Zonka Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Does any one else get irritated by this complete and utter waste of resources and time? I carry a laptop with me and use the MRT frequently throughout the day to go to meetings with clients etc. So at least 5-6 times a day I have to stop, open my bag so some old dear can shine a torch in it for a nano second before i am allowed to proceed. I would understand and not complain if it were a genuine search and they knew what they were looking for. Also if every station had the same rules. Some stations the woman just stands there and lets everyone through, other stations they check everyone and some stations randomly check. Is this just another example of Thailands 'all show and no substance' mentality? Or is there a simple explanation to this waste of my time? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooKwai Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I don't use the MRT often enough for it to really irritate me but I very rarely slow down enough for them to get a proper look inside, I just keep up my normal pace while opening the bag, show them a little and carry on my way. I am often tempted to make a cartoon bundle of dynamite to see what would happen when they see it, almost definitely not worth it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkjames Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Yea I can see it being irritating but compared to not having anything at all - a small inconvenience I guess. Bts doesn't do it - there is a security guard there with a metal detector thingy but not once have I ever seen it in use. Not sure what that security guard does to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonka Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 Yea I can see it being irritating but compared to not having anything at all - a small inconvenience I guess. Bts doesn't do it - there is a security guard there with a metal detector thingy but not once have I ever seen it in use. Not sure what that security guard does to be honest. Thats my point, shouldn't have it at all! They dont know what they are looking for and dont do 100% anyhow so whats the point of doing it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kblaze Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Remember that they don't really care about stopping the bad guys, they just want to look like they are doing their job. Therefore, do what I do when I have backpacks, laptop bags, etc. Just pick a random, easy, outside pocket and put on an air of authority and walk through confidently, if they still motion like they want to see the bag, have your hand in the pre-selected outer pocket ready to open it. Pull it open, show, close, and continue forward. 100% of the time I have done this they wave me through. I can't remember the last time I actually stopped and opened the main zipper in my bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post beechguy Posted July 10, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted July 10, 2014 Yea I can see it being irritating but compared to not having anything at all - a small inconvenience I guess. Bts doesn't do it - there is a security guard there with a metal detector thingy but not once have I ever seen it in use. Not sure what that security guard does to be honest. Thats my point, shouldn't have it at all! They dont know what they are looking for and dont do 100% anyhow so whats the point of doing it? Just the presence may be little bit of deterrent, otherwise I don't think it's big deal. You could always take a taxi, then you could find something else to bitch about. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtjforyou Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Do you think that airport check are useful ? Of course not, just as MRT check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arminbkk Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Imagine if they would actually thoroughly check each and every bag, the queue would start outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post impulse Posted July 11, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted July 11, 2014 I've never been robbed, mugged, or even approached by touts on MRT premises, nor have I ever heard of anyone who has. I've never walked through spilled food or drink, or even seen litter on MRT premises. I don't recall ever encountering any mal-odors on MRT premises, as if someone had used the halls for a toilet. I suspect their presence has something to do with it. I have also never been delayed more than 30 seconds at an MRT security check, usually no more than 5 seconds even when the buzzer goes off on my bag. Seems like a reasonable tradeoff in my book. Just their presence may give someone second thoughts about nefarious plans... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhgz Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 "Does any one else get irritated by this complete and utter waste of resources and time? " Would you prefer a time-consuming, intrusive, pat-down and clothing removal? Lighten up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellohello123 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I find it amusing how you go to any major shopping centre and there is a metal detector at the entrance, while people stream through it, the machine is going bananas beeping at just about everyone and the security just sit there day dreaming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorproc156 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I find it amusing how you go to any major shopping centre and there is a metal detector at the entrance, while people stream through it, the machine is going bananas beeping at just about everyone and the security just sit there day dreaming Metal detectors in public areas such as the MRT and shopping malls are so utterly pointless, I don't see the point at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Coffee Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 I find it amusing how you go to any major shopping centre and there is a metal detector at the entrance, while people stream through it, the machine is going bananas beeping at just about everyone and the security just sit there day dreaming Yes that is funny... I always carry some type of bag and I always set the metal detector off and just keep walking... Most people walking into MBK carry some type of bag and that machine just keeps beeping. I never see anyone stopped. The funniest part is the guard with his flashlight on using it to wave people through. Seems like a waste of flashlight batteries among other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonray Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 The flashlight thing is always amusing to me, but they are always polite and smile so I have no issue. Realistically in any large city mass transit system if they really slowed things down for a real search, the system would grind to a halt. Even in the US immediately after 9-11 in Penn Station NYC they did this same type of thing but there were so many people eventually even this small intrusion was soon stopped especially at rush hour when thousands of people are rushing down staircases when they announce what platform their train is arriving at. It's just the nature of things in a big city. They hope that the act of setting up the detectors will deter and in the case of political terrorists it just may do that in large part. It does not bug me in the least and I am more worried about the 2 large drums of fuel on the Khlong boats 5 feet away from a growling engine and my seat ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berybert Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 Zonka, "So at least 5-6 times a day I have to stop, open my bag so some old dear can shine a torch in it for a nano second before i am allowed to proceed" What else would you be doing for that nano second ?. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarpoFongness4U Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 They are looking for guns. You are also slowed sufficiently that the myriad of camera's can make sure they have an identifiable snapshot of you, In case you avoided all the other cameras as you make your way down the escalators Its actually very effective, keeps guns off the trains and every one safely to their stop this complaint is just another new all time stupidity low Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubby Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 at least, they smile, and don't pretend to take the 'security theater' serious, better than the damn Walmart educated TSA in the USA IMHO, with their tassels, and badges...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddyjenkins Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 The flashlight thing is always amusing to me, but they are always polite and smile so I have no issue. Realistically in any large city mass transit system if they really slowed things down for a real search, the system would grind to a halt. Even in the US immediately after 9-11 in Penn Station NYC they did this same type of thing but there were so many people eventually even this small intrusion was soon stopped especially at rush hour when thousands of people are rushing down staircases when they announce what platform their train is arriving at. It's just the nature of things in a big city. They hope that the act of setting up the detectors will deter and in the case of political terrorists it just may do that in large part. It does not bug me in the least and I am more worried about the 2 large drums of fuel on the Khlong boats 5 feet away from a growling engine and my seat ! The flashlight has a dual use, based on its shape, its used for more intimate searches of the back passage....just be thankful you haven't been singled out for one of those yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonray Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 The flashlight thing is always amusing to me, but they are always polite and smile so I have no issue. Realistically in any large city mass transit system if they really slowed things down for a real search, the system would grind to a halt. Even in the US immediately after 9-11 in Penn Station NYC they did this same type of thing but there were so many people eventually even this small intrusion was soon stopped especially at rush hour when thousands of people are rushing down staircases when they announce what platform their train is arriving at. It's just the nature of things in a big city. They hope that the act of setting up the detectors will deter and in the case of political terrorists it just may do that in large part. It does not bug me in the least and I am more worried about the 2 large drums of fuel on the Khlong boats 5 feet away from a growling engine and my seat ! The flashlight has a dual use, based on its shape, its used for more intimate searches of the back passage....just be thankful you haven't been singled out for one of those yet. Thankful ? Some of those girls are hot...I'm envious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bkungbank Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 It's not waste of resources but the general safety as last week we can see Siam Paragon still have bomb treat as BTS don't have checking procedure. Laptop or not is not reason from avoiding and nowdays device are getting smaller. I don't feel any problems as the security done it in manner way . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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