog round us.

I experienced it again last month, a single Immigration-officer politely walked round the boarding-lounge, inspecting all our passports and noting details of some of the non-UK travellers' details. Don't they get all that information - when they swipe/check passports after check-in & before security ?

Most unsettling, especially as you have already gone through airport-security, and just want to get on your plane home. Perhaps they are looking for currency-smugglers, but that ought to have been spotted on the bag-inspection at security, perhaps it was something specific for Middle-East flights ? Those always seem to have higher-levels of security.

[BigSnake]

Lot of bad people travling to the land of smile and during bad things while here. Four bad boys just arrested in Pattaya(a Brit, a Swiss(??), An American and a Thai), not to say all are bad, in book they should ask a few questions from at random often.

Edited December 16, 2008 by BigSnake

[pampal]

I have been grilled exhaustively in Heathrow in 1994 when they discovered I have two passports(Dual Citizen). Also in Gatwick (2007)I was detained by the Home Office for 3 hours, before being allowed into the UK. I was questioned for over two hours by the Home Office ppl and surrounded by two Policemen armed with sub machine guns. After the grilling, I was taken to Customs to claim my suitcase, and then the Customs guys started rummaging through my belongings. After 3 hours of abuse I was allowed to enter the UK. That was the last time I will be going there.

BTW, I was going to the UK on company business.

Entering the USA has been surprisingly painless for me lately, but I remember in the early 90's during the UnaBomber days, being questioned a few times.

[JetsetBkk]

Perhaps the police were searching for the crooks that frequently make Thailand their new home.

Yes, possibly. So if they ask me, I'll say: "I'm a crook who has made Thailand my new home."

On the other hand, I suppose I could lie.

Ah, maybe they've got one of those new remote lie detectors.

Gosh it's getting so hard to travel these days.

[DC1066]

Perhaps the police where searching for the crooks that frequently make Thailand their new home.

I am Spartacus!!!

[Jim's_a_Thai_Fox]

I am a huge believer in freedom of the people and civil liberties etc and support Franklin's idea that those citizens who are willing to give up their freedoms to gain security will lose both and gain neither (or something similar)... and as such I would like to think of myself in the group that would say "I'm not answering any of your questions, I'll be on my way"... but I fear that when actually faced by a copper/customs person etc in the situation the OP mentions, I would more than likely respond with "yes sir, sorry sir, wasn't me, sir".

Not proud of that, but i think that's an honest sentiment that most share.

Edited December 16, 2008 by Jim's_a_Thai_Fox

[redrio]

Hi all,

I use to get this problem getting pulled at Customs.

All I do now is pull out my Padi scuba diving card.

Argue with that?

Bye Officer.

Sean

[daveh]

Fortunately when leaving the US, you don't have to go through immigration. However, the last time I returned from Thailand with my wife, some customs officer gave us a minor 3rd degree. While waiting for our luggage he spied my carry-on bag which is simply a laptop backpack, sitting on a luggage cart. He certainly saw me, but not sure if he realized I was with my wife.

He asked if it was my bag and if I had a laptop in it and where I was coming from. I told him Thailand and no, I didn't have a laptop. He then asked if I had brought any electronics from the US to Thailand and back again. At this point I knew he was looking for child porn, but thought it was odd that he limited himself to stuff that originally came from the US and then brought back again. Couldn't I have purchased a flash drive in Thailand and filled it up with all sorts of illegal stuff?

I told him "we" brought two phones, two cameras, and one GPS. Then he asked me what "the nature of our relationship was", where and when we met, and so forth. After he was satisfied he wrote something on our customs card which allowed us to bypass the body cavity search and head straight out.

While I didn't like the questions he was asking and the way he asked them, I did like that I was being questioned while waiting for my luggage. This way I was not delayed at all.

[nudnik]

Personally I would tell them to mind their own business.

That is precisely the wrong attitude and one that will get you untold grief and the opportunity to come on this forum complaining about the police, the procedures, the coffee and just about everything. No matter how much you'd like to tell them that you have to remember these people in these times have the power and capability to &lt;deleted&gt; you upside down, inside out and back to front.

The best approach is to politely answer their questions exactly as asked, offer them no additional information and remain calm.

Yes you might consider this approach to be demeaning and an affront to your manhood but, given that the alternative might be a missed flight and a night in custody, it's worth putting up and shutting up.

I am an American. I am also a 30 year veteran of an East Coast Police Force where I attained the rank of Captain. I am old school in that I know and have read the constitutions of both The United States and the State that I hail from. I also swore an oath to uphold both those constitutions.

I am retired but I assure you that people who took the law, the constitutions and the rights of people are becoming extinct. I may be the last of a generation that cares.

What you have now are people who never read the law nor the constitutions even though they swear to uphold them. I will tell you what I tell my friends, unless you have a lawyer speaking for you, shut your mouth.

Speaking to the police will not help you, it will only hurt you.

What you describe here is nothing more than conditioning. You are being conditioned to accept big brother. Americans too are being conditioned but we tend not to roll over stick our behinds up in the air.

[Tinkelbell]

I have been asked questions, that I considered to be inappropriate, at an airport in the USA. I respectfully declined to answer and that was the end of it.

(I also am the type that does not allow the police to 'search' my vehicle in a traffic stop in the US etc. Never an issue of having any contraband in a vehicle, I just do not think that allowing oneself to be subjected to random queries and searches is a good thing to do.)

You're pretty lucky !

At least in California, they do have the right to detain you until a warrant arrives. So, apparently, you don't fit any 'known' offender, at that time !

In Florida and NY too, they do the random check on cars on road blocked.

This week in Tampa, 2 Arab engineer students of University of South Florida, go on trail on a terrorist charged. They were stopped by the police ( July '07) for routine checking, in the trunk of their car, the patrol police found explosive materials along with a laptop features one of them narrating step by step ....How to Make A Powerful Bomb.

I never mind when we were to stop by the police, they're doing their job, besides we have nothing to hide.

[thaihome]

One point to make, if you are in the transit area of the Heathrow Airport, even though you have not processed through UK immigration, you are in the UK and subject to UK police jurisdiction.. The transit areas of airports are within the territory of the country and immigration is not the international border.

TH