Surge of reported police harassment suggests campaign targeting tourists, expats

[impulse]

Strangely enough, this summer, the Spanish were offering tourists an official - police copy of their passport so they can carry that and avoid having the real one stolen. I didn't check on the cost and don't know if the service is still available.

Perhaps it would be nice if the RTP could offer that?

Also make it about credit card size so it fits in the pocket easily?

It is law in many countries that visitors must carry their passport at all times.

If carrying your actual passport,wrap it in something waterproof because it only needs a little wetting to render the passport useless!

Then you are into the additional waste of time and extra cost of an emergency passport, a replacement once you get home etc.

A royal pain in the bum!

there is no law in any country that you have to carry your passport,

there is a law that you have to indentify yourselve, so you can use your ID card or Driver License, International Driver License

for foreigner living here Thai Driver license is enough because all data are on the DL,

only if you are supected to comitted a crime or your ID is not correct they can force you for passport.

even Thai bank accept DL for indentification, they give me a new VisaCard in Koh Samui even my branch is in Chiang Mai,

i had only DL with me and bankbook,

dont scare too much when meet police,

Wrong. Very dangerous mis-information.

Edited December 4, 2014 by impulse

[chickenrunCM]

So who is this English guy?

“Then this English guy crosses the road and says ‘You’ve been acting suspicious ... I want to see your passport,'” he recounted."

Since when can Brits, or indeed any other foreigner, ask to see a passport?

may be only a thai who attended a good bi lingual or international school, all speak a perfect english but not working in bars or as taxidrivers

[John1thru10]

My son is going to Bangkok to volunteer with a well known org, however they've said that he shud come on a tourist visa because if the write a letter for volunteering they have to get him a work permit. The embassy said that's not so. Anyone know ???

Enufsaid, one needs an official work permit, to even volunteer in Thailand. Until recently, they were looser about such things. But after the coup, and under martial law (and this kind of intimidation that seems to be part of it), I really wouldn't suggest it. They are, it seems, really hoping to find any small infraction by non-Asian foreigners the last 6 months, even upon entering, etc.

Edited December 4, 2014 by John1thru10

[sabaii69]

Just left Las Vegas where I stayed in a 5 star casino-hotel-convention center complex. There was an Asian sports convention/games going on with perhaps a thousand Asian guests. The buffet line is shown here consisting of almost all Asians. None were harassed for ID or passport. But, again, LV is all about being nice to tourists.

[Christie Paul]

What was a rather pleasant, fun and exciting place to be has morphed into an open sewer.

[chickenrunCM]

this police controlls you have in every country in europe, if you look like a foreigner and you are near parks, trainstations or other special places, police checks you because of your skin color, against law but anyway police do it. EU court already made a decision that this controlls abusing human tights

[John1thru10]

Strangely enough, this summer, the Spanish were offering tourists an official - police copy of their passport so they can carry that and avoid having the real one stolen. I didn't check on the cost and don't know if the service is still available.

Perhaps it would be nice if the RTP could offer that?

Also make it about credit card size so it fits in the pocket easily?

It is law in many countries that visitors must carry their passport at all times.

If carrying your actual passport,wrap it in something waterproof because it only needs a little wetting to render the passport useless!

Then you are into the additional waste of time and extra cost of an emergency passport, a replacement once you get home etc.

A royal pain in the bum!

there is no law in any country that you have to carry your passport,

there is a law that you have to indentify yourselve, so you can use your ID card or Driver License, International Driver License

for foreigner living here Thai Driver license is enough because all data are on the DL,

only if you are supected to comitted a crime or your ID is not correct they can force you for passport.

even Thai bank accept DL for indentification, they give me a new VisaCard in Koh Samui even my branch is in Chiang Mai,

i had only DL with me and bankbook,

dont scare too much when meet police,

Wrong. Very dangerous mis-information.

Agreed! My neighbor the other night, re: these things - who's been here all of 5 months in his life - said 'I'm not carrying my passport, and that won't be happening to me!' The arrogance. This is SE Asia; you don't have rights.

[rondii]

We've never been welcomed here. Only tolerated because of our money. Money is the only thing these crooks are after. Don't ever let them search you. If they are really interested in enforcing the law, i will gladly drop off a mirror so they have a clue where to start.

Absolute rubbish, I, and others I know have lived and worked here a fairly long time, with many thai friends and acquaintances, and only found that the majority of Thais including many police to be warm and friendly; and no they have never sought any money from me. Maybe it's you they only tolerate if you pay them??

Edited December 4, 2014 by rondii

[websoup]

The broader truth is that the police have been harassing the locals and Burmese/Cambodian workers since the curfew was lifted. As some of the members mentioned, the police AND immigration in general have been losing their source of bribes (primary incomes) not salary (secondary income).

