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

[sunnyjim5]

I do wonder if the RTA or RTP can legally ask to see your passport. I know some countries only immigration or border police can do that.

I would question the legality of a RTP or RTA speaking in English, no matter how good, barking orders or issuing commands without a translator present. Given that "Farangs" speak a variety of different native languages.

I also wonder if they were given a lawyer once detained, and of course, the obliged paid for by the state an independent translator, which can be refused if the third party translator is non-native speaker or the detained's language.

Were their respective consulates or embassy's contacted informing them a subject of theirs had been detained?

No idea, I would have thought the above would be normal procedure.

I would have thought, if it was an apparent or possible IS threat, the idea would have to evacuate the area in a controlled fashion, and potentially saving lives.

In your country do the Police have instant access to translators at the scene of traffic incidents, crime scenes etc or do they have a multitude of translators instantly available within all police stations?

Where in Thailand can a translator be found for the English Geordi speaker, the Welsh Welsh speaker or the Scottish Gaelic speaker ?

What about an Afrikaans interpreter for South Africans who do not use English as a primary language?

Do you know of a single multi language/dialect interpreter who would meet the needs of all the above and all those who speak different languages?

Do not expect other countries to mirror what ever is available in your home country but perhaps you come from that place where Police do not ask questions before shooting.

[FolkGuitar]

Under Thai law, a foreigner has the right to have a member of the Royal Thai Tourist Police present if you are detained by any other law enforcement agency. (There are several different police organizations in Thailand, all of whom have the right to request your identification.) You even have the right to an interpreter if you insist upon it, but you may have to wait several days until one can be found... Of course your 'waiting room' will be a jail cell. The police don't mind. They get to go home at night. It is with hope that the Tourist Police will have a volunteer with them who can speak your language, but this isn't always the case.

[chiang mai]

Regarding the original topic of this thread, I have to admit that I do love the fact I can walk around the UK with absolutely no form of identification on me, and not have to worry about it at all. I'm under no obligation to carry any form of ID when at home and I hope that remains the case in the future. Armed police demanding I identify myself on pain of arrest...I don't want that in my life thank you.

Let's just stick with the truth, it's just easier that way.

No one's getting arrested. You get detained and then allowed 24 hours to produce the document.

If we actually start getting arrested I would be out the door along with everyone else

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

OK, my apologies. I love the fact that I can go anywhere in the UK with absolutely no fear of being detained simply because I'm not carrying any form of identification (unless of course the anti-terrorist laws are abused by the police). And I still don't like the idea of large numbers of police officers, some of who are armed, being used in this manner. If it became a regular occurrence, I think that would be enough to make me want to leave. In fact, it's the clumsy execution more than the laws involved that bother me, and many others I suppose.

Different countries, different laws, different execution of them!

[eaglesflight]

Regarding the original topic of this thread, I have to admit that I do love the fact I can walk around the UK with absolutely no form of identification on me, and not have to worry about it at all. I'm under no obligation to carry any form of ID when at home and I hope that remains the case in the future. Armed police demanding I identify myself on pain of arrest...I don't want that in my life thank you.

Let's just stick with the truth, it's just easier that way.

No one's getting arrested. You get detained and then allowed 24 hours to produce the document.

If we actually start getting arrested I would be out the door along with everyone else

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

OK, my apologies. I love the fact that I can go anywhere in the UK with absolutely no fear of being detained simply because I'm not carrying any form of identification (unless of course the anti-terrorist laws are abused by the police). And I still don't like the idea of large numbers of police officers, some of who are armed, being used in this manner. If it became a regular occurrence, I think that would be enough to make me want to leave. In fact, it's the clumsy execution more than the laws involved that bother me, and many others I suppose.

Different countries, different laws, different execution of them!

Er, yes. That's the point I was making really. Some of the local laws, and their execution, are rather undesirable here.

