Stopped and searched on street and made take urine test

[The manic]

It is a disgrace carried out by bully boys and the people on this forum who write in support of random drug searches are no better than the thugs themselves. The vast majority of normal people use or have used so called illegal drugs. It is those prurient moralists who are non users who are in the minority. Even under the UK draconian anti freedom laws drugs found in the system in such a way cannot be counted as possession. Any cursory examination of any national currency can detect various drugs. These actions by the Thai police are barbaric corruption for which the weak and poor suffer. Shame on Thailand and their medieval laws. And even greater shame on some of the commentators on this forum who, quite frankly, seem hate filled, for Thailand, for foreigners and I suspect for them selves.

[Denim]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

If that were all it would be fine but it is not.

An old friend had this happen to him. He had nothing on him but as his hotel was nearby they escorted him back , searched his room and found a small amount of weed. So far so good....all fair.

However, he was next taken to a nearby short time hotel and escorted into a room by four policemen. They laid it out plain. It was going to cost him and if he didn't pay up they would enlarge the small amount they found to a larger amount and he would be in prison for a long time.

It cost him a 60,000 baht bribe to be let go. They even jokingly offered him his weed back and asked him if he needed a smoke to calm his nerves.

Enforcing the law is one thing..............a corrupt scam is another.

[eddie61]

Thonglor police certainly were less finicky about testing when the Red Bull Brat walked after wiping out one of their spawn. Lets hope that the Ko Tao murders hits Thailand where it hurts..... in the wallets, and the despicable police scum get blamed for it.

[Mudcrab]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

Er, back in the states we have something called the fourth amendment which protects you from illegal search and seizures. Policemen would need "probable cause" (facts or evidence that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a suspect has committed a crime) to stop and search you on the street. And as for urine drug testing you'd have to be placed under arrest first before the policeman could even make a request for such a thing.

Er, Lex your not back in the States(or maybe you've never left).

Probable cause - cops said you were staggering when you walked but didn't smell of liquor.

Cop says you were abusing people in the street even if you weren't.

Cops says blah blah blah. I think probable cause could be invented any time a cop wants to.

I saw some poor, not in the financial sense (black) guy get arrested for complaining to the railway staff that he had missed the train at some big railway station close to the Newark airport. My first time in the US. I couldn't believe what I saw . One cop said to the guy "that's drunk talk" , the black bloke said "I haven't been drinking" and then the cop said to his partner "lock him up". I guess that is probable cause.

[Doc46]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

Good on you Costas Them dickheads should know that if you do drugs there is a good chance you will be caught ,only a matter of time.

[manarak]

just as a remark: i often see people walking around with jamaican-style headwear or t-shirts showing a marijuana leaf or stating 'smoking is not a crime' etc... don't be surprised if police checks you

[Fairynuff]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

"They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world" - NOT

Any post by dear old Costas should be taken with the pinch of salt (I'm sure) he intends. He has a wonderful sense of humour (I think)

[Utley]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

"They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world" - NOT

Any post by dear old Costas should be taken with the pinch of salt (I'm sure) he intends. He has a wonderful sense of humour (I think)

"He has a wonderful sense of humour" - That would explain a lot.

[shrimpythailand]

they can drop a yaba pill into one of your pockets - so yes good of saramsland to mention that to check their hands first as well - also once they got your urine sample they can stick the yaba test paper in it as well... have to stand up for yourself tho as it can go bad quick if it is a slow day and they need to get their quota money back to the big boss - whomever it is ...

anyway - good to know about soi 21-23 - have a friend coming to right there staying soi 15 so will tell him to be careful

[A1Str8]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

That's it. That's all.

[tomacht8]

Body searches and piss tests without reason I've not seen yet in any other country.
A degrading procedure against tourists.
Thailand must not be surprised that the tourist numbers go down.

[The Deerhunter]

I really do hope the general has someone watching TVF for leads that do not come from his own sources. The difficulty in being so high up is you do not get to source your own news. It comes provided with a package of whatever agenda your subordinates deem fit. If I was in his shoes TVF is one place I would have a full time watcher on to get a different viewpoint than the standard laundered Thai intel. It was good enough for Rama V to hire the American ex ambassador to Malaya on his private staff over 100 years ago to find out how his many kids really were doing at the expensive overseas schools he had them sent to. He would have only got glowing reports if he asked a Thai to monitor the reports from the schools they were attending. Nothing changes. I hope the general is watching TVF. A good man would soon sort the wheat from the chaff for him & we could all be doing Thailand a favour.

