Chiang Mai: 100 armed police arrest foreigners for not carrying passports

[BlindMagician]

I can't quote the Thai Gov source, but company HR recommend carrying a copy of main page plus visa plus work permit is ok. For those with jobs, plus BOI WP/visa, we have some heavyweight backup -employers with much needed foreign investment.

Retired folk, maybe not so much, but I think you are within the law, just carry copies at all times. Go to the local police station where you might end up if caught out for the majority of places you might be hanging out, before anything like this happens, and confirm with them what is ok, by them.

Tread carefully.

[Chicog]

Your overreacting, do the math millions of tourists and 130 combined in Pattaya and CM asked for I'd. You've got better odds being struck by lightning on the golf course.

I hope you didn't convince the 10 they are in immediate danger. I bet Cambodia was not their first choice

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I didn't need to convince them.

As long as it has golf courses and late-opening bars where you can drink without being harrassed by the police, they'll do whatever I say.

And I doubt I'm the only one looking at alternatives to Thailand while they continue to treat tourists like faecal matter.

[bander]

The only times I carry my passport is when I have to go to Immigration, and when I take one of my bike trips. Only once during my many trips was I asked for my actual passport, instead of them accepting the laminated copy, along with my Thai driving license. They simply compared the laminated copy to the original, smiled, said "Thank you", handed them back and waved me on.

Why on earth would they compare your passport to the laminated copy of it - that makes no sense whatsoever ?

Does anything BIB do make sense?

[MRH1959]

Just one question.

Are the police checking 'everybody' for their ID or proper papers/passports, or just those people thought to be tourists?

If they don't check 'everybody' [including Thai or those that look Thai], it should be seen as discrimination, and followed up by the proper Authority.

Good on them though for doing these checks.

[duckmandon]

Foreigners are just cash cows for the police. Their time would be better spent stopping the carnage on the roads & the violent crimes being committed everyday instead of harassing honest tourists.

[luke000]

Foreigners are just cash cows for the police.

The Police didnt ask foreigners for money .

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Bloody hell m16s just to check for passports.

Police state or what?

I better be careful they maybe lock me up for driving my wheelchair ! without due care !

What would be the charge Reckless Wheelchair driving? If anything the charge might be (W.W.I) Wheelchairing While Intoxciated...

[Roomuck]

I don't know what the problem is with carrying a passport at all times while out and about in Thailand. I've been here for 8 years and I NEVER leave the house without it. It's small. It's light. It's easy to carry in my front pocket with a zipper so it doesn't fall out.

You are in a 3rd world country. You have to think for yourself here. It doesn't matter if someone tells you that carrying a copy is OK; you know the rules change all the time. Carry your passport when out at all times and you will never have a problem. <deleted>. How difficult is that?

Thailand is not a third world country.

[Roomuck]

Hmmm.....another nail in the tourism coffin I suspect

This cracks me up. Millions of tourists frantically looking for a substitute country on the miniscule chance they may have to show a passport... W O N T Happen

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As I've already stated, I've already decided to divert 10 people to Cambodia in September instead of Thailand. While this isn't the only reason, it's the icing on the cake.

Thailand is just rubbish at the moment, and if they want to treat tourists like children or criminals, good luck with that.

They won't be doing it to me.

You think they are going to notice 10 people from 30 million? If any of your friends end up needing medical traetment over there you will end up regretting it. Good luck.

[luke000]

Unreal : People claim that Thailand is "Uncivilised" because the Police raid a club which is known for illegal activity .

Clamping down on drunkeness, prostitution, drug taking and violent places, would make the Country, MORE civil, would it not?

[Chicog]

You think they are going to notice 10 people from 30 million? If any of your friends end up needing medical traetment over there you will end up regretting it. Good luck.

No, but I doubt I'm the only one. I was responding to the person who said "no-one" will cancel. And I'm one of the people who is a regular in Thailand, and on here, as opposed to tourists who will read about bridge clubs getting raided and tourists harrassed for not taking their passports to nightclubs.

And there are plenty of decent hospitals and clinics in Cambodia, clearly you don't realise how many wealthy people visit the place these days, both for the casinos and the world heritage sites.

But to an extent, you are right. The "powers that be" will notice, because they do get the real figures, but they won't care, because they're too stupid and they don't care about anyone but themselves.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Chicog

[The manic]

I hope this makes the international press, as it will be another nail in Thailand's tourist coffin. Assault rifles to check for passports? W.T.F.?

Muslim terrorist are frequently armed and have false documents.

