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.

It was Christmas Eve and I was at the upstairs area of a terrace bar in the Silom Road area having a late-night drink. At around 2 a.m. I called it a night and descended to the ground floor. There I saw half a dozen police officers searching the premises and interrogating the bartender, who was handcuffed on a chair. An officer detained me straight away. “What’s going on?” I asked, identifying myself as a journalist.

He made a menacing fist at me, which convinced me to pipe down.

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Click here for the full article by Ian Lloyd Neubauer

Welcome to " u have no rights land" or as we know it Thailand ,or as TAT know it "amazing Thailand" or as Thais know it " the centre of the universe and everything"

I was shaken down for drrink driving. Went to jail then court and paid my fine. As i walked out of the courthose a free man i was arrested again and taken to the police station and told pay 15000 baht or we will take u to immigration and deport you. For a drink driving charge thats crap. Just paid it as after 2 days behind bars i had enough. The money for them was definitly tea money as no recipt was given it was just put into his pocket. I have no respect for thai police at all.

Blimey, it's in Time magazine.

Lot of expats seem to be returning home or on the brink of doing so.

Topic already running in the News section - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793555-tourists-are-reporting-a-dramatic-surge-in-harassment-by-thai-police/