- Illegal gambling den. Gone.

- Grey businesses (massage parlour, bars, etc). Gone.

- Import of grey market products. Gone.

- Taxi/Tuk Tuk/Motobike. Gone

- Check Points. Gone

There are stalemates btw police and army. Since the army is officially keeping order, businesses cannot pay police off like they used to since police's permission cannot supercede military's permission. On the other hand, army bribe system works very differently. Army don't bother with small bribes and they're not trained to handle such transaction (from first and second hand experience).

Only top brass gets paid and it trickles down. And when top brass gets paid, it's huge ticket items like jet fighter and airplane to Thai Airways (that's why Thailand's price for Boeing plane is one of the most expensive in the world).

Thai police suffered through the political standoff as much as many businesses (ironically). I remember the first day curfew lifted...you saw so many "check-points" it's almost funny. Those guys came out in force, hungry to make back what they lost. It's something that the locals had to suffer through for many months already.

I guess tourists are the next logical move because they'd already tapped out on the locals.

So stop whining about being picked on because you're an expats. Understand that the locals took the brunt but without the benefit of int'l media behind them to report it.

I'm not even talking about the bastion of paragon, Immigration. That's another post for another day.

[chickenrunCM]

I was just saying to my partner today that the police don't have to be corrupt to make good money. There is so many things happening right in front of them each and everyday they could probably rack up a lot more money doing the right thing. Just as an example how much could they make for fining people not wearing helmets (passenger included), driving on the wrong side of the road, crossing double lines, cutting corners, driving and riding dangerously, unroadworthy vehicles, not stopping at pedestrian crossings, not stopping at red lights, failure to indicate, driving with un-care due and attention and the list goes on and on. If they cracked down on this they would make much much more money and make the road much much safer as well.

I used this example to point out to my partner just how much could be made each time we saw something on our short drive. In less than 10min, I could have racked up close to 20,000 baht without doing anything other than fining those actually doing something wrong.

of course you have to be corrupt to make money otherwise you work only for your salery,

and checking helmets only in special area and towns and in others not, this is corrupt too!

never see any check point in Koh Samui for helmets, in Chiang Mai only day time you can drive by night without helmet thru a check point

at Thapai gate no problem, senseless, in Esan 70% not wearing helmets.

only with enforcing the thaffic laws police could safe 10000 lifes a year or even more,

Thailand with 60 Million People has 3 tiems for victims in accidents than Germany with 80 Million People and 50 Million transit traffic on the highways

so copaired to Germany the ratio is 7 to 1, only because nobody cares about safty and law

[Bluespunk]

Lets not blow this out of proportion.

While the alleged behaviour of Thong Lor police is unacceptable, and an unjustifiable burden on tourists and local residents, it does not seem to happen anywhere else in Bangkok or any other place in Thailand.

Yet.

Well, lets cross that bridge when we get there -- if we ever do.

Always thought you're quite positive.

Usually I am, but know someone this has happened to. Very scary experience for them.

[mataleo]

What is fb group any link pls

[Jaggg88]

Strangely enough, this summer, the Spanish were offering tourists an official - police copy of their passport so they can carry that and avoid having the real one stolen. I didn't check on the cost and don't know if the service is still available.

Perhaps it would be nice if the RTP could offer that?

Also make it about credit card size so it fits in the pocket easily?

It is law in many countries that visitors must carry their passport at all times.

If carrying your actual passport,wrap it in something waterproof because it only needs a little wetting to render the passport useless!

Then you are into the additional waste of time and extra cost of an emergency passport, a replacement once you get home etc.

A royal pain in the bum!

Many photo shops already offer this service - a reduced size laminated copy of your passport info page and visa on the back. I don't know if the RTP will accept that tho'

[anon022]

of little interest to the ignorant fools that have gone native and live in the booonies of nakon nowhere ...BUT lets not forget that many Genuine tourists transit thro bkk for a few days and they fear this kind of abuse by any law enforcement as this is the natorious far east and being forced to sign any bull that is made up on that day of a little pill slipped into your shirt pocket can DESTROY your life/////..but hey thailand is perfect isnt it fools

He was asked to sign, not forced, but yes, it was still a force of intimidation. Bottom line is, you just refuse, and you're off with a hundred baht fine. Case closed.

[John1thru10]

We've never been welcomed here. Only tolerated because of our money. Money is the only thing these crooks are after. Don't ever let them search you. If they are really interested in enforcing the law, i will gladly drop off a mirror so they have a clue where to start.

