Do You Plan To Carry A Passport Copy From Now On?

[partington]

I was in a taxi in Sukhumvit 16 at approximately 11pm several weeks ago and was stopped by the boys in brown. I was asked to get out of the car and whether or not I was willing to undergo a "pat down" and for the police to check my pockets. I asked what they were checking for and they said drugs. I told them that they could check me but that I wanted to inspect their hands first before they were placed into my pockets. When asked why, I said that I wanted to be sure their hands were free of any items such as illicit drugs. They let me inspect the hands of the officer who was to check. There were about 5 of them milling about and I told the others to stand back while I let one check me. He did and they found nothing. I was not carrying any ID and they did not ask. They were polite enough.

That sounds like a very sensible response to the situation. Though it has never actually happened to me, a few years ago after there were quite a few stories of random searches by motorbike cops in the Sukhumvit area, I asked a police major general whether they were empowered to that and what rights I have should it ever happen. He told me that police are able to request a search of your vehicle and/or person but only at an organised road block where at least one commissioned officer is present. He also said that without some very obvious probable cause, normal police (non commissioned) are not empowered to search you. His advice, in the event that it happened, was that I should demand that the search be carried out at the relevant police station.

Some of the posts in this thread about 2 cops on a motorbike pulling up in quiet soi and demanding to search your person, I find quite ominous.

Strangely, all the reports that I recall of this happening have been in the Thonglor police district. Don't know if there is anything in that or not.

I can endorse the above 100%. I live in Phrom Prong, which falls under the jurisdiction of Thonglor Police Station. I frequently walk in the area (both directions) I have been stopped SIX times this year, half of them for a passport check and half for a "body search". Most stops have occurred close to Terminal21 at Asoke, but have also been in Thonglor, and Ekamai (after getting off a bus at the bus station). After the 5th time and getting cheesed off with it - I consulted a lawyer who informed me that I cannot refuse a search by a serving police officer however I am entitled to see his police ID card before the search - and if he is unwilling - can ask to continue at the police station, where he can explain to his boss why he stopped me. On the 6th search - it worked but it was a stand-off before he finally agreed to show me his ID card.

Three of the occasions were cops on a motorbike (the ones who go round signing the books at premises. One was in a quiet soi and they just stopped and pulled me up - so yes, it does really happen

Its strange that 'regular' police officers are suddenly immigration experts, as are traffic cops who pulled me into the traffic box at Asoke Junction to search me, last time. Yet when my friend had her bag stolen recently and asked a traffic cop for help - he replied "nothing to do with me - I'm traffic, go to a police station"

Personally, I think its a tourist scam as they pick on 'unsuspecting' tourists - seemingly mostly in the low / mid Sukhumvit area and inform them that they must pay a penalty if they do not have their passport on them - and most tourists will leave it in the hotel safe, but when confronted by the police - become scared and pay up.

The same applies to these BMA 'Officers' - in the Asoke / Nana area who 'prey' on tourists for dropping litter - and I have seen many many foreigners filling out the forms and paying up (Never a Thai). The last one I saw recently was even escorted to the ATM machine nearby to withdraw the money for his 'fine'.

What a wonderful way to treat people visiting your country !

I carry my passport now when in the immediate vicinity (Asoke/Thonglor) but even though it's only a year old - it looks shabby and has to survive another 9 years.

The simple solution would be to issue a plastic ID card to non-imm visa holders, tourists here for 2 weeks can carry a passport.

Many other places issue plastic cards for minimum cost - so why not immigration ? (Tesco/Ikea/ ATM cards/Topps/Paragon/ Driv. Lic. etc...) hmm just thought - it doesn't have any benefit to them - so why would they ?

While these police checks have become far more common recently (even Stickman was stopped last week!), I've not heard about many instances of money being asked for unless a genuine offence has been committed, so it's seems unfair to brand them as "scams". There is a drug problem and there are farang dealers (I used to live on Suk soi 22 and the farang cociane delaer was very well known!), so it's understandable that the police are trying to stay on top of the problem.

I've never been stopped, but always carry a laminated copy of my passport & work permit and my Thai driver's licence.

So..that's it huh? The farang drug dealer problem. Makes sense I suppose - most drug dealers must be western as they don't stop Thais on the street in broad daylight, and I guess their profile of a drug dealer is also a tourist, as they have noticeably stepped up their stop and searches over the last few weeks as high season has arrived.

Now that I get that there is a big problem with white male tourist drug dealers that occurs specifically in the Asoke area it all makes sense..

I feel safe from the drug problem now.

[brewsterbudgen]

So..that's it huh? The farang drug dealer problem. Makes sense I suppose - most drug dealers must be western as they don't stop Thais on the street in broad daylight, and I guess their profile of a drug dealer is also a tourist, as they have noticeably stepped up their stop and searches over the last few weeks as high season has arrived.

Now that I get that there is a big problem with white male tourist drug dealers that occurs specifically in the Asoke area it all makes sense..

I feel safe from the drug problem now.

Not all the farang drug dealers are white I can assure you. And suspicious Thais are stopped in the areas where Thais deal drugs.

[Jayman]

I've been carrying a laminated copy for the past three years (I had it made the very first time I was a tourist, and never got around to taking it out of my wallet), and see no reason or need to stop carrying it.

Well certainly the 3 year old copy you carry doesn't have your current entry stamp and visa info? So what's the point? Thai DL is all I will carry and for the past 20+ years I have never had a problem with that.

[mikemellow]

This August I was stopped by 2 BKK police on a motorcycle a few blocks from Khaosan Road. I was walking on the sidewalk at 3:00pm searching for a store. They wanted everything out of my pockets and examined my purchases and touched me almost everywhere and kept asking me if I wore underwear which I do but I did not answer that question. They even opened up and looked at some small receipts in my wallet. .After living 7 years off and on in Thailand I did not find this a pleasant encounter although after a few minutes of questioning and offering to show them my passport which I had locked up at my hotel I was allowed to leave without paying any money. Now I carry my passport everywhere but will start to carry a copy only for fear of losing or having it stolen. This cannot be good for tourism.

[attrayant]

I have never carried those other things. If it ever happens than I am stopped and asked for them, I guess I'll be inviting the boys in blue back to my place for a document party.

I wonder if a picture stored on my phone would suffice. Not much difference between that and a photocopy.

[Dork]

This August I was stopped by 2 BKK police on a motorcycle a few blocks from Khaosan Road. I was walking on the sidewalk at 3:00pm searching for a store. They wanted everything out of my pockets and examined my purchases and touched me almost everywhere and kept asking me if I wore underwear which I do but I did not answer that question. They even opened up and looked at some small receipts in my wallet. .After living 7 years off and on in Thailand I did not find this a pleasant encounter although after a few minutes of questioning and offering to show them my passport which I had locked up at my hotel I was allowed to leave without paying any money. Now I carry my passport everywhere but will start to carry a copy only for fear of losing or having it stolen. This cannot be good for tourism.

That this could happen to someone walking on the street (in broad daylight!) is completely unacceptable. I wouldn't submit to that even if it meant escalating the situation to something much more serious.

[pmarlin]

After reading Stickman's weekly article on his web site I have started to carry my passport. I have a 20 year old wallet that I carry every day and I haven't lost it so I doubt I will loose a passport. Also I have never been stopped by the BIB.

[Geratul]

I never have my passport with me and either a copy. I was checked twice in the last 5 years and they accept (till now) my Thai DL.