[The Deerhunter]

just as a remark: i often see people walking around with jamaican-style headwear or t-shirts showing a marijuana leaf or stating 'smoking is not a crime' etc... don't be surprised if police checks you

Yes, the OP says he was just minding his own business etc etc. BUT!!!!!! How was he dressed? Smartass Teeshirt? Rasta hairdo or dreadlocks etc. Red, green & yellow head or neck scarfe? Clean tidy clothes or like a backpacker who never got home after he had a bad nite on the smokes last night? That would be helpful to know.

I am sympathetic but some guys do ask for it. It is called "profiling" and it is not new. And it is NOT Rocket Science!

Edited October 14, 2014 by The Deerhunter

[jaywalker]

I have so many issues with this I can't even list them all. Let's say for the moment that we get past all of the "can they" or "should they" do this questions.

Well, Thais are not very exacting when it comes to anything. Do you really trust a Thai person doing very exacting lab work. Even with highly trained individuals, the false positives on tests like this can be very high. I would not trust them with organization, handling, and potential contamination of the samples. I would not trust them with anything. Legitimately too, I really would not trust them with this sort of work, and anybody who would is crazy.

I would not take the test and just suffer the consequences, whatever those may be. As was already said it is just another way to shake people down, total joke. Tell them to take a hike (refuse with a serious vibe about yourself) and they usually leave you alone ironically. It is just a profit treadmill for them, you are putting up a stink and it is on to the next customer and greener pastures.

I was at the Eckamai bus station years ago, just arrived back from Pattaya, with my then girlfriend. We had been down for the weekend & just had a couple backpacks with us.

She scurried off to restroom as soon as we got off the bus, so I was standing around with a couple packs near me.

Two cops approached & wanted my passport. Told them it was at my apartment.

OK...Can we check your bag? Sure, knock yourself out.

OK, Can we check this bag? Not my bag.

OK, you can go.

[richard_smith237]

just as a remark: i often see people walking around with jamaican-style headwear or t-shirts showing a marijuana leaf or stating 'smoking is not a crime' etc... don't be surprised if police checks you

Yes, the OP says he was just minding his own business etc etc. BUT!!!!!! How was he dressed? Smartass Teeshirt? Rasta hairdo or dreadlocks etc. Red, green & yellow head or neck scarfe? Clean tidy clothes or like a backpacker who never got home after he had a bad nite on the smokes last night? That would be helpful to know.

I am sympathetic but some guys do ask for it. It is called "profiling" and it is not new. And it is NOT Rocket Science!

And when someone's dressed normally, conventionally and conforming well within the generally accepted social norms what is it then?

Profiling... Yes... Profiling foreigners perhaps... Profiling those less likely to kick up a stink, those less likely to have connections and those more likely to have money to hand to pay out....

Yes. I agree, in *some areas they certainly do appear to profile.

*In other areas of Bkk and Thailand the BiB seem quite indifferent.

[DoctorB]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

No it's not. It would not be permitted here in the UK and in the US the police would need "probable cause" for such a test. Also what if you have just flown in from one of the US states that permit marijuana ? In countries with any respect for human rights, demanding a pee test on the street would be regarded as assault.

Also despite what others have posted, marijuana is detectable in urine only for about 4 days. it would be detectable however in a hair sample for much longer.

I do wish some people would get their facts straight before they do their self righteous fulminating.

[rgs2001uk]

just as a remark: i often see people walking around with jamaican-style headwear or t-shirts showing a marijuana leaf or stating 'smoking is not a crime' etc... don't be surprised if police checks you

Yes, the OP says he was just minding his own business etc etc. BUT!!!!!! How was he dressed? Smartass Teeshirt? Rasta hairdo or dreadlocks etc. Red, green & yellow head or neck scarfe? Clean tidy clothes or like a backpacker who never got home after he had a bad nite on the smokes last night? That would be helpful to know.

I am sympathetic but some guys do ask for it. It is called "profiling" and it is not new. And it is NOT Rocket Science!

And when someone's dressed normally, conventionally and conforming well within the generally accepted social norms what is it then?

Profiling... Yes... Profiling foreigners perhaps... Profiling those less likely to kick up a stink, those less likely to have connections and those more likely to have money to hand to pay out....

Yes. I agree, in *some areas they certainly do appear to profile.

*In other areas of Bkk and Thailand the BiB seem quite indifferent.

*In other areas of Bkk and Thailand the BiB seem quite indifferent.

As has been pointed out in this thread and on the many that have gone before, this is a problem in one area of Bkk only, and has been going on for years.

Just down the soi in Lumpinee area no such problems.

I live a few hundred yards away from a police station, there must be about 100+ policemen drive by the house every day, never once have any of them ever stopped or questioned me.

Personally i dont think its anything to do with being indifferent, we all know what the problem is, we aint allowed to discuss it, thats the problem.

Hopefully The General sorts it out, though in typical Thai fashion it will die a death, the patronage system that exists here means someone somewhere will have a bigger stick.

