The Thai Police

[chechoie]

I just posted something on the Pattaya Forum and mentioned the Thai Police.

This got me curious.

What experience have you guys had with the Thai Police?

Good, bad or indifferent?

How do the Bangkok Boys, (& Girls), compare with the Isaan Mob or the CM Crew or the Boys from Phuket.

Let’s leave the traffic piranhas out of it; I guess we have all suffered from them.

(Although, to be fair, whenever I’ve been pulled over, I have usually done something wrong and the “one the spot fine” seemed fair enough, and to be even more fair, the traffic cops around the Phimai area are gentlemen, (what am I saying!),

The fact that my old lady is a bit fearsome has probably got a lot to do with that.

I have only been involved with them, (Bangkok and Pattaya), on a couple or three occasions in the last 15 years, (seven living and working in the Kingdom and 3-4 visits a year for the rest).

I have always found the Thai Police ok, (believe it or not), nothing like the horror stories I have heard and read about.

(Please forgive me for not searching the forum for similar posts, but to tell the truth I just couldn’t be bothered).

[Neeranam]

I have a mixed experience. Usually when driving around upcountry and wearing my work clothes they stop, look and wave me on. Other times they have done me for next to nothing.

Being a farang is an advantage I think, not a disadvantage as I used to think.

In Bangkok it may be a disadvantage. When something more serious happens I've heard senior policemen advise their staff to be very careful how they treat the foriegner, as they are never sure how much cash you have or if you have friends from the Polo Club etc.

[Thaiboxer]

I was pulled over at an intersection last year because my front license tag had fallen off (shows you how old my car is). There were about six cops standing around one of those police boxes so there was no way I would try just handing the guy 100 baht. The cop who stopped me spoke only a couple words of English and I pretended to not know any Thai. He told me I would need to go to the local station, pay a fine and get my license back. The officer's boss came out from the police booth and spoke English with me. He told me to just get another plate for the car, shook my hand and let me get on my way. As another poster said; cops are often told to be careful how they treat foreigners or perhaps these guys were friendly to begin with.

Edited February 5, 2006 by Thaiboxer

[otherstuff1957]

I haven't had much contact with the police, but, on the rare occasions that I've talked to them I've found them to be always professional and often polite.

[chaiyapoon]

When I've been driven in a car with thai driver I have found they are very quick to offer to pay almost as the window is being wound down with no offence even mentioned .I saw one officer stop six pickups in a row and all handed over 100b as a offering to the coffee fund.Very little short of highway robbery!Speaking to a small business man who has several trucks;I was informed that tea money for a police pull for his vehicles is 1000b!Can't take too many of those.

[Oishi]

I have had some encounters...sounds like I am some sort of a criminal. So I rephrase that.

I can provide some stories regarding your topic…now that sounds like a job application…so forget that too…I will just skip this part….

It is Sunday so it will be a long post…..now you are warned…

First encounter

My first encounter with the police was at one of these check points they sometimes have.

I was in a Taxi and we where pulled over. First they where questioning the driver about something while flashing there lights around the cabin.

Then one of them opened my door and started to touch my legs and pockets until he saw I was a farang. He then went back quickly and saluted me, said he was sorry…in English. I made mistake have a nice day…and then he closed the door again. Went back and stopped the traffic so we could go again.

The good one

I knew a high ranking colonel from a district here around town. He was a funny guy and would love to make fun here and there.

I was walking home one day and someone hunked the horn at me, it was him and his chauffeur. They then stopped and said they would drive me home. The problem was they where driving one of the pickup police cars so one would have to sit in the back…the back had a small cage.

Now it would be silly to ask a high ranking colonel to sit there, and the other guy was driving so I volunteered.

When we arrived at the apartment where I stayed back then, all hel_l broke loose.

Many of the people who worked there where friends of mine, also most of the guards since I had once…one day volunteered to be a guard for 4 hours.

But when they saw me inside that cage and many of them didn’t like the police they started shouting at my police friend. Even my landlord a sweet guy with an MBA from a Uni somewhere in the US came out to shout at the two police guys. Do you know what you are doing? This is our friend and his embassy will be very mad with you?

I tried to shout to the 10 people involved in the "riot"….relax…relax it is a joke…but now one seemed to care…

I was “released” and everyone had a big laugh.

Another good guy

One of our employees had gone to a company where you could borrow money. Yes one of the legal ones. She where told to pay a deposit of 5000 baht and come back a week after. She did, but they told her, she couldnt borrow the money and that the 5000 baht was a payment for the service so far.

