Is my butt worth ฿2000 or ฿10000?

[Tywais]

I don't think that was the case at all. .... they were thinking "can we get 2000 baht" off this gullible tourist!

If your wife had been with you I am pretty sure you would not have paid a satang!

I would have taken the completely opposite approach....I live here and no way are you going to extort 2000 baht out of me!

So are you saying that if you break the law you don't have to pay? Good luck with that.

Littering

Littering is against the law in Thailand. In Bangkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) generally oversees rules and fines regarding littering. The maximum fine for littering should not exceed two thousand baht. If you are asked to pay more than two thousand baht, you are most likely being scammed or dealing with persons unauthorized to enforce the littering law. On 29 August 2010, however, the Bangkok Post Online’s Spectrum Section released an investigative report into malpractices involving BMA inspectors and foreign tourists. You can ask to see identification from anyone who claims to be a BMA inspector. If the person is authorized, they will be able to show you their license and ID immediately; if you are being scammed, the person will often just walk away.

Thailand Law Forum

[Gringogazzer]

They can't MAKE you pay the fine.

They threaten to call the police but they're bluffing.

Even if they weren't, doubt the police are going to come running because a foreigner's dropped a fag end.

They don't have the power to search you - just give them 50 baht or the equivalent fine for a THAI and walk off.

I did exactly this when I got pulled outside Benjasiri Park next to Emporium

It was a policeman that walked me back to the booth. That's why I expecting a passport request.

He did nothing more than walk me & point my tattoo out.

But with him stood there what was I to do.

"Get out, I ain't paying that"

I've been shaken down by police before, I know the dress.

[NeverSure]

Another reason to stop smmoking.

Another reason to get of the mmmmmmmeds.

[kjhbigv]

I don't think that was the case at all. .... they were thinking "can we get 2000 baht" off this gullible tourist!

If your wife had been with you I am pretty sure you would not have paid a satang!

I would have taken the completely opposite approach....I live here and no way are you going to extort 2000 baht out of me!

So are you saying that if you break the law you don't have to pay? Good luck with that.

Littering

Littering is against the law in Thailand. In Bangkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) generally oversees rules and fines regarding littering. The maximum fine for littering should not exceed two thousand baht. If you are asked to pay more than two thousand baht, you are most likely being scammed or dealing with persons unauthorized to enforce the littering law. On 29 August 2010, however, the Bangkok Post Online’s Spectrum Section released an investigative report into malpractices involving BMA inspectors and foreign tourists. You can ask to see identification from anyone who claims to be a BMA inspector. If the person is authorized, they will be able to show you their license and ID immediately; if you are being scammed, the person will often just walk away.

Thailand Law Forum

"If you are asked to pay more than two thousand baht, you are most likely being scammed"

They started at 10k so obviously WAS a scam.

You think if it was a Thai, they would

1. Even tried to get 10k or 2k?

2. Even pulled them up on it at all?

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Gringogazzer]

I don't think that was the case at all. .... they were thinking "can we get 2000 baht" off this gullible tourist!

If your wife had been with you I am pretty sure you would not have paid a satang!

I would have taken the completely opposite approach....I live here and no way are you going to extort 2000 baht out of me!

So are you saying that if you break the law you don't have to pay? Good luck with that.

Littering

Littering is against the law in Thailand. In Bangkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) generally oversees rules and fines regarding littering. The maximum fine for littering should not exceed two thousand baht. If you are asked to pay more than two thousand baht, you are most likely being scammed or dealing with persons unauthorized to enforce the littering law. On 29 August 2010, however, the Bangkok Post Onlines Spectrum Section released an investigative report into malpractices involving BMA inspectors and foreign tourists. You can ask to see identification from anyone who claims to be a BMA inspector. If the person is authorized, they will be able to show you their license and ID immediately; if you are being scammed, the person will often just walk away.

Thailand Law Forum

"If you are asked to pay more than two thousand baht, you are most likely being scammed"

They started at 10k so obviously WAS a scam.

You think if it was a Thai, they would

1. Even tried to get 10k or 2k?

2. Even pulled them up on it at all?

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

That's the thing, it's clearly printed there on the laminated A4 paper

1st offence ฿2000

I think it said further offences ฿10000.

Pick the bones out of it how you will, 2 cigarette butts, 2nd offence I just don't know.

But whether I had a wife etc was swinging the pendulum.