[rgs2001uk]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

No it's not. It would not be permitted here in the UK and in the US the police would need "probable cause" for such a test. Also what if you have just flown in from one of the US states that permit marijuana ? In countries with any respect for human rights, demanding a pee test on the street would be regarded as assault.

Also despite what others have posted, marijuana is detectable in urine only for about 4 days. it would be detectable however in a hair sample for much longer.

I do wish some people would get their facts straight before they do their self righteous fulminating.

New to Thailand I can see.

It would not be permitted here in the UK and in the US the police would need "probable cause"

Great stuff, LOL, you aint in Kansas now Dot.

In countries with any respect for human rights,

Excuse me while I pick myself up from the floor, read up on the history of Ye Olde Siam, ask the Royhinga about human rights.

demanding a pee test on the street would be regarded as assault.

Assault, tell that to the courts here, brilliant post, enjoy your stay.

Left wing liberals and brown rice eaters, this country may not be for you.

[ajarnmarc]

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Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?
They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.
What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.
Is this so hard to understand?

Costas, some countries it is legal to smoke marajuana, so actually someone could test positive if they had smoked it in the last 30 -35 days , and that might not have been in Thailand, so in a way it is nonsense.

I am not sure though if BIBs tests are multi drug panel testing, I suspect that might only be for meth on these shake downs. Irrespective, it's ridiculous that this is happening, without any real specific reason of suspicion. The area mentioned is a cesspool, with a rogue BIB element anyhow.

As Costas said - don't like the laws here? Going to ignore them? Don't cry when you get caught.

Again - don't know the laws here? Learn them or don't cry when you get caught.

Travelling as a tourist here? Do your homework, learn the local laws. Don't cry when you get caught.

The OP was singled out...

That's not the same as being caught!

He appears to be asking what are the rights of foreigners in Thailand...

That's not crying!

I'm not sure why you & Costas can't understand what you've read,

and more importantly why you decided to commit on something neither of you are truly informed on.

If either of you were well informed, you'd do the OP a great justice of your time,

by leading him to such a Thai law,

so he and others would know what their rights are,

and are not in the kingdom; provide there is such a thing as rights here...?

I think it's safe to say or write,

that the average tourist doesn't study the laws of each country they are traveling to.

The whole idea of traveling is or used to be,

to enjoy some free time,

and while doing so,

use common sense as to what is except able during your visit in each country.

I would find it extremely hard to fathom that random searches on the streets of a country we wish to visit would be considered,

in our thoughts while planning a trip,

if it were, we probably wouldn't visit that country,

as it would be in most peoples mind; a communist country.

Most people come to Thailand with the impression it's a laid back country,

where people are allowed to relax and enjoy the tranquility,

as there's not much else to really enjoy.

Apparently that isn't the case at this time,

and therefore this is news to us that are not aware of the current searches taking place,

nor the random ejects from taxis traveling with foreigners by the BIB.

So I found the OP of interest, as to the current situation taking place in BKK,

and as another post noted, also in Pattaya.

What wasn't interesting was your reply to the OP.

I've spent a great deal of time in both locations in the past 15 years of my stay,

and have never experienced such a situation, it too would surprise me,

and be a cause for alarm, as the BIB are not officials that can be trusted,

especially in a remote environment; such as a gas station urinal.

The mere fact of having everyone on the street gazing at the OP,

or anyone else in this situation,

would be enough to make most embarrassed,

and more than uncomfortable.

[Camilo Diaz]

The chemicals produced from smoking weed can stay in your system for as long as 3 months, but would only be found from a blood test, not urine test.

The internet say it can:

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/marijuana_test.htm

But I wonder if this Thai Police test is the same that they do for driving license?.. if it its then I think it can't.

Edited October 14, 2014 by Camilo Diaz

[KOZMO]

Are they allowed? Yes, discussed several times already.

They look for derelecks and other low class people!! if you hadn't slept and not shaved or showered and had long hair then you deserved to be searched.

try looking civilized and maybe you won't have a problem. I have never been stopped by the police since 1970, when I first set foot in Thailand.

Thailand had a problem of hippies and low class people coming to Thailand with 1 way tickets before and maybe $50 to there name. Immigration got

smart and would not give you a visa if you looked like a hippie. Keep the low lifes out of Thailand!!!! They have enough of there own beggars!!!

[GOLDBUGGY]

You should have given them your stained underwear from you bag and said test this. Tell them also that they can even get a Stool Sample from that, if they want one of those to!

I highly doubt they could do anything legal if they tested you for pot you smoked even a couple of days ago, if you were out of country. After all, in some countries it is legal. I know it used to be in Amsterdam, in the bars, so I can't see them charging you for that. Even were it is not legal, smoking pot is not a crime against humanity, like a Child Molester would be, so they can't charge you for this crime you may have committed in another country.