[The manic]

Fortunately , don't get this sort of thing outside the main tourist areas. Life goes quietly by with very few hassles.

Sounds like you're sitting in quiet desperation bored out of your mind

[lvr181]

Bloody hell m16s just to check for passports.

Police state or what?

I better be careful they maybe lock me up for driving my wheelchair ! without due care !

Don't be flippant. They got their eye on you!

[The manic]

This is all part of the rough and tumble of living in the third world - we get some hassle in exchange for plentiful poon, cheap food and exotic substances. Let's face it guys: we live like princes out here. If you you want an anodyne experience go to Florida Disneyland.

[MaeJoMTB]

we get some hassle in exchange for plentiful poon, cheap food and exotic substances. Let's face it guys: we live like princes out here.

I prefer to say 'We live like drug lords out here'

Plenty of girls, but a far greater chance of a short life with a painful and brutal death.

[Chicog]

Muslim terrorist are frequently armed and have false documents.

And play bridge.

Or take their AK47's to go and ogle women in Walking St. clubs.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Chicog

[The manic]

Muslim terrorist are frequently armed and have false documents.

And play bridge.

Or take their AK47's to go and ogle women in Walking St. clubs.

Belgium, Paris, London - plenty of armed police and military to deal with muslim terrorists. The latter can be armed in many ways from small arms to box cutters to suicide vests. You make light of terror but we who have suffered from it do not. You are using terror just to be a Thai basher.

[chiang mai]

You don't get satire do you!

[glenmohr]

This is very good. I only show my copy of the passport. And no problem. I love Chiangmai. I love this country.

Well, my thoughts is that this beautiful country let to many angry and maffia people in. How to take away them? You tell me? Check them up is the way the goverment can do. And now they do!

Yes exactly jan, Pol Pot got rid of the mafia in Cambodia, Hilter came close in Germany, Mao Zedong made some progress. It can be done, just need a good supply of jack boots.

[luke000]

This is very good. I only show my copy of the passport. And no problem. I love Chiangmai. I love this country.

Well, my thoughts is that this beautiful country let to many angry and maffia people in. How to take away them? You tell me? Check them up is the way the goverment can do. And now they do!

Yes exactly jan, Pol Pot got rid of the mafia in Cambodia, Hilter came close in Germany, Mao Zedong made some progress. It can be done, just need a good supply of jack boots.

I do think that she meant getting criminals out from the Country by denying them Visas, rather than mass murdering them all

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

====clip====

The military guy with the assault rifle reflects very bad planning. RTP could have such firepower on standby but kept them in a covered vehicle and out of camera shot. But the image looks so bad.

I think the RTP is acting on security orders, which were passed on to the RTP by a security boss Jan. 29 (as per news item) after receiving the U.S. warning. There will be more ID checks, for sure.

I would suggest to the commenter laughing at the idea of tourists reconsidering their Thailand travel plans due to a demand they carry their passports is a situation that signals a very real issue because it implies civil security problems. Not good for tourism.

As for diversions to Cambodia: In the last 15 months, I've visited Siem Reap 3 times and Phnom Penh 4-5 times. Everyone I met is a former tourist/expat resident who has chosen to dismiss Thailand entirely or cut short their visits and moved on to Cambodia. As stated by some, there is not just one reason but many, including visa troubles. But both cities are teeming with foreigners who have said their goodbyes to Thailand.

Where do you actually live?

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An hour and a half to Swampy airport or several more hours to DMK.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Kaoboi Bebobp

[glenmohr]

Here we go again " another nail in the tourist coffin" blah,blah blah.

Tourism up, year on year, not that you would think it reading thaivisa.

And it will be up again next year, and the year after like it always is. Bombs in the streets two years ago, the tourists keep coming. Bomb last year that killed tourists at Erawan temple. The doomsayers were saying the coup would ruin tourism blah,blah,blah.

I think the people who would be scared off by a routine passport check are not the type who would come to Thailand anyway.

The only thing that would cause a drop would be huge bomb like the Bali bombings, but it would bounce back again.

Roomuk, when the Yellows were patrolling the streets of Bangkok tourism went down, well down.If you are measuring against that you are correct, it is now up.

HOWEVER: the nature of Thai tourism has changed dramatically, 3 years ago it was mainly Caucasian, suddenly it is now Chinese, small and medium sized businesses, which should be the driver of the local economy, are suffering and the big business is flourishing from this change in tourism demographics. Chinese stay at 5 star hotels, eat at 5 star restaurants, buy ice creams and take pictures. Family run enterprises used to be the backbone of the Thai society, they are under threat same as us Caucasian inhabitants, changing times, not good.