[Squeegee]

This police force that turns up 100 strong armed with assault rifles to demand to see your identification whilst you enjoy your relaxed lifestyle has also said it can confiscate your passport. They'll do what they flippin' well want with you in between you reporting yourself in every 90 days or dare to stay the night away from the place you temporarily pay for.

It's living the life, one announcement at a time. The increasing price of food and prostitutes is still cheap though, compared to back home in Islamistan.

Space, the final frontier....

Should have guessed it was about that time once those flip-top phones came out a decade ago.

[chiang mai]

Different countries, different laws, different execution of them!

Er, yes. That's the point I was making really. Some of the local laws, and their execution, are rather undesirable here.

Only by comparison to the laws of some western countries and in the eyes of their pandered to citizens - by comparison to the laws of some countries they're actually quite relaxed! My point is that these things are relative and the benchmark or water line shouldn't be personal standards and custom of the expats home country.

[FolkGuitar]

Why even make comparisons? We chose to live here. We chose to accept what ever life hands us here.

It was our own choice. We are still free to choose.

I watch some people comparing other folk's "Highlight Reel" with their own "Behind the Scene" clips and crying over the fact that other people have it better. If it was really so much better in other countries, why did we leave in the first place, or stay, in the second?

[eaglesflight]

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired. Every time we encounter something new, our brains attempt to associate it with something we have already encountered. Besides, what's wrong with making comparisons or in discussing some of the things that are wrong with Thailand? You might have left your home country because you didn't like it but please don't assume we're all running away from something.

I didn't choose to "accept whatever life hands me here". I'm not a passive victim. I came here for adventure. You sound more like you've joined a cult.

@chiang mai - I'm not sure where you're going with your 'pandered to' comment. Are you a Republican who's about to lecture me on the ills of social welfare? The fact that British police don't make a habit of demanding ID at gunpoint doesn't make British citizens pandered to in my opinion.

[luke000]

The fact that British police don't make a habit of demanding ID at gunpoint doesn't make British citizens pandered to in my opinion.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

[eaglesflight]

The fact that British police don't make a habit of demanding ID at gunpoint doesn't make British citizens pandered to in my opinion.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

[luke000]

The fact that British police don't make a habit of demanding ID at gunpoint doesn't make British citizens pandered to in my opinion.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

It is quite a large exaggeration which distorts the reality.

One Policeman had one big gun and a troublesome bar got raided and people got asked to show identification,

People either showed their I.D. there and then or showed it later at the Police station.

Some people are over reacting .

[FolkGuitar]

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired. Every time we encounter something new, our brains attempt to associate it with something we have already encountered. Besides, what's wrong with making comparisons or in discussing some of the things that are wrong with Thailand? You might have left your home country because you didn't like it but please don't assume we're all running away from something.

I didn't choose to "accept whatever life hands me here". I'm not a passive victim. I came here for adventure. You sound more like you've joined a cult.

Apparently, you not only make comparisons for your daily life, you also chose to make assumptions.

But you're correct. I have joined a cult. It's called 'peace and contentment with a liberal sprinkling of happiness.'

We have room for you, should you decide that you'd like to give it a try.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Not only have YOU exaggerated, so did the Media. When a statement is made that reads;

"100 police armed with automatic rifles" gets read by people, they make the assumption that

there are 100 men holding 100 automatic weapons. Then, people who enjoy the thrill of adventure... without the danger,

can talk about how they live in such a dangerous environment!

Every time we see a cop, there is a deadly weapon present. 100 cops = 100 guns. Adding one or two M-16's isn't really exacerbating the situation.

[luke000]

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired.

Although it does get extremely tiring reading on TV posters comparing everything with their home Country .

"In America " In England" "In Dubai" "In The Philippines" etc .

I wonder whether theres forums full of Thais living abroad who compare anything that happens to how it happens in Thailand?

All Countries are different and they all have different ways of dealing with things

[luke000]

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired. Every time we encounter something new, our brains attempt to associate it with something we have already encountered. Besides, what's wrong with making comparisons or in discussing some of the things that are wrong with Thailand? You might have left your home country because you didn't like it but please don't assume we're all running away from something.

