Immigration Conduct Random 'Surprise' Drug Tests Of Foreigners On Sukhumvit Soi 3

[zzdocxx]

Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but for what drugs did they test?

Methamphetamine, THC, Opioids, Benzodiazepines, ? ? ? (Did I miss any?)

Presumably alcohol is legal, so that wouldn't matter.

Also, what will happen to those people?

Is it the same penalty as possession? Will they be deported? Tried on criminal charges?

Just wondering, thanks.

[mca]

I agree with your concept if they had also tested Thais but the article says selected foreigners. That is what got my back up.

Because they were immigration police. My Thai nephew in Khon Kaen has been tested a couple of times by the regular cops in the pubs.

[Colabamumbai]

I would refuse to allow a drug test on myself and see what the results would be for refusing on the matter of principle. I doubt that they could charge me with anything. Pretending that I do not speak Engish or Thai.

[meand]

What are your rights here as a tourist or worker? I wonder what would have happened if they resisted being tested. Sorry if covered already.

Edited June 30, 2012 by meand

[Sayonarax]

Bottom Line: These people accepted a Visa to visit the Kingdom and in so doing, agreed to abide by the law of the land. They were caught in violation of the law. Boo Hoo for them? NOT.

How hard it it to understand that?

Ok then, what are the laws regarding having drugs in your system? Are you charged with possession? How would that even be measured? Not saying the law doesn't exist, but if it's so easy to understand then I'm sure you can enlighten us, because it reeks "shakedown" to me with the excuse of "being tough" on drugs so simpletons like you will abide by their wrongdoings.

4 months in jail or sent to a rehab center, for testing positive.

[Colabamumbai]

Bottom Line: These people accepted a Visa to visit the Kingdom and in so doing, agreed to abide by the law of the land. They were caught in violation of the law. Boo Hoo for them? NOT.

How hard it it to understand that?

Ok then, what are the laws regarding having drugs in your system? Are you charged with possession? How would that even be measured? Not saying the law doesn't exist, but if it's so easy to understand then I'm sure you can enlighten us, because it reeks "shakedown" to me with the excuse of "being tough" on drugs so simpletons like you will abide by their wrongdoings.

4 months in jail or sent to a rehab center, for testing positive.

And for refusing the test would they still give you jail time?

[louse1953]

I wonder what the government wants to do .....kick out the tourists from the country ? There is no better way ..... Then in a few months they will come and cry that tourism is lower than last year ...with all those restrictions I wont be surprise .

No,they want to kick out the druggy's.What restrictions,i can run amok more here than Oz,without the fear of being arrested.

[louse1953]

What a joke! They should really be targeting taxi drivers, bus drivers, BTS operators, and MRT operators who pose a much greater risk while high on drugs, not someone walking the streets at night. Thailand is getting to be more anti-foreigner by the day. That's ok, because we are not stupid and we are looking elsewhere to spend our money.....I'm in the process of moving my money to Viet Nam

Hopefully you are going with your money,i'll just stay stupid.

[hhfarang]

Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but for what drugs did they test?

Methamphetamine, THC, Opioids, Benzodiazepines, ? ? ? (Did I miss any?)

Presumably alcohol is legal, so that wouldn't matter.

Also, what will happen to those people?

Is it the same penalty as possession? Will they be deported? Tried on criminal charges?

Just wondering, thanks.

I read on another forum that male impotence drugs like viagra (kamagra), etc., are actually illegal in Thailand even though you can buy them on the street and even at certain pharmacies in the lower Sukhumvit area.

Could this be one of the reasons for the 50% positive test rate?

[Martian]

You guys are real tools and should get out of the country...based upon your lack of acceptance of cultural differences between Thailand and your own home country. If you are complaining about foreigners being targeted by random drug tests, you're morons. First off, foreigners are guests of this country that are expected to comply with the statuatory laws and cultural morals of Thailand and if not, be ready to be asked to leave the country quite quickly. Secondly, why would anyone with any sense or intelligence expect the IMMIGRATION police to randomly check Thais? IMMIGRATION POLICE, doesn't that light the light bulb in your heads, no matter how dim it might be? Lastly, if you aren't doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about for the most part. No culture or country is perfect and if you're going to whine and complain about such an insignificant event, get the hell back to your own country and leave this relative paradise to the appreciative and respectful visitors and expats. Good riddance and don't let the plane door hit you in the ass.