[CJK1]

I had a similar experience in Bangkok (sukhumvit near Nana). I went to walk in to a cafe for breakfast and there were no ashtrays out side so I put my cigarette butt in some soil that was in a pot. The manager said the cafe was closed when I entered so I left and continued to walk along the road, long story short I was followed by a guy who said he was a police officer and I was taken to a tourist information stand. He demanded 10,000 baht but I haggled him down to 2,000. He was also very interested in wether or not I had a Thai wife and lived in Bangkok, however I got the impression through his limited English and my complete lack of Thai that the fine would be lower if I had a Thai wife. That may of been lost in translation though.

I paid the fine as it was only my second day in Thailand. By the time this had all finished, the cafe manager waved me in and said they were now open. I explained what had happened and he said I was scammed, he even gave me his number and said if it ever happened again to call him and he will speak to the "officer" and not to pay.

I've never dropped a cigarette butt since that day, but have seen plenty of others doing so under the eyes of the police with not a word uttered.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[cobra]

Actually the reason why there are so few public bins around Sukhumvit is because around the time Taksin was removed out of office there were many bombs planted in bins, such as 7-11's that injured people. Since then I guess they have never re-placed them.

That may be, but the point is moot,

even when they are present they're always full and seem to seldom get emptied,

The liiter fine is a revenue stream to be sure, whether it has a demonstrable effect remains to be seen.

[kurnell]

Comments above are correct. They ain't police, have no power so walk away.

[thaicookingchef]

Happened to me as well years ago around year 2000/2001 outside old Immigration at Soi Suan Pluh. Came out from the Imm. office and lit a cig on that parking place, waved down a taxi on Soi Suan Plu, dropped the stub on the street and jumped in the taxi.

Two guys immediately knocked on the taxi side window. I had to exit the taxi, whisked away and got fined 2,000 Baht with proper receipt at the booth right outside the parking at Immigration.

I paid reluctantly, but the day was ruined. Humiliated I stopped smoking after that.

It's not the police that fine you for littering, i think it was BMA that did me.

And what if we don't pay ? Let's go to the court ?

And what if we don't show up at the court ?

I guess nothing happens and the story is finished, so why paying ?

[kingalfred]

Let these goons take you to the police station .demand a court day.Prayuth has a lot more to do sorting out the Thai scamming scum dressed up as "officials"

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Gringogazzer]

Comments above are correct. They ain't police, have no power so walk away.

The man who walked me back was Royal Thai Police wearing khaki while the man in the booth wore black uniform.

From what I read of the law they can fine up to ฿2000 & ฿10000 for road & waterways but without power of arrest but already had RTP there.

As my "offence" was of the roadways they could implement the ฿10000 fine.

It still leaves the issue of speak Thai, have a Thai wife etc. They reduced it to ฿2000 for a hapless tourist but (I think) wanted to press it on for ฿10000.

Next time it goes in the bin still lit.

I hope a few of the gun ho are in Nana soon enough, maybe the walk away works but I had a flight that day & didn't fancy a stripy tan.

[cgphuket]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The fine is 2000 baht. they talk about higher amounts so you think you are lucky to pay just 2000 baht. Technically you don;t have to pay, as they are not actual police, but it could take a long time before they let you go free. Look in the old posts, this has been discussed dozens of times. Only happens in tourist areas and they only target tourists.

next time ask for the official fine in writing and pay it at the proper office. otherwise you are supporting these police mafia.

Excellent.
But they was waving ฿10000 fine in my face so was trying to minimise that.
Made them write me a receipt though for what good it will do.

[kurnell]

Comments above are correct. They ain't police, have no power so walk away.

The man who walked me back was Royal Thai Police wearing khaki while the man in the booth wore black uniform.

From what I read of the law they can fine up to ฿2000 & ฿10000 for road & waterways but without power of arrest but already had RTP there.

As my "offence" was of the roadways they could implement the ฿10000 fine.

It still leaves the issue of speak Thai, have a Thai wife etc. They reduced it to ฿2000 for a hapless tourist but (I think) wanted to press it on for ฿10000.

Next time it goes in the bin still lit.

I hope a few of the gun ho are in Nana soon enough, maybe the walk away works but I had a flight that day & didn't fancy a stripy tan.

In 15 years I've never seen the police associate themselves with this miserable lot of pretend cops.

[daveAustin]

Moral of the story: stop throwing cigarette butts in the street!!!

[Gringogazzer]

Comments above are correct. They ain't police, have no power so walk away.

The man who walked me back was Royal Thai Police wearing khaki while the man in the booth wore black uniform.

From what I read of the law they can fine up to ฿2000 & ฿10000 for road & waterways but without power of arrest but already had RTP there.