She was furious and so she came and told me the story. I didn’t have any good ideas, so we agreed that she should go to the police and try to get them, to go with her. We where both sure it wouldn’t help, so our back up was to use a lawyer.

She went to the police station and one guy went with her to the loan company. The police guy told them they had one option only, and that was to pay back the 5000 baht immediately. And so they did, she then asked the police guy how much he wanted for his trouble, but he refused saying it was part of his job, and that she wasn’t the first one...and then he drove back.

High so rules…

Back in the good old days before the restaurants, bars and clubs had to close at 2.00….or at least you could by some more time.

I was at a club with a lot of high so Thais and no other farangs than me.

At 2.30 two police guys on a motorcycle arrived at the scene.

They entered the club and negotiated with the club owner, the DJ dimmed the music and suddenly to spotlight where pointed at the two police guys and the owner and then it happened. The crowd started shouting at the police, get out you dogs, get out you dogs…and they quickly took the advice not even getting the 3000 baht the owner had prepared.

The bad one

You know how they sometime change the directions of the lanes in Bangkok?

I was in a Taxi, not driving myself and we where pulled over. You are crossing down a one way street, said the police guy to the Taxi driver. "Okay" Was the answer, and he then tried to give the police 300 baht. I just smiled and looked…well like a farang and the police guy said to the Taxi driver, not here, to much high so and a farang in the back. You can come to meet me outside the police station at 17.00.

The Ugly one

I was at a restaurant…sounds like this happens a lot….well anyway.

Closing time came and a really drunk police guy came to my table a mumbled a few words in Thai. He wanted to taste my beer, but I am not that kind of a guy that shares my beer with other guys…so I bought him a new one. He sad down and talked about his job, and I didn’t have to worry about anything, he would take care…actually before he arrived I wasn’t worried about anything. He then got up and “walked” to his police pick up, and I ask him if it was a good idea to drive in that condition…he answered “I have to; I still have to work 3 hours…”

The real bastard

We where home visiting our family. Another one of those small towns….well not even a town…

There had been some illegal activities in a house 500 meters from our home. A pit of card playing for a few bahts had taken place. The police had stormed the scene and everyone had been given a warning since all of the gamblers where above 60 years old. A week had past and no one in my family gambles so we didn’t really care.

At 22.00 we went back inside the living room and sat down on the floor…as we all do out east…my 2 nieces 11 and 12 years old, my sister in law, her husband and my mother and father in law…where all present and we where watching a Thai movie.

Then suddenly my sister in law screamed because she got scared by this guy that was in our kitchen…well everyone got scared. We then asked him who the f*** are you? And he would then call 3 other guys who all showed their police ID.

What do you want? Was our next question leaving the f*** out of our language for a second. We want to check this place for illegal gambling and then they started to look under the sink, in our sofa…until my mother in law..bless her…65 years old and not your average 50 kilo Thai…went over to the guy that seemed to be in charge and ask him for a search warrant…they didn’t bring it….well you can check these if you want to and she pulled up her shirt revealing everything and then pointed on the two small kids and said. Does this look like a casino to you? Get the f*** out of my house…and of they went…funny for a moment but sad because it just isn’t right to go trough peoples stuff like that.

The funniest one

There was a hostage situation a couple of years ago in the Burmese embassy

The Thai police would arrive on the scene, but they didn’t close the street, due to heavy traffic. So on one side your would have 40 police, then a lot of tourist walking, some locals selling pan cakes, lots of cars, and then on there other side, hostage and hostage takers with AK47’s what a scene.

Long story short, the hostages takers demanded a helicopter to fly them and the hostages to Burma. They arrived at the field where the helicopters was placed and went inside…for a couple of minutes…then the interior minister of Thailand came to…negotiate…well the took him too.

Then they opened the door and asked where the pilots where? And the police responded that they had only asked for a helicopter….not any pilots…so they waited and a pilot came…then they went off to Burma, got out…all the hostages and the interior minister could fly home to Thailand again…the police was happy and the government was very happy. No one died and all was solved in peace…until next days newspapers made the following announcement.

Dear Hostage takers and bank robbers,

Come to Thailand. We will give in, to all your demands.

We will provide you with a helicopter and pilot, and we will even throw in an interior minister as well, and then fly you back to where ever you came from.

[Johpa]

My personal interactions with Thai police have always been positive: they have always acted professionally, correctly, and with good humor. I also have a few friends who are Thai policeman who are good drinking buddies.

