When A Cop Waives You To Stop, Do You?

[tingtongfarang]

I stop every time. I have never been fined except when I was in the wrong.

+1

I dont understand this concept of giving them money, In my 6 years of riding and driving here i have had 2 tickets but never handed money over to them and never will,

My theory is that 90% of the police who stop you have intent on commiting a serious crime...use it to your advantage.

[RusticCharm]

ALL IN ALL, ONE MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN IN THE U.S. WHERE ALL THE COPS ARE A BUNCH OF FASCIST <deleted>.

Just like in Italy, bloody police state!

Gotta agree there. We give the Thai police shit but when it comes to traffic policing, well, there's no way I'd ride in the U.K. like I ride here. They'll call out a FLIR-equipped helicopter out on your ass!

Why don't they don't just write down the registration number and send the fine home? Too much paperwork?

As I said before, only if something's in it for them. Better to wait for the next 200Bt to come along.

Though this reminds me of a funny story from the U.K.

A speed camera had recorded a biker travelling at well over the speed limit, photographed his number plate and an automatic fine about 50UK pounds, as well as the photographed evidence of his speeding was mailed to the offenders house.

The biker, being a bit of a smart-arse, sends a photograph of 50 pounds in the return envelope to the police.

A week or so later, the biker receives another letter from the police. In it is a photograph of a pair of handcuffs.

The biker sends a cheque for 50 pounds by return post.

Edited July 12, 2011 by RusticCharm

[katabeachbum]

depends on the police, if its one or two robbers in uniform, papermask and sunglasses, as a Highwaypolice Volunteer I recommend

slow down to safe stopping speed

stop if they kamikaze, blow away if they are not within reach of you

if you stop, keep helmet and sunglasses on and do not give them drivers lisence

always have 200 baht handy, do not display a wallet or more money

when he is done talking, give the 200 baht while left hand on clutch, and go instantly, no wheelie just fast and firm up to 120 or so

a proper checkpoint, stop, provide lisence, be polite and your fine is usually 200 baht for each offence, official reciept on the spot, carte blanche for these offenses until midnight

proper checkpoint often have chasers, or radio to next checkpoint

papermask boys are on their own

taninthai

you are obviously able to quote, and it is not often I quote myself, but you did miss what I said

"depends on the police, if its one or two robbers in uniform, papermask and sunglasses............"

these are not Police to help the community, they are out to squeeze you for teamoney, illegally

to separate them more clearly from the rest, they will not display police ID nor name tag on shirt, acting legally they would display both

my recomondation stand

In a car its more difficult to make a runner, I was driving Hua Hin-Phuket 1400km r/t several times a month in 2006-2009, and the Prechuap-Chumporn 230km stretch is famous for its papermask boys. After the initial pullovers, we started to video every time pulled over, and later started to show the video to the same "officers". Using only 2 cars for this driving Nov 2006 to mid 2009, a white pearl Camry and a grey Accord, they actually quit pulling us over. This was before I joined the Highwaypolice.

A few times there was a proper speedcheck, and of course I paid my official 200 baht fine with a smile

[saengsureeya]

So the police can't win they do their job farang complain they don't do their job farang complain I'm sure they have managed to stop and find several drug hauls with these road blocks which is obviously a good thing,as for certain police volunteers here advising people to not stop why are you working with these people if that is how you feel about them I'm sure they wouldn't be impressed with your advise given out on a public forum.

As for me never been stopped on bike stopped many times in car 2 minute friendly chat and I'm on my way and yes my truck is a shit heap and I never carry my papers maybe I just live In the wrong parts of Thailand.

Being stopped by the police mostly means: pay up.

Whether you did or didn't something wrong, they'll find a reason to get you paid.

For me it's not the THB 100 (hundred) it's a matter of principal.........IF I did something wrong, write a ticket and I'll be 'happy' to pay. If I didn't something wrong, let me pass!!

I read something ridiculous amounts of THB 200.......amazing. The Thai get away with THB 20 or THB 50.

Once a copper stopped me (car) and he found that the tax-sticker wasn't stuck correct on the windscreen. So, I took my wallet and produced THB 100........his hand rested on the door and he showed 2 fingers . I asked: "Aw mai?" (you want?). He emphasized the 2 fingers and I emphasized the hundred baht note. In the meantime I kicked my clutch, shifted the gear into 1 and made my move to depart. He grabbed the 100 baht note, I closed my window and of I went.

Once I witnessed a spontaneous police check on the corner of 2nd road and central road in Pattaya (the police box opposite Tops Supermarket).

