Tourists are reporting a dramatic surge in harassment by Thai police

[webfact]

Tourists Are Reporting a Dramatic Surge in Harassment by Thai Police
Ian Lloyd Neubauer / Bangkok

The Land of Smiles? How about the Land of Shakedowns?

BANGKOK: -- Mastercard’s 2014 Global Destination Cities Index recently ranked Bangkok as the second most visited destination in the world after London. Spend a few days this hedonistic metropolis and you’ll soon understand why, for it offers an almost unbeatable mix of culture, edgy nightlife, cheap shopping, comfortable hotels, warm weather and — who can say no? — Thai cuisine.

But since the May 22 coup d’état that saw the ouster of a democratically elected government and martial law declared across the country, many tourists and expatriates in Bangkok have fallen prey to a criminal practice. The victims have little recourse when reporting incidents to the police, because the perpetrators are police officers.

“If you go to Sukhumvit Road, you can see the police looking for tourists who are smoking or drop a cigarette butt, then they ask them for their passport and make them pay 2,000 baht [just over $60]. I see this happening all the time,” says anticorruption politician Chuwit Kamolvisit.

Full story: http://time.com/3674200/thailand-tourism-police-corruption-shakedown-extortion/

-- TIME 2015-01-21

[clockman]

Lawless! always has been.

[Thian]

Well dropping cigarettebutts on the street is a problem but why are there no bins? Is the fear of a bomb in a bin still that high? Then tourists should know about that.

[petedk]

The word is slowly spreading around the world.

This will surely affect tourist numbers.

[Tywais]

Again, those are not Thai police but BTS officials and the 2000 Baht fine is a legal one and posted in many places regarding littering. There have been multiple articles over the last few years referring to it as a scam when it is in actuality legal enforcement. But if targeting only the foreigner, then certainly the Governor should step in (again) to do something about it, but no fingers crossed here that will happen.

[eldragon]

Well dropping cigarettebutts on the street is a problem but why are there no bins? Is the fear of a bomb in a bin still that high? Then tourists should know about that.

Read the whole story. It's more than that.

[roo860]

Chuwit, he's on the case, legend!!!!!!

[noitom]

It's a continued stain on Thailand and Thai people. They should be ashamed.

[SoFarAndNear]

Well dropping cigarettebutts on the street is a problem but why are there no bins? Is the fear of a bomb in a bin still that high? Then tourists should know about that.

Forget that stupid cigarette. Have you read the full story. If this make global headlines...

About 15 minutes later, another police officer produced a bag of white powder, shook it near my face and accused me of buying it.

Eventually, a police officer took me outside where a Thai woman told me if I paid the equivalent of $15,200, I would be released.

During my detention, I identified myself as a journalist many times and asked for an explanation. None was given to me. After my release, I wrote to the official email address of the Thai police, but it bounced back.

I would really recomend every Expat who is living in the country to avoid any of these places. I made plenty of very bad experiences with Immigrations in the last 9 months. I was two times extorted (paying at least 1000THB more then officially) that I will only get 15 or 30 days instead of 60 days I should get officially...

Edited January 21, 2015 by SoFarAndNear

[falangjim]

They target Koreans who are usually heavy smokers and Arabs, too. I've seen these rent-a-cops fine unsuspecting tourists along a stretch of Sukhumvit. I'd hardly call this harassment, though. It's littering and it comes with a fine. I believe spitting, dropping cigarette butts, and littering are among the acts which can be legally fined along that small stretch. This is a crappy article. and should be ignored. Much hype over nothing.

Edited January 21, 2015 by falangjim

[kingalfred]

It's a continued stain on Thailand and Thai people. They should be ashamed.

But they are not! and if you know anything about their thought process you would know why!

[MJP]

Not to change the subject but WOOHOO! London wins! Get in!

My honest opinion is Thailand is to be avoided until it sorts itself out.

Long term successful expats I know are returning home or already have done.

[MJKT2014]

Anyone notice these stories have dropped off in January since it went viral. That's not good enough. Unless the scumbags who perpetrated these shakedowns are not publicly named and shamed, the BIB must know who they are, expect the tourist dollar to take a hike.

[technologybytes]

Reading the full story, the guy sounds like a real idiot and I wouldn't believe most of what he says.

[technologybytes]

I was two times extorted (paying at least 1000THB more then officially) that I will only get 15 or 30 days instead of 60 days I should get officially...

This is madness, and I simply don't accept it as true.

How can you say "1000THB more than officially" when officially it's always zero charge.

Tell us which border you have experienced this, I have been through just about every border and airport many time in the last 14 years and it's never ever been suggested that there be any fee at all.

[Gunna]

Chuwit, he's on the case, legend!!!!!!

After a hard day fighting corruption

Edited January 21, 2015 by Gunna

[sdanielmcev]

So, this is what passes for journalism these days. A drunk copy boy gets busted. Maybe Thailand doesn't want sketchy people anymore. I wouldn't blame them.

And, it's in Time magazine (Time.com). When was the last timewa anybody here read that rag?

Edited January 21, 2015 by sdanielmcev

[SoFarAndNear]

I was two times extorted (paying at least 1000THB more then officially) that I will only get 15 or 30 days instead of 60 days I should get officially...

This is madness, and I simply don't accept it as true.

How can you say "1000THB more than officially" when officially it's always zero charge.

Tell us which border you have experienced this, I have been through just about every border and airport many time in the last 14 years and it's never ever been suggested that there be any fee at all.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791587-immigration-udon-big-changes

I also have another story, which I posted here. I entered the land border at Nong Khai last year. I should clearly get 30 days but the officer told me that he will give me only 15 days but if I paid (I think it was 500 Baht) he will give me 30 days.