On the other hand I understand why my Thai neighbors are always deferential to Thai policeman, why they fear them, why they assume corruption, and why they understand that many a nak leng for hire and nak peun (gunmen) for hire are also Thai policeman. When a gunman is described in the newspapers as riding on the back of a motorcyle weraing a white t-shirt, khaki pants, black shoes, and sunglasses, most Thai readers get the point.

Thai police make for great casual friends but truly fearsome enemies. Caveat Emptor. Fortunately my wife's niece is a mia noi of a former head of the national police so I have one "get out of jail free card" that I hope to never need to use.

[daleyboy]

Cant say i have anything bad to say about them. I play pool and snooker with 10-15 of them on a regular basis when i am in Thailand. We play in a small snooker hall off Sukhumvit.

The only times i have been done for anything, i was doing something wrong and deserved the fines i got, they were for littering and not wearing a crash helmet, so i cant complain.

[thaibebop]

If there is one thing I have learned from all the posters here who live or visit often LOS, it's this:

Don't start none, won't be none.

[saeb]

Given their crap income and lack of resources to actually do what they want to do - they are o.k.

Sure, you get a bad egg in the basket - but generally they are decent human beings.

Just keep smiling.....................

[saeb]

The post below is absolute rubbish - please check your time line and refresh your memory.

The traffic was stopped outside the Burmese Embassy.

They had no AK's.

No-one was hurt.

No one outside the consulate saw the hostage takers, even when they were being ferried out.

There were three helicopters and they landed in with pilots. (surprise surprise).

A politico went with them and volunteered to do so to be assured that no 'extra judicial' harm may befall them.

Some of the hostages volunteered to ride with them in case of 'extra judicial' deaths.

It was a t.v. stunt. Walk up the street a little bit - OH -surprise, surprise, JUSTMAG SEASIA.

Really.......

There was a hostage situation a couple of years ago in the Burmese embassy

The Thai police would arrive on the scene, but they didn’t close the street, due to heavy traffic. So on one side your would have 40 police, then a lot of tourist walking, some locals selling pan cakes, lots of cars, and then on there other side, hostage and hostage takers with AK47’s what a scene.

Long story short, the hostages takers demanded a helicopter to fly them and the hostages to Burma. They arrived at the field where the helicopters was placed and went inside…for a couple of minutes…then the interior minister of Thailand came to…negotiate…well the took him too.

Then they opened the door and asked where the pilots where? And the police responded that they had only asked for a helicopter….not any pilots…so they waited and a pilot came…then they went off to Burma, got out…all the hostages and the interior minister could fly home to Thailand again…the police was happy and the government was very happy. No one died and all was solved in peace…until next days newspapers made the following announcement.

[Simbo]

Given their crap income and lack of resources to actually do what they want to do - they are o.k.

Sure, you get a bad egg in the basket - but generally they are decent human beings.

Just keep smiling.....................

Pardon me. Are you a born again christian, or living in cloud cuckoo land? They are all bent as nine bob notes. Thats why new recruits ar queuing up for a very low paid job. I would not call them if I was in trouble. In the past, they have just made things worse.

[Tippaporn]

I have cops for friends, so I can't complain.

A good friend of ours graduated from the Royal Police Academy back in July, 2004. March of 2005 he was shot dead in Narathiwat.

I've had traffic violations and it's always been when I've fcuked up, so I pay my contribution to the policeman's family and I'm on my way. Mai pen rai. Compared to the U.S. I'm thankful LOS works the way it does. I'd rather pay my fine to the cop than pay it to the government (not to mention the court dates, court costs, lawyers, driver's ed classes all day Saturday, etc.)

[Neeranam]

I have one Thai cop friend who studied at Scotland Yard about 50 years ago - believe it or not he is a millionaire and very honest(well for a cop).

[Artisan]

Given their crap income and lack of resources to actually do what they want to do - they are o.k.

Sure, you get a bad egg in the basket - but generally they are decent human beings.

Just keep smiling.....................

Pardon me. Are you a born again christian, or living in cloud cuckoo land? They are all bent as nine bob notes. Thats why new recruits ar queuing up for a very low paid job. I would not call them if I was in trouble. In the past, they have just made things worse.

Hi again Simbo, I'm not a born again Christian nor am I living in cloud cuckoo land. My wife's brother has been in the RTP for 35 years and is due to retire as a lieutenant colonel in October. Previously, he has served in the CIB in Bangkok, the Customs & Excise Police, the Transport Police, the Highway Police, in Southern Thailand recently and, at present he leads the Border Division Police at Mae Sot.

