Can Police Randomly Search You?

[ThailandNeil]

Was out on soi 11 on Saturday and on way home a policeman stopped me and searched me. He was fine and found nothing but it wasn't very nice. Can they do this?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect App

[phuturatica]

Not entirely sure if they are technically allowed to do it but they do and I've seen it happen many times.

If you have nothing to hide, you're best off just co-operating with them and then getting out of there once they're done.

They randomly search tourists in touristy areas for drugs and whatnot as its a way of them making a little extra money on the side.

[Dancealot]

So you didn' t have cash on you?

[uptheos]

"Can they do this?"

He did.

[beano2274]

Can a Policeman in your own country search you, yes if he suspects something is amiss, If you refuse then they might believe you have something to hide and will take you to the Police station. I believe in the UK it is called "Stop and Search" comes under the Public Order act.

Although not the Thai Police rules here are the rules about it in the UK,

http://www.met.police.uk/stopandsearch/what_is.htm

The main point being -

The police can stop or stop and search you:

• If they think you're carrying a weapon, drugs or stolen property
  
• If there has been serious violence or disorder in the vicinity
  
• If they are looking for a suspect who fits your description
  
• As part of anti-terrorism efforts
  

Edited November 26, 2012 by beano2274

[MrRealDeal]

Yes

[kurnell]

I'd love to find out what one of these pretend cops would do if one refused. Bottle it would be my guess.

[Semper]

I'd love to find out what one of these pretend cops would do if one refused. Bottle it would be my guess.

Give it a try and post the result here.

[thaicbr]

Can a Policeman in your own country search you, yes if he suspects something is amiss, If you refuse then they might believe you have something to hide and will take you to the Police station. I believe in the UK it is called "Stop and Search" comes under the Public Order act.

Although not the Thai Police rules here are the rules about it in the UK,

http://www.met.police.uk/stopandsearch/what_is.htm

The main point being -

The police can stop or stop and search you:

• If they think you're carrying a weapon, drugs or stolen property
  
• If there has been serious violence or disorder in the vicinity
  
• If they are looking for a suspect who fits your description
  
• As part of anti-terrorism efforts
  

That's the UK. This is Thailand. Rules/laws are not the same. A good example is arrest. In the UK you can be arrested without a warrant. Here it seems not.

sent from my Q6