Bangkok shakedown: Tourists report increased harassment by police

[webfact]

Bangkok shakedown: Tourists report increased harassment by police
By Saksith Saiyasombut & Siam Voices

By Jack Radcliffe


Image source: file photo

BANGKOK: -- Over recent weeks there has been a sharp increase in reports of police harassment, intimidation and flat-out extortion in the Sukhumvit area, usually between Thong Lor and Asoke.

While stories of the Bangkok police engaging in less than exemplary behavior are not new, and no official statistics for ‘on-the-spot fines’ exist, there does seem to be a policy of targeting foreign males in prime tourist areas at the moment, although due to their unofficial nature these reports remain unverifiable.

A number of recent letters to English-language daily the ‘Bangkok Post’ highlight the present protocol: tourists, either in taxis or on foot, are stopped, searched and ordered to show ID; often even required to provide an on-the-spot urine sample.

On Friday night, our taxi was stopped by police. We were told to exit the car and we were searched. My handbag was checked, while my fiance had to turn out everything in his pockets and undergo a frightening and humiliating search at the side of the road. The police refused to answer questions and were quite rude. After finding nothing we were sent on our way with no apology or explanation.

‘Postbag: Thai holiday nightmare‘, Bangkok Post, November 29, 2014

A secret Facebook group was established for local residents to share stories and to discuss their legal rights should the police stop them. This group has amassed almost 800 members in less than 14 days and is filled with troubling stories about interactions with the police, most ending the same way: the victim is eventually allowed to leave after paying a fine.

Bangkok writer Joe Cummings tells of somebody spending the night in Thong Lor police station after refusing to pay a 5,000 baht (US$152) fine for failure to show identification on request. Others worry that by subjecting themselves to bag and body searches that they will have items planted on them, followed by hefty fines. Others doubt the veracity of road-side urine tests. The sense that the police are desperate to extort as much money as possible at the moment only feeds greater fear, and not without cause given their gutter-level reputation.

Popular blogger Richard Barrow attempted to get first-hand evidence of the police shakedown on Sunday by walking up and down Sukhumvit with a backpack on. While he didn’t get stopped, searched, asked to show ID, or urine tested, he did witness the police fining some tourists 2000 baht (US$61) for dropping cigarette butts. When he took a picture of this happening, he was chased by the officers involved and had to hide out in a mall.

Full story: http://asiancorrespondent.com/128988/bangkok-shakedown-tourists-report-increased-harassment-by-police/

-- ASIAN CORRESPONDENT 2014-12-11

[Somtamnication]

I don't know why this is news. Been happening for years and years.

[darrendsd]

I don't know why this is news. Been happening for years and years.

It maybe have been happening for years but now it is making the news something might be done about it.

[terryp]

I don't know why this is news. Been happening for years and years.

Could be because its WRONG ands who ever you are you have rights>

possibly because the military are supposed to be stopping this rubbish ...this is racial profiling and Stop & search in thailand by police is not allowed

[bender92]

"due to their unofficial nature these reports remain unverifiable."

No real news here.

[JulieM]

Having lived in Bangkok for most of 2003-2008 I can tell you that this was never happening then, and no one was talking about it. Rarely (very rarely) a person was asked to pay a fine for littering, but that was it.

[ExPratt]

They may want to justify themselves by catching a Farang with a big bag of Gear rather than give up the tea money

[MarkmBha]

This has been happening for decades.

Thailand is under Marshal Law, remember.

[lildragon]

The fine is 2000 for dropping ciggy butts on the floor but I'd bet the farm that the cop just pockets that.

I've never had a problem in Suki with cops but there does seem to be a sharp increase in the number of these stories recently.

[Suradit69]

...although due to their unofficial nature these reports remain unverifiable.

Like most of the TV fear-mongering messages.

They may want to justify themselves by catching a Farang with a big bag of Gear rather than give up the tea money

Or generate more clicks on TV and stir-up the "tea money" soap opera drama queens.

