Police Scam at Donsak Checkpoint

[Jfd3220]

I just want to relate what happened to me yesterday. I was sharing a minivan taxi with 4 other farang from Suan Mokkh to Donsak around 9:00 AM. At the police checkpoint about 5km from Donsak we were pulled over and a few minutes later a couple of officers came over and asked us where we were going, then they asked how many tickets we needed. At this point it was kind of obvious that they wanted tea money. One of the officers then handed us his mobile phone with a woman on the other end who spoke some broken English and asked us where we were going and how many tickets and told us that the police would help us get tickets. The farang who was speaking to her made it clear that we would buy tickets at Donsak and did not need help. After handing the phone back to the officer we assumed they would let us go. Wrong. About 10 minutes later they came back and another officer gave us his cell phone with another broken English speaker. Same result. About half an hour later the driver came back and since he did not speak English, wrote 1500 on a piece of paper. I guess that is how much the officers wanted. None of us was willing to pay any tea money so we told him we would pay him at the pier. He went back to the officers and didn’t come back. Shortly thereafter we saw a luxury minivan pulled over along beside us with Thai people. At this point, after considering our options, we were getting ready to pay the driver and walk the last 5km to the pier, figuring that the cops would probably not expect farang to walk 5 km in the hot sun. That is when our driver came back, about half an hour after he had last left us. He got behind the wheel and it seemed that we would finally be on our way. Unfortunately we noticed that we had a police escort. There was one pickup ahead of us, the other minivan behind us, and another police pickup behind them. We seemed to be going in the right direction until we started turning left at a driveway that the driver said was the police station. At this point the farang nearest the door opened it and jumped out. Then the driver stopped, we all got out and grabbed our bags. My GPS indicated we were only a couple of kilometres from the pier. One of the officers from the pickup behind us came to the back of the van and was talking on his cellphone. I turned on the photo/video auto upload on my phone (I had a Thai SIM with data) and took a video of one of the farang handing the 1500 baht for our fare to the driver so that they couldn’t take the money and then accuse us of not having paid the driver. I had turned on the auto upload in case they somehow managed to confiscate my phone, so that there would be a copy of the video backed up with Google. One of the police officers is in the video, but I don’t suppose there is any point in going to any authorities. Anyway, after paying the driver we made haste and started walking to the pier, looking back over our shoulders every couple of minutes. They didn’t seem to follow us.

About 1 km from the pier a Thai driving a pickup offered us a ride the rest of the way saying “free service!”. We were skeptical but we decided to take the ride and it ended up being a good decision. He dropped us off at the pier and when I tried to give him some baht he refused to take it. Our faith in humanity had been partly restored.

The rest of our time at the pier was uneventful, except for seeing a police pickup drive down to the end of the pier and head back out a few minutes later.

I wonder what happened to the Thais in the other pickup, and if the cops do this every day. It’s particularly infuriating because we didn’t do anything that could justify even being pulled over in the first place. I usually take public transit or buses but thought I might try the private taxi to save time. Never again.

[h90]

So the police gave you tickets or not?

And what would tickets cost normally?

I am not really getting what they wanted......could it be that they wanted to prevent the driver from scamming?

[Jfd3220]

So the police gave you tickets or not?

And what would tickets cost normally?

I am not really getting what they wanted......could it be that they wanted to prevent the driver from scamming?

No tickets because we didn't give them any money. I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier. When have the Thai police ever been concerned about drivers scamming passengers? If anything they would want in on the action.

[h90]

So the police gave you tickets or not?

And what would tickets cost normally?

I am not really getting what they wanted......could it be that they wanted to prevent the driver from scamming?

No tickets because we didn't give them any money. I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier. When have the Thai police ever been concerned about drivers scamming passengers? If anything they would want in on the action.

Police is than concerned when someone complained at the army.

They once came here and wanted money for a motorbike to improve safety, we gave them money. Got a correct receipt and a thank you letter from some higher up.

Once they came as they got the order to increase safety for fire, which makes sense as we have some tons of plastic here that would burn like oil. We paid something for two fire extinguisher, which are high quality. It wasn't expensive and we got an official receipt......And indeed we used one already (at the neighbors house).

My staff got once on the street checked for drugs (pee test), were negative no problem.

So I have only good experiences with them.......OK fines for speeding in cash without receipt is corruption, but nothing were they active seek money from us.

I am not saying that you are wrong in this case, I just ask if it might has been some misunderstanding and the police just stupid? If you are sure call the military phone number and complain. They speak English and really focus on tourist problems.

[angiolo]

Got to be a scam. Took your telephone.. ? Why did they accompany you ?

[Suradit69]

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

So the police gave you tickets or not?

And what would tickets cost normally?

I am not really getting what they wanted......could it be that they wanted to prevent the driver from scamming?

No tickets because we didn't give them any money. I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier. When have the Thai police ever been concerned about drivers scamming passengers? If anything they would want in on the action.

"I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier."

Well as long as you're "pretty sure" then it must be a farang-fact.

Got to be a scam. Took your telephone.. ? Why did they accompany you ?