Edited June 30, 2012 by Martian

[somtampet]

I wonder what the government wants to do .....kick out the tourists from the country ? There is no better way ..... Then in a few months they will come and cry that tourism is lower than last year ...with all those restrictions I wont be surprise .

are u for real.

THEY WANT TO KICK OUT DRUG USERS

[louse1953]

Ahh The hub of moralists...this must be why Thailand is in the state it is...MASSIVE YaBa YaIce problems in Thai Youth all must have been brought in by Europeans and not the PROTECTED rat runs into Thailand protected by some of Thailand finest and totally over seen by the very lot that round up foreigners on soi 3 for a pee test (clue GOV)...Amazing after decades of anti dr_g propaganda by the government that dr_g use is growing at a massive pace in Thailand ...LOL you could almost think is was planned that way.

Here's a clue; they want the youth messed up as they can control them better ...and as for the foreigners they want you to see who is in control of you while in this idiotic corrupt country (small c)

so many TV members dont have a clue as to what Thailand is all about & the hang em high are the funniest, must be time for another couple of thousand to be culled ehh!

So let us in on the secret terry.

[Colabamumbai]

Tramadol also sold under a variety of names at any pharmacy, opiod (opium) based drug for pain, take it regularly with broken shoulder. I wonder if this would show as narcotic in testing, although it is not a narcotic.

[jeffcool]

Thai authorities are very strict when it comes to drugs. One of the strictest in the world. They want to convey the message of a 0% tolerance to drugs in the kingdom.

You surely couldn't pay your way out of being caught with drugs, right?

Ho Ho Ho, still they are the biggest dealers in the kingdom.........

As for the low ranks that are "fighting" this "war"..... just request help from them by doubling their salary and you are home free......

[Colabamumbai]

Yaba has replaced heroin in the triangle. Easier to make, less expensive to make and does not have the bad moral implications that heroin does. Cheaper and breaks all social barriers, everyone can take it, without the stigma attached to heroin. The heroin is kept for export where it earns more money, the yaba for domestic use. 10 kilos of raw opium to make one kilo of heroin verses very little ephedrine to make kilos of yaba, priced from 50 bhat to 300 bhat a pill depending where you buy it.

[Cornichon88]

I agree with your concept if they had also tested Thais but the article says selected foreigners. That is what got my back up.

As far as the drugs go yes I agree they seemed to do a great job, well done to them.

As it was the Immigration police, why should they test the thai people ?

[Kilgore Trout]

You guys are real tools and should get out of the country...based upon your lack of acceptance of cultural differences between Thailand and your own home country. If you are complaining about foreigners being targeted by random drug tests, you're morons. First off, foreigners are guests of this country that are expected to comply with the statuatory laws and cultural morals of Thailand and if not, be ready to be asked to leave the country quite quickly. Secondly, why would anyone with any sense or intelligence expect the IMMIGRATION police to randomly check Thais? IMMIGRATION POLICE, doesn't that light the light bulb in your heads, no matter how dim it might be? Lastly, if you aren't doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about for the most part. No culture or country is perfect and if you're going to whine and complain about such an insignificant event, get the hell back to your own country and leave this relative paradise to the appreciative and respectful visitors and expats. Good riddance and don't let the plane door hit you in the ass.

As someone else stated is a real possibility resulting from this immoral, unethical (and most likely) illegal practice; I hope you are caught up in this and a picture of you is taken standing next to police waiting for a pee test. I hope the picture is then posted in the newspaper for your friends, family and co-workers to see, regardless if you test negative.

If you really understood this country and its people you wouldn't make such negative comments, Thais believe strongly in karma and most welcome foreign visitors and wish them to be safe and comfortable.

