Police Crackdown In Bangkok?

[loganberry]

Has anybody noticed the random checks taking place around Bangkok?

I have definitely seen my share of police "pocket searches" and heard the stories of random foreigners being singled out in taxis on Thong Lor late at night, but never have I had to personally go through the annoyance of having a police officer demand to know what I have been doing and search my pockets.

A few friends of mine came into town and have been doing the regular bar routine. Oddly enough, we have been stopped by the police on two seperate occasions in only a three-day period. First night (at around 10pm) we crossed the street right at the 7-eleven on Soi 33 and jumped over to the other side to catch a taxi towards Asok. As soon as we jumped in the taxi, two cops on foot knocked on the windows and started asking me where we were going. I replied in Thai and he left me alone and moved onto the passengers in the back seat. They asked the most ridiculous questions to them for about 5 minutes with the taxi door open, such as "Where are you from?" "How old are you?" "Why did you come to Thailand?" etc. etc. They asked to see passports, but they quickly got over it and just resumed with their questions. Keep in mind there were no girls in the car. Eventually they seemed satisfied and let us go on our way.

Thinking it was just an isolated incident, we were in the area about 2 days later and stopped by this mediocre Italian food restaurant on the corner of Soi 23 and Sukhumvit. It was roughly 3:00am and I was walking my friends back to their hotel at the Citadines on Soi 23. About 50 meters passed the entrance to Soi Cowboy (which was already shut down) two more cops came up to us and did the same routine. This time they actually searched our pockets, wallets, cigarettes, etc. Again, they ignored me when I replied in Thai to them and focused on my friends. And once again... they said thank you and let us go on our way.

Has anybody else been experiencing something similar in Bangkok (in terms of being searched, I mean)?

.... you people that are already red-flagged need not reply... we know why you were singled out

Edited November 15, 2009 by loganberry

[RakJungTorlae]

Where have you been hiding under? Did you bother to count your money before and after you where searched?

Those cops have been sitting outside little Italy for years.

[smokie36]

I've never been searched there. But then I have always left a reasonable tip after eating at Little Italy.

Not surprising after the terrible reviews you're giving this decent restaurant.

Edited November 15, 2009 by smokie36

[Serpico]

Since half the tourists abandoned Thailand, the tourist mafia is ramping up their efforts.

[RakJungTorlae]

I've never been searched there. But then I have always left a reasonable tip after eating at Little Italy.

Not surprising after the terrible reviews you're giving this decent restaurant.

Never been searched and throw them the scraps once in a while for them to munch on. Just smiles and nods, but one thing for sure they could of chose a better restaurant to hang out as there food taste like $#!T

Edited November 15, 2009 by RakJungTorlae

[EnhancePlus]

I'm usually always with a TG. Wonder if this prevents any BIB harassments?

[RakJungTorlae]

I'm usually always with a TG. Wonder if this prevents any BIB harassments?

Probabaly, by feeling sorry for you already.

[EnhancePlus]

I'm usually always with a TG. Wonder if this prevents any BIB harassments?

Probabaly, by feeling sorry for you already.

[Dakhar]

I'm usually always with a TG. Wonder if this prevents any BIB harassments?

Probabaly, by feeling sorry for you already.

Nah, they know you already been fleeced.... that is why they leave you alone.

You snooze you lose, is what they are thinking....

[givenall]

I'm usually always with a TG. Wonder if this prevents any BIB harassments?

Probabaly, by feeling sorry for you already.

Part of overall national contribution, to TG or TP, same same

[Dpolenz]

Maybe there not real cops,

[HardenedSoul]

I get stopped on occasion. They're usually keen to go through my pockets but I won't allow it unless I can record the search on my phone. I've heard of all sorts of instances where they've allegedly planted drugs on people to extract a pay-off and, as I'm of Afro-Caribbean descent, I have to be especially careful.

Having said that, though, most of the time they're very nice once they realise I'm a Brit even if that's because they think all blacks either come from Africa or a gangsta rap video

[bkkjames]

I get stopped on occasion. They're usually keen to go through my pockets but I won't allow it unless I can record the search on my phone. I've heard of all sorts of instances where they've allegedly planted drugs on people to extract a pay-off and, as I'm of Afro-Caribbean descent, I have to be especially careful.

Having said that, though, most of the time they're very nice once they realise I'm a Brit even if that's because they think all blacks either come from Africa or a gangsta rap video

I hear ya mate. It's gotten so bad that I have resorted to wearing latex pants with no pockets on my Friday nights out just to avoid this kind of thing..

[sunnymarky]

I get stopped on occasion. They're usually keen to go through my pockets but I won't allow it unless I can record the search on my phone. I've heard of all sorts of instances where they've allegedly planted drugs on people to extract a pay-off and, as I'm of Afro-Caribbean descent, I have to be especially careful.

Having said that, though, most of the time they're very nice once they realise I'm a Brit even if that's because they think all blacks either come from Africa or a gangsta rap video

I hear ya mate. It's gotten so bad that I have resorted to wearing latex pants with no pockets on my Friday nights out just to avoid this kind of thing..

I was stopped at a checkpoint early hours of asunday morning and they searched pockets and bag I had, Nothing found but I know they are hassling many falang and even some thais now, I mean lets be clear this is the Thai police....... enough said??