Absolute rubbish, I, and others I know have lived and worked here a fairly long time, with many thai friends and acquaintances, and only found that the majority of Thais including many police to be warm and friendly; and no they have never sought any money from me. Maybe it's you they only tolerate if you pay them??

I agree, it hasn't always been this aggressively negative. This is due to the last coup. I've seen 3 coups here now, and the first two I saw left foreigners rather out of things. I always felt very welcome here before, and was never ripped off or hurt over the years. It's the new regime; this is an extremely angry and xenophobic spirit which has taken over Thailand.

[globalmedia8]

Thats not all folks - Reports on DSBKK today say they are stopping tourists coming in at the Airport for having too many cigarettes, which seems plausible since there is a limit.

But wait!

They waited until the tourists walked outside the airport before they pounced, searched bags, found 3 packs of cigarettes, then fined them 10,000 baht!

But why outside the airport? Surely the Xray and customs officials inside the airport is the usual place for this?

Oh right - the 10,000 baht fine was Corruption tea money

this has been happening for many many years at least 8 years ago the same happened to me

But remember this customs officers can stop you anywhere they like including your home if they suspect anything

[green job]

Rubbish I dont believe a word,,, If so,you know what they say? If the kitchen is too hot get out.

[John1thru10]

We've never been welcomed here. Only tolerated because of our money. Money is the only thing these crooks are after. Don't ever let them search you. If they are really interested in enforcing the law, i will gladly drop off a mirror so they have a clue where to start.

Absolute rubbish, I, and others I know have lived and worked here a fairly long time, with many thai friends and acquaintances, and only found that the majority of Thais including many police to be warm and friendly; and no they have never sought any money from me. Maybe it's you they only tolerate if you pay them??

I agree, it hasn't always been this aggressively negative. This is due to the last coup. I've seen 3 coups here now, and the first two I saw left foreigners rather out of things. I always felt very welcome here before, and was never ripped off or hurt over the years. It's the new regime, since May.

Edited December 4, 2014 by John1thru10

[PatOngo]

[Gringogazzer]

Example #1: Shooting themselves in the foot once again. (With their barbarism):

Many reports have been in the Thong Lor area."

"An expat resident living in the area claimed that on Monday police forced him to the Thong Lor Police Station for a urine test."

"When he couldnt produce, he says they forced him to drink four liters of water and pressed forcefully on his bladder to make him urinate and touched his penis.

Out of control Thugs.

Example #2: Inserting their foot in their (ignorant) mouths again:

"It could have been drugs-related charges, but those arrests are of colored people, said investigator Chaliew of the Khlong Tan police department, who refused to give his last name.

Mostly drugs and illegal immigration charges. There haven't been many arrests of white people ... like Americans."

I wasn't aware there are only white people in America.

I wouldn't of thought he is even aware the President of America is "colored".

Quite a simple mind really.

[mataleo]

Whats that fb group

[Dumu Ali]

now when i go for a happy ending I keep the used condoms in my pocket and it protects me from police searches, I used to dread being stopped but now I have a big smile and I am waiting for someone to sniff my used ones with delicate Nakorn Boobsandbum aromas, if they ask about it I will tell them I am an ecopat and I must wash wash and recycle everything at home after sniffing them coz sniffin cocaine is now illegal

[John1thru10]

The broader truth is that the police have been harassing the locals and Burmese/Cambodian workers since the curfew was lifted. As some of the members mentioned, the police AND immigration in general have been losing their source of bribes (primary incomes) not salary (secondary income).

- Illegal gambling den. Gone.

- Grey businesses (massage parlour, bars, etc). Gone.

- Import of grey market products. Gone.

- Taxi/Tuk Tuk/Motobike. Gone

- Check Points. Gone

There are stalemates btw police and army. Since the army is officially keeping order, businesses cannot pay police off like they used to since police's permission cannot supercede military's permission. On the other hand, army bribe system works very differently. Army don't bother with small bribes and they're not trained to handle such transaction (from first and second hand experience).

Only top brass gets paid and it trickles down. And when top brass gets paid, it's huge ticket items like jet fighter and airplane to Thai Airways (that's why Thailand's price for Boeing plane is one of the most expensive in the world).

Thai police suffered through the political standoff as much as many businesses (ironically). I remember the first day curfew lifted...you saw so many "check-points" it's almost funny. Those guys came out in force, hungry to make back what they lost. It's something that the locals had to suffer through for many months already.

I guess tourists are the next logical move because they'd already tapped out on the locals.

So stop whining about being picked on because you're an expats. Understand that the locals took the brunt but without the benefit of int'l media behind them to report it.

I'm not even talking about the bastion of paragon, Immigration. That's another post for another day.

Seriously? Stop whining about being intimidated on the street for no reason, extorted and having drugs planted on you with the threat of imprisonment? You're insane.