As my "offence" was of the roadways they could implement the ฿10000 fine.

It still leaves the issue of speak Thai, have a Thai wife etc. They reduced it to ฿2000 for a hapless tourist but (I think) wanted to press it on for ฿10000.

Next time it goes in the bin still lit.

I hope a few of the gun ho are in Nana soon enough, maybe the walk away works but I had a flight that day & didn't fancy a stripy tan.

In 15 years I've never seen the police associate themselves with this miserable lot of pretend cops.

I have no idea how it came about.

As I wrote in an earlier post he only walked me back after I'd walked on 50m or so. I'm 6'1" & cover some ground when walking alone. Long stride.

Maybe it was a slow day & found it all amusing.

When I know, you'll know.

[submaniac]

2,000 baht in Thailand, in USA

[Gringogazzer]

2,000 baht in Thailand, in USA

That makes it $5000 for road & waterways then?

[Gumballl]

I always wondered what would be the repercussions if the farang were to dispose their cigarette (possibly lit) in those little bins right next to the ATM.

[simon43]

^{This post is a waste of space.}

^{STOP LITTERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}

^{There, easy ain't it?}

[Thanet]

From the subject line, it looks like you may be hard up and are considering alternative employment.

[ezzra]

Oh, sorry, clicked by mistake, I thought the Op was referring to the OTHER butt....

[Travel Dude]

Happened to me as well years ago around year 2000/2001 outside old Immigration at Soi Suan Pluh. Came out from the Imm. office and lit a cig on that parking place, waved down a taxi on Soi Suan Plu, dropped the stub on the street and jumped in the taxi.

Two guys immediately knocked on the taxi side window. I had to exit the taxi, whisked away and got fined 2,000 Baht with proper receipt at the booth right outside the parking at Immigration.

I paid reluctantly, but the day was ruined. Humiliated I stopped smoking after that.

It's not the police that fine you for littering, i think it was BMA that did me.

That's a cheap way to stop smoking. Those 2000 thb. Got the smoking habit out of you. A good cure I would say.

[BudRight]

^{This post is a waste of space.}

^{STOP LITTERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}

^{There, easy ain't it?}

Stop breathing. Oh good.

[Travel Dude]

I had this in Bangkok, I have a weak command of Thai but I got the point across that I wouldn't pay, they'd have to take me to the station or even court etc... they gave up all hope of an on the spot settlement and let me go on my way. Simple as that!

My problem was the opposite. I had to convince them I was a hapless tourist to get the fine reduced.

They wanted a show of Thai from me.

I think it's the other way around. Having thai connections would have reduced or cancelled the fine

[ozsamurai]

. I always keep a cig butts in my change pocket of my jeans if I can't find a bin. I have once been pulled up for littering (which I actually did once) outside Nana police box. I emptied the content of the jeans, on the desk...... on your way.... reasonable doubt is all you need.

Oz

[sanuk711]

 

next time ask for the official fine in writing and pay it at the proper office. otherwise you are supporting these police mafia.

I really think that some people are O.T.Top. about the police (or other corruption) this is Asia & I find its one of the attractions-- I have lived around it for most of my adult life, (although only 15 years in Thailand) I like corruption.

I like driving over the speed limit, being stopped-- giving the guy $5 & driving on no points no hassles.

I like being told I can not do this--going to the Amphur & finding out I can...IF

I have never overstayed on a visa -- but knowing if I did ...there would be no problem...IF

I like going to a bar & knowing that 2 adults can come to an agreement about sex & money, even if the Law says I cannot.

I like to drink when I want to drink & look at entertainment, without someone telling me that I can not do this at this time of the day / night

I like finding out that most things I want in my life are doable.... IF

Is this fair on the poor or the great unwashed of the world---- NO -- but please show me somewhere their life is fair.... & how me paying more money in fines will help them obtain that.

There is one golden rule for graft..... NEVER PAY THE AMOUNT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY IF THERE WAS NO GRAFT.... That for me is what is called a win-win situation.

For me if the negotiation starts getting anywhere near the 50%--60% of the correct fine---then I am screaming, give me a receipt.

I do believe in life that if something is wrong--rage against it, try to change--don't accept it..BUT .. please re-exam.. Why you came / want to come / remain living in Asia.