Who took a telephone?? He wrote" " in case they somehow managed to confiscate my phone "

Clearly the O/P had numerous fantasy dramas playing out in his imagination.

[ksamuiguy]

Pictures, photos, record everything!

These things can not stand "the light of day".

[kingalfred]

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

So the police gave you tickets or not?

And what would tickets cost normally?

I am not really getting what they wanted......could it be that they wanted to prevent the driver from scamming?

No tickets because we didn't give them any money. I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier. When have the Thai police ever been concerned about drivers scamming passengers? If anything they would want in on the action.

"I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier."

Well as long as you're "pretty sure" then it must be a farang-fact.

Got to be a scam. Took your telephone.. ? Why did they accompany you ?

Who took a telephone?? He wrote" " in case they somehow managed to confiscate my phone "

Clearly the O/P had numerous fantasy dramas playing out in his imagination.

whats a "Farang fact"? Written by a Thai who hates their scams being exposed

[lemonjelly]

They might've been making a bit of commission on the ferry tickets, nothing more sinister than that, OP seems to be a bit of a drama queen...... Next thread......

[Jfd3220]

Anyone who tries to justify an hour of unlawful detention and then being taken to the police station to be extorted for money clearly lacks a basic understanding of law enforcement.

If you're OK with it then you're part of the problem.

[h90]

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

No tickets because we didn't give them any money. I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier. When have the Thai police ever been concerned about drivers scamming passengers? If anything they would want in on the action.

"I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier."

Well as long as you're "pretty sure" then it must be a farang-fact.

Got to be a scam. Took your telephone.. ? Why did they accompany you ?

Who took a telephone?? He wrote" " in case they somehow managed to confiscate my phone "

Clearly the O/P had numerous fantasy dramas playing out in his imagination.

whats a "Farang fact"? Written by a Thai who hates their scams being exposed

What scam....they didn't pay anything....police tried to sell them tickets, OP refuse to tell how much the tickets really cost, so it might be the same price.

[h90]

They might've been making a bit of commission on the ferry tickets, nothing more sinister than that, OP seems to be a bit of a drama queen...... Next thread......

Or some doggy sales guys (or the mini-van driver, which might be exactly the case here) try to scam tourists so the police tries to prevent that, but doesn't speak English and the tourists run around like scared chicken....

[colinneil]

Something does not ring true about this story.

[robblok]

So the police gave you tickets or not?

And what would tickets cost normally?

I am not really getting what they wanted......could it be that they wanted to prevent the driver from scamming?

No tickets because we didn't give them any money. I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier. When have the Thai police ever been concerned about drivers scamming passengers? If anything they would want in on the action.

Police is than concerned when someone complained at the army.

They once came here and wanted money for a motorbike to improve safety, we gave them money. Got a correct receipt and a thank you letter from some higher up.

Once they came as they got the order to increase safety for fire, which makes sense as we have some tons of plastic here that would burn like oil. We paid something for two fire extinguisher, which are high quality. It wasn't expensive and we got an official receipt......And indeed we used one already (at the neighbors house).

My staff got once on the street checked for drugs (pee test), were negative no problem.

So I have only good experiences with them.......OK fines for speeding in cash without receipt is corruption, but nothing were they active seek money from us.

I am not saying that you are wrong in this case, I just ask if it might has been some misunderstanding and the police just stupid? If you are sure call the military phone number and complain. They speak English and really focus on tourist problems.

Thing is we are so used to scams we also see it when there are good intentions of the police. Actually I also sometimes react in a way I should not because I think something is a scam. But its not always a scam some people do want to help but because scamming is so common our defenses are up.

[lemonjelly]

Anyone who tries to justify an hour of unlawful detention and then being taken to the police station to be extorted for money clearly lacks a basic understanding of law enforcement.

If you're OK with it then you're part of the problem.

Unlawful detention? What are you banging on about.... ??

[Jfd3220]

Anyone who tries to justify an hour of unlawful detention and then being taken to the police station to be extorted for money clearly lacks a basic understanding of law enforcement.

If you're OK with it then you're part of the problem.

Unlawful detention? What are you banging on about.... ??

It's a pretty simple concept. Unlawful as in we clearly stated our desire to leave several times but they would not allow us to and had no legal basis on which to keep us there.

[lemonjelly]

Anyone who tries to justify an hour of unlawful detention and then being taken to the police station to be extorted for money clearly lacks a basic understanding of law enforcement.

If you're OK with it then you're part of the problem.

Unlawful detention? What are you banging on about.... ??

It's a pretty simple concept. Unlawful as in we clearly stated our desire to leave several times but they would not allow us to and had no legal basis on which to keep us there.

You never mentioned that they wouldn't allow you to leave

[h90]

Anyone who tries to justify an hour of unlawful detention and then being taken to the police station to be extorted for money clearly lacks a basic understanding of law enforcement.

If you're OK with it then you're part of the problem.

Unlawful detention? What are you banging on about.... ??

It's a pretty simple concept. Unlawful as in we clearly stated our desire to leave several times but they would not allow us to and had no legal basis on which to keep us there.

