Lite Beer Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Police curb searches on foreigners in Thai capitalBANGKOK: Police in the Sukhumvit area have been ordered to halt all searches of foreign nationals without due process following concerns of police harassment.Pol Col Khajohnpong Jitpakpoom, the newly-appointed Thong Lor police superintendent, said unless a foreigner is acting suspiciously, his officers are prohibited from conducting random searches. Full story here: http://www.thephuketnews.com/police-curb-searches-on-foreigners-in-thai-capital-51026.php Source: Bangkok Post via ThePhuketNews -- Phuket News 2015-02-15 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pomthai Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 A policy which should be implemented nation\wide. Good start. Lots of work to still do. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bluespunk Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) "Pol Col Khajohnpong Jitpakpoom, the newly-appointed Thong Lor police superintendent, said unless a foreigner is acting suspiciously" Yeah right, that's going to make everything ok. Edited February 15, 2015 by Bluespunk 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bluespunk Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 "If a search is considered necessary, such as in a case where a foreigner appears to be startled by the presence of police," I can just see the conversations BIB 1 "Shh, don't startle the prey" BIB 2 "No, no, remember, they need to be startled if we want to stop them." BIB 1 "Oh yeah. OK, after 3" Together "BOO!" 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angiolo Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 time will tell .more complaints ?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post trogers Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 Isn't it funny? We had an elected government for almost 3 years and there was no governing. And now we have a non-elected government and there is proper governance. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Commerce Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 "If a search is considered necessary, such as in a case where a foreigner appears to be “startled” by the presence of police, the search must be conducted in a public area under the supervision of two officers with the rank of sub-lieutenant or higher.“But if the person sees an officer and appears to be calm, then we are not allowed to conduct a search,” Pol Col Khajohnpong said." So if you live here and speak Thai, and you are used to seeing police carrying guns in the holsters, then you're fine. If you come from Britain, for example, as a holiday maker who is not used to being approached by officers carrying a gun and you appear to be "startled" then you are wide open to being searched. Hum? Logical. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyboy666 Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Well that didn't take long, Tourist = Money... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TheDiva Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 Isn't it funny? We had an elected government for almost 3 years and there was no governing. And now we have a non-elected government and there is proper governance. Oh Yes, military rule, it's hilarious, truly mirth making 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucec64 Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 "Searches under the supervision of two officers" The payoff just got a lot more expensive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post zaphod reborn Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 If they were serious about this, they would identify the rogue BIB involved, confiscate all their money and property, throw them in jail, and donate all the confiscated loot to a worthy cause. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman34014 Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 If they were serious about this, they would identify the rogue BIB involved, confiscate all their money and property, throw them in jail, and donate all the confiscated loot to a worthy cause. Sorry; not in the rules of 'Thainess'. Far too sensible ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunna Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Out of the 297 policemen at Thong Lor station, 177 are patrol officers who roam the streets on motorcycles to ensure public safety Should have informed the patrol officers it is illegal to ride their motorbikes on the footpaths and to refrain from doing it. Also fine public/motorcy taxis who do it This will actually ensure public safety 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveyinasia Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Making an announcement in the newspaper is very different form actual events, let see if the foot soldiers take heed of the Pol Col orders and stop this extortion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SoiBiker Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 Good news. Whilst the problem was somewhat exaggerated in the first place, making an official announcement that it is to be stopped is a sensible move. However, there will always be some here who badmouth anything the Thai authorities do. They could be offering free beer and hand jobs and some of you would still be complaining. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spermwhale Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> Isn't it funny? We had an elected government for almost 3 years and there was no governing.And now we have a non-elected government and there is proper governance. Oh Yes, military rule, it's hilarious, truly mirth making alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24> better than before. I was not for the coup, however, they are at least tackling a number of problems that nobody bothered dealing with in years past. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupatria Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 "Pol Col Khajohnpong Jitpakpoom, the newly-appointed Thong Lor police superintendent, said unless a foreigner is acting suspiciously" Yeah right, that's going to make everything ok. Random urine tests on the streets in the city? Ok, just give 'em what the ask for: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Isn't it funny? We had an elected government for almost 3 years and there was no governing. And now we have a non-elected government and there is proper governance. you are jumping to conclusions. I hope you are correct, but only time will tell... This is still Thailand. Issuing a statement only implies change. It does not guarantee change. We will see how this works out. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogavnture Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 its about time. ive been body searched about 12 times. in bkk........one time the police who are looking for weed. actually smelled my hands for weed odor. now that's good.........its all about them wanting money..........I feel sorry for dreadlock people as im sure they really get targeted..........now if u are stumbling I can see a search. but im clean cut guy. its really ridiculous.. they always search on abandoned sois. as not to attract attention........