Do Pickups Have Problems With Police?

[wandrinstar]

Think Nans started early on the Christmas Pop.

[Soboringtochooseaname]

Cheap cars always are easy targets.

[KruJoe]

We have a smart-looking 15 year old Chiang Mai registered Volvo saloon (certainly not cheap by UK standards but much better value here than most other makes). We just arrived back north from a road trip to Pangnga and Krabi in the south, and visiting family around BKK. We were stopped THREE TIMES within 10 days!

Admittedly twice were at the speed-check trap in Tak, where they claimed we were doing 139km/h going south then 142km/h coming home. We were watching the speedo carefully, so I'm unsure how well "calibrated" their equipment is... All they could show us was a number written in Biro on a piece of paper. The first time we accepted it and were on our way 100B lighter, the second time my TW argued the toss, they agreed to disagree and promised to send a photograph and a bill to her address. We'll see what happens there.

We stopped up the road for gas, the staff told us the trap on the northbound side is there almost 24/7, but we were unlucky to be caught southbound too. So be warned, keep it well under the 120 on Route 1 in Tak!

The other time we were pulled in was at one of those "slow down and wind the window down" bottlenecks.

I have driven through hundreds over the years, usually we were waved on as soon as they saw a white face at the wheel. This time we were probably around Chumporn down south, a long way from home. The BIB were polite, jovial and friendly enough, but had a really good root around, and quizzed us for five mins before being sent on our way. My wife says at these checkpoints they will be looking for the vehicles about which they have have specific information in relation to drug running etc. So they were probably looking for a big grey saloon car at that time. If they're after a gold Vigo, and you're driving one, you'll be stopped. If not, you'll be on your way, unless they can hit you up for something else that doesn't look right to them that day...

[wandrinstar]

Druggie Reg..Old Banger.

[mortenaa]

I guess your assumption is correct..

I used to drive a Honda Civic, and was regulary stopped, both in BKK and on road trips in other provinces. I found it pretty annoying. For the last (almost) three years I have been driving a BMW 3-series, and only been stopped once, for speeding. At Check-points im always allowed to pass. I just had a road trip from BKK - Chiang Mai - Pai - Chiang Rai - Phrae - BKK. Passed a zillion check-points and never stopped. Uwsume!

Edited January 1, 2012 by mortenaa

[graeme72]

It’s been mentioned earlier in the thread. Pickups in my area near the border tend to be checked more than other vehicles usually when intelligence has been received of stuff being transported. I’ve heard this from a number of local sources in the know. Various methods are used by the plod to hide the fact they’re on the lookout.

A classic example of this was a few weeks ago when my radar detector warned me of radar. I slowed while the other 2 SUVs traveling at 140 went through the trap at that speed. The road block about a km up the road waved us all through. Only pickups traveling well within the speed limit were pulled over and searched.

Hello Farma, what radar detector do you use, and do you know what radar bands (frequencies) they use here ?

[Farma]

^ Whistler Pro 78SE

X, K, Ka, and Super Wideband Ka Detection, 360° Protection against all types of Laser, Instant-On (Pulse) Detection, Detects POP Mode, Ka MAX Mode

I've used it in a few countries now. The ones i encounter in Thailand are K or KA band. I haven't taken much notice. I hear the thing sound then quickly check my speed. It picks them up well before I see them. I don't necessarily speed but it's nice to have advance warning.

As mentioned earlier in the thread it can be annoying in built up areas where you have 7-11's and other shops with automatic doors. They operate on K band.

[dezy1801]

I used to get pulled over on the motorway from SriRacha to Pattaya as I was in the fast lane overtaking, I was a little confused and asked him where was I supposed to go sit in the inside lane at 80kph he just looked at me and said no pickups on outside. Thats in not bad as only been stopped 3 times all were in Pickup.

Maybe better to undertake.

[NanLaew]

^ Whistler Pro 78SE

X, K, Ka, and Super Wideband Ka Detection, 360° Protection against all types of Laser, Instant-On (Pulse) Detection, Detects POP Mode, Ka MAX Mode

I've used it in a few countries now. The ones i encounter in Thailand are K or KA band. I haven't taken much notice. I hear the thing sound then quickly check my speed. It picks them up well before I see them. I don't necessarily speed but it's nice to have advance warning.

As mentioned earlier in the thread it can be annoying in built up areas where you have 7-11's and other shops with automatic doors. They operate on K band.