2 coppers were waiting for victims when suddenly a motorbike, coming from 2nd road, made a turn onto central road direction beach. The guy wasn't wearing a helmet and one of the coppers tried to stop him and in a reflex he grabbed the drivers arm, causing the driver to crash into a few parked motorbikes. There were more witnesses and they tried to complain on site but got the message from the coppers to move on. Anyway, 3 motorbikes were damaged and the drivers did have some bruises.

Once I was stopped just outside Chonburi. I just passed a truck and another truck was coming up in a hundred meters or so. So, I kept on the right lane in order to pass the other truck. Behind me no traffic.

Just after a bend in the road there he was, Mr. BiB. He stopped me and started talking about driving in the wrong lane and that if I'd like to pass trucks I should do that on the left side. Left side?

I asked again: Pass on the left side or the right side? He sais: Left side.

OK sorry, I'll do that next time and grabbed for my wallet and asked: how much?

In the meantime, he kept on going for the correct way of passing a truck and I asked again: How much?

After a few minutes of moaning he said: "Bpai, bpai!!" and he let me go without receiving any lunch money.

I thought that I didn't understand it all, but he understood less.

[LeCharivari]

I stop every time. I have never been fined except when I was in the wrong.

Ditto - except I have never been stopped when in the wrong on a bike, so never been fined on one or even asked for money (and I've been living here riding everything from "big bikes", to scooters, to a Retro and sidecar, for nearly 20 years).

There are plenty of wannabe/opportunist checkpoints around, particularly in Pattaya recently , but they don't need to fine anyone who is legal - there are enough people around, farang and Thai, who obviously aren't legal so there is little point in their wasting their time with those who are.

Bear in mind that what some people say they do and what they actually do may not always be the same thing.

[LeCharivari]

As for the "unconfirmed reports of police using big bikes, possibly volunteers, possibly foreign, to chase down checkpoint runners", well as these pricks have no powers of arrest, what are they going to do? Point their finger at you? Use harsh language? Spit the dummy if you don't stop?

Well, they'd certainly "spit the dummy" if they were stupid enough to try it and they were involved in an accident as they'd very quickly discover that they weren't covered by any sort of insurance, including 3rd party (even though the person they were chasing may be, even if they were breaking the law).

Not that having no police powers or authority makes much difference to some of the Walt's ....

[Happysiam]

Thank you everyone for writing on this thread...i would also like to say (as most of you know already) that they love to set up "ilegal stops" at the beginning of each month, thats when we all get paid. The check points seem to increase drastically aorund this time.....maybe we should all say here where they love to "set up shop". For what i know is..

1.- Sukhumvit :between thing lo and ekkamai (always)

2.- Sukhumvit : between thong lo and Phrom Pong bts (always, usually after 6pm)

Well, actaully, all over sukhumvit!!!!

Ans some one post it about "the annoying cops in america etc"..... as a car and bike owner there, i can tell you that i never been through a check point in the middle af any street, if they stopped me , it was cause i was breaking the law. Do the same here, stop me if i am breaking the law, not because i want to go get street thai food and u feel like you want some food too!!!!!

[Happysiam]

ALL IN ALL, ONE MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN IN THE U.S. WHERE ALL THE COPS ARE A BUNCH OF FASCIST <deleted>.

Just like in Italy, bloody police state!

Gotta agree there. We give the Thai police shit but when it comes to traffic policing, well, there's no way I'd ride in the U.K. like I ride here. They'll call out a FLIR-equipped helicopter out on your ass!

Why don't they don't just write down the registration number and send the fine home? Too much paperwork?

As I said before, only if something's in it for them. Better to wait for the next 200Bt to come along.

Though this reminds me of a funny story from the U.K.

A speed camera had recorded a biker travelling at well over the speed limit, photographed his number plate and an automatic fine about 50UK pounds, as well as the photographed evidence of his speeding was mailed to the offenders house.

The biker, being a bit of a smart-arse, sends a photograph of 50 pounds in the return envelope to the police.

A week or so later, the biker receives another letter from the police. In it is a photograph of a pair of handcuffs.

The biker sends a cheque for 50 pounds by return post.

And has anyone seen "RusticCharm's" helmet dent from a baton??? its pretty neat!

[englishinsiam]

The only time i was fined was before I got my Thai licence.

In fact I was pulled up at the bottom of my road reently because the BIB knew I had a Thai licence and he was struggling to explain what an American he pulled needed. And wanted to show him my licence.

I don't understand the Thais that have no licences, it's so easy to get even for us 'farang' why bother risking the fines?

And of course drive without a licence and your insurance is automatically null and void.

