Large Police Presence: Lad Phrao, Bangkok - 1am

[John1thru10]

Last evening (Wed, Sept. 10), in the wee hours of the night - somewhere between 1 - 2am - I was surprised to note a very large police presence, blocking and searching traffic along Lad Phrao (around Soi 80 or so).

This was far beyond a few cops stopping taxis, but it seemed showed a large and organized effort by something like 30 - 40 officers, stopping and inspecting all cars and bikes; setting up cones to channel traffic into a single lane for that purpose. They were not of a smiling disposition, to be clear.

I was just wondering if anyone had any insight into what this might have been about?

[Costas2008]

OP, either they are suffering from insomnia, or the army has pushed them to do their job.

Good to see the police checking for bad apples........for the rest of us, nothing to fear or being concerned about.

[John1thru10]

OP, either they are suffering from insomnia, or the army has pushed them to do their job.

Good to see the police checking for bad apples........for the rest of us, nothing to fear or being concerned about.

Rather defensive reply, I must say. "Doing their job" is not of much insight, for that matter.

[namdocmai]

I see them every day along the ringroads, making roadblocks and checking cars, not only motorbikes anymore.

I like it, they will stop me sometimes but i do nothing wrong and they let me go. They also can't speak english and i can't speak thai.

[John1thru10]

I see them every day along the ringroads, making roadblocks and checking cars, not only motorbikes anymore.

I like it, they will stop me sometimes but i do nothing wrong and they let me go. They also can't speak english and i can't speak thai.

I'm glad you enjoy being stopped by the police for no reason, but...that still doesn't answer the question as to why.

[tonytigerbkk]

I sometimes listen in to the police radio so that I can find out where the police are and go there in the hope that they will stop me for no reason.

I love it.

[ATF]

They are looking for drunks and druggies coming home from clubs.

[manarak]

I see them every day along the ringroads, making roadblocks and checking cars, not only motorbikes anymore.

I like it, they will stop me sometimes but i do nothing wrong and they let me go. They also can't speak english and i can't speak thai.

I'm glad you enjoy being stopped by the police for no reason, but...that still doesn't answer the question as to why.

I'm not sure a reason is needed.

Did you see people being arrested or fined?

Personally, I think unexpected checkpoints with thorough searches of vehicles are a very good thing, as long as the goal is to find weapons, drugs, fake IDs, etc.

It makes things much riskier for criminals and terrorists.

BTW, I just thought that I never saw a police dog in Thailand.

Do they have enough K-9 sniffers for explosives and drug detection?

That should be a major priority for the government.

[John1thru10]

I see them every day along the ringroads, making roadblocks and checking cars, not only motorbikes anymore.

I like it, they will stop me sometimes but i do nothing wrong and they let me go. They also can't speak english and i can't speak thai.

I'm glad you enjoy being stopped by the police for no reason, but...that still doesn't answer the question as to why.

I'm not sure a reason is needed.

Did you see people being arrested or fined?

Personally, I think unexpected checkpoints with thorough searches of vehicles are a very good thing, as long as the goal is to find weapons, drugs, fake IDs, etc.

It makes things much riskier for criminals and terrorists.

BTW, I just thought that I never saw a police dog in Thailand.

Do they have enough K-9 sniffers for explosives and drug detection?

That should be a major priority for the government.

Well....I'm not a 'drunk or a druggie', or a 'terrorist', to be very clear about it. I still found it off-putting, at best.

[ATF]

Well....I'm not a 'drunk or a druggie', or a 'terrorist', to be very clear. But, in the west, constant, unwarranted searches without probable cause are described as a police state by all but the most extreme, right wing mentality. While I'm all for a crime free Thailand, I hardly think unwarranted searches are to be applauded in such an unquestioning manner. First they came for my neighbor, as the old saying goes.

The probable cause is that anyone driving around after 1.00 am on a Wed night. Actually Thurs morning isn't a "wholesome" sort of person.

They wouldn't even be working a night shift.

[John1thru10]

Well....I'm not a 'drunk or a druggie', or a 'terrorist', to be very clear. But, in the west, constant, unwarranted searches without probable cause are described as a police state by all but the most extreme, right wing mentality. While I'm all for a crime free Thailand, I hardly think unwarranted searches are to be applauded in such an unquestioning manner. First they came for my neighbor, as the old saying goes.

