How Do I Deal With The Police And "Tickets"

[yougivemebaby]

I am staying about 100 km from Bangkok so it is nice to be able to go get some good cheese and Western food from time to time.

The two times I have driven myself into Bangkok I get pulled over EVERY time by a 'cop' sitting near a toll booth. Not the same toll booth either.

They make claims that I've been speeding or made an illegal turn, don't have the right license was going too slow. Then they say they will give me a ticket and hold on to my license for 15 days unless I pay my 'ticket' now.

They start off at one thousand baht then go into the well. the big police are here because the queen is coming or something like that. I will need two thousand baht or you will need to go to the police station to pay the ticket.

How do I deal with these guys and their tickets?

I thought about just keeping a couple hundred baht in view and telling them this is all that I have but how will that mull over with them?

I told them I didn't have the money last time and they said they would be happy to go to an ATM with me. I understand if I really was doing something illegal but I was VERY careful not to speed or do anything illegal.. I even got my international license to avoid any problems.

PLEASE HELP.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

First, if you are in Thailand over 30 days you need a Thai Driving License. This alone will keep many police away who are just trying for a quick buck from a tourest.

Many times I have done things wrong and know it, like going throught a red light and get stopped. OK this time out of a zillion I did not get cought, I pay up.

On the highway between Chiang Mai and BKK where I travel every few weeks, the is one area 50 km north of Tak that always has a check point. first time I was stopped, and I know my papers were not in order, I paid up. 500 Bt. I know the money did not go to the government, went for whiskey. they even told me so. I was mad so after that I made sure to have all my paperwork in order,, Insurance, copy of my book, Tags up to date, and my THAI license with me, I have been stopped a few times for bogas things and hold my ground, when they see I won't pay they go on to easier fish now

Most normal tickets they will sight you and you go pay at the police station, yes they hold your license, but you can still drive. I didn't go for 9 months one time to pick it up.

My father he had 20 international license made. When he got stopped he handed one over, said he would go to the police station, and never did, just pulled out another one .

Oh, and at toll booths, center lane they will not stop, just the outside ones . .

[Kwasaki]

200bht is usually tops, what did you pay the first time, and did you go to the atm with them the last time. ??

[Daffy D]

The only time, so far, that I got stopped the cop issued a ticket and kept my Thai driving license.

Told me I could still drive, just show the ticket and the fine could be paid at ANY post office and my license would be sent back to me. Which is what happened.

Just checked with the wife and she confirmed you do not have to go to any police station to get your license back, it can all be done by post.

Just send a postal order for the correct amount to the address on the back of your ticket within 7 days.

[richard_smith237]

Last time I got stopped I showed them my Thai licence (but refused to hand it over) - Once they have your licence you will have to pay to get it back !

I also refused to accept that I'd done anything wrong (they accused me of speeding but couldn't tell me the speed I was going).

I knew they were trying it on, they knew they were trying it on, once then knew I knew they were trying it on and that I was simply going to be stubborn (but polite) they waved me along.

Make sure you have all the correct documents. Know when you are in the wrong and when you are in the right. When in the wrong 1-200 baht should cover it. If you know you are in the right, refuse to pay, smile, be polite, don't loose your cool, but maintain a firm strength at the same time.... They usually get tired and wave you along.

[yougivemebaby]

First, if you are in Thailand over 30 days you need a Thai Driving License. This alone will keep many police away who are just trying for a quick buck from a tourest.

Many times I have done things wrong and know it, like going throught a red light and get stopped. OK this time out of a zillion I did not get cought, I pay up.

On the highway between Chiang Mai and BKK where I travel every few weeks, the is one area 50 km north of Tak that always has a check point. first time I was stopped, and I know my papers were not in order, I paid up. 500 Bt. I know the money did not go to the government, went for whiskey. they even told me so. I was mad so after that I made sure to have all my paperwork in order,, Insurance, copy of my book, Tags up to date, and my THAI license with me, I have been stopped a few times for bogas things and hold my ground, when they see I won't pay they go on to easier fish now

Most normal tickets they will sight you and you go pay at the police station, yes they hold your license, but you can still drive. I didn't go for 9 months one time to pick it up.

My father he had 20 international license made. When he got stopped he handed one over, said he would go to the police station, and never did, just pulled out another one .

Oh, and at toll booths, center lane they will not stop, just the outside ones . .

First, if you are in Thailand over 30 days you need a Thai Driving License. This alone will keep many police away who are just trying for a quick buck from a tourest.

Many times I have done things wrong and know it, like going throught a red light and get stopped. OK this time out of a zillion I did not get cought, I pay up.