[jdinasia]

I stop every time. I have never been fined except when I was in the wrong.

Ditto - except I have never been stopped when in the wrong on a bike, so never been fined on one or even asked for money (and I've been living here riding everything from "big bikes", to scooters, to a Retro and sidecar, for nearly 20 years).

There are plenty of wannabe/opportunist checkpoints around, particularly in Pattaya recently , but they don't need to fine anyone who is legal - there are enough people around, farang and Thai, who obviously aren't legal so there is little point in their wasting their time with those who are.

Bear in mind that what some people say they do and what they actually do may not always be the same thing.

I used to regularly get stopped in Patong (Phuket) and as soon as I showed my DL was waved on ....

I have gotten tickets in BKK (riding a motorcycle in the middle lane, using a restricted bridge, and turning from the wrong lane) and once in Chiang Mai (no Helmet) ... I have literally been stopped 100's of times on top of that but only for a bike/dl/registration check and never been asked to pony up anything.

[KRS1]

I've been known to stop and bust a U and go in reverse direction on the sidewalk when im drunk....3 times now actually.

[13budgies]

I agree with katabeachbums assessment. Too many stories of police impersonators to risk it. At any rate, I always stop and have only had to pay (proper ticket, not tea money) once when I had to make an unsceduled trip to Patong and didn't have my helmet.

Police checkpoints are in interesting phenomenon. I have to wonder if one is actually required to stop at them. Judging my the lack of interest in pursuing U-turners, or as is popular at the Karon checkpoint, a handful of bikes and salors sitting 150m just waitinng out the checkpoint.

Back home the idea of a roadblock in order to check licenses, search person and vehicle would be abhorrent. You would own the cops and half the city they work in. (Not counting DUI checkpoints which are part of the agreement you sign for when you get a DL. And at those checkpoints cops can't demand ID, license or search you without cause. They can only quickly sniff for alcohol, visually asses driver for sobriety, and scan visible portions of the cars interior. Cops actually have to work to catch bad guys.)

I even heard of people getting hit on the back with something for not stopping....

Yeah, like a bullet. There was a Thai guy that was shot in the back and killed by a rookie cop for running a checkpoint a couple years ago. There are other reports of traffic cones being thrown in front bikes that try to flee.

There are unconfirmed reports of police using big bikes, possibly volunteers, possibly foreign, to chase down checkpoint runners. I look forward to seeing Tony's video again, which should be along any time.

Yes, I can't get enough of Big Mouth BKK's egotistical crap either.

I do sometimes lie, though.

[Garry]

most drug arrests are bike riders, just read up on arrest stats. However not yet seen any Ducatis or kwakers

I'm generally carrying lots of titanium & carbon fiber, is that prohibitive material

[BSJ]

When my CBR250r can out run a bullet, thats when I will speed on past the BIB. until then it's stop and be nice to the greedy man with the gun.

[kandahar]

It sounds like you guys in the south have lots of BIB wanting to take 200 baht off of you. Up here in the north, I have never run into that. They set up some checks now and then but they never ask me for anything. Actually, my experience and that of most of my friends is that when they see we are foreign, they just want us to move on, quickly.

I don't dodge them. Actually, I always make a point of stopping and handing them my wife's business cards, even if they don't wave for me to stop. She sells motorcycle gear and we get some of the cops in the shop now and then because of the checkpoint encounters.

I have never paid a fine in Thailand. Most people I know up here haven't. The cops here just don't want to deal with non-Thai speaking people.

[villagefarang]

We have a long drive to town so come across checkpoints regularly. Since it is the same group at the roving stops and the local cops at the permanent stops, it would do no good to try evading them. They would just see you again on another day.

Stop once, have a little chat, make friends and from then on it is real easy. On the bike or in the truck they remember and say hello. But then again Chiang Rai is not Bangkok.

[Garry]

It sounds like you guys in the south have lots of BIB wanting to take 200 baht off of you. Up here in the north, I have never run into that. They set up some checks now and then but they never ask me for anything. Actually, my experience and that of most of my friends is that when they see we are foreign, they just want us to move on, quickly.

I don't dodge them. Actually, I always make a point of stopping and handing them my wife's business cards, even if they don't wave for me to stop. She sells motorcycle gear and we get some of the cops in the shop now and then because of the checkpoint encounters.

I have never paid a fine in Thailand. Most people I know up here haven't. The cops here just don't want to deal with non-Thai speaking people.

