junkofdavid2 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 To all the restaurateurs in the Forum... 1) Do cops generally eat "for free" at restaurants here, especially if in uniform? 2) Do they "throw their weight around" or "hint" that they eat free if they enter restaurants? (whether big or small restaurants, farang or thai owned/runned). 3) Generally, even if they don't "throw weight around" nor "hint", is it customary for restaurant owners to "mai pen rai" the bill? 4) Does your Thai staff hesitate to give the cops the 'chekbin', especially if they're in a big group and/or high ranking (many stars on the shoulder, etc.) What's it like in your experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sceadugenga Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I can't speak for Thailand in but where I come from the cops were always suckers for free pizza. Rarely saw them pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twschw Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I think this is a worldwide phenomena. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilHarries Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I'm not a restauranteur but I have been to a few opening nights for restaurants, bars and clubs. There is generally a top table reserved for the police and local political VIP's. The script seems to be a bottle of Chivas Regal between two persons, everyone on that table gets served first before the rabble are allowed their go at the buffet. As for paying, I doubt if any of these people even have any money on them, I certainly have never seen a policeman reach for his wallet with the intention of extracting money. So, far from being surprised if the police ate for free I'd be gobsmacked (astounded) if it turns out they didn't. And as the other respondents have said, this is normal in many more countries than Thailand and includes so called developed western countries. I have never seen a skinny policeman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krading Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I know in Oz they used to eat half price at Maccas, there was a 'Police' button on the register which halved the bill. The reasoning was that having the police regularly driving through would act as a visual deterrent to would-be villians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonySoprano Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Everyone needs to get a taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve w Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 local thai owned restaurant in phuket,at least 4 peelers a day eat for free.BUT they do not have any problems with serving beer on all bar closing days ,including special birthdays! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pakeha Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I'd have to say yes in my experience. And no they don't need to have their uniforms on. I've been with undercover cops around Khao San and they certainly had a good time with no check bin. Another time in a different area of BKK I was out with them and they did pay. Then another time we went to a big club with live music, got greeted by the owner, then Thai geusts were promptly relocated from the best table in the joint to make way fir us and we ate and drank all night for free! Not sure about the regular cops but it would seem location and back scratching dictates whether there's a bill or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb86 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 (edited) we always charge them, unless they have done favors for us, but even then we set the boundries Edited April 12, 2009 by tb86 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurnell Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I saw 2 cops coming out of Tony's Bar on soi Cowboy, daytime, doing up their pants and giving me a wink. Not sure what they got for free in there?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon43 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 When I do my police volunteer work in Patong, I stop after a couple of hours at The Pizza Co. for a cold drink (iced tea, not beer!). In 2 years, I have never managed to get the staff to accept my payment! Next week I'm going to order an extra large Pizza, ice-cream and first choice of the female staff ..... Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyConway Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Its the same the world over. I owned 2 busy Cafes in the UK both hardly ever had Police customers as i told my staff to charge them even if it was just a cup of tea. I was fully licensed, paid my taxes and had no reason whatsoever to give 'freebies' to the old bill. My competitor was 2 miles away, that was where they Police went for the freebies, good, as having many Police cars parked in the car park simply made paying customers come to my business. We was a running business not a charity for the boys in blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaethon Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Now that the BIB have tasted the quality of food provided for the ASEAN delegates, can Pattaya restuarants expect demands to imporve the quality of the free food they get served..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahtin Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I've been with undercover cops around Khao San On the magic mushrooms again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave2 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 i dont know about anywhere else but the cops in chiang mai used to get any soft drink , water , coffeee etc in all 7 elevens free. they even get the drink in special police cups with the round what looks like a shield with a sort of sword going accross it dave2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myauq Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I know in Oz they used to eat half price at Maccas as suprised as i was to see it with my own eyes, i can also attest to this happening in Oz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdman Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 (edited) cxl Edited April 12, 2009 by Birdman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yabaaaa Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 When I do my police volunteer work in Patong, I stop after a couple of hours at The Pizza Co. for a cold drink (iced tea, not beer!). In 2 years, I have never managed to get the staff to accept my payment!Next week I'm going to order an extra large Pizza, ice-cream and first choice of the female staff ..... Simon Ask them for "discount sheets" instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackinbkk Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 well i've seen the bib collecting their regular checkbin, know what i mean. Previously when I was in Bkk the owner of my apartment block would have the cops in on a regular basis for a chat and the free whiskey of course. Also those who had the cops in on the regular could open their bars much more often than those who didnt as one person already mentioned. Its part of the protection. You scratch my back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glasshock Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I certainly have never seen a policeman reach for his wallet with the intention of extracting money. Extracting "extracted" money from inside the open two buttons of the belly region of their uniforms. Always in 20s! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thithi Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 yeh some of them. But Thai pigs don't eat donuts, but Som Tam and Noodles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Mouse Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I know in Oz they used to eat half price at Maccas, there was a 'Police' button on the register which halved the bill. The reasoning was that having the police regularly driving through would act as a visual deterrent to would-be villians. Not only are they welcomed into Maccas but some Macca outlets have also provided a "police only" parking space for their vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhgz Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 "To all the restaurateurs in the Forum...What's it like in your experience?" Are you planing on opening a restaurant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassienie Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 What a load of crap. The OP hasn`t had one decent answer to his question. I think he would like to hear from restaurant owners in Thailand and how to deal with police customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heng Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Give'em the bill just like anyone else, unless your business is a front for illegal activities. We don't own any restaurants here but from friends that do, it's totally your call whether you want to treat these folks or not. I have one friend who never charges cops for JUST coffee and soft drinks, limit one per BIB, and charges for all other menu items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuky Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 As a 16 year old in Aust. my older brother had a few friends who became cops. I ended up better friends with them than my brother. I was quite tall for a 16 year old, so when I went to the night clubs with the cops we all went in together, the real cops showed their badges, I just said I left mine at home but my number is XXXX. We always got in for free when others had to pay the cover charge. Like a previous poster said, the clubs (McD) liked having cops there, it gave them a sense of security. Not sure what I could have done as a 16 year old cop though. Anyway, I think it is probably fairly common throughout the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooseCannon Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 In Australia back in the 70's the pubs were closed on Sundays but I regularly went to one a few kms out of town. Let in through the back door. The local sergeant of police & a couple of constables were always there drinking for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonySoprano Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 sounds like police corruption is not just a thai thing then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya_girl Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Here in Pattaya a Policeman in uniform sat at the next table to me, on his own. Ate his food, asked for the bill and paid it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb86 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 we always charge them, unless they have done favors for us, but even then we set the boundries we have 3 places in bkk cops pay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now