Heads up re suspicious activity on Soi 1 mountain road, Maenam

[evadgib]

@1130hrs 1km along the road heading towards Lamai I noticed a small gathering of people & slowed down. As I got closer I noticed someone in what passed for police uniform & assumed that there had been an accident and that someone or something (car,bike) had veered off the road. The policeman beckoned me (car) to pull over & stop. At this stage it still wasn't clear what was going on but my assumption was that;

a) I was about to be 'commandeered' for recovery or ambulance duties, or

b ) This was a staged event in order to mug/stitch up whoever stumbled into it.

As I pulled up a young couple (Thai's) who had presumably been stopped on a motorcy (on it's side stand with seat up as I arrived) were allowed to leave. A second person appeared who was older & not in uniform (white T shirt). My reaction at this point would normally be to open the window by no more than 1cm to ask what they were after or to put my foot down but unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to stop my wife opening her door & allowing the first of the pair to rummage through her bag. I stopped him dead at that point & after a few questions we were allowed to proceed. My points for the forum are:

1) This to me appeared to be a mickey mouse VCP staffed by just 2 officers with just half a uniform between them. My wife says they had a bike but that too was unmarked.

2) A lone motorist would be extremely vulnerable in such circumstances. Fortunately I have a dashcam with audio which, unbeknown to them, caught everything.

3) No attempt was made by the officer(?) to formally identify himself.

This could have been normal practice but my suspicions are that it wasn't.

[Tropicalevo]

Could just be a spot check for drugs.

We get a few of those in the Plai Laem area. More often than not they just stop young Thais.

When they see an old fat guy like me they just wave me on.

or it could be a scam.

[samuijimmy]

Never come across anything like this, on Soi One.... I have frequent flyer points, using that route....

This is Mr Robbys territory..... perhaps he could make further inquires!

[lucjoker]

I never stop ,for nobody ,just step on the gas and off i go .

Nobody(who want to stop me ) is able to write down a number plate so quickly,

"stoppers" will not come after you,they don't want to loose time chasing you when they can take

sugar from others passing .

If i cant get away (danger of accident) i will never open any door nor window (because they will try to take

your car keys or your driver license .Hold your driver license against the window on the inside ,never give it out of your hands,

then you are lost and ......

This is not an advice , its what i do.

[Samui Coconut]

I never stop ,for nobody ,just step on the gas and off i go .

Nobody(who want to stop me ) is able to write down a number plate so quickly,

"stoppers" will not come after you,they don't want to loose time chasing you when they can take

sugar from others passing .

If i cant get away (danger of accident) i will never open any door nor window (because they will try to take

your car keys or your driver license .Hold your driver license against the window on the inside ,never give it out of your hands,

then you are lost and ......

This is not an advice , its what i do.

Wow, you are such a hard core !

[spidermike007]

You spoke of normal practice? How can that be defined? The police in Samui are about as rogue as they come. Is there any law and order on Samui? Have you ever had the police handle an investigation with satisfactory results? They are toy police, in the lawless land of Koh Samui. Some aspects of the lawlessness on Samui are pleasant. Keeping those guys out of ones hair is nice. But, the absolute level of abandon that people employ on the roads in Samui is scary. No wonder it is the highest per capita fatality rate in the world! The highest. I see mangled people frequently here. Spoke to a nurse in one of the hospitals and she told me they just wait around for the ambulances to come in with more mangled souls. Is anything done about this? Of course not. This is Samui. The forgotten land.

[evadgib]

You spoke of normal practice? How can that be defined?

- More than 2 people.

- Helmets/Hats/Visible insignia/Marked cars or bikes.

- Radio chatter.

- 'Cut offs' front & rear.

All of the above is usually present yet was noticeably absent yesterday.