I agree with you KD; my riding buddies and myself are definitely used to the scenario you mentioned. We've been through various check points between CR - CM, CR - Mai Sae, CR - Lampang etc over the years and we've always stopped, had a pleasant interaction, showed our Thai licenses and we're on our way. Showing the Thai license always gets a 'very good' or 'good good' from them. The most typical question is where are we going. Always tell them the truth, out for a ride to such and such. Okay have fun. I have never been pulled over in CR city. Been waved through a bunch of stops, but they were after non-helmted riders and the like. All the easy targets.

I think I'll avoid the southern runs

Edited July 13, 2011 by Garry

[smedly]

problem is that if it's your local area and a route you travel often especially if it's at a traffic light junction then it's best to stop especially if you have everything in order, eventually they will not bother with you, but if it's out of your turf then up to you, sometimes I like to stop just to hear the bullshit they come off with then proceed to tell them what I think or I just drive on and ignore them

[KRS1]

If I know I did something wrong i hand them a folded up 100 baht bill right under my license when i hand it to them. Never had a complaint !

I keep a folded 100 baht bill next to my license at all times.

[Happysiam]

Never heard of "volunteers" being present at the check point, who are they? I certainly have not seen any, I have seen some beat up old BMW police bikes they have, but "volunteers" chasing you? what if i have an open road, would they dare to chase? that would be funny...

Police: "Stupid lizard didnt stop!!"

Police:" go get him volunteer, thats why you are here for,leow leow!!!"

Volunteer: "ok! finally some action!"

Volunteer comes back 2 minutes later and says to police" sorry man, he hit 275km...i was scared, dam_n track riders!"

Police: "you are useless you....wait, here comes another one, plus im hungry, lets get some money from him and get some lunch...."

yeah....those track riders are crazy on the open road.....

[blunotes]

ALL IN ALL, ONE MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN IN THE U.S. WHERE ALL THE COPS ARE A BUNCH OF FASCIST <deleted>.

Just like in Italy, bloody police state!

That's why it's automatic for me to stop when flagged down. In Italy, if you don't stop, they chase you with everything they've got or at the very least write down your numberplate...and then it's big trouble.

How is it in Thailand then. Why don't they don't just write down the registration number and send the fine home? Too much paperwork?

No. Most of the policemen are from poor families of the Northeastern parts. The deal is, if you want to pay for the fines at the police stations, it would cost you 400-500 B in general. If you "donate" 200 B, that would cut all the troubles of going to the station. I don't even want to tell you how much those policemen take home in a month (You can have one good meal with a couple friends in the State). 200 B here and there under the driver's license, put some food on the table and buy school supplies for their children in most cases. Some of them just drink their asses off. That's why the number 200 B was never increase and always been that way. That's all.

[wantan]

No. Most of the policemen are from poor families of the Northeastern parts. The deal is, if you want to pay for the fines at the police stations, it would cost you 400-500 B in general. If you "donate" 200 B, that would cut all the troubles of going to the station. I don't even want to tell you how much those policemen take home in a month (You can have one good meal with a couple friends in the State). 200 B here and there under the driver's license, put some food on the table and buy school supplies for their children in most cases. Some of them just drink their asses off. That's why the number 200 B was never increase and always been that way. That's all.

Yes, we should take it like this and not blame the single policeman too much for doing such things. Both sides have a good deal with it. One side can pay the money for own children going to school, other side does not have to spend time with going to the policestation. Why doing risky escape things? For myself i am trying to stick to the traffic rules, keep my bike OK and always wear a helmet. Doing it like this i had no trouble until now

[BigBikeBKK]

No. Most of the policemen are from poor families of the Northeastern parts. The deal is, if you want to pay for the fines at the police stations, it would cost you 400-500 B in general. If you "donate" 200 B, that would cut all the troubles of going to the station. I don't even want to tell you how much those policemen take home in a month (You can have one good meal with a couple friends in the State). 200 B here and there under the driver's license, put some food on the table and buy school supplies for their children in most cases. Some of them just drink their asses off. That's why the number 200 B was never increase and always been that way. That's all.

Yes, we should take it like this and not blame the single policeman too much for doing such things. Both sides have a good deal with it. One side can pay the money for own children going to school, other side does not have to spend time with going to the policestation. Why doing risky escape things? For myself i am trying to stick to the traffic rules, keep my bike OK and always wear a helmet. Doing it like this i had no trouble until now

I'm guessing you don't live in Bangkok?

It should be noted that the severity of police corruption varies from location to location. I have NEVER had a problem with Thai traffic police up north but in Bangkok and Pattaya they are, as a general rule, incredibly greedy and corrupt.

Anyone disagree?