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 A good step in the right direction. I hope it works as stated. I still have one worry about the drug testing, if done at the station, hospital or anywhere else. I am from California where marijuana use is virtually legal..definitely legal for a great many who have prescriptions for legal medical marijuana use. Marijuana can be detected by a drug test for 21 days after the last time it is used, for daily users it can be detected longer than 21 days. Someone who has consumed marijuana legally in their home country can be tested in Thailand two weeks after leaving their home country and test positive for marijuana use. Is there anything in place to protect these people while in Thailand? I ask since I do have friends in this situation who want to visit here and are hesitant to take this risk. Recently, ( December 2014) marijuana laws have been relaxed in every state in the US and it is not just Californians this is an issue for any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogavnture Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 maybe u can offer them 1000 baht not to search you? "If a search is considered necessary, such as in a case where a foreigner appears to be “startled” by the presence of police, the search must be conducted in a public area under the supervision of two officers with the rank of sub-lieutenant or higher.“But if the person sees an officer and appears to be calm, then we are not allowed to conduct a search,” Pol Col Khajohnpong said." So if you live here and speak Thai, and you are used to seeing police carrying guns in the holsters, then you're fine. If you come from Britain, for example, as a holiday maker who is not used to being approached by officers carrying a gun and you appear to be "startled" then you are wide open to being searched. Hum? Logical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogavnture Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 dear multirod. this is Thailand not California , not even close to California. A good step in the right direction. I hope it works as stated. I still have one worry about the drug testing, if done at the station, hospital or anywhere else. I am from California where marijuana use is virtually legal..definitely legal for a great many who have prescriptions for legal medical marijuana use. Marijuana can be detected by a drug test for 21 days after the last time it is used, for daily users it can be detected longer than 21 days. Someone who has consumed marijuana legally in their home country can be tested in Thailand two weeks after leaving their home country and test positive for marijuana use. Is there anything in place to protect these people while in Thailand? I ask since I do have friends in this situation who want to visit here and are hesitant to take this risk. Recently, ( December 2014) marijuana laws have been relaxed in every state in the US and it is not just Californians this is an issue for any more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFarAndNear Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 The simple truth is that the most of all these searches were without any result. Some officers probably made a small fortune in the last months. And it would go on harassments wouldn't make it to public media that quickly.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFarAndNear Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 A good step in the right direction. I hope it works as stated. I still have one worry about the drug testing, if done at the station, hospital or anywhere else. I am from California where marijuana use is virtually legal..definitely legal for a great many who have prescriptions for legal medical marijuana use. Marijuana can be detected by a drug test for 21 days after the last time it is used, for daily users it can be detected longer than 21 days. Someone who has consumed marijuana legally in their home country can be tested in Thailand two weeks after leaving their home country and test positive for marijuana use. Is there anything in place to protect these people while in Thailand? I ask since I do have friends in this situation who want to visit here and are hesitant to take this risk. Recently, ( December 2014) marijuana laws have been relaxed in every state in the US and it is not just Californians this is an issue for any more. Just having any illegal substances (THC in case of marijuana) in your blood is against the law in thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisinth Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Does that announcement actually mean anything? The wording of it still leaves it to the judgment of the officer stopping the individual, the only difference is the detail that a search must be witnessed by two officers with a rank of sub lieutenant or above. Which is great for those in the know, but how will your typical tourist be aware of the rules? After all, this is for the protection of the unwary more than for "seasoned ex-pats"....................... If they are serious about this then the focus needs to be pointed at the tourist, not lost in police regulations or in old articles in online forums. How about a few signs (in English) in the areas concerned? Until that happens, with full transparency, IMHO, this is just bluster by the powers that be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loonodingle Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 It's just lip service. .... Boo...... Give me ya money. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLing Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Good news. Whilst the problem was somewhat exaggerated in the first place, making an official announcement that it is to be stopped is a sensible move. However, there will always be some here who badmouth anything the Thai authorities do. They could be offering free beer and hand jobs and some of you would still be complaining. What? No laokao, no blowjob? Only beer and a hand job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andreandre Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I've had more pull over and show docs on a bike here in BKK in a week , that i ever did in years in Chiang Mai....i was not at all 'startled'' but last night they kept asking about murrywanna...not sure if they were buying or selling...but bloody annoying whatever the reason.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiggo Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Out of the 297 policemen at Thong Lor station, 177 are patrol officers who roam the streets on motorcycles to ensure public safety Should have informed the patrol officers it is illegal to ride their motorbikes on the footpaths and to refrain from doing it. Also fine public/motorcy taxis who do it This will actually ensure public safety Is it illegal......love to know, also dog's poop and billboards on public pavements....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJohnson Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Isn't it funny? We had an elected government for almost 3 years and there was no governing. And now we have a non-elected government and there is proper governance. Proper window dressing more like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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