You never mentioned that they wouldn't allow you to leave

My Drama-Queen-o-meter is also in the yellow field.

[h90]

So the police gave you tickets or not?

And what would tickets cost normally?

I am not really getting what they wanted......could it be that they wanted to prevent the driver from scamming?

No tickets because we didn't give them any money. I'm pretty sure that they wanted us to give them money for "tickets" which we would never receive after arriving at the pier. When have the Thai police ever been concerned about drivers scamming passengers? If anything they would want in on the action.

Police is than concerned when someone complained at the army.

They once came here and wanted money for a motorbike to improve safety, we gave them money. Got a correct receipt and a thank you letter from some higher up.

Once they came as they got the order to increase safety for fire, which makes sense as we have some tons of plastic here that would burn like oil. We paid something for two fire extinguisher, which are high quality. It wasn't expensive and we got an official receipt......And indeed we used one already (at the neighbors house).

My staff got once on the street checked for drugs (pee test), were negative no problem.

So I have only good experiences with them.......OK fines for speeding in cash without receipt is corruption, but nothing were they active seek money from us.

I am not saying that you are wrong in this case, I just ask if it might has been some misunderstanding and the police just stupid? If you are sure call the military phone number and complain. They speak English and really focus on tourist problems.

Thing is we are so used to scams we also see it when there are good intentions of the police. Actually I also sometimes react in a way I should not because I think something is a scam. But its not always a scam some people do want to help but because scamming is so common our defenses are up.

I have only good experiences with the police.....yes they are lazy and work for their own pocket, but they never caused me troubles.....shouting across the street "Farang---helmet--safety" might not be the most professional way and in Austria I would have paid some money, but it is not evil.....

[richard_smith237]

That the Police consumed so much of the Ops time without a reasonable explanation suggests something really questionable was being attempted.

It does appear that the Driver and BiB were in some form of collusion to sell the Tourists some ferry tickets, possibly at a slightly inflated price (who knows).

Regardless of the reasons why this situation was either handled extremely poorly by the BiB or it was an attempt by the BiB to profit in some way from the Tourists.

Either way - this is not a nice situation for the Op (and other tourists) to find themselves in.

[h90]

That the Police consumed so much of the Ops time without a reasonable explanation suggests something really questionable was being attempted.

It does appear that the Driver and BiB were in some form of collusion to sell the Tourists some ferry tickets, possibly at a slightly inflated price (who knows).

Regardless of the reasons why this situation was either handled extremely poorly by the BiB or it was an attempt by the BiB to profit in some way from the Tourists.

Either way - this is not a nice situation for the Op (and other tourists) to find themselves in.

Well the OP refuses to tell the price he paid at the peer. With it we could know if the BiB had a "Service surcharge"

[richard_smith237]

That the Police consumed so much of the Ops time without a reasonable explanation suggests something really questionable was being attempted.

It does appear that the Driver and BiB were in some form of collusion to sell the Tourists some ferry tickets, possibly at a slightly inflated price (who knows).

Regardless of the reasons why this situation was either handled extremely poorly by the BiB or it was an attempt by the BiB to profit in some way from the Tourists.

Either way - this is not a nice situation for the Op (and other tourists) to find themselves in.

Well the OP refuses to tell the price he paid at the peer. With it we could know if the BiB had a "Service surcharge"

Valid point: OP - How much was your Ferry Ticket at the Peer ? How much were the BiB attempting to charge per ticket ?

Still - There is no reason to hold the Tourists up for an hour... Something odd was still happening.

[h90]

That the Police consumed so much of the Ops time without a reasonable explanation suggests something really questionable was being attempted.

It does appear that the Driver and BiB were in some form of collusion to sell the Tourists some ferry tickets, possibly at a slightly inflated price (who knows).

Regardless of the reasons why this situation was either handled extremely poorly by the BiB or it was an attempt by the BiB to profit in some way from the Tourists.

Either way - this is not a nice situation for the Op (and other tourists) to find themselves in.

Well the OP refuses to tell the price he paid at the peer. With it we could know if the BiB had a "Service surcharge"

Valid point: OP - How much was your Ferry Ticket at the Peer ? How much were the BiB attempting to charge per ticket ?

Still - There is no reason to hold the Tourists up for an hour... Something odd was still happening.

We have no idea what they talked.......maybe the driver was known for scamming......maybe he had no license......maybe he went too fast and had no money......maybe the police was really bad.

Impossible to tell without more informations.

[Rooo]

Contact TAT with details.

[FritsSikkink]

Anyone who tries to justify an hour of unlawful detention and then being taken to the police station to be extorted for money clearly lacks a basic understanding of law enforcement.

If you're OK with it then you're part of the problem.

Unlawful detention? What are you banging on about.... ??

It's a pretty simple concept. Unlawful as in we clearly stated our desire to leave several times but they would not allow us to and had no legal basis on which to keep us there.

What kind of tickets were they selling, what was the price per ticket?

[Rooo]

Are you sure they were real police? So many impostors out there.