I didn't choose to "accept whatever life hands me here". I'm not a passive victim. I came here for adventure. You sound more like you've joined a cult.

Apparently, you not only make comparisons for your daily life, you also chose to make assumptions.

But you're correct. I have joined a cult. It's called 'peace and contentment with a liberal sprinkling of happiness.'

We have room for you, should you decide that you'd like to give it a try.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Not only have YOU exaggerated, so did the Media. When a statement is made that reads;

"100 police armed with automatic rifles" gets read by people, they make the assumption that

there are 100 men holding 100 automatic weapons. Then, people who enjoy the thrill of adventure... without the danger,

can talk about how they live in such a dangerous environment!

Every time we see a cop, there is a deadly weapon present. 100 cops = 100 guns. Adding one or two M-16's isn't really exacerbating the situation.

Also and exaggeration was that people got "arrested" , no one did get arrested , Everyone showed their passport and then everyone when home, all that happened is that they missed one hour of dancing in Zoe .

100 Police does sound excessive , but when you consider that there were probably about 500 people in the Zoe area , the 100 Police was the amount needed to get the job done .

Imagine if just a car full of Police turned up and tried to search everyone.

TV posters are trying to make out foreigners freedom is under threat from an oppressive regime and that armed Police regularly point automatic rifles at foreigners and arrest them for not carrying their passports on then, but the reality is that this was a one off raid and I believe that CM Police were demonstrating to the Bangkok Police that they have CM under control .

Many roads into CM have armed Police checking everyones ID , its hard to get into CM on a bus without getting asked to show identification , saying that , when Police board buses, they thoroughly check all the Thais I.D. cards and quite often, they dont check foreigners at all .

Its laughable how some TV posters are exaggerating and getting upset about their own exaggeration and their own distortion of reality .

Stop panicking guys and try to remain cool calm and collected

[harrry]

I am well travelled and also lived in a number of countries in Asia but I have never seen first hand or on the media about there being police and immigration raids in public area as we are reading about in this thread. Have any other members experienced police raids in other countries similar to the scale and regularity as are happening in Thailand

I have been asked for "papers" in Germany while motorcycling and this included passport and visa as well as my licence and vehicle insurance.

I have been asked for passport in Turkey. Once randomly and twice when they cam to palces obviouly looking for someone.

[jobin]

Well, no one leaves their home country, emigrates, if home is perfect. When the future looks poor at home due to starvation, war, floods, military dictatorship government, lack of employment, a rigid caste or opportunity system then young folks esp will leave home and emigrate towards betterment, as they see it.

Most of us here are not so young but if home was as good as T'land, would you leave the homeland?

Personally i might prefer a more moderate climate, not roasting hot, but no country in Asia offers me the legal entry T'land does at the present time. Would be nice to own a small farm on the east coast of Taiwan, enjoy more interesting weather, the very clean air, the vast resources of the sea, a few sweet potatoes and chat away in mandarin with my neighbors.

[eaglesflight]

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired.

Although it does get extremely tiring reading on TV posters comparing everything with their home Country .

"In America " In England" "In Dubai" "In The Philippines" etc .

I wonder whether theres forums full of Thais living abroad who compare anything that happens to how it happens in Thailand?

All Countries are different and they all have different ways of dealing with things

I can only comment on Thai people that live and study or work in the UK. Not sure if they have their own forums but many appear to have zero desire to integrate or explore the local culture.They socialise almost exclusively with their countrymen so I'm guessing there's a good chance they do spend time talking among themselves about the old country.

I get equally tired of posters like yourself who see Thailand as some sort of paradise and seem to have adopted the Thai habit of being unable to accept any criticism of your new home. Like many countries, there are good and bad things about Thailand. If you think the police force is one of the good things, I don't think there's much point continuing what was never really an enlightening discussion. One assault rifle or one hundred, this was a clumsy police operation and one I would not have appreciated had I been caught up in it.