Yes, well the only band you need to worry about in Thailand is the BS band.

We did our round-trip, radar detector on and chirping happily away at passing microwave towers... no radar traps, no police checks, no worries. I will put it back in the glovebox.

[NanLaew]

We have a smart-looking 15 year old Chiang Mai registered Volvo saloon (certainly not cheap by UK standards but much better value here than most other makes). We just arrived back north from a road trip to Pangnga and Krabi in the south, and visiting family around BKK. We were stopped THREE TIMES within 10 days!

Admittedly twice were at the speed-check trap in Tak, where they claimed we were doing 139km/h going south then 142km/h coming home. We were watching the speedo carefully, so I'm unsure how well "calibrated" their equipment is... All they could show us was a number written in Biro on a piece of paper. The first time we accepted it and were on our way 100B lighter, the second time my TW argued the toss, they agreed to disagree and promised to send a photograph and a bill to her address. We'll see what happens there.

We stopped up the road for gas, the staff told us the trap on the northbound side is there almost 24/7, but we were unlucky to be caught southbound too. So be warned, keep it well under the 120 on Route 1 in Tak!

...

Now THAT is defo a BS band radar trap. I mean 142km/h in a 15 year-old Volvo? Maybe the Tak Highway Patrol are getting confused with Saab and thought you were a Grippen. Volvo just makes metal boxes.

[naboo]

....... All they could show us was a number written in Biro on a piece of paper. The first time we accepted it and were on our way 100B lighter, the second time my TW argued the toss, they agreed to disagree and promised to send a photograph and a bill to her address. We'll see what happens there.

We stopped up the road for gas, the staff told us the trap on the northbound side is there almost 24/7, but we were unlucky to be caught southbound too. So be warned, keep it well under the 120 on Route 1 in Tak!

Yes, best to even keep it below the speed limit of 90kph. 120kph is only for the tollways in Bangkok.

[katabeachbum]

^ Whistler Pro 78SE

X, K, Ka, and Super Wideband Ka Detection, 360° Protection against all types of Laser, Instant-On (Pulse) Detection, Detects POP Mode, Ka MAX Mode

I've used it in a few countries now. The ones i encounter in Thailand are K or KA band. I haven't taken much notice. I hear the thing sound then quickly check my speed. It picks them up well before I see them. I don't necessarily speed but it's nice to have advance warning.

As mentioned earlier in the thread it can be annoying in built up areas where you have 7-11's and other shops with automatic doors. They operate on K band.

Yes, well the only band you need to worry about in Thailand is the BS band.

We did our round-trip, radar detector on and chirping happily away at passing microwave towers... no radar traps, no police checks, no worries. I will put it back in the glovebox.

od info, during my 9 years and +480.000km on TH roads, every +1500km trip there has been at least one radar or laser check point. In addition the speed cameras on expressways

[Tanaka]

There is nothing in the law saying you cannot overtake in the outer lane in a pickup.

As for red plates on a pickup. The regulation stipulates that you are not allowed to carry any load in the back. Except people!! And you are not allowed to drive outside your province.

[katabeachbum]

There is nothing in the law saying you cannot overtake in the outer lane in a pickup.

As for red plates on a pickup. The regulation stipulates that you are not allowed to carry any load in the back. Except people!! And you are not allowed to drive outside your province.

legally redplated vehicles can go anywhere in the country, and they can carry load

[NanLaew]

There is nothing in the law saying you cannot overtake in the outer lane in a pickup.

As for red plates on a pickup. The regulation stipulates that you are not allowed to carry any load in the back. Except people!! And you are not allowed to drive outside your province.

legally redplated vehicles can go anywhere in the country, and they can carry load

Just not (supposedly) between 6pm and 6am. I have been both 'ticketed' and waved through while driving red-plated vehicles of different types from different provinces at night in Bangkok and the boonies. All depends on the Highway Patrol's needs at the time and sod all to do with any laws.

Oh yes, and ALL trips must be entered in the brown log book that comes with the red plates; or else that's additional revenue going towards them buying the latest BS-band radar toy... and noodles.

Edited January 9, 2012 by NanLaew

[katabeachbum]

There is nothing in the law saying you cannot overtake in the outer lane in a pickup.

