Police Stop/check

[Andy76]

Hi All,

Ok last night on 29th November I was driving my Thai GF's car home after having something to eat and get pulled over by police for inspection/search check.

During the search they found nothing but accused my GF for having drugs in the car when they were actually medication for headaches. Because I was driving they looked at my Passport (Tourist VISA) and driving licence. They wrote down some details and gave my GF a copy of the paperwork. They then withholded my UK Driving licence of which then I was requesting to be in my hands, but they refused. I then complained that I would make official complaint to UK Embassy of which they then negiotiated with my GF to take her Licences and return mine.

Question here is, what rights do I have and what rights to they have to take part of my ID? I know I got it back but I was so annoyed.

Andy

[Crossy]

AFAIK

They have NO right to hold your licence UNLESS an offence has been committed and a ticket issued, you get the licence back from the police station when you pay the fine. BUT this is Thailand, which is why I always hand over my (expired) Belgian ID card (I do have a Thai licence, use it for ID only).

Did your GF say why they wanted to keep your / her licence?

At all costs avoid getting mad with the cops, they can lock you up! Smile a lot, 'Good evening officer, what appears to be the problem?' just like you would in the UK.

Edited November 30, 2005 by Crossy

[Crossy]

Just read the OP again.

You got paperwork (or your GF did) implying an offence of some kind, I don't think you get a ticket for NOT doing anything wrong

Time to quiz your lady as to what the paper says you did, and how much you will have to pay to get her licence back.

[lopburi3]

If they wrote down "something" you have been charged with "something" and must appear at the responsible police station to clear/pay fine - if they did not find anything what were the pills? They normally do take your drivers licence and return at the police station. The paperwork they gave will cover you until you retrieve the licence. Thai use a national ID card for ID; not a drivers licence. For foreigners it is a passport. Don't see anything wrong in them expecting you to provide the licence you were using to drive with. You are aware a UK licence would most likely not be accepted by her insurance company and any claim could be denied. I would say you owe them one for accepting her licence; and that you should be aware some "headache" pills are treated as narcotic drugs. You might want to have that paperwork translated so you have some idea of what is being charged.

[Andy76]

Just read the OP again.

You got paperwork (or your GF did) implying an offence of some kind, I don't think you get a ticket for NOT doing anything wrong

Time to quiz your lady as to what the paper says you did, and how much you will have to pay to get her licence back.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

According to what my GF said lastnight after getting the paper, it was because her licence on the front window needs to be extended. She handed her Driving Licence or ID card to the police which she now has to pay 200 baht to get it back. No offence was taken but I was certainly annoyed that they would not give my licence back when they took all the details, I said "there is no reason what-so-ever to take my driving licence, you have no need for it." The police said "This is Thailand", I said " I don't care if it was timbuktoo, I want it back now" After complaining that I would make official complaint to UK Embassy he asked for her Licence and swapped it. I got mine back.

Andy

[Andy76]

You are aware a UK licence would most likely not be accepted by her insurance company and any claim could be denied.

How do I get around this then? Do I apply for something different? Do need another licence?

Andy

[Axel]

It's common in LoS that the police keeps your DL when issuing a ticket in your presence. They do not 'withdraw' but just 'retain' it and mark receipt in the ticket.

The idea behind, that you actually do go to the station to pay the fine.

And BTW, foreign licences are not legal in Thailand (although police does accept them often).

You can drive here as tourist/visitor for 90 days with an Intern. Driving permit together with your foreign licence or a Thai licence.

[bino]

You are aware a UK licence would most likely not be accepted by her insurance company and any claim could be denied.

How do I get around this then? Do I apply for something different? Do need another licence?

Andy

Lopburi is correct- a UK (or any other country) driving licence is not recognized by Thailand insurance companies. (The exception being "proper" rental companies like Budget, who pay a heavy insurance surcharge.)

Also agree- the cops let you go easily. Technically you were driving without a licence, and therefore without insurance.

You need a Thai driver's licence. It can be obtained from the Thai Land Transport Dept. on the basis of your UK licence. A forum search will provide all the info you need.

[Crossy]

You are aware a UK licence would most likely not be accepted by her insurance company and any claim could be denied.

How do I get around this then? Do I apply for something different? Do need another licence?

Andy

You need an International Driving Permit to drive in Thailand. Get it from the AA or RAC before you leave home. A UK licence is NOT valid for driving or as ID here.

As you have a tourist visa you cannot obtain a Thai licence (needs a non-immigrant visa).

It would appear that you either had expired road tax or insurance, in that case they would expect to hold your licence until you paid the fine. NORMAL PRACTICE in Thailand to encourage you to pay up.

Edited November 30, 2005 by Crossy

[lopburi3]

As said you need an IDP to go with the UK licence or obtain a non immigrant visa and then a Thai licence. Most good rental agencies dealing with tourists will have insurance to cover a foreign licence but when you drive other vehicles it becomes doubtful.

It appears your infraction is a minor overdue tax or insurance sticker so should not be a major problem and she should be able to sort it out. But another warning that in the event of an accident you go to jail if paperwork is not supportive and insurance backs you up. Let her do the driving (and close your eyes if need be).

[dannishgung]

I have been pulled over alltogether 5 times in the past. 3 of the times with small traffic offenses and 2 times without any apparent reasons. For the 3 traffic offenses, i got away with 200-300 bahts coffee money, 2 of the times the police asked me themselves to pay "penalty" to them so I don't need to go to police station, and the other time I offered the police "kin gafee" 200 bahts (drink coffee) and he happily took it and waved me away.

The other 2 times with no apparent reasons, I got off 1 time without hassel and the other time in Hat Yai the young police kid got interested in the Indonesian Garam cigaretts my friend passenger was smoking and he asked us to give him a few sticks and thanks us and waved us to go.

[george]

I always show my KFC Chicky Club Card.

[desmond]

I always show my KFC Chicky Club Card.

What has the KFC card got to do with the police ? I don't get you.

By the way, I was stopped once for beating the red light. I paid 100 bht and the guy in brown saluted me and waved me off. No need to argue with them if just 100 or 200 bht can solve the problem. Our time is worth more than that

[Tywais]

I always show my KFC Chicky Club Card.

What has the KFC card got to do with the police ? I don't get you.

George's sense of humour is sometimes subtle that's why he uses the to let you know it's a joke.

But in this case it's pretty darn obvious.

Edited February 12, 2006 by tywais