Foreigners detained as Tourist Police lead South Pattaya crime suppression raid

[tropo]

I have a theory about 'If you don't like it here, Get out' crowd. They themselves can't! They have nowhere to return, nobody to go back to, they HAVE to take it here, get used to it, like it or not. And posts that remind them that we don't have to accept loss of our rights and respect irritates them, and is soar subject. Even talking about wantig to be equal to locals is forbidden, and considerd out of line lol.

I think most people who have settled for here for a long period of time fit into this category - i.e. not easy to just get up and leave when things you don't like are happening all around you. Changing one's attitude is always the easiest option.

Is this bad?... or just human nature?

alternatively there could be more than just a few who are suffering the frog in boiling water syndrome

Even so, if one compares the life of an expat here with life back at home in Farangland, the slowly boiling water is not so bad.

Let's get real here. All this grumbling started over a story of the police doing a check of gogo bars. There are illegal "tourists" and illegal workers in the city. Is a check now and then so bad? I have never had my ID checked in 10 years.

[Nomyai]

Excellent move.

Ive always believed the general doesn't want the sex tourists here because they attract the isaan troublemakers.

Looks like the message is now being enforced….but will it be received?

It does seem like the bars are being targeted. Nana plaza raids which ended up with Rainbow bars being closed was not a one-off!

[brewsterbudgen]

Excellent move.

Ive always believed the general doesn't want the sex tourists here because they attract the isaan troublemakers.

Looks like the message is now being enforced….but will it be received?

It does seem like the bars are being targeted. Nana plaza raids which ended up with Rainbow bars being closed was not a one-off!

Norhing new. Bars are regularly raided but customers are usually left alone.

[tropo]

Excellent move.

Ive always believed the general doesn't want the sex tourists here because they attract the isaan troublemakers.

Looks like the message is now being enforced….but will it be received?

It does seem like the bars are being targeted. Nana plaza raids which ended up with Rainbow bars being closed was not a one-off!

Norhing new. Bars are regularly raided but customers are usually left alone.

Not too long ago a new, more devoted government was forced upon Thailand, so they are perhaps becoming more motivated to check everyone.

[JHolmesJr]

Over on the bingo player forums they are saying that two places were raided and yielded the most roundups....808 disco and a gogo called sensations. 808 is filled with hiphopping black 50 cent wannabees and middle easterners....so maybe some profiling going on.

[Rimmer]

Off topic post about dress code in Chaeng Wattana removed

[emilymat]

Over on the bingo player forums they are saying that two places were raided and yielded the most roundups....808 disco and a gogo called sensations. 808 is filled with hiphopping black 50 cent wannabees and middle easterners....so maybe some profiling going on.

I must confess I didn't know there was a bingo forum!. Thanks. Happy Christmas.

[JHolmesJr]

Over on the bingo player forums they are saying that two places were raided and yielded the most roundups....808 disco and a gogo called sensations. 808 is filled with hiphopping black 50 cent wannabees and middle easterners....so maybe some profiling going on.

I must confess I didn't know there was a bingo forum!. Thanks. Happy Christmas.

It's not a "bingo" forum, Emily…it's a forum/s that are full of bingo players…geriatric grandpas mouthing off on where to procure the finest female flesh for male desires. I can't say more.

[farangmick]

I know, in law, I'm supposed to carry my passport everywhere and I freely admit I don't. Just my Thai driving license.

This article appears to imply that everyone they checked had their passport with them - or am I mis-reading it?. If they did have them then they are pretty upright law abiding visitors.

Strange actions by the police. Not so very long ago, either earlier this year or late last year, the senior police office stated to TV that visitors were not expected, nor required to carry their passports around with them, and long stayers could get by with a drivers' licence. I have a copy of it somewhere, I'll try to dig it out.

Need to keep up with the latest pronouncements from last week, yesterday, or 30 minutes ago. As soon as foreigners, whether tourists, or long term residents start to understand the rules and regulations, the authorities know it is time to change them.

[farangmick]

I know, in law, I'm supposed to carry my passport everywhere and I freely admit I don't. Just my Thai driving license.

This article appears to imply that everyone they checked had their passport with them - or am I mis-reading it?. If they did have them then they are pretty upright law abiding visitors.

Strange actions by the police. Not so very long ago, either earlier this year or late last year, the senior police office stated to TV that visitors were not expected, nor required to carry their passports around with them, and long stayers could get by with a drivers' licence. I have a copy of it somewhere, I'll try to dig it out.

Need to keep up with the latest pronouncements from last week, yesterday, or 30 minutes ago. As soon as foreigners, whether tourists, or long term residents start to understand the rules and regulations, the authorities know it is time to change them.

[Tanlic]

The man said as long as you could present your passport in a reasonable space of time that would suffice.

I haven't carried my passport with me in 16 years except when going abroad...got my Thai licence with me at all times and on a couple of occasions I have been asked for ID no hassle.