[AGareth2]

story is suspect

Edited December 4, 2014 by AGareth2

[Lupatria]

I have been told that the reason

For upsurge in stop checks

Is drug related

The police have got the idea

That the back pack er

Tourist are drug dealers users

Hence urine test

Seem to be targeting

20/30/40

Age group

Male mostly

If you've never smoked weed

Or taken any

Recreation drugs

Drugs are the big no no

THIS IS THE REASON

And that’s a good enough reason to press a 70 year old woman to take a p%#*ss test in a public restroom of a Shopping Mall?

Drugs are the big no no?

Then why are enough drugs (Ice, Yaba etc.) on the streets of Bkk for sale every day (we all know the notorious Soi numbers) that can plaster a Tesco parking lot? And why are the cops mainly searching farrang tourists while the dealers from a dark continent are safe and not bothered at all in certain areas?

[Neeranam]

Thailand doesn't want too many foreigners - just look at the lengths they are going to to avoid ASEAN. Whiteys with money fair enough but certainly not Lao and Burmese and other Asians taking their jobs and being able to come here indiscriminately.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Neeranam

[jpduggan]

I have lived in BKK now for 3 Years.

I have Newer been stopped or had any problem with the police. Newer had to pay any tea money at all....

Maybe I smell bad ???

The V key is 3 rows avay from the W on my keyboard. How you do that?

[toooa]

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

ATTENTION:

We need to brainstorm and find a resolution to stop these harassment from the Thonglor Police! So, what can we do, any suggestions? Does anyone has a connection with CNN, Fox news or Huffpost? We should let the world know about the harassments involving tourists and expats in Bangkok from Thonglor Police Department!

Social media is the key. Get a squad of people together to conduct 'patrols' some armed with cameras, some for bait. The idea being to bait the vultures. As soon as the bait is taken, a message goes out to all in the area. They come in to get the photo evidence. Naturally you would have some people with a nice zoom camera too, which would enable some more unnoticed wildlife photography. Key is to get the details of the offenders, face photos, badge photos, motorbike registration plate photos so they are fully identified. Some can take close in shots with iphones etc...some can be in more strategic locations with zooms. Lawyers can be kept on standby.

All the results can be uploaded and shared on social media and links sent to news sites. For best affect, gather a few good juicy incident reports and publish all together for max effect.

The more intense the media scrutiny, the better.

Links with falling tourist numbers should be emphasized. Get plenty of interviews with tourists who've be wrongly harassed, make sure they state their disgust and how this is their last trip here.

Another thing we could all do, is draw big cocks on A4 sheets of paper, and then fold them in half about 5 or 6 times to make it look like a suspicious package. Carry this with you at all times. When stopped imagine their greedy eyes focused on the suspicious package....carefully unwrapping it....to find a big life sized hard-on sketched on a bit of A4! That would confuse them for sure.

If asked to piss, why not just piss in your pants. Then stand around stinking of piss. No-one likes to be around people who smell of fresh piss. If they make you drink 4 litres, do it....and then just piss it out through your trousers all over the place...all lovely and warm.what they gonna do? Repeat until they get tired. I haven't actually tried this, but it's an idea and I'm brainstorming.

When that's done, ask if they'd like a stool sample. tell 'em you had a spicy pad krapow kai doa for breakfast and you'd be happy to oblige at a moment's notice.

[chickenrunCM]

I always carry original and valid id. I don't do drug, prostitute or alcohol. If police want pee test or ass search, I am happy to comply. After all, it is their duty to keep alien safe, and not be drug, rape or murdered like the 2 brits in Koh tao.

so your statement is that people who drink alcohol, use sometimes drugs even if it is leagal where they are or go to a prostitute and pay her the money both agree for service, this people are bad and you are the perfect one.

so why you not put a chip under your skin that they can track you wherever you are, why you not give them the passwords to your emailaccounts and

why you not put livecams in your house or appartments o everybody can watch you because you have nothing to hide,

why you not use your real name as alias in TV if for you it is so easy not to have privacy in life,

so when you make sport or swimming at the beach you always have your ID card with you?

I wait the moment you loose it and then you will tell your embassy that you lost it at beach

you will see their reaction and I hope they let you wait 6 month for a new passport

[Phra Ek]

Lived in Udon 2 years..Never been stopped by police for anything..Stopped once in the car for a license check. Showed It, and that was that. Just had a week in Chiang Mai..Same. Is this only a Bangkok thing? Don't see any complaints from residents of Phuket, Pattaya, Issarn etc.

It's really a Central Bangkok/Thong Lor problem - the issues I've seen have been around the Asoke area.