[candyman123]

THIS UNIVERSAL/INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS:

Article 2.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 6.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 12.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Lawful V's Legal:

Legal” looks more to the letter [form/appearance], and “Lawful” to the spirit, of the law. “Legal” is more appropriate for conformity to positive rules of law; “Lawful” for accord with ethical principle. “Legal” imports rather that the forms [appearances] of law are observed, that the proceeding is correct in method, that rules prescribed have been obeyed; “Lawful” that the right is actful in substance, that moral quality is secured. “Legal” is the antithesis of equitable, and the equivalent of constructive. 2 Abbott’s Law Dic. 24.

Now to my point:

When you are minding your own business and you haven't done any criminal act or not disturbing the peace also known as breach of the peace, a criminal offense that occurs when a person engages in some form of disorderly conduct, such as fighting or threatening to fight in public, causing excessively loud noise, by shouting, playing loud music, or even allowing a dog to bark for prolonged periods of time. When a person's words or conduct jeopardizes others right to peace and tranquility,

And you have been asked to by the Thai Police to give your name and or give a sample of a Pee test for the purpose of "RANDOM DRUG TESTING".

Your liberties have been revoked and you will have the right under the international law to ask the MR policemen if he is under oath in his duties to ask for such things to taker place..!

You have the right to refuse to give your name and the right to give any form of test for the purpose of random drug testing too. Why because you can refuse to consent of any of these things under section 50.

BASICLY IT IS WITHIN YOUR RIGHTS TO REMAIN SILENT AND REFUSE ANY DRUG TESTING

(remember they need to have strong evidence to suspect you are braking the law and they also need to explain the reason why they suspect you are doing this....but above all remain calm and think on your words when speaking to them)

Ady.

[mca]

^ Kind of hard to remain calm and think of your words if you're ripped to the tits and speaking to a Thai copper.

[Singlebarrel]

The concern here is not that the number of positives was so high, or that it is a known area for drug use, but the fact that this was carried out by the immigration bureau instead of the normal police narcotics squad.

If the area is known for drug use then the police should be looking into the supply of drugs in the area, and catching those, rather than specifically targeting the foreigners.

It would have been more acceptable if the police had done a full swoop on the area, including trying to pick up locals and drug sellers, and had the immigration bureau on hand in case any foreigners were caught up in the process.

The way in which this is portrayed, rightly or wrongly, is that foreigners, as opposed to locals, will be targeted during their stays in the country.

While I cannot condone in any way anyone acting against the laws of the country, racial profiling is not the way forward.

One person in this swoop was negative for drugs but was caught with not having a passport - an offense that I believe many non-Thais are guilty of in one way or another - there are instances where you leave your passport for safekeeping at a hotel or as guarantee for a rental, and therefore do not have the original with you - which would not be a good idea anyway given the levels of crime and theft now prevalent.

All foreigners could therefore, be caught in an immigration swoop at one time or another, and sanctions applied (deported), so if this is to be the normal operating procedure for the immigration bureau from now on, we may all be in trouble

Crobe

I agree...to get rid of drugs, find the dealers, whether Thai or foreigners..

[impulse]

BASICLY IT IS WITHIN YOUR RIGHTS TO REMAIN SILENT AND REFUSE ANY DRUG TESTING

Your rights are determined by the entities governing the little patch of land you happen to be occupying. On Soi 3, that's Thailand.

Between the East and the West, there is a fundamental difference in the rights of the individual vs the rights of society as a whole. The difference comes from 4,000+ years of history and culture. I'd suggest researching some of that history before making blanket statements about "rights".

I'll let others argue incessantly over whether the East or the West has the best system.

As for me, I'll obey the laws of the country I'm in and expected to be treated according to their laws and not the laws back home. If that means peeing in a cup, that's what I'll do.

By the way, someone please post back if they start testing foreigners at the Sunday Buffet at one of the big local hotels. I'm not too worried about getting tested in an area like Soi 3 because I avoid those areas during "peak hours" anyways.

Edited June 30, 2012 by impulse

[Semper]

Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but for what drugs did they test?

Methamphetamine, THC, Opioids, Benzodiazepines, ? ? ? (Did I miss any?)

Presumably alcohol is legal, so that wouldn't matter.

Also, what will happen to those people?