Edited November 17, 2009 by sunnymarky

[samran]

I get stopped on occasion. They're usually keen to go through my pockets but I won't allow it unless I can record the search on my phone. I've heard of all sorts of instances where they've allegedly planted drugs on people to extract a pay-off and, as I'm of Afro-Caribbean descent, I have to be especially careful.

Having said that, though, most of the time they're very nice once they realise I'm a Brit even if that's because they think all blacks either come from Africa or a gangsta rap video

I hear ya mate. It's gotten so bad that I have resorted to wearing latex pants with no pockets on my Friday nights out just to avoid this kind of thing..

I was stopped at a checkpoint early hours of asunday morning and they searched pockets and bag I had, Nothing found but I know they are hassling many falang and even some thais now, I mean lets be clear this is the Thai police....... enough said??

They hassle the Burmese, and anyone else who looks like an illegal worker. Burmese migrant workers get stopped all the time. Our maid has her offical documentation on her all the time, and gets through.

The othernight near Suk 24, a copper stopped a lady of indian extraction...turned out she was Thai/Indian and after showing her ID card, and giving the death stare to the copper, she was on her way.

[NOKIA6969]

Those are illegal searches for Drugs. I'm informed that is in fact not legal for them to do the searches or stop you unless there is a checkpoint. Also the checkpoint is supposed to only deal with one thing at a time. Drink Drive or drugs etc. If you tell them you know it is illegal, they should drop you like a hot brick! Or ask to go to the station to be searched! That works too!

I got done for not having a mirror on a bike the other day! There's a new Chief in town so no bribes and by the book for a while, well sort of LOL

[Dakhar]

you mean "no bribes on the books" right now?

[walterego]

Can we get an expert opinion or a link?

What are your rights in regards to this matter. (ie: being searched on the street?) Do they need due cause? must it be at acheck point?

This is fairly important stuff and someone insiting on adherence to rights they may/or maynot have is important. Is a frisk or body cavity search allowed... under what circumstances? Is there any rights at all?

I think asserting these rights may be problematic also... if indeed we actually have them.

Links from authorized agencys would be apreciated or perhaps some of our experienced T.Pol. members could shine some light.

[bendejo]

...

What are your rights in regards to this matter.

...

Rights have nothing to do with any of it. You're being accosted by members of a rogue police force.

The bulging pocket makes a happy life.

In a country where all laws are arbitrary, you have no rights.

I try not to think about it.

[Bagwan]

I got done for not having a mirror on a bike the other day! There's a new Chief in town so no bribes and by the book for a while, well sort of LOL

If he is the new police chief he has to recover the dosh he handed over to get the job. My guess is that he gave his lads a pep talk urging them to greater efforts.

7 years ago a new head honcho was appointed in Pattaya. The local Press reported him as saying that he was going to clean up the town. Word on the street was that he paid 10 mil to get the job. I would have thought that he made an instant enemy of his predecessor after making a statement like that.

[hhgz]

"Has anybody noticed the random checks taking place around Bangkok?"

Police checks are supposed to be random, and it's great that you've notice that. If the police only stopped well-dressed farangs, that's a different story.

[asiawatcher]

They do not appear to be stopping suited or business Farang - only 'tourists' in shorts, jeans, sandals, mostly late nite owls who have had a few - where it will be unlikely in dazed confusion they won't tell them to "flock off". Smile and say "you don't understand" (in any language other than Thai) and keep walking away. If you are sitting at the restaurant offer them a beer. NEVER hand over an original passport or Drivers License - keep a certified copy (any red stamp and a scrawl will do for certified 'true' copy). If you stay seated - hard for them to plant anything on you... and keep smiling.

[MrRichard2009]

You have the right to be taken to the police station, complain a lot and eventually decide paying them is easier than sitting around for 2 more days and paying them !

[Bagwan]

You have the right to be taken to the police station, complain a lot and eventually decide paying them is easier than sitting around for 2 more days and paying them !

Ask to be taken to the police station because you want to make an official complaint. His superiors would not be best pleased for yet another scandal involving visitors to the country to be made known. Also point out that while he is escorting you, he is not extorting from others i.e. it is in his own interests to let you proceed on your way. Malfeasance by these vultures only persists because of the lack of backbone in so many in fighting such iniquities.

[Ricardo]

Those are illegal searches for Drugs. I'm informed that is in fact not legal for them to do the searches or stop you unless there is a checkpoint.

An illegal stop-and-search is however better than an illegal summary-execution !

[Tolley]

I got done for not having a mirror on a bike the other day! There's a new Chief in town so no bribes and by the book for a while, well sort of LOL

If he is the new police chief he has to recover the dosh he handed over to get the job. My guess is that he gave his lads a pep talk urging them to greater efforts.

7 years ago a new head honcho was appointed in Pattaya. The local Press reported him as saying that he was going to clean up the town. Word on the street was that he paid 10 mil to get the job. I would have thought that he made an instant enemy of his predecessor after making a statement like that.

I can confirm from a high ranked Thai in Pattaya that indeed it is 10 million baht for the Police Chiefs job.

That money is usually borrowed from influential businessmen who expect that their businesses get favourable attention.

[soloman]

I heard that there is an annual ( 12 monthly) rotation and because this rotation has just happened there has been a crack down on closing times. Discos now all close at 2am. Also the beer stalls in Sukhumvit are getting 'fined' and now hiding beer bottles from open sight! Yet more Crazy stuff in Bizzarro World