I think they only check for illegal drugs that are in your body during the time of testing. But for sure, and whatever you want to call this, it is not tourist friendly and things like this just cause people like us, to go elsewhere.If they had a good reason to check you, then fine. But random checking, where Farangs are the ones pulled out, is not helping the tourist industry.

Keep it up Boys and see what you end up with!

.

[mrtoad]

As a few people have said, this is nothing but a shake down.

Id like to see the number of deaths thatcare attributed to Thong Lor BIB over the last 15 years due to corrupt practices.

Santika is a good place to start...

Thong Lor BIB are nothing but scum

[mrtoad]

You should have given them your stained underwear from you bag and said test this. Tell them also that they can even get a Stool Sample from that, if they want one of those to!

I highly doubt they could do anything legal if they tested you for pot you smoked even a couple of days ago, if you were out of country. After all, in some countries it is legal. I know it used to be in Amsterdam, in the bars, so I can't see them charging you for that. Even were it is not legal, smoking pot is not a crime against humanity, like a Child Molester would be, so they can't charge you for this crime you may have committed in another country.

I think they only check for illegal drugs that are in your body during the time of testing. But for sure, and whatever you want to call this, it is not tourist friendly and things like this just cause people like us, to go elsewhere.If they had a good reason to check you, then fine. But random checking, where Farangs are the ones pulled out, is not helping the tourist industry.

Keep it up Boys and see what you end up with!

.

Positive piss test is classed as possesion. Argue away about where you took it, doesnt matter

[Sviss Geez]

Did you notice whether the cops were carrying guns? If not, they were probably BMA officers, the same Thetsakij who perpetrate the cigarette butt and litter extortion scam along Sukhumvit. Maybe they were real cops, but if they weren't carrying guns, they were probably the Thetskij. In which case you could have told them to f*** off and walked away.

Not only do they not carry guns but they have a different uniform!

[flyingirish]

I'd just like to point out to everyone wondering how I looked I was wearing dark jeans a navy tshirt with a small white design on it and runners, I have short gelled hair and had shaved that morning so not your typical backpacker style and I was carrying a small school like bag not a backpack, but the other guy who was stopped had a baggy green tshirt and shorts and did look like a backpacker but they let him go. So I don't understand why I was made take the test and not him. im just glad I dont smoke anymore that could of ended badly

[Sviss Geez]

Fine if you are found in actual possession of the substance, but arresting tourists who may just have it in their system is wrong.

Not if that is the law of the country it isn't. What is wrong is breaking a country's laws whether you agree with them or not. Don't break the law and you'll have no problems.

[Sviss Geez]

It is a disgrace carried out by bully boys and the people on this forum who write in support of random drug searches are no better than the thugs themselves. The vast majority of normal people use or have used so called illegal drugs. It is those prurient moralists who are non users who are in the minority. Even under the UK draconian anti freedom laws drugs found in the system in such a way cannot be counted as possession. Any cursory examination of any national currency can detect various drugs. These actions by the Thai police are barbaric corruption for which the weak and poor suffer. Shame on Thailand and their medieval laws. And even greater shame on some of the commentators on this forum who, quite frankly, seem hate filled, for Thailand, for foreigners and I suspect for them selves.

"The vast majority of normal people use or have used so called illegal drugs. It is those prurient moralists who are non users who are in the minority."

I'd love to see your evidence for that banal remark.

[Globeman]

Why every 2 or 3 weeks somebody comes up on this forum, crying and asking for sympathy, because the police searched them or made them have a drug test?

They should know by now this is perfectly legal, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

What is illegal in Thailand and they should put it in their thick heads, is that they shouldn't use any drugs or smokes while here.

Is this so hard to understand?

In most countries where farangs come from, it is not legal to do an arbitrary search without just cause - so it isn't legal all over the world, as you claimed. Where did you get that idea?

And I don't think reporting an attempted shakedown by a couple of members of the badged mafia is crying and asking for sympathy... it is useful information. Regardless of whether someone uses drugs, such arbitrary searches are intrusive harassment, and many people may choose not to walk around the reported locations where such abuses of police powers are occurring. It also describes the experience for the uninitiated, so that when it does happen to them it is a bit less traumatic because they know what to expect.

Also, do you trust their drug testing methods? Or trust them not to screw you over by planting dope on you to raise a little drinking money?

And as other posters have pointed out, drugs smoked legally in another country could test positive, and these boneheads are far too stupid, or just plain corrupt to understand or accept this. This isn't exactly the land of fairness and justice.

Is all this hard to understand by some chance? Not that I'm suggesting you have a thick head...

[soundman]

I have removed a number of inflammatory posts and replies. Be civil please.