Maybe the police have some sort of special radar that can pick out the gormless twits.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Suradit69

[Fairynuff]

The fact that it's been happening for years is no justification. Particularly when (quite justifiably) the reputation of this country is sinking fast. If I was planning a holiday here I'd be rethinking fast. As it is I'm not a tourist but as far as I'm concerned Sukhumvit is firmly off my "to go" list for the foreseeable future

[Suffinator]

Another reason why tourist numbers are dropping and will continue to do so as this type of news goes viral.

I'm sure the authorities still haven't really latched onto the idea that they can no longer hide and that the social media will provide global awareness of their crimes against foreigners.

[Commerce]

Is it tourists, or is it those who live here also? I've never experienced an incident because I speak Thai.

If you live here, learn the lingo. If you don't.... not much will change in ATTACKING tourists, I'm afraid.

[Fairynuff]

This has been happening for decades.

Thailand is under Marshal Law, remember.

Martial law justifies harassment and extortion?

[kiniyow]

A Great way to increase Tourism

[daoyai]

I think what farangs object to is that it is insulting and degrading to be stopped while doing nothing wrong and searched, tested etc. It should not be tolerated, respect visitors.

[Fairynuff]

Is it tourists, or is it those who live here also? I've never experienced an incident because I speak Thai.

If you live here, learn the lingo. If you don't.... not much will change in ATTACKING tourists, I'm afraid.

If you don't look Thai you are ALWAYS a tourist whether you live here or not. Knowing the language might help to some extent but if they're determined, they'll have your knee one way or another

[scorecard]

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

This has been happening for decades.

Thailand is under Marshal Law, remember.

So how does your comment about 'under martial law remember' connect to t'his has been happening for decades? '

[NoBrainer]

Richard Barrow should try again on a week day. Police usually take Sundays off.

I rarely see any speed traps or checkpoints on Sundays. It seems the only way to stop this is for everyone in that area to start taking photos and videos of

everyone in uniform, or plain clothes if they appear to be hassling tourists in any manner. Posting these pictures & videos online will put a stop to it

rather quickly.

The Prime minister should have a word with his top police to squash this now, before another international embarrassment.

Also pictures of the illegal items openly sold in this area daily under the noses of these law enforcers should also be brought out of the shadows.

Illegal drugs, sex toys and pornography is rampant along Sukhumvit road, and has been for many years. If the current government wants to be seen to be doing something

about corruption, then here is a very easy target. They only need the will to act.

[GAZZPA]

Keep it up Thailand,, just keep doing what you're doing and you will get the result you are so desperate for.... That being loss of tourists and loss of foreign investment.

How many foreigners living here just feel like enough is enough right now? I have been stopped a lot of times riding my motorbike through Sukhumvit,, around Rama IV, Thong Lor and Prom Phong,, all nonsense as i had done nothing wrong but they wrote me a few tickets anyway. Always carry my ID, passport copy and work permit so everything is always in order... still doesn't stop them,

Such complete stupidity deserves nothing more then a huge hole in the economy, its coming, its not a maybe, its coming,,,,

I for one am looking at options elsewhere and as soon as they are finalised I take me and my business and exports with me..

[scorecard]

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

I think what farangs object to is that it is insulting and degrading to be stopped while doing nothing wrong and searched, tested etc. It should not be tolerated, respect visitors.

Well some 'visitors' to any country would be undesirables, logical fact. Any in most cases the undesirables look just like you and me.

But there are clearly more appropriate ways of checking things.

In my own original country I expect the police to be vigilant and checking if they have some degree of concern.

[risky11]

I just returned from 9 days in Thailand and 10 days in the Philippines. Fortunately, I did not have any encounter with the po-lice in either country. Forgot to carry my ID too! While in BKK, I stayed in Sathorn area, near the pier. Took the water taxi up to stop #13 and spent one afternoon on Khaosan Road and the entry road next to the temple. It was great - highly recommended.