[samuijimmy]

You spoke of normal practice? How can that be defined? The police in Samui are about as rogue as they come. Is there any law and order on Samui? Have you ever had the police handle an investigation with satisfactory results? They are toy police, in the lawless land of Koh Samui. Some aspects of the lawlessness on Samui are pleasant. Keeping those guys out of ones hair is nice. But, the absolute level of abandon that people employ on the roads in Samui is scary. No wonder it is the highest per capita fatality rate in the world! The highest. I see mangled people frequently here. Spoke to a nurse in one of the hospitals and she told me they just wait around for the ambulances to come in with more mangled souls. Is anything done about this? Of course not. This is Samui. The forgotten land.

Slightly over stated I think on all your points.... IMHO.... Where do you get these facts from?

I probably drive more around the island than most.... I don't see these things, except on very rare occasions (I could count on one hand the number of accidents I have seen, none fatal .....) I am not saying it does not happen..... but.....

[Tropicalevo]

You spoke of normal practice? How can that be defined? The police in Samui are about as rogue as they come. Is there any law and order on Samui? Have you ever had the police handle an investigation with satisfactory results? They are toy police, in the lawless land of Koh Samui. Some aspects of the lawlessness on Samui are pleasant. Keeping those guys out of ones hair is nice. But, the absolute level of abandon that people employ on the roads in Samui is scary. No wonder it is the highest per capita fatality rate in the world! The highest. I see mangled people frequently here. Spoke to a nurse in one of the hospitals and she told me they just wait around for the ambulances to come in with more mangled souls. Is anything done about this? Of course not. This is Samui. The forgotten land.

There is some truth in your observations, but just to mention my personal experiences with the BIBs here on Samui -

I have never been asked for tea money on Samui (and I have lived here for 14 years). I have had to pay tea money in Bangkok, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

I had a kayak stolen once. I offered a reward and the police got it back for me. The police did not get the reward - that went to the person who found it.

Some electrical items were stolen from a house that I look after. Went to the police - offered a reward (which the police got) and I got the items back.

I am not saying that some police are not corrupt or lazy or whatever, but in my experience - no problems with them here on Samui.

Now Birdman at immigration is another story

[Brevity]

A couple of remarks stood out for me.

"3) No attempt was made by the officer(?) to formally identify himself."

I guess that the police officers on Samui are much more professional and courteous than the ones around Pattaya. I have never had a police officer at a check stop identify himself, formally or informally. It's actually hard impossible to imagine that happening.

Also: "Some electrical items were stolen from a house that I look after. Went to the police - offered a reward (which the police got) and I got the items back."

I hope your not giving them any ideas, if you know what I mean. But seriously, this seems to be the norm in Thailand, and people should stop doing it.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Brevity

[JesseFrank]

I never stop ,for nobody ,just step on the gas and off i go .

Nobody(who want to stop me ) is able to write down a number plate so quickly,

"stoppers" will not come after you,they don't want to loose time chasing you when they can take

sugar from others passing .

If i cant get away (danger of accident) i will never open any door nor window (because they will try to take

your car keys or your driver license .Hold your driver license against the window on the inside ,never give it out of your hands,

then you are lost and ......

This is not an advice , its what i do.

Nobody(who want to stop me ) is able to write down a number plate so quickly,

I notice your username was a gods gift to you.

[philthebook]

(I could count on one hand the number of accidents I have seen, none fatal .....)

Are you serious?

I have only been back on Samui 2 months and have witnessed 3 accidents (worst one was where the moto rider (thai) lost control at slow speed and the baby they were holding went flying, also seen the aftermath where rescue services were still on the scene of at least another 4 accidents, all between Chaweng and Lamai on the ring road.

[Ace of Pop]

You spoke of normal practice? How can that be defined? The police in Samui are about as rogue as they come. Is there any law and order on Samui? Have you ever had the police handle an investigation with satisfactory results? They are toy police, in the lawless land of Koh Samui. Some aspects of the lawlessness on Samui are pleasant. Keeping those guys out of ones hair is nice. But, the absolute level of abandon that people employ on the roads in Samui is scary. No wonder it is the highest per capita fatality rate in the world! The highest. I see mangled people frequently here. Spoke to a nurse in one of the hospitals and she told me they just wait around for the ambulances to come in with more mangled souls. Is anything done about this? Of course not. This is Samui. The forgotten land.