The probable cause is that anyone driving around after 1.00 am on a Wed night. Actually Thurs morning isn't a "wholesome" sort of person.

They wouldn't even be working a night shift.

YES! Certainly! For example, my going to the grocery store.

[pgrahmm]

It also seems that the police are actually more involved in "policing" in CM lately.....good to see actually.....

IMO - to me it seems some political groups were funded by expanding into arms/drugs/trafficking/the trade of sowing rebellion and occupation of condoning + sheltering it/protected lumber & areas dealing - and as an offshoot demotions/re-assignments/arrests/convictions/alliances are being investigated and or prosecuted.....in a very civilized way....

I applaud the application of policing policies that would enable and sustain a stable degree of service and protection for everyone without prejudice and/or benefit via "contributions"......

As my old Mom used to say - A guilty conscience needs no accuser.....

Let the prose begin.....

[manarak]

I see them every day along the ringroads, making roadblocks and checking cars, not only motorbikes anymore.

I like it, they will stop me sometimes but i do nothing wrong and they let me go. They also can't speak english and i can't speak thai.

I'm glad you enjoy being stopped by the police for no reason, but...that still doesn't answer the question as to why.

I'm not sure a reason is needed.

Did you see people being arrested or fined?

Personally, I think unexpected checkpoints with thorough searches of vehicles are a very good thing, as long as the goal is to find weapons, drugs, fake IDs, etc.

It makes things much riskier for criminals and terrorists.

BTW, I just thought that I never saw a police dog in Thailand.

Do they have enough K-9 sniffers for explosives and drug detection?

That should be a major priority for the government.

Well....I'm not a 'drunk or a druggie', or a 'terrorist', to be very clear about it. I still found it off-putting, at best.

and how does the police know in advance that you are not a druggie or a terrorist, or even just a criminal (you left that out in your enumeration) ?

[ATF]

The probable cause is that anyone driving around after 1.00 am on a Wed night. Actually Thurs morning isn't a "wholesome" sort of person.

They wouldn't even be working a night shift.

YES! Certainly! For example, my going to the grocery store.

Had the Munchies did you John?

[John1thru10]

The probable cause is that anyone driving around after 1.00 am on a Wed night. Actually Thurs morning isn't a "wholesome" sort of person.

They wouldn't even be working a night shift.

YES! Certainly! For example, my going to the grocery store.

Had the Munchies did you John?

You know, I thought I'd blocked you, actually. No, I'm a writer, and I work late in the evenings - as if it's any of your business, as usual. i'm quite disappointed to see more of your right wing comments. And, to the other person above who points out that I 'failed to declare myself not a criminal' - exactly! What further evidence would be needed, right? You guys really encourage a police state, and accuse everyone of crimes just constantly here, it's more than a little sad.

Anyway, my original question was just wondering if something had actually...you know, 'happened' in reality, as opposed to just an attempt to intimidate everyone at random. I see there is no knowledge here, concerning that.

See you old fellows later.

[namdocmai]

Drivers without a license, drivers without insurance, drunk drivers, druggies, criminals on the run....whatever they are searching for i m happy with it. Makes BKK a better place. I also have to obey the rules.

[pgrahmm]

Those that think within the law and a lawful community will applaud.....

Those that practice flaunting/skirting/taunting laws - or the letter law will be affronted....

There's only two ways this argument can go - regardless of "reasons" dredged up to assail/waylay/"politically correct" (a total aberration of logic/actuallity of events - coloring for agenda) the letter of the law.....

[apiwan]

Lots of drugs round that way.

Drunks as well.

[metisdead]

Grammar police posts have been removed. The probable reason for this large police presence at that time of night was perhaps police checking for drivers of vehicles being inebriated and operating a motor vehicle.

[mrtoad]

That area is close to Ram Intra were there are a lot of clubs etc. Hence they are checking for drunks and druggies in cars. Nothing wrong with road blocks imo, if it stops one idiot dui its good.

[kkerry]

Two words and any police road block problems magically disappear...

White Pigeon

works for me...

[Triplebank999]

OP, either they are suffering from insomnia, or the army has pushed them to do their job.

Good to see the police checking for bad apples........for the rest of us, nothing to fear or being concerned about.

Rather defensive reply, I must say. "Doing their job" is not of much insight, for that matter.

But more insight than you had.

[khunjamesjohnson]

Since Thai police are organized criminals, I disapprove of them doing anything resembling police work.