[Chicog]

Belgium, Paris, London - plenty of armed police and military to deal with muslim terrorists. The latter can be armed in many ways from small arms to box cutters to suicide vests. You make light of terror but we who have suffered from it do not. You are using terror just to be a Thai basher.

Do you honestly believe this was an "anti-terrorist" operation?

Because if they were looking for a particular suspect or group of suspects, then I don't think they would have picked a Bangkok nightclub, a couple of clubs and bars in Chiang Mai and a few Walking Street gogos.

To say there are softer and more publicity-ripe targets would be an understatement to say the least.

[mcfish]

Here we go again " another nail in the tourist coffin" blah,blah blah.

Tourism up, year on year, not that you would think it reading thaivisa.

And it will be up again next year, and the year after like it always is. Bombs in the streets two years ago, the tourists keep coming. Bomb last year that killed tourists at Erawan temple. The doomsayers were saying the coup would ruin tourism blah,blah,blah.

I think the people who would be scared off by a routine passport check are not the type who would come to Thailand anyway.

The only thing that would cause a drop would be huge bomb like the Bali bombings, but it would bounce back again.

Roomuk, when the Yellows were patrolling the streets of Bangkok tourism went down, well down.If you are measuring against that you are correct, it is now up.

HOWEVER: the nature of Thai tourism has changed dramatically, 3 years ago it was mainly Caucasian, suddenly it is now Chinese, small and medium sized businesses, which should be the driver of the local economy, are suffering and the big business is flourishing from this change in tourism demographics. Chinese stay at 5 star hotels, eat at 5 star restaurants, buy ice creams and take pictures. Family run enterprises used to be the backbone of the Thai society, they are under threat same as us Caucasian inhabitants, changing times, not good.

According to Thai bashers there is never a good tourist year. If the numbers are down then this is bad and if the numbers are up its even worse.. Go figure

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[mancub]

There's a world of difference in "checking for ID" and actually "checking ID".

Also, a 5 year Thai driving licence will not reflect a new passport number or change of address, unless you actually request it to be updated at the licensing centre.

[MaeJoMTB]

According to Thai bashers there is never a good tourist year. If the numbers are down then this is bad and if the numbers are up its even worse.. Go figure

According to TAT, the tourist numbers only go up.

[glenmohr]

<deleted> is happening. Tourism is down a lot! Never mind the manipulated figures, go to any beaches, bars or restaurants over the past 2-3 months and they are as good as empty!!!!! So arrest/detain the rest for playing bridge and not carrying your passport, (which I was advised not to carry by the Thai police because of the rise in thefts) Make sure they or their friends don't come back! AM I MISSING SOMETHING? Or do you have to be a special kind of stupid?

Yes Paul. I think there may be a lot of posters on here who do not know that Thai govt departments are very casual about figures. Take this as an example

Thailand announces 86 foreigner deaths in the last 12 months, the Australian Foreign Affairs announced that of those 86 deaths 109 were Australian citizens!

[glenmohr]

Yea know I have been here for over 25 years now and I have been asked to see my passport by the police only 2 times. I go through many police check points and they never ask for it. But I always carry it with me. And you should too. And don't say you are scared that someone might steal it from you. You should always be aware of where you are and who is around you so that nothing will happen.

I must have missed something here Diehard ( Nice name )

What exactly is the point of travelling to a country where one has to always sit with ones back to a corner wall with an unobstructed 360 degree view of the surrounding approaches, with ones brief case padlocked to one's wrist when none of the neighbouring countries require these actions?????

[mcfish]

Yea know I have been here for over 25 years now and I have been asked to see my passport by the police only 2 times. I go through many police check points and they never ask for it. But I always carry it with me. And you should too. And don't say you are scared that someone might steal it from you. You should always be aware of where you are and who is around you so that nothing will happen.

I must have missed something here Diehard ( Nice name )

What exactly is the point of travelling to a country where one has to always sit with ones back to a corner wall with an unobstructed 360 degree view of the surrounding approaches, with ones brief case padlocked to one's wrist when none of the neighbouring countries require these actions?????

Because Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, laos don't even come close to the lifestyle thailand offers. There are plenty of threads on these, go read them. I'm here 10 years never pulled a passport, the post above is 25 years for twice.

Where did you get back to the wall from these odds.

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Edited February 21, 2016 by mcfish