Slightly over stated I think on all your points.... IMHO.... Where do you get these facts from?

I probably drive more around the island than most.... I don't see these things, except on very rare occasions (I could count on one hand the number of accidents I have seen, none fatal .....) I am not saying it does not happen..... but.....

Your comment applies to Thailand in general, regarding Ferang comments, ive never found it that bad and im very Hi Clics too.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Rooo
quote

[evadgib]

A couple of remarks stood out for me.

"3) No attempt was made by the officer(?) to formally identify himself."

I guess that the police officers on Samui are much more professional and courteous than the ones around Pattaya. I have never had a police officer at a check stop identify himself, formally or informally. It's actually hard impossible to imagine that happening.

How many in Pattaya (pretty much covered by cameras) were:

- (un)dressed to the point of flagging themselves as bogus?

- alone (until his mate appeared)? &

- 1000m from safety (inc their own) on a deserted road through jungle?

Edited May 8, 2014 by evadgib

[samuijimmy]

Pretty soon I or Ace of Pop, and other photographers amongst us, won't need to carry our camera around, everything will be on CCTV ..... we'll just get Samui Web Cam to broad cast everything on the island live....

As for driving through the jungle and back roads .... the people one comes across there, are getting on with their work, generally give a smile or wave as you go by.... Not same same some of the bar areas of Chawang and the like! .... there one might have to be a little cautious.... some times.... but same same any bar areas ....

Not to say there aren't occasional incidences else where.....but it is not the norm, as implied.... here or anyway in Thailand even the whole world! .....

[Suradit69]

Fortunately I have a dashcam with audio which, unbeknown to them, caught everything.

Yes, that was fortunate and very crafty of you to keep it "unbeknown" to them.

[evadgib]

I'm beginning to wonder why I bothered.

Edited May 8, 2014 by evadgib

[khunPer]

»A second person appeared who was older & not in uniform (white T shirt)«

No uniform but white T-shirt normally means Big Boss in Thai police...

[Brevity]

A couple of remarks stood out for me.

"3) No attempt was made by the officer(?) to formally identify himself."

I guess that the police officers on Samui are much more professional and courteous than the ones around Pattaya. I have never had a police officer at a check stop identify himself, formally or informally. It's actually hard impossible to imagine that happening.

How many in Pattaya (pretty much covered by cameras) were:

- (un)dressed to the point of flagging themselves as bogus?

- alone (until his mate appeared)? &

- 1000m from safety (inc their own) on a deserted road through jungle?

I'm not saying that I doubt something fishy may have been going on. I was just surprised that you would expect a police officer at a check stop it ID himself. I've never heard of it. It seems there's a big difference between simply not identifying themselves and the type of behaviour described here.

BTW, thanks for taking the time to tells about this possible shake down, even though I don't live there.

[Tropicalevo]

Just a couple of things before I leave this one.

If you wanted to buy drugs - where are you more likely to meet your supplier. On a busy road in Chaweng, or on a nice quiet road? (I quite often see 'meets' on the quiet roads near me.)

If you were a policemen looking to catch said drug dealers (legitimately or for a shakedown), would you ponce around in all of your regalia and wearing your summer uniform with medals, or would you try and be unobtrusive? White T shirts are almost always worn by BIBs under their uniform.

You may be paranoid evadgib but that does not mean that they are not out to get you!

As someone else said - thanks for the heads up anyway. (I bet that you wish you had not started this one! )

Edited May 8, 2014 by Tropicalevo

[muimatt]

There was a check point up there this morning with 5 bibs in uniform. There definitely something going on up there...

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MantisMan]

Could just be a spot check for drugs.

We get a few of those in the Plai Laem area. More often than not they just stop young Thais.

When they see an old fat guy like me they just wave me on.

or it could be a scam.