As for red plates on a pickup. The regulation stipulates that you are not allowed to carry any load in the back. Except people!! And you are not allowed to drive outside your province.

legally redplated vehicles can go anywhere in the country, and they can carry load

Just not (supposedly) between 6pm and 6am. I have been both 'ticketed' and waved through while driving red-plated vehicles of different types from different provinces at night in Bangkok and the boonies. All depends on the Highway Patrol's needs at the time and sod all to do with any laws.

Oh yes, and ALL trips must be entered in the brown log book that comes with the red plates; or else that's additional revenue going towards them buying the latest BS-band radar toy... and noodles.

a trip logged is legal 24 hour, out of province, since 2009 as i recall

[transam]

We have a smart-looking 15 year old Chiang Mai registered Volvo saloon (certainly not cheap by UK standards but much better value here than most other makes). We just arrived back north from a road trip to Pangnga and Krabi in the south, and visiting family around BKK. We were stopped THREE TIMES within 10 days!

Admittedly twice were at the speed-check trap in Tak, where they claimed we were doing 139km/h going south then 142km/h coming home. We were watching the speedo carefully, so I'm unsure how well "calibrated" their equipment is... All they could show us was a number written in Biro on a piece of paper. The first time we accepted it and were on our way 100B lighter, the second time my TW argued the toss, they agreed to disagree and promised to send a photograph and a bill to her address. We'll see what happens there.

We stopped up the road for gas, the staff told us the trap on the northbound side is there almost 24/7, but we were unlucky to be caught southbound too. So be warned, keep it well under the 120 on Route 1 in Tak!

...

Now THAT is defo a BS band radar trap. I mean 142km/h in a 15 year-old Volvo? Maybe the Tak Highway Patrol are getting confused with Saab and thought you were a Grippen. Volvo just makes metal boxes.

Hmmmmmm, must disagree here, My 1988 Volvo V6 estate, which was 15 years old when l sold it and 200,000 miles on the clock was one of the most stable motor in all conditions l have ever owned and it just loved cruising at 100 mph.

[samsiam]

Pickups with those stainless steel sides so you can fit in a higher load and also up over the cabin...they require a permit for that addition....they get stopped a lot to check such permits and if not current etc...they make for a good cashflow.

[mogandave]

I go to Bangkok just about every week, and I haven’t gotten stopped in a good while. When I do get pulled over I just pay (after a little haggling, low-ball first) and move on, but I never feign innocence as I think it just pisses them off and I don’t see much point in going to “court” to save a few dollars. Of course the not being stopped in a while will probably change with this post…

.

[katabeachbum]

We have a smart-looking 15 year old Chiang Mai registered Volvo saloon (certainly not cheap by UK standards but much better value here than most other makes). We just arrived back north from a road trip to Pangnga and Krabi in the south, and visiting family around BKK. We were stopped THREE TIMES within 10 days!

Admittedly twice were at the speed-check trap in Tak, where they claimed we were doing 139km/h going south then 142km/h coming home. We were watching the speedo carefully, so I'm unsure how well "calibrated" their equipment is... All they could show us was a number written in Biro on a piece of paper. The first time we accepted it and were on our way 100B lighter, the second time my TW argued the toss, they agreed to disagree and promised to send a photograph and a bill to her address. We'll see what happens there.

We stopped up the road for gas, the staff told us the trap on the northbound side is there almost 24/7, but we were unlucky to be caught southbound too. So be warned, keep it well under the 120 on Route 1 in Tak!

...

Now THAT is defo a BS band radar trap. I mean 142km/h in a 15 year-old Volvo? Maybe the Tak Highway Patrol are getting confused with Saab and thought you were a Grippen. Volvo just makes metal boxes.

Hmmmmmm, must disagree here, My 1988 Volvo V6 estate, which was 15 years old when l sold it and 200,000 miles on the clock was one of the most stable motor in all conditions l have ever owned and it just loved cruising at 100 mph.

and its +20 years since it was replaced with an inline 6 twin turbo 290hp, so slow volvos are 40 years old

in 1989 or around there Volvo made an "Italian" engine, tax rules in several countries punished above 2000cc, so they turbo mated a 2,0 and found 200hp, at that time they (we) realised the lack of aerodynamic in 740 as windshield wipers left windshield at +200kmh at autobahn speed durability tests

slow volvos, sure

their new hybrid estates and suv are in the 350hp range

[transam]

We have a smart-looking 15 year old Chiang Mai registered Volvo saloon (certainly not cheap by UK standards but much better value here than most other makes). We just arrived back north from a road trip to Pangnga and Krabi in the south, and visiting family around BKK. We were stopped THREE TIMES within 10 days!