[eaglesflight]

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired. Every time we encounter something new, our brains attempt to associate it with something we have already encountered. Besides, what's wrong with making comparisons or in discussing some of the things that are wrong with Thailand? You might have left your home country because you didn't like it but please don't assume we're all running away from something.

I didn't choose to "accept whatever life hands me here". I'm not a passive victim. I came here for adventure. You sound more like you've joined a cult.

Apparently, you not only make comparisons for your daily life, you also chose to make assumptions.

But you're correct. I have joined a cult. It's called 'peace and contentment with a liberal sprinkling of happiness.'

We have room for you, should you decide that you'd like to give it a try.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Not only have YOU exaggerated, so did the Media. When a statement is made that reads;

"100 police armed with automatic rifles" gets read by people, they make the assumption that

there are 100 men holding 100 automatic weapons. Then, people who enjoy the thrill of adventure... without the danger,

can talk about how they live in such a dangerous environment!

Every time we see a cop, there is a deadly weapon present. 100 cops = 100 guns. Adding one or two M-16's isn't really exacerbating the situation.

i said you 'sound like' you've joined a cult.That's an observation not an assumption. And I think there's a big difference between a holstered pistol and M16s. If you're so happy and content, maybe you can accept that what we have here is a difference of opinion.

[eaglesflight]

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired. Every time we encounter something new, our brains attempt to associate it with something we have already encountered. Besides, what's wrong with making comparisons or in discussing some of the things that are wrong with Thailand? You might have left your home country because you didn't like it but please don't assume we're all running away from something.

I didn't choose to "accept whatever life hands me here". I'm not a passive victim. I came here for adventure. You sound more like you've joined a cult.

Apparently, you not only make comparisons for your daily life, you also chose to make assumptions.

But you're correct. I have joined a cult. It's called 'peace and contentment with a liberal sprinkling of happiness.'

We have room for you, should you decide that you'd like to give it a try.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Not only have YOU exaggerated, so did the Media. When a statement is made that reads;

"100 police armed with automatic rifles" gets read by people, they make the assumption that

there are 100 men holding 100 automatic weapons. Then, people who enjoy the thrill of adventure... without the danger,

can talk about how they live in such a dangerous environment!

Every time we see a cop, there is a deadly weapon present. 100 cops = 100 guns. Adding one or two M-16's isn't really exacerbating the situation.

i said you 'sound like' you've joined a cult.That's an observation not an assumption. And I think there's a big difference between a holstered pistol and M16s. If you're so happy and content, maybe you can accept that what we have here is a difference of opinion.

And talking of assumptions, just because I'm not enthralled with every single aspect of Thai culture and bureaucracy, just because I have retained the capability to think for myself, doesn't mean I'm unhappy or not content with my life.

[luke000]

I get equally tired of posters like yourself who see Thailand as some sort of paradise and seem to have adopted the Thai habit of being unable to accept any criticism of your new home. Like many countries, there are good and bad things about Thailand. If you think the police force is one of the good things, I don't think there's much point continuing what was never really an enlightening discussion. One assault rifle or one hundred, this was a clumsy police operation and one I would not have appreciated had I been caught up in it.

This is where we differ on opinion,

I have never said that the Thai Police are good and I ve never said that they are bad either and I dont think that Thailand is beyond critism and I dont view Thailand as being a paradise .

The subject of this thread , Yes, the Police raid on Zoe was unnecessary and a bit heavy handed, as was the Bridge playing card game that got raided .

But, saying that, they were just raids , which happen the World over , my point was that some posters completely exaggerated the situation , it really is no big deal .

No one got arrested, assaulted or had anything planted on them .

People just asked to show their I.D. which is the law in Thailand .

IMO , IM quitre fair in my opinion, some people are extremely negative about everything , they eeven make things up to confirm their extreme negative opinion

[eaglesflight]

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate? I don't think I made anything up. Which way the guns in question were pointing is something only those present would know. Assault rifles are not designed to send a peaceful message though, I think we can agree on that.