When Immigration hit a place like the walking street or Sukhumvit Soi XX they are not looking for Joe Bloggs the nice guy down on his luck...they are looking for the con men, drug dealers and wanna be gangsters

Unfortunately for Joe Bloggs he is sometime caught up in their raids.

The answer of course is to keep your visa up to date but it's tougher now for some who have made this place their home than it was 10 years ago.

Couplr of years ago I had to help out a friend financially who is now back on his feet thankfuly as he has nothing to go back to.

I'm all for cleaning the place up but you have to feel for Joe Bloggs who hasn't a bad bone in his body.

Edited December 27, 2015 by Tanlic

[mcfish]

So they let you go to produce your passport, So what's the incentive to return if you're an overstayer?

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

[ableguy]

Well , if they find foreigners with expired visas they don't really belong here . Pay the fines and get the h.... out of here.

If you think the police give a damn about a few expired visas your dreaming, it's all a revenue gathering exercise. The way farangs are ripped off here by one and all never fails to bewilder me. The only thing that keeps people coming are the good looking chicks and food.

Don't tell me to go home I live here this is my home, but that does not mean I owe allegiance to a bunch of bandits.

[springheeled jack]

by law you are supposed to carry your passport at all times and it is an offence not to do so .

[Yahooka]

BANGKOK:-- [thaivisa.com] After the confusion surrounding the news that all foreigners in Thailand are required to carry their passport with them at all times, Thaivisa.com has today obtained official clarification on this matter.

Earlier this afternoon, Thaivisa.com spoke to Deputy Commander and Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat, a senior official at Immigration headquarters in Bangkok.

Deputy Commander Voravat wanted to reassure the expat community in Thailand about the current situation.

He told Thaivsia.com that information in an article published by The Nation on 31 July 2014, was incorrect.

Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.

However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly.

Deputy Commander Voravat referred to Section 58, which reads as follows:

Any alien who has no lawful document for entering the Kingdom under section 12(1);....under this Act; and has no identification in accordance with the Law on Alien registration, is considered to have entered the Kingdom in violation of the Act.

Entering or staying in Thailand without holding a valid passport and visa/extension is subject a fine and possible prison sentence.

by law you are supposed to carry your passport at all times and it is an offence not to do so .

Nope,read the post above.

[craigt3365]

by law you are supposed to carry your passport at all times and it is an offence not to do so .

Actually, the law says you are suppose to be able to prove you are in the country legally. For Thai's, it means an ID card. For some, it's a valid work permit. For most of us, it's a valid visa stamp in our passport. The grey area is the statement about having to be able to produce these documents in a reasonable amount of time. Which is up to the discretion of the official on the scene.

[HLover]

The guy in the photo looks like Van Diesel

Yes, and he also resembles Vin Diesel- how amazing.

[EyesWideOpen]

Excellent move.

Ive always believed the general doesn't want the sex tourists here because they attract the isaan troublemakers.

Looks like the message is now being enforced….but will it be received?

Then simply make pay for play sex illegal, problem solved. Oh wait,

90 % of the that sex trade is for Thai men, so cannot piss them off....

[slipperylobster]

Put up walls and gates around Pattaya, invite everyone in, then lock it up.

Funnest prison in town. Let them go wild!

[dhream]

I have a legit visa. I am not a criminal. There are thousands like me here in Thailand. But when did it become a crime to be a tourist?

Getting fined for overstaying in a country. Getting banned from said country for overstaying.... then on the other hand... Mass tourist advertising.

Spending millions of bucks on it.

Come and have fun, have a great stay, spend your hard earned cash on tourist tat, eat wonderful Thai food, drink Thai beer, when you go please come back again soon....Why ?

Why the hell would you ? If you are under threat of being frisked because you went out and had fun in a Disco ? Gatherings of 5 and more is a crime... lets go out on the town with our mates as long as its only you and 3 others...

Thai Visa is full of holier than everyone posters with an overblown attitude that only they belong here and all tourists are unwashed criminal scum. How did they come to be in Thailand in the first place?...I guess, yadda yadda

1. You don't need to read the news, and if you don't, how will not knowing affect You? It won't. Ignorance is bliss.

2. Their country their laws, whinging won't alter that, obey or find somewhere you can live with the laws.

3. They were actually doing their jobs for once, you're still unhappy, actually, I wish they'd implement a US style background check on tourists, and expats, it didn't stop the Qantas jumbos arriving in LAX chock a block.

4. If the crappy development is really ruining life for you there are hundreds of Thai coastal towns that will welcome you genuinely. Or more genuinely than Crappaya.

Cheaper too, but you'll have to maybe byo girly, still...

5. I have looked seriously into LOS alternatives myself. While it's far from perfect, currently, the alternatives still can't match what this place offers. Try being grateful for what you have, millions of men live in cold grey industrial hell-holes, with their hand and porn for company.

Peace out.

[Rimmer]

Off topic and empty posts removed