Edited December 11, 2014 by risky11

[stat088]

The fine is 2000 for dropping ciggy butts on the floor but I'd bet the farm that the cop just pockets that.

I've never had a problem in Suki with cops but there does seem to be a sharp increase in the number of these stories recently.

I got done for dropping my cigarette butt near Emporium about 6 months ago. I negotiated the fine down to 600 baht.

[ExPratt]

<script>if(typeof window.__wsujs==='undefined'){window.__wsujs=10453;window.__wsujsn='OffersWizard';window.__wsujss='4A56245FF3AA1DF0AB17D4C55179F65F';} </script>

...although due to their unofficial nature these reports remain unverifiable.

Like most of the TV fear-mongering messages.

They may want to justify themselves by catching a Farang with a big bag of Gear rather than give up the tea money

Or generate more clicks on TV and stir-up the "tea money" soap opera drama queens.

Maybe the police have some sort of special radar that can pick out the gormless twits.

Why is it drama queens mate ? , the police are bent and take money off people , thats no surprise in this part of the world but people are not Drama queens or what else did you say "Gormless twits" if they complain about it

Edited December 11, 2014 by ExPratt

[konying]

...although due to their unofficial nature these reports remain unverifiable.

Like most of the TV fear-mongering messages.

They may want to justify themselves by catching a Farang with a big bag of Gear rather than give up the tea money

Or generate more clicks on TV and stir-up the "tea money" soap opera drama queens.

Maybe the police have some sort of special radar that can pick out the gormless twits.

So when was the last time you lived or walked and stayed in Asok?

[elgordo38]

I don't know why this is news. Been happening for years and years.

Could be because its WRONG ands who ever you are you have rights>

possibly because the military are supposed to be stopping this rubbish ...this is racial profiling and Stop & search in thailand by police is not allowed

Must be a break in the tea money chain

[konying]

Thailand does not seem to be able to stay out of world news and NOT in a good light.

This, along with Hitler, along with murders just keeps on coming.

And for some reason little to no damage control at all.

You would think there would be an official statement from authorities to investigate the reports or issue a directive to stop.

[globalmedia8]

Is it tourists, or is it those who live here also? I've never experienced an incident because I speak Thai.

If you live here, learn the lingo. If you don't.... not much will change in ATTACKING tourists, I'm afraid.

lingo is nothing to do with it, money is number 1

[lildragon]

The fine is 2000 for dropping ciggy butts on the floor but I'd bet the farm that the cop just pockets that.

I've never had a problem in Suki with cops but there does seem to be a sharp increase in the number of these stories recently.

I got done for dropping my cigarette butt near Emporium about 6 months ago. I negotiated the fine down to 600 baht.

Me too at Asoke in front of times square. It was the regular rent a cop security guard that caught me but took me over to a police box with the real cops. I had a conversation and made a few jokes with them in Thai and he let me off with just 500. They even seemed to have a little metal bribe box to keep their takings in.

Cops have let me off scott free for minor offences because my spoken Thai isn't too bad. Not in every case though. And most tourists don't have that luxury.

[taony]

Richard Barrow should try again on a week day. Police usually take Sundays off.

I rarely see any speed traps or checkpoints on Sundays. It seems the only way to stop this is for everyone in that area to start taking photos and videos of

everyone in uniform, or plain clothes if they appear to be hassling tourists in any manner. Posting these pictures & videos online will put a stop to it

rather quickly.

The Prime minister should have a word with his top police to squash this now, before another international embarrassment.

Also pictures of the illegal items openly sold in this area daily under the noses of these law enforcers should also be brought out of the shadows.

Illegal drugs, sex toys and pornography is rampant along Sukhumvit road, and has been for many years. If the current government wants to be seen to be doing something

about corruption, then here is a very easy target. They only need the will to act.

If the person taking the video of the shakedown were standing next to one of those vendors on Sukhumvit, they could pan the camera from the shakedown to the table with all the sex toys/fake viagra/fake DVDs right there. Would make for a nice comment