I see you neatly avoided continuing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

[luke000]

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate?

I see you neatly avoided containing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

I dont know, I wasnt there .

I dont know any Thai people from back home, so, I really dont know about that either, so, I cannot comment , but saying that ALL Thai people abroad act in a certain way would be nonsensical, because they are all different

[FolkGuitar]

Apparently, you not only make comparisons for your daily life, you also chose to make assumptions.

But you're correct. I have joined a cult. It's called 'peace and contentment with a liberal sprinkling of happiness.'

We have room for you, should you decide that you'd like to give it a try.

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Not only have YOU exaggerated, so did the Media. When a statement is made that reads;

"100 police armed with automatic rifles" gets read by people, they make the assumption that

there are 100 men holding 100 automatic weapons. Then, people who enjoy the thrill of adventure... without the danger,

can talk about how they live in such a dangerous environment!

Every time we see a cop, there is a deadly weapon present. 100 cops = 100 guns. Adding one or two M-16's isn't really exacerbating the situation.

i said you 'sound like' you've joined a cult.That's an observation not an assumption. And I think there's a big difference between a holstered pistol and M16s. If you're so happy and content, maybe you can accept that what we have here is a difference of opinion.

And talking of assumptions, just because I'm not enthralled with every single aspect of Thai culture and bureaucracy, just because I have retained the capability to think for myself, doesn't mean I'm unhappy or not content with my life.

Lots of people are very, very happy comparing and complaining their way through life. I never suggested that you weren't satisfied with your lot. But please don't suppose that this is how everyone goes through their day. Many of us don't feel the need to dwell on the negatives. Personally, I find no joy in it. As you said, we can agree to disagree.

[Paul Catton]

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate?

I see you neatly avoided containing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

I dont know, I wasnt there .

I dont know any Thai people from back home, so, I really dont know about that either, so, I cannot comment , but saying that ALL Thai people abroad act in a certain way would be nonsensical, because they are all different

Being resident overseas with a wife who is Thai, I am able to report that some Thais do engage in social media forums.

I cannot quantify the how many people engage nor their demographic.

The snippets of information (from a female perspective) as told to me do contain complaints regarding, and in no particular order, husbands, weather, personal income (or lack of it), employment opportunities etc..

I also hear that many comparisons are made, not only against Thailand but other locations as settled.

And then there are general discussions such as, How do you do this? Where is the best place for that? Anyone know about such and such?

Possibly these forums are like Thaivisa without added vitriol, or maybe vitriol is omitted in the narrative given to me.

[eaglesflight]

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate?

I see you neatly avoided containing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

I dont know, I wasnt there .

I dont know any Thai people from back home, so, I really dont know about that either, so, I cannot comment , but saying that ALL Thai people abroad act in a certain way would be nonsensical, because they are all different

Nobody said all Thai people abroad act in a certain way, you questioned whether ANY of them behaved like posters on here and I pontificated that they probably do, given that MANY are reticent to mix with non-Thais. Following a single train of thought without bending it to suit your point of view is obviously too much for you to handle.

[eaglesflight]

Lots of people are very, very happy comparing and complaining their way through life. I never suggested that you weren't satisfied with your lot. But please don't suppose that this is how everyone goes through their day. Many of us don't feel the need to dwell on the negatives. Personally, I find no joy in it. As you said, we can agree to disagree.

More assumptions from you. Please don't assume that because I disagree with the way the police behaved in one incident that I spend my whole life dwelling on the downside of living here. Instead, try to understand that many of us don't feel the need to ignore the negatives in order to be happy.

For somebody who claims to be so content, you have a strange compulsion to put a wholly negative spin on anybody who disagrees with your point of view.

[Paul Catton]

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate?

I see you neatly avoided containing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

I dont know, I wasnt there .