Is it the same penalty as possession? Will they be deported? Tried on criminal charges?

Just wondering, thanks.

I read on another forum that male impotence drugs like viagra (kamagra), etc., are actually illegal in Thailand even though you can buy them on the street and even at certain pharmacies in the lower Sukhumvit area.

Could this be one of the reasons for the 50% positive test rate?

Does 50% of tourists in Thailand have a libido problem?

[candyman123]

BASICLY IT IS WITHIN YOUR RIGHTS TO REMAIN SILENT AND REFUSE ANY DRUG TESTING

Your rights are determined by the entities governing the little patch of land you happen to be occupying. On Soi 3, that's Thailand.

Between the East and the West, there is a fundamental difference in the rights of the individual vs the rights of society as a whole. The difference comes from 4,000+ years of history and culture. I'd suggest researching some of that history before making blanket statements about "rights".

I'll let others argue incessantly over whether the East or the West has the best system.

As for me, I'll obey the laws of the country I'm in and expected to be treated according to their laws and not the laws back home. If that means peeing in a cup, that's what I'll do.

By the way, someone please post back if they start testing foreigners at the Sunday Buffet at one of the big local hotels. I'm not too worried about getting tested in an area like Soi 3 because I avoid those areas during "peak hours" anyways.

Now you are a good boy for pissing in their cup but may I remind you that there is the international law that Thailand are part of...! I do understand what you are saying,West V's East and would agree with that but sometime soon they will be knocking on your door when your eating your Sunday Roast .

[impulse]

...but sometime soon they will be knocking on your door when your eating your Sunday Roast .

And that's the day I'll leave Thailand. And I'll leave an innocent man because they won't find any illegal drugs in the test.

Until then, it seems announcing the results of testing a "random sample of 33 foreigners" from a street that has thousands of foreigners at any given time doesn't seem too onerous. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that the sample wasn't so random, given that almost half tested positive. Maybe they had the "random subjects" on their radar before they started?

Let me know if they deport anyone that tests negative....

And please point to a reference to that International Law that says countries can't test people randomly for drug use. Not some nebulous "protecting privacy", because privacy means different things in different cultures. Show us some some concrete treaty that says they are not allowed to do random drug tests of people in areas with a high incidence of drug use.

Edited June 30, 2012 by impulse

[jvs]

Candyman have you never been stopped in your homecountry and been checked for alcohol while driving?Also random i would think.

[Equalizer]

Fist of all i would like to tell you all that i have been pisstested in Pattaya ''It was negative'' however, the test they use can show positive results from combinations of perscription drugs also. In developed countries this test is used as an indicator. Then a series of blood tests follow. I do not beleive these tests are in the hands of competent people who understand the implications these tests results can show. Also these tests can pick up a substance injested 10 days prior. To get a true reading with blood tests and laborotory work would cost a lot of money. I can not see this country offering you this level of justice. You are more likely to spend years in jail or loose all your money. It is not the right thing to be doing. One day in the future this will back fire on them.

[candyman123]

Candyman have you never been stopped in your homecountry and been checked for alcohol while driving?Also random i would think.

Yes I have been stopped lots of times and no I wouldn't give my name or any details like address...why because I know the laws/or my lawful rights.

Try it sometime find out what your rights are when you next get stopped ask the officer if he would give his name and address to you? and if he is on Oath at the time of him stopping you.

PS you don't have to get out of your car aswell as content everything you feel is your right as lawful right.

Edited June 30, 2012 by candyman123

[jimbeam1]

Sorry if someone has already mentioned this as I haven't read all replies. But I wonder what drugs they tested for? As, if you go into a pharmacist with an ache, or a sniff, you come out with a fist full of pills?

jb1

[phl]

You guys are real tools and should get out of the country...based upon your lack of acceptance of cultural differences between Thailand and your own home country. If you are complaining about foreigners being targeted by random drug tests, you're morons. First off, foreigners are guests of this country that are expected to comply with the statuatory laws and cultural morals of Thailand and if not, be ready to be asked to leave the country quite quickly. Secondly, why would anyone with any sense or intelligence expect the IMMIGRATION police to randomly check Thais? IMMIGRATION POLICE, doesn't that light the light bulb in your heads, no matter how dim it might be? Lastly, if you aren't doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about for the most part. No culture or country is perfect and if you're going to whine and complain about such an insignificant event, get the hell back to your own country and leave this relative paradise to the appreciative and respectful visitors and expats. Good riddance and don't let the plane door hit you in the ass.

