First time in over 9 years living in Kata that I ever seen a police check point in Kata. Just at the traffic light entrance to Wat Kata on Patak road. Quite a major effort, both sides of the road. Might be the police force need to put more revenue into the fines coffers during this very low - low season.

And another first today, policeman on motor bike stops a pick-up in Karon for a traffic violation. Pulls out his ticket book right away. I have never ever seen a Thai policeman go out of his way to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation.

Sometimes there is a checkpoint on the road in front of Club Med (Kata Road I think it is called), just past Katekwan Road opposite the 7/11 there. About once a year or so I'd guess, happened to be one about 4-5 days ago.

But yes, I have never ever seen them actually get of the bike to stop and fine somebody.

It is rare to see the RTP do a traditional traffic stop. Maybe twice I have ever seen this.

That roadblock at Kata temple I saw for the first time 6 months ago, but just the once.

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It's a crackdown of druggies.

They set one up in Kathu at 2am and a vast majority of people stopped were high on dope and arrested with roadside urine tests.

Army wants the drugs and weapons off the streets.

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Usual tea money sources running a bit low, as in all the scoundrels that got arrested can't pay the tea?

It's a crackdown of druggies.

They set one up in Kathu at 2am and a vast majority of people stopped were high on dope and arrested with roadside urine tests.

Army wants the drugs and weapons off the streets.

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A friend of mine staying in Kata has been stopped 3 times in the last ten days at night, not for helmet or license stops, but for drugs. hans you think they're looking for drugs also during the day?

It's a crackdown of druggies.

They set one up in Kathu at 2am and a vast majority of people stopped were high on dope and arrested with roadside urine tests.

Army wants the drugs and weapons off the streets.

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A friend of mine staying in Kata has been stopped 3 times in the last ten days at night, not for helmet or license stops, but for drugs. hans you think they're looking for drugs also during the day?

It's a crackdown on drugs and weapons as well as traffic infringements. In all my time here I've never been asked to do a urine test roadside but it happened.

It's basically a show while the powers are in town.

I also saw they had set up in PTT Kata and scooping people into the station for harassment this week. Fines, searches.

It's a crackdown of druggies.

They set one up in Kathu at 2am and a vast majority of people stopped were high on dope and arrested with roadside urine tests.

Army wants the drugs and weapons off the streets.

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A friend of mine staying in Kata has been stopped 3 times in the last ten days at night, not for helmet or license stops, but for drugs. hans you think they're looking for drugs also during the day?

It's a crackdown on drugs and weapons as well as traffic infringements. In all my time here I've never been asked to do a urine test roadside but it happened.

It's basically a show while the powers are in town.

I also saw they had set up in PTT Kata and scooping people into the station for harassment this week. Fines, searches.

"It's basically a show while the powers are in town." - I hope "the powers" stay in town for a long, long, long time, and even possibly set up a military oversight committee for the administration of Phuket to ensure compliance with the law.

big checkpoint today end of karon going towards patong, stopping every car/bike.

big checkpoint today end of karon going towards patong, stopping every car/bike.

That's a place where they regularly set up a checkpoint.

There was a roadblock a few weeks ago in the afternoon close to the PTT in Kata. It was on a Monday as well, market day, where practically no one wears a helmet and get helped into their parking space by the local friendly traffic cop.

There have also been roadblocks in Karon on Patak Road where all the banks are and I remember once outside the Hilton. Karon Police are now separate from Chalong so have their own money making locations. Of course they more often take the lazy option and set up a roadblock right outside the police station on the beach road.

Firstly, if everyone was legal, the police wouldn't make any money.

Secondly, the small budget that is allocated to the police does not actually cover the costs of running a police station.

I'm sure some of the money collected gets kicked upstairs, but, the majority is used to help buy stuff they need like stationary, gasoline, overtime etc.

big checkpoint today end of karon going towards patong, stopping every car/bike.

That's a place where they regularly set up a checkpoint.

This is the only place I have ever been stopped, and they usually stop every car and motorbike at this checkpoint.

big checkpoint today end of karon going towards patong, stopping every car/bike.

That's a place where they regularly set up a checkpoint.

This is the only place I have ever been stopped, and they usually stop every car and motorbike at this checkpoint.

Exactly, everybody.

big checkpoint today end of karon going towards patong, stopping every car/bike.

That's a place where they regularly set up a checkpoint.

This is the only place I have ever been stopped, and they usually stop every car and motorbike at this checkpoint.

Exactly, everybody.

That doesn't mean everybody gets a fine and pays.

That's a place where they regularly set up a checkpoint.

This is the only place I have ever been stopped, and they usually stop every car and motorbike at this checkpoint.

Exactly, everybody.

That doesn't mean everybody gets a fine and pays.

Correct. Most people are legal.

That's a place where they regularly set up a checkpoint.

This is the only place I have ever been stopped, and they usually stop every car and motorbike at this checkpoint.

Exactly, everybody.

That doesn't mean everybody gets a fine and pays.

Correct. Most people are legal.

Or poor (can't get blood out of a stone) or "connected."

I once saw the room cleaner of my apartment building pulled over for no helmet. I watched closely. She was not fined.

I asked her later what happed and she told me that she said to the BiB she was a room cleaner, it was the boss' motorbike, and she had no money, either as a bribe, or to pay the fine. He just let her go.

Best way to avoid the hassle and worrying about being fined is get Tuk Tuks everywhere

Best way to avoid the hassle and worrying about being fined is get Tuk Tuks everywhere

Always has to be a Joker in every pack.

Why is it that every time something good is happening here in LOS many people call it Tea Money. Why can't the government do something positive to make this place better and not get a bunch of arm chair PM saying what's good for them or their stay in Thailand.

I think what's going on is Great, get rid of the bad element and let's get back to living a nice life here in LOS.IMHO

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I have never ever seen a Thai policeman go out of his way to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation.

I have to agree very unusual, but a few months ago I saw a very strange event also when a big bold fat "bit of a wannabe sheriff looking" policeman chased down a truck driver in Kathu near the D-condos with a gunpoint at daylight. I guess the truck driver was driving crazy as usual being high on magic powders thought being the local superhero of the cement mixers, it was a bit of an action like in the movies... anyway TiT, i call it Wild-East here...

This morning's checkpoint was right on Karon Circle. Actually just before the Circle on the Beach Road but for some reason one car was stopped right on the roundabout as I was passing.