I have seen them there a far back as Dec of last year. I think it's for drugs or maybe helmets.

[samuijimmy]

Could just be a spot check for drugs.

We get a few of those in the Plai Laem area. More often than not they just stop young Thais.

When they see an old fat guy like me they just wave me on.

or it could be a scam.

I have seen them there a far back as Dec of last year. I think it's for drugs or maybe helmets.

I was up along there late this morning.... not a single sign of anyone, trying to stop traffic!.... never seen b4 either.... Drugs a good possibility ..... Perhaps people coming from that "Full Moon Bar" half way through the road although one never sees any one in there .....

I think a helmet check along there would not fill the coffers fast enough... as not a huge amount of traffic usually........

Much better for them to do helmet check outside the police station in Maenam, which is usually Thursdays..... (but not always they some times change days !)

[justanotheroldhippy]

Bumped into a couple of BiB this morning and took the opportunity to explain that there had been comments about soi 1 on 'the internet' (here), and explained some of the concerns you guys have outlined.

Their response was simply that soi 1 is a run through from lamai to maenam for drugs, and that they are out doing searches for drugs and guns. There will always be a police officer in uniform present, but not obvious, as they don't want people seeing the uniform and doing a u turn! To be honest - as someone has already mentioned - the white (or black) t-shirts are a give-away anyway. It isn't a 'scam' in any way, they are just doing their job (cue all the sarcasm about police 'doing their job'! lol)... you will see some of them wearing Id around their neck (the guns are a bit of a give-away too lol).

The absolute worst thing you can do is try to drive through them, as one commenter on here reckons he does... not only are you risking hurting a policeman (not good!), but - worst case scenario - possibly getting shot at! (although the BiB says it would need something extreme to make that happen)... they will do their best to get your number, and therein lies a guaranteed hassle-filled stop next time they see you! Simply stop, be polite, let them do what they need to do, and possibly make a good friend who will remember you if/when you need their help.

They aint all bad apples you know! And - as someone else has mentioned, in 14 years in the Maenam area, I have only good things to say about the Maenam police... other areas I don't know about. They really put themselves out last week for an American couple who left a bag on a songteaw... i was there asking for advice for a friend who had a problem with a motorbike repair shop, and I saw the way they tried their best to help the couple... and my mate.

Up to you how you treat them... me? I am always polite, try to chat a bit, and have always had respect given back. Up to you I suppose, but 'running' a police check point? Stupid if you ask me.

Edited May 10, 2014 by Rooo

[Rooo]

Removed a post , bringing up a newspaper article with unsubstantiated reporting.

Again Off Topic posts will be removed. If your main aim is to persist in Thai Bashing, do it somewhere else.

Please.

[Tropicalevo]

Nice post jaoh. and good advice.

[samuijimmy]

They have moved....

the BIB's where on Soi 5 this morning, just where it meets Soi 4.... Obviously a drug check.... some Thai guy in a pickup was being searched...

I was waved on ... no questions asked!

Must be a crack down.... !

Soi One field office abandoned forthe moment!

[Rooo]

They have moved....

the BIB's where on Soi 5 this morning, just where it meets Soi 4.... Obviously a drug check.... some Thai guy in a pickup was being searched...

I was waved on ... no questions asked!

Must be a crack down.... !

Soi One field office abandoned forthe moment!

Sorry but why would you advertise to anyone where drug monitoring activity are taking place?

[samuijimmy]

They have moved....

the BIB's where on Soi 5 this morning, just where it meets Soi 4.... Obviously a drug check.... some Thai guy in a pickup was being searched...

I was waved on ... no questions asked!

Must be a crack down.... !

Soi One field office abandoned forthe moment!

Sorry but why would you advertise to anyone where drug monitoring activity are taking place?

Well I doubt those they are after would be following this .... and Soi One same same, I never saw the Soi One checks even though done that road a few times since topic started .... the desk was in a field there, might not have been related...

I suspect they are doing random checks else where too ? ... perhaps a good message that those types are not welcome ....