At first i thought it was sarcasm, but then realized how sad you really are

Please show me where in Thai culture/cultural moral it is stated that authority has the right to violate your basic human rights?

Then please show where it states that in Thai Law? the statutory law?

And when you failed to show 2 above, do show me where is it advertised or stated that "guests are subject to human rights violations"?

You are correct on one point though which is immigration does not pick out Thai's HOWEVER police units do that, though they do not do random piss tests in the middle of the streets.

They raid clubs and run tests there, they block certain roads and do checks there, but they certainly do not walk around the streets just picking random person to piss test.

I think its time you have a reality check

[candyman123]

One of my exsamples of how to play at there own game:

The court however did not concede without putting up a very vigorous fight… this is how events unfolded in the court room. and the names have been changed to company not the name of company myself as MR BLOG/ Adrian.

Judge: Can we first find out who is in the court… is MR BLOG in the court?

Me: Sir, I am third party representative for MR BLOG.

Judge: Are you MR BLOG?

Me: No sir, I am the third party representative for MR BLOG… you may address me as Ady.

Judge: I will not address you as Ady; I will call you MR BLOG.

Me: Sir, I am not MR BLOG, the court is required to address me as I request and I request that you address me as Ady. (NOTE – court protocol dictates that a defendant or respondent can be addressed the way they choose – the judge then referred to me as ‘the gentleman’ but avoided referring to me as MR BLOG).

Judge: If you are not MR BLOG then I will take note that MR BLOG is not represented in court.

Me: In that case sir, you will have to also note that the (company) is not represented in court. (NOTE – This would mean that the case would have to be dismissed, finding for the defendant, because the plaintiff had not appeared).

Judge: I can see that the (company) has representation in the court.

Me: Then you will have to acknowledge that MR BLOG has representation in the court. We are all equal in the eyes of the law… if (company) has third party representation then so does MR BLOG. The company is a corporation and so is MR BLOG.

Judge: MR BLOG is not a corporation.

Me: Yes it is.

Judge: No it isn’t, it is a PERSON.

Me: A PERSON is a corporation.

Judge: No it isn’t.

Me: Define a person.

Judge: I don’t have to.

Me: Then let me do it for you sir, A PERSON is a corporation (NOTE: This is defined in a law dictionary). Sir, are you familiar with the Cestui Que Vie Act of 1666?

Judge: I am familiar with many laws.

Me: Sir, I asked if you are familiar with the Cestui Que Vie Act of 1666, if you are not Sir, then with respect you are not competent to to judge in this matter and that gives rise to a claim of denial of due process.

Judge: Let’s hear from the company.

Me: Sir we can only move on to the companies presentation when the court has confirmed that MR BLOG is represented in court.

Judge: Fine.

And the case continued… with me ( Adrian) acting as third party representative for the legal fiction MR BLOG and with the judge eventually telling the company to go away and prove its case. The judge was obviously very keen to avoid a charge of denial of due process i.e. a challenge to his competence. It was much easier for him to side with me and pass the buck back to the council. Smart judge.

So what does this all mean? In very simple terms, it is SEISMIC i.e. extremely significant. It means that the court has accepted that the companies claim is against the legal fiction MR BLOG and not me, the flesh and blood man (Adrian) MR BLOG. The court has also accepted that I (Adrian) can act as a third party representative to defend the claim against MR BLOG.

although for me this is the FIFTH time I have achieved this in court). If the company goes on to win its case, then the court will find against the legal fiction MR BLOG, but significantly, they will not have found against me Adrian… because as the court agrees… MR BLOG is a corporation… which isn’t me. One important thing is now clearly established – I, Adrian, am not liable for anything.

Another thing never go inside the four corner of the witness box or where you speak the oath as you are open to all sorts of things and your rights are none.