On the highway between Chiang Mai and BKK where I travel every few weeks, the is one area 50 km north of Tak that always has a check point. first time I was stopped, and I know my papers were not in order, I paid up. 500 Bt. I know the money did not go to the government, went for whiskey. they even told me so. I was mad so after that I made sure to have all my paperwork in order,, Insurance, copy of my book, Tags up to date, and my THAI license with me, I have been stopped a few times for bogas things and hold my ground, when they see I won't pay they go on to easier fish now

Most normal tickets they will sight you and you go pay at the police station, yes they hold your license, but you can still drive. I didn't go for 9 months one time to pick it up.

My father he had 20 international license made. When he got stopped he handed one over, said he would go to the police station, and never did, just pulled out another one .

Oh, and at toll booths, center lane they will not stop, just the outside ones . .

Bahhahaha your father - a smart guy. Why didn't I think of that?

Where would I go about to get an international license? Yes I have a 1 year multi entry visa and I should have known I need a license. Now I do and will go get one. Any idea as to what else I will need for driving a rental car? Yeah those <deleted>#$ers piss me off when they're smiling asking for money. It will be nice to smile back and say every thing is in order .

Thank you for the tip to stay in the middle lanes. Now that I think about it. I was all the way to the left each time I got pulled over

[yougivemebaby]

You showed them, they physically tried taking it and you wouldn't let go?

Those guys give me the creeps. I won't lie. I know for a fact I was not speeding as I checked my speed when I passed the laser or whatever he was using.

I know now they are trying to squeeze milk from anyone they can. I could see they got a bone when they saw me. I can speak Thai a little bit so i'm not sure how this will work out when I refuse to pay song pan.

My Thai GF was with me and I told her. Ging Ging i was NOT speeding. I was going 80 kph and they said I was going 100.

Then they said something about not having a visa. I showed them my passport. Me Visaa kop.

I will play their game next time it's just such BS they do it every time they see a farang.

[Payboy]

Sounds like you dont have a Bangkok license plate on your vehicle.

[yougivemebaby]

Sounds like you dont have a Bangkok license plate on your vehicle.

The car I rented is from Pattaya. Does this raise flags for the police?

[Payboy]

Sounds like you dont have a Bangkok license plate on your vehicle.

The car I rented is from Pattaya. Does this raise flags for the police?

When you're stopped in Bangkok and the vehicle license plate is for another province, the cops know you wouldn't want to go back to Bangkok on another day just to pay a fine and pick-up your license.

[yougivemebaby]

Sounds like you dont have a Bangkok license plate on your vehicle.

The car I rented is from Pattaya. Does this raise flags for the police?

When you're stopped in Bangkok and the vehicle license plate is for another province, the cops know you wouldn't want to go back to Bangkok on another day just to pay a fine and pick-up your license.

I'll just roll with it next time. What you say makes perfect sense. They always ask where are you going? It's not for anything legal, they just want to know for their whiskey money. I'll tell my girlfriend to tell them we come to Bangkok two or three times a week so it won't be a problem to pick up my license. What a bunch of little fuc_kers. lol I think it might be fun to play some games with them. I don't have any money officer because I already put your kids and their kids through college.

[yougivemebaby]

Thank you everyone for your help. This is totally new to me. If I offered a real police officer money in a western country I would highly likely end up in jail. I've never considered doing it. Especially not with some kon thai with a gun and a smile!

[endure]

I'll just roll with it next time. What you say makes perfect sense. They always ask where are you going? It's not for anything legal, they just want to know for their whiskey money. I'll tell my girlfriend to tell them we come to Bangkok two or three times a week so it won't be a problem to pick up my license. What a bunch of little fuc_kers. lol I think it might be fun to play some games with them. I don't have any money officer because I already put your kids and their kids through college.

It's never 'fun' (or very sensible) to play games with the police especially when they're known not to obey their own laws. It just gives you grief and them a chance for even more paydays.

[raro]

Talk your way out of it. Works fine for me. Make something up. The more outrageous the better.

I once went into the police box to report my driving license stolen. When the cop who had it in his hands followed me in, I said that's him!! Arrest him! Must be a fake cop... called my wife, she gave the cop some rap and eventually they booted me out... didn't pay anything and got the license back.

Got a bunch of more stories like that...

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[KhaoNiaw]

I will play their game next time it's just such BS they do it every time they see a farang.

My impression is that they are actually less likely to pick on farangs, especially if you're alone and haven't got a Thai they can talk to.

If they're looking friendly, a bit of a chat and joke will probably see you on your way. This is often the case with the local police but my experience has been that the Highway Police are much more moody.

Don't pay 2,000. 200 should be enough and don't open your wallet. I was once scrabbling about for 20-baht notes and coins from the pockets in the car and the guy kind of hissed 'That's enough'. And walked off with a grand total of 67 baht.

[stevenl]

I have never been stopped without reason and never been fined outside of Phuket (where I live). And yes, have been driving on the highway a lot and also in other places, never a problem.

[necronx99]

I would say if you ever paid 1000 or 2000 your car and plate is indelibly burned into every cops mind as an easy payday...