I have known him for 13 years and I have met many of his colleagues from the aforesaid locations, mostly socially. None of the officers that I have met resemble anything like a nine-bob note. They have always been polite, efficient, friendly, respectful and straight.. My brother-in-law is typical of many career bobbies in Thailand. Please don't judge them all as being bent. Have a read of some of the novels by Martina Cole about East End of London Policemen...particularly "Maura's Game" and "The Know". She knows all about bent coppers. Cheers Simbo.

[PeaceBlondie]

Gosh, almost three years in this supposedly corrupt land, supposedly filled with supposedly corrupt policemen, and I've nary one story to report about corruption.

I parked in a noparking zone in the town where I was a real teacher. Nice police man came in to see who done it, and when he saw me, gave me a wai and walked out.

Once, just after I got my IDL and left it at home, I proceeded to "Our Lady of Perpetual Police Stop" intersection and they were checking for driver licenses. All I could show was mine from Texas, which is basically a license to exaggerate. He let me go.

Recovering from a bad wreck, I forgot my head. Well, Mama always said I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached, and my 9000 baht Italian helmet wasn't attached to my head. There am I on the pillion of my most obvious, well known motorcycle, and we're turning that same corner, "Our Lady of Perpetual Police Check." Of course the 40-kilo Thai kid that's bare-headed and driving the bike doesn't get fined. I pay 200 baht (most of these guys would see me twice during their daily shift), and off we go.

Gosh, I can't think of any stories about 80 kilo high society celebrities, or Police Generals. Except, the husband of my.....oh, never mind. I would have made a Texas exaggeration out of that story.

[zzap]

I also have little to complain from personal encounters.

Most MIB were polite and professional, with the occasional bad-tempered specimen, or stpping me for non-existent traffic violations.

However, there is the big 'underbelly of the beast', which I know about in the communities I lived in. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of a policeman here. In countries like the UK, a hostile cop can give you a lot of grief, but there are limits and you can take legal action.

But here..., say no more.

[a2396]

I have not had any encoounters with the Thai police during my year here. I stay out of thier way and away from trouble spots. In general, I find the police presence here much less ominous than in USA. I am a middle class, middle-aged, white boy, with short hair and have been asked questions and to produce ID, etc. when parked in a shopping center parking lots in Florida and Arizona. I was followed home and into my driveway once in Arizona by some idiot cop, because I was parked in a no parking zone 10 minutes after the restricted time of 10PM. I have encountered no such over zealous police tactics in Thailand or in Malaysia, where I lived for one year also.

[Cassandra]

Given their crap income and lack of resources to actually do what they want to do - they are o.k.

Sure, you get a bad egg in the basket - but generally they are decent human beings.

Just keep smiling.....................

Pardon me. Are you a born again christian, or living in cloud cuckoo land? They are all bent as nine bob notes. Thats why new recruits ar queuing up for a very low paid job. I would not call them if I was in trouble. In the past, they have just made things worse.

Hi again Simbo, I'm not a born again Christian nor am I living in cloud cuckoo land. My wife's brother has been in the RTP for 35 years and is due to retire as a lieutenant colonel in October. Previously, he has served in the CIB in Bangkok, the Customs & Excise Police, the Transport Police, the Highway Police, in Southern Thailand recently and, at present he leads the Border Division Police at Mae Sot.

I have known him for 13 years and I have met many of his colleagues from the aforesaid locations, mostly socially. None of the officers that I have met resemble anything like a nine-bob note. They have always been polite, efficient, friendly, respectful and straight.. My brother-in-law is typical of many career bobbies in Thailand. Please don't judge them all as being bent. Have a read of some of the novels by Martina Cole about East End of London Policemen...particularly "Maura's Game" and "The Know". She knows all about bent coppers. Cheers Simbo.

This thread is not proving very helpful because all posters seem to be saying most of their encounters with the police have been positive.So as a matter of fact have mine.But reality is (ask almost any unbiased Thai) that most Thai policemen are bent.In a conversation with a senior politician a few years ago he said he thought reform of the police force and stamping out its endemic corruption was one of the country's great challenges.This is not to say of course there aren't any honest officers, but they are a minority.

[Artisan]

This thread is not proving very helpful because all posters seem to be saying most of their encounters with the police have been positive.So as a matter of fact have mine.But reality is (ask almost any unbiased Thai) that most Thai policemen are bent.In a conversation with a senior politician a few years ago he said he thought reform of the police force and stamping out its endemic corruption was one of the country's great challenges.This is not to say of course there aren't any honest officers, but they are a minority.