I dont know any Thai people from back home, so, I really dont know about that either, so, I cannot comment , but saying that ALL Thai people abroad act in a certain way would be nonsensical, because they are all different

Nobody said all Thai people abroad act in a certain way, you questioned whether ANY of them behaved like posters on here and I pontificated that they probably do, given that MANY are reticent to mix with non-Thais. Following a single train of thought without bending it to suit your point of view is obviously too much for you to handle.

Apparently a monopoly for baiting, trolling, general Thai bashing doesn't lie with Thaivisa, Opal tells me it is prevalent on Thai language forum sites.

[luke000]

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate?

I see you neatly avoided containing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

I dont know, I wasnt there .

I dont know any Thai people from back home, so, I really dont know about that either, so, I cannot comment , but saying that ALL Thai people abroad act in a certain way would be nonsensical, because they are all different

Nobody said all Thai people abroad act in a certain way, you questioned whether ANY of them behaved like posters on here and I pontificated that they probably do, given that MANY are reticent to mix with non-Thais. Following a single train of thought without bending it to suit your point of view is obviously too much for you to handle.

I was answering your question about why I didnt reply to your question about Thais living abroad and I was talking about myself why I said didnt reply because: and my reply was that all Thais act in a different way abroad so it would be nonsensical to suggest that they all act in a certain way and that is why I didnt answer your question .

Please dont accuse me of"bending" things, when its you who cannot follow and understand what I wrote .

You are right, nobody did say that "All Thais act in a certain way abroad" , but I gave that as a reason for not commenting about how Thais act abroad

[luke000]

More assumptions from you. Please don't assume that because I disagree with the way the police behaved in one incident

I do not agree with the scale of the Police operation on the Zoe bar , BUT Zoe bar is in a large area of bars , about 15 different bars and there is a open square in the middle with seats which is owned by Zoe and surrounded by other bars , drinkers would get a drink from an adjoining bar and unknowingly sit in seats owned by Zoe , the Zoe security team would ask them to leave and if they didnt immediately get up and leave , the security team would drag them outside and severely beating them, putting a few people in hospital ,

People have also said that the Zoe security actively tried to start fights with customers and Zoe recently got closed down for one month .

There were also rumours that someone got a beating in Zoe and went home and died in his sleep that night, although that is an unconfirmed rumor .

It could be that the Police are targeting Zoe to try to scare customers off so that they have to close down .

The word on the street was that it was only a matter of time before the Zoe security kill someone (if they havent already).

[luke000]

Some reviews of the Zoe bar .

"This bar is disgusting for so many reasons. It is filled with college aged tourists who are all extremely intoxicated. The entire vibe is seedy and revolting. The worst part of this place is that the bouncers are all overly aggressive muscle heads who violently assault patrons for the most minor of infractions. We went here a few times during our stay in Chiang Mai and every night we witnessed an innocent tourist receive severe beatings. Last night we watched one bouncer kick a patron out of the bar, and then coldly follow him to the street where they proceeded to knock him out and then stomp on his face. Poor guy is probably in a thai hospital right now. Do yourself a favor and stay the hell away."

"I was having a ok night for a hour. Then a bouncer hit a innocent man for no reason & FOUR men started stamping on his head. The poor man must be in hospital at the moment. I left straight after and on my way out someone tried fighting my friend. Full of awful people. If the owner reads this you need shooting and your staff need even worse. Especially the big bouncer in yellow i hope someone puts him in hospital....pure evil. And just to clarify I've been traveling for years all over the world and never experienced such brutally. Avoid this place and don't get sucked in by the crowd"

"Me and my friend were getting a drink paid 1000 baht and the bartender claimed that we had only paid 500. We asked for our money back without much of an argument, but within 20 seconds there was a huge commotion and I was sucker punched by a random Thai guy from behind. My friend was knocked out by staff(also blindsided), we spoke in an alleyway with some locals who stated that they do this frequently. There were almost 10 guys in their group. We wanted to file a police report but they didn't seem to care much when they arrived at the scene- so anyways, as you can probably tell these people are scam artists, and cowards, wouldn't suggest going there or at least know that something messed up happening isn't outside the realm of possibility."