[wantan]

It should be noted that the severity of police corruption varies from location to location. I have NEVER had a problem with Thai traffic police up north but in Bangkok and Pattaya they are, as a general rule, incredibly greedy and corrupt.

Anyone disagree?

Yes, i disagree, as i don't like generalisation and denigration.

[BigBikeBKK]

It should be noted that the severity of police corruption varies from location to location. I have NEVER had a problem with Thai traffic police up north but in Bangkok and Pattaya they are, as a general rule, incredibly greedy and corrupt.

Anyone disagree?

Yes, i disagree, as i don't like generalisation and denigration.

So, I guess you do NOT live or ride in Bangkok, then?

BTW, I qualified my statement and said "in general", but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

Happy Trails!

T

[thaicbr]

It should be noted that the severity of police corruption varies from location to location. I have NEVER had a problem with Thai traffic police up north but in Bangkok and Pattaya they are, as a general rule, incredibly greedy and corrupt.

Anyone disagree?

Yes, i disagree, as i don't like generalisation and denigration.

So, I guess you do NOT live or ride in Bangkok, then?

BTW, I qualified my statement and said "in general", but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

Happy Trails!

T

Maybe he did not understand what you wrote... He has admitted to a problem with understanding plain English

[BigBikeBKK]

It should be noted that the severity of police corruption varies from location to location. I have NEVER had a problem with Thai traffic police up north but in Bangkok and Pattaya they are, as a general rule, incredibly greedy and corrupt.

Anyone disagree?

Yes, i disagree, as i don't like generalisation and denigration.

So, I guess you do NOT live or ride in Bangkok, then?

BTW, I qualified my statement and said "in general", but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

Happy Trails!

T

Maybe he did not understand what you wrote... He has admitted to a problem with understanding plain English

Aye, but he certainly had the "denigration" part down pat in that other thread that the mods cleaned up...

[homeslice]

I have been stopped several times for doing something wrong, and for tea money. When I can I just keep looking straight ahead and keep driving, it works about fifty percent of the time.

I did make a great discovery, use it if you need to. I was leaving Patong heading north and was warned by riders coming the other way of a check point. I didn't have a license then. I got off the bike and waited a bit where they couldn't see me. When my patients ran out, I walked the bike through the checkpoint. They didn't bother me at all. When I was 100 meters up the road, in full view of the bib I got on and drove off. Sometimes i wonder about these boys.

[katabeachbum]

No. Most of the policemen are from poor families of the Northeastern parts. The deal is, if you want to pay for the fines at the police stations, it would cost you 400-500 B in general. If you "donate" 200 B, that would cut all the troubles of going to the station. I don't even want to tell you how much those policemen take home in a month (You can have one good meal with a couple friends in the State). 200 B here and there under the driver's license, put some food on the table and buy school supplies for their children in most cases. Some of them just drink their asses off. That's why the number 200 B was never increase and always been that way. That's all.

Yes, we should take it like this and not blame the single policeman too much for doing such things. Both sides have a good deal with it. One side can pay the money for own children going to school, other side does not have to spend time with going to the policestation. Why doing risky escape things? For myself i am trying to stick to the traffic rules, keep my bike OK and always wear a helmet. Doing it like this i had no trouble until now

so you are always in the left lane and never above 90kmh and of course you have a Thai DL

[katabeachbum]

No. Most of the policemen are from poor families of the Northeastern parts. The deal is, if you want to pay for the fines at the police stations, it would cost you 400-500 B in general. If you "donate" 200 B, that would cut all the troubles of going to the station. I don't even want to tell you how much those policemen take home in a month (You can have one good meal with a couple friends in the State). 200 B here and there under the driver's license, put some food on the table and buy school supplies for their children in most cases. Some of them just drink their asses off. That's why the number 200 B was never increase and always been that way. That's all.

Yes, we should take it like this and not blame the single policeman too much for doing such things. Both sides have a good deal with it. One side can pay the money for own children going to school, other side does not have to spend time with going to the policestation. Why doing risky escape things? For myself i am trying to stick to the traffic rules, keep my bike OK and always wear a helmet. Doing it like this i had no trouble until now

I'm guessing you don't live in Bangkok?

It should be noted that the severity of police corruption varies from location to location. I have NEVER had a problem with Thai traffic police up north but in Bangkok and Pattaya they are, as a general rule, incredibly greedy and corrupt.

Anyone disagree?

If you cover enough Highways, one or two digits, you find them all over the country. Averaged 50k km/year Highways past 8 years, and the boys with papermask, sunglasses and no ID are all over the country

Except for Phuket, almost no Highways