Yes, I'm sure that you are right in saying that most Thai policemen are bent, as are most of the civil servants, goverment officials etc. in Thailand, low ranking or in senior posts. However the original poster said:-

"I just posted something on the Pattaya Forum and mentioned the Thai Police. This got me curious.

What experience have you guys had with the Thai Police? Good, bad or indifferent?

How do the Bangkok Boys, (& Girls), compare with the Isaan Mob or the CM Crew or the Boys from Phuket."

I think that other posts have been "helpful" by answering his query. If there have been negative encounters then where and why have they not been reported in this thread? But, it's nowhere near closed so maybe there will be some late entries.

[Simbo]

Given their crap income and lack of resources to actually do what they want to do - they are o.k.

Sure, you get a bad egg in the basket - but generally they are decent human beings.

Just keep smiling.....................

Pardon me. Are you a born again christian, or living in cloud cuckoo land? They are all bent as nine bob notes. Thats why new recruits ar queuing up for a very low paid job. I would not call them if I was in trouble. In the past, they have just made things worse.

Hi again Simbo, I'm not a born again Christian nor am I living in cloud cuckoo land. My wife's brother has been in the RTP for 35 years and is due to retire as a lieutenant colonel in October. Previously, he has served in the CIB in Bangkok, the Customs & Excise Police, the Transport Police, the Highway Police, in Southern Thailand recently and, at present he leads the Border Division Police at Mae Sot.

I have known him for 13 years and I have met many of his colleagues from the aforesaid locations, mostly socially. None of the officers that I have met resemble anything like a nine-bob note. They have always been polite, efficient, friendly, respectful and straight.. My brother-in-law is typical of many career bobbies in Thailand. Please don't judge them all as being bent. Have a read of some of the novels by Martina Cole about East End of London Policemen...particularly "Maura's Game" and "The Know". She knows all about bent coppers. Cheers Simbo.

Granted. Meeting them in a social setting presents a far different person. The uk is the same when one meets them socially. It's in the field, where they are at their normal bent selves. IMHO.

PS. Always nice talking with you and your avarta, Artisan

[Wes Turner]

My wifes sisters husband is a cop in Jomtien and i got him drunk one night and one of his pals so i'm 'in with the local law' so to speak.

Only once did I see a chick in brown, and i'm not talking aboyut the dvd I once got in patpong either - but she was in Bangkok and she was real cute, did it for me but what can you do?

[Artisan]

Given their crap income and lack of resources to actually do what they want to do - they are o.k.

Sure, you get a bad egg in the basket - but generally they are decent human beings.

Just keep smiling.....................

Pardon me. Are you a born again christian, or living in cloud cuckoo land? They are all bent as nine bob notes. Thats why new recruits ar queuing up for a very low paid job. I would not call them if I was in trouble. In the past, they have just made things worse.

Hi again Simbo, I'm not a born again Christian nor am I living in cloud cuckoo land. My wife's brother has been in the RTP for 35 years and is due to retire as a lieutenant colonel in October. Previously, he has served in the CIB in Bangkok, the Customs & Excise Police, the Transport Police, the Highway Police, in Southern Thailand recently and, at present he leads the Border Division Police at Mae Sot.

I have known him for 13 years and I have met many of his colleagues from the aforesaid locations, mostly socially. None of the officers that I have met resemble anything like a nine-bob note. They have always been polite, efficient, friendly, respectful and straight.. My brother-in-law is typical of many career bobbies in Thailand. Please don't judge them all as being bent. Have a read of some of the novels by Martina Cole about East End of London Policemen...particularly "Maura's Game" and "The Know". She knows all about bent coppers. Cheers Simbo.

Granted. Meeting them in a social setting presents a far different person. The uk is the same when one meets them socially. It's in the field, where they are at their normal bent selves. IMHO.

PS. Always nice talking with you and your avarta, Artisan

Simbo....likewise. You are a real gent.

Edited February 9, 2006 by Artisan

[Simbo]

My wifes sisters husband is a cop in Jomtien and i got him drunk one night and one of his pals so i'm 'in with the local law' so to speak.

Only once did I see a chick in brown, and i'm not talking aboyut the dvd I once got in patpong either - but she was in Bangkok and she was real cute, did it for me but what can you do?

Tell me Wes. Why has your avarta got undies on the outside ?

Given their crap income and lack of resources to actually do what they want to do - they are o.k.

Sure, you get a bad egg in the basket - but generally they are decent human beings.