Admittedly twice were at the speed-check trap in Tak, where they claimed we were doing 139km/h going south then 142km/h coming home. We were watching the speedo carefully, so I'm unsure how well "calibrated" their equipment is... All they could show us was a number written in Biro on a piece of paper. The first time we accepted it and were on our way 100B lighter, the second time my TW argued the toss, they agreed to disagree and promised to send a photograph and a bill to her address. We'll see what happens there.

We stopped up the road for gas, the staff told us the trap on the northbound side is there almost 24/7, but we were unlucky to be caught southbound too. So be warned, keep it well under the 120 on Route 1 in Tak!

...

Now THAT is defo a BS band radar trap. I mean 142km/h in a 15 year-old Volvo? Maybe the Tak Highway Patrol are getting confused with Saab and thought you were a Grippen. Volvo just makes metal boxes.

Hmmmmmm, must disagree here, My 1988 Volvo V6 estate, which was 15 years old when l sold it and 200,000 miles on the clock was one of the most stable motor in all conditions l have ever owned and it just loved cruising at 100 mph.

and its +20 years since it was replaced with an inline 6 twin turbo 290hp, so slow volvos are 40 years old

in 1989 or around there Volvo made an "Italian" engine, tax rules in several countries punished above 2000cc, so they turbo mated a 2,0 and found 200hp, at that time they (we) realised the lack of aerodynamic in 740 as windshield wipers left windshield at +200kmh at autobahn speed durability tests

slow volvos, sure

their new hybrid estates and suv are in the 350hp range

Good point, my 760 had the wiper arms half below the hood, 740 above. Went to a motor show in London many years back and asked why the wipers were now above the hood. Scratched heads, took my name and address to tell me why, nooooooooooo answer.

[NanLaew]

We have a smart-looking 15 year old Chiang Mai registered Volvo saloon (certainly not cheap by UK standards but much better value here than most other makes). We just arrived back north from a road trip to Pangnga and Krabi in the south, and visiting family around BKK. We were stopped THREE TIMES within 10 days! Admittedly twice were at the speed-check trap in Tak, where they claimed we were doing 139km/h going south then 142km/h coming home. We were watching the speedo carefully, so I'm unsure how well "calibrated" their equipment is... All they could show us was a number written in Biro on a piece of paper. The first time we accepted it and were on our way 100B lighter, the second time my TW argued the toss, they agreed to disagree and promised to send a photograph and a bill to her address. We'll see what happens there. We stopped up the road for gas, the staff told us the trap on the northbound side is there almost 24/7, but we were unlucky to be caught southbound too. So be warned, keep it well under the 120 on Route 1 in Tak! ...

Now THAT is defo a BS band radar trap. I mean 142km/h in a 15 year-old Volvo? Maybe the Tak Highway Patrol are getting confused with Saab and thought you were a Grippen. Volvo just makes metal boxes.

Hmmmmmm, must disagree here, My 1988 Volvo V6 estate, which was 15 years old when l sold it and 200,000 miles on the clock was one of the most stable motor in all conditions l have ever owned and it just loved cruising at 100 mph.

In Tak!!!??? Bugger me!!!

[NanLaew]

There is nothing in the law saying you cannot overtake in the outer lane in a pickup. As for red plates on a pickup. The regulation stipulates that you are not allowed to carry any load in the back. Except people!! And you are not allowed to drive outside your province.

legally redplated vehicles can go anywhere in the country, and they can carry load

Just not (supposedly) between 6pm and 6am. I have been both 'ticketed' and waved through while driving red-plated vehicles of different types from different provinces at night in Bangkok and the boonies. All depends on the Highway Patrol's needs at the time and sod all to do with any laws. Oh yes, and ALL trips must be entered in the brown log book that comes with the red plates; or else that's additional revenue going towards them buying the latest BS-band radar toy... and noodles.

a trip logged is legal 24 hour, out of province, since 2009 as i recall

Indeed, but how many average HP plods know this... probably just as many average Thai drivers as well... and you and I. But I almost can see how that 'argument' unfolds at a police checkpoint a little after midnight in Nakhon Nowhere.