I think the guy got the correct fine -- for what he did, the only difference would be, I would never get to the stage of going to the police station, or where ever he went, I was told by an old Asia hand back in the 60s.... The higher it goes the more you pay.. if you get stopped speeding, negotiate with the plod....if you want to go over the the pay station, it will probably cost you more, want to go to the police station, you gone up a notch, do something that makes them put you in one of their 18 man rooms, start looking at a bank overdraft.. ....etc....etc..

Love Asia but hate corruption--- then Singapore is probably the place for you...... The O.P. would have got a $5,000 (150,000 baht ) fine there.... But I am sure a lot of the Wowsers would be happy to know--- HE WOULD HAVE ALSO GOT A RECEIPT

Singapore fine list--- (it may be dated, but before someone points that out--from experience as years go on, fines do not go down

1. Flush the toilet or face a public caning

It seems nothing is sacred these days. In Singapore, you cant even pee in private. Apparently, police officers do random checks to make sure public toilets are flushed after use. Note to self, must flush the toilet!

2. Litter bugs pay big time

Theres a reason why the streets of Singapore are almost glistening with cleanliness. A litter law dating from 1968 means litter bugs can be fined $1,000 for the first conviction and $5,000 for repeat convictions. On top of that, youll be forced to do community labour. And if you offend three times, youll have to wear a lovely sign, which states, I am a litter lout.

3. Selling chewing gum is forbidden

Gum chewers, beware put your chewed gum in the bin or you could face a hefty fine. Singapore prohibited the sale of gum after authorities noticed a prolific amount of chewed gum being stuck in subway stations and on cars. Mints might be the safer option if you have a case of garlic breath.

4. Dont walk around your house naked

In Singapore, pornography is illegal, and anything to do with it may result in imprisonment or big fines. Along the same lines, the country thinks that nudity has to do with pornography, so better close the curtains when you dress for bed.

5. No hugging in public without permission

Havent seen your loved one for a long time? Make sure you ask their permission before giving them a hug in public or you could land yourself in gaol. True story. If youre lucky, its just a fine.

6. No poking adverse comments at religion

If youre agnostic or atheist, keep it under wraps because in Singapore its a highly serious matter and you can be cited for sedition. Ouch.

7. Stranger danger

If youre introducing a stranger as your good friend and speak well of him and it proves to be false, youll be convicted for abetment.

8. Connecting on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots means hacking

Need to check emails? Better go to an internet cafe rather than logging in on an unsecured network. In Singapore, its called hacking and you could end up in gaol or face a big fine.

[Frank James]

Apparently there is no law against spitting out chewing gum on the sidewalk, judging by all of the evidence, in every Thai city I've been in. Or is there a fine when a farang does it? Nothing like stepping in a fresh one on a hot day.

[Jeffreyake]

why don't you eat all your "ciggie butts"?

this is Thailand - home of Thai people, and you are guests here. Will it look nice if you come to somebody's home and throw litter on the floor?

and it's none of your business Thais do the same sometimes. this is there internal affairs.

and the amount of fine is none of your business too.

I like driving over the speed limit, being stopped-- giving the guy $5 & driving on no points no hassles.
I like being told I can not do this--going to the Amphur & finding out I can...IF
I have never overstayed on a visa -- but knowing if I did ...there would be no problem...IF
I like going to a bar & knowing that 2 adults can come to an agreement about sex & money, even if the Law says I cannot.
I like to drink when I want to drink & look at entertainment, without someone telling me that I can not do this at this time of the day / night
I like finding out that most things I want in my life are doable.... IF

pedophiles come here for just the same reason.

may be that's why people like you are less and less desirable in Thailand and all Asia - you obey the rules in your home country but come to Asia to behave antisocially, thinking you can get away with a few dirty dollars.

your time is gone here, pal

go to Nigeria

[louse1953]

Glad your happy to pay the fine and admit guilt.Maybe the fine is retrospective for all the other butts you have dropped.Smokers are some of the dirtiest people in the world,butts everywhere.In pubs,under the cover of darkness,they butt out on the carpet.Why they can't carry a small tin around for those times when a bin can't be found is beyond me,just plain slack and lazy.

[louse1953]

Had the same done to me about 6 years ago. It is a scam but there is not alot you can do about it. While I was being given the 3rd degree one of the guys in uniform was escorting another farang to the nearest ATM to get money for his fine. Right next to where I was talking to the scam officer there was a som tam food cart with trash surrounding it. When I pointed out this to the guy he said they are Thai you are not. Later on I had to pass them again and they had at least 3 other farangs waiting to pay fines. They are making a fortune at 2,000 baht a pop each time.

For once,it's not a scam,it's the law.There is one thing you can do about it ,don't litter.