Just keep smiling.....................

Pardon me. Are you a born again christian, or living in cloud cuckoo land? They are all bent as nine bob notes. Thats why new recruits ar queuing up for a very low paid job. I would not call them if I was in trouble. In the past, they have just made things worse.

Hi again Simbo, I'm not a born again Christian nor am I living in cloud cuckoo land. My wife's brother has been in the RTP for 35 years and is due to retire as a lieutenant colonel in October. Previously, he has served in the CIB in Bangkok, the Customs & Excise Police, the Transport Police, the Highway Police, in Southern Thailand recently and, at present he leads the Border Division Police at Mae Sot.

I have known him for 13 years and I have met many of his colleagues from the aforesaid locations, mostly socially. None of the officers that I have met resemble anything like a nine-bob note. They have always been polite, efficient, friendly, respectful and straight.. My brother-in-law is typical of many career bobbies in Thailand. Please don't judge them all as being bent. Have a read of some of the novels by Martina Cole about East End of London Policemen...particularly "Maura's Game" and "The Know". She knows all about bent coppers. Cheers Simbo.

Granted. Meeting them in a social setting presents a far different person. The uk is the same when one meets them socially. It's in the field, where they are at their normal bent selves. IMHO.

PS. Always nice talking with you and your avarta, Artisan

Simbo....likewise. You are a real gent.

oooh, bagwan

[Wes Turner]

Tell me Wes. Why has your avarta got undies on the outside ?

because the undies havent been built yet that can take the inside job on!

[opothai]

top blokes

i got stopped coming out of bangkok on my last trip, the bugger wanted 200bht i tried to act ignorant as if i did not understand him, but in the end he was becoming somewhat aggitated,

so i thought best give him the 200bht alas i only had 1000bht notes and yes when i asked for change he did not understand me and waved me on quite vigorously

[Wes Turner]

I would have stuck a gubn in his face.

[JimsKnight]

I just posted something on the Pattaya Forum and mentioned the Thai Police.

This got me curious.

What experience have you guys had with the Thai Police?

Good, bad or indifferent?

How do the Bangkok Boys, (& Girls), compare with the Isaan Mob or the CM Crew or the Boys from Phuket.

Let’s leave the traffic piranhas out of it; I guess we have all suffered from them.

(Although, to be fair, whenever I’ve been pulled over, I have usually done something wrong and the “one the spot fine” seemed fair enough, and to be even more fair, the traffic cops around the Phimai area are gentlemen, (what am I saying!),

The fact that my old lady is a bit fearsome has probably got a lot to do with that.

I have only been involved with them, (Bangkok and Pattaya), on a couple or three occasions in the last 15 years, (seven living and working in the Kingdom and 3-4 visits a year for the rest).

I have always found the Thai Police ok, (believe it or not), nothing like the horror stories I have heard and read about.

(Please forgive me for not searching the forum for similar posts, but to tell the truth I just couldn’t be bothered).

The Thai police in Hua Hin are without a doubt IMHO the worst for assistance and help. Phukets so-so, Bangkok is ok! I've been stopped once for not having a reg sticker on the window but a thai driving license and the fact I'd just bought it sorted it out.

Reputably the Issan police are said to be easier going. In fact one thai man explained that the further south you go the worse it gets! When I got down to Nakon Si Thammarat he was saying 'Antarai! Antarai!' (Dangerous!).

[steveromagnino]

I would have stuck a gubn in his face.

Wes -

I hope you are joking about this sort of thing

It is quite common for a foreigner here to know at least a person who is perhaps police captain or even colonel or higher.

However, this is not really a 'get out of trouble free' card if you really mess up - check out the Chalerm's son incident for that.

And it is all very well knowing say K Sant, but what happens when one of his enemies (and there are plenty) wants to have some problem?

It used to be considered 'cool' among Thais to be able to pull out a senior policeman's card and point out what problems they would have if they gave them a ticket or similar. This is now not nearly so popular, because it is strictly the behaviour of someone who thinks they are a bit special.

Best to stick to the laws, and realise that the police may stretch them a bit; and with some polite conversation, they can usually be reasoned with.

In general I find them fine to deal with; have had a few incidents with traffic, and always can have a few laughs,' didn't you see the sign' 'no didn't see the most important thing' 'er how could you have not seen the sign' ' no I mean I saw the sign, just didn't see you' etc etc. They are very helpful to us here at work in supporting our traffic flow 'issues' when we have royalty or politicians or diplomats visiting as well as for events.