You should read the Visa Section to read more stories like this. I met a nice belgium couple 2 week's ago. They are both retiring in Thailand. He told me horror stories of Koh Samaui Immigration. Officers demanding money and just called it a "new rule"

Edited January 21, 2015 by SoFarAndNear

[chooka]

They target Koreans who are usually heavy smokers and Arabs, too. I've seen these rent-a-cops fine unsuspecting tourists along a stretch of Sukhumvit. I'd hardly call this harassment, though. It's littering and it comes with a fine. I believe spitting, dropping cigarette butts, and littering are among the acts which can be legally fined along that small stretch. This is a crappy article. and should be ignored. Much hype over nothing.

So just ignore the shakedown and get on with life. What about the people who can't afford the extortion money to have the fake drugs disappear, they should just ignore it and smile whilst they spend the next 20 yrs in a Thai cell? Ignoring the problem only encourages more to join in and gives the green light to corruption and other criminal activity. Appologising for Thailand and these activities will only help them slip further down the toilet.

[Diplomatico]

I was two times extorted (paying at least 1000THB more then officially) that I will only get 15 or 30 days instead of 60 days I should get officially...

This is madness, and I simply don't accept it as true.

How can you say "1000THB more than officially" when officially it's always zero charge.

Tell us which border you have experienced this, I have been through just about every border and airport many time in the last 14 years and it's never ever been suggested that there be any fee at all.

Here's another one for you:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790073-30-day-extensions-for-visa-exempt-entries-at-jomtien5000-baht/

[Loptr]

hedonistic metropolis?

Aside from the minuscule Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy and Patpong, Bangkok's reputable as a hedonist's holiday spot is greatly overrated...

There is more sex for sale in any North / South American city than in all of Bangkok...

[Snig27]

They target Koreans who are usually heavy smokers and Arabs, too. I've seen these rent-a-cops fine unsuspecting tourists along a stretch of Sukhumvit. I'd hardly call this harassment, though. It's littering and it comes with a fine. I believe spitting, dropping cigarette butts, and littering are among the acts which can be legally fined along that small stretch. This is a crappy article. and should be ignored. Much hype over nothing.

It's often wise to read the whole story before you comment.

[Snig27]

So, this is what passes for journalism these days. A drunk copy boy gets busted. Maybe Thailand doesn't want sketchy people anymore. I wouldn't blame them.

And, it's in Time magazine (Time.com). When was the last timewa anybody here read that rag?

As a magazine, not many. However, this is online and has a massive readership - it's one of the top 1000 websites in the world.

You have evidence he was drunk? Or did you just make it up? Was he charged with anything? Is getting a bit pissed in a bar in most places the sort of thing that would lead to police actions like this?

[gerryBScot]

A 2:00am 'late drink' in Silom presumably means Patpong and in truth you kind of put yourself on offer hanging out there. Easy meat really for the RTP. Like other posters have said I think our man is making much more of this than it is worth.

[Fairynuff]

It's a continued stain on Thailand and Thai people. They should be ashamed.

But they are not! and if you know anything about their thought process you would know why!

I know why...... All pride and no shame

[brewsterbudgen]

Another thread about this? Police corruption in a developing Asian country.....shock, horror!

[falangjim]

They target Koreans who are usually heavy smokers and Arabs, too. I've seen these rent-a-cops fine unsuspecting tourists along a stretch of Sukhumvit. I'd hardly call this harassment, though. It's littering and it comes with a fine. I believe spitting, dropping cigarette butts, and littering are among the acts which can be legally fined along that small stretch. This is a crappy article. and should be ignored. Much hype over nothing.

Well done for lamest reply of the day so far. Truly imbecilic.

Did you even read the article? It's nothing to do with the ciggie butt officers but more to do with the fact that it seems police are acting like gangsters in order to extort money from tourists.

Now pop orf and read it again before replying....

Okay, so the rest of the article reveals a lot more than just the cigarette cops. Thanks for burying the real story in the flotsam of what's been going on in Sukhumvit forever. However, my hunch is that the bartender at the unnamed bar on Silom is not a tourist. The journalist is not a tourist. I'm going to go out on a limb and say these are expats, perhaps regulars at that bar who have been targeted by rogue police. It was 2AM at an after hours party when the bars are supposed to be closed. I hate the RTP as much as the next guy, and I won't blame the victims if they are truly victims in this case. The article mentions 4 Westerners. I'd like to hear their version of the story, too. 2am...possibly patpong...hate to say it, but you're asking for trouble in that area at that hour.

Edited January 21, 2015 by falangjim

[Eliot Rosewater]

So, this is what passes for journalism these days. A drunk copy boy gets busted. Maybe Thailand doesn't want sketchy people anymore. I wouldn't blame them.

And, it's in Time magazine (Time.com). When was the last timewa anybody here read that rag?

oh, I think their readership is only about 130 million people PER MONTH!

No, certainly won't affect anything here

[daveAustin]

I would really recomend every Expat who is living in the country to avoid any of these places.

I recommend avoiding the place altogether. Currently not worthy of spending money on.

[Fairynuff]

A 2:00am 'late drink' in Silom presumably means Patpong and in truth you kind of put yourself on offer hanging out there. Easy meat really for the RTP. Like other posters have said I think our man is making much more of this than it is worth.

"Choosing" to drink at silom might not be something I would do, but many ordinary people do when they visit Bangkok. Nothing really wrong with it and it definitely shouldn't be a reason for the scum element to rob tourists.

It's bad enough that this happens but what's worse is that they're allowed to do it with impunity because in fact the authorities don't give a sh*t