Metropolitan police chief tells foreigners to carry passports or copies at all times

[rooster59]

Metropolitan police chief tells foreigners to carry passports at all times

Kwaang Siripoom



Image: Dailynews.co.th

BANGKOK:-- Police have called on foreigners to carry their passports with them at all times in order to help officers crackdown on transnational crime, Thaivisa News reports.

On Friday evening, officers from Lumpini and Thonglor police raided entertainment venues and set up two police checkpoints in order to ensure that foreigners were carrying either their original passport or a photocopy with them.

The operation led by Pol. Lt. Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, Metropolitan Police Commander, saw raids on 15 entertainment venues.

Pol. Lt. Gen Sanit also revealed that passport control checkpoints were set up outside the Grace Hotel, Soi Nana and the Asoke Montri intersection.

The police commander, told reporters that the operation had been to focus on foreigners who may be involved in crime.

He added that following the raids and passport checks, everything went smoothly and no one was found to be breaking the rules.

“The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because many entertainment venues which attract foreign tourists are located in these areas. And since many foreigners visit these areas I’m afraid some of them might have ill-intentions to be involved in dark business, or even crimes, especially trans-national crime.

“This operation also helps to boost confidence between tourists and the security forces”, he added.

“I also want to ask for cooperation from all tourists to carry their passports or a photocopy every time when they go out.”

-- 2016-03-19

[ddavidovsky]

Or a photocopy. You need to change that headline.

[Briggsy]

"raided entertainment venues"

No need to say anything else. Same old, same old.

[jucel]

Just what you want when you are enjoying a night out.

Taken outside and made to feel uncomfortable by the biggest mafia in Thailand.

[robblok]

Or a photocopy. You need to change that headline.

Yes if he said or a photocopy its big news, I never have my passport with me but always a copy and a better one on the phone.

[jucel]

“The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because many entertainment venues which attract foreign tourists are located in these areas. And since many foreigners visit these areas I’m afraid some of them might have ill-intentions to be involved in dark business, or even crimes, especially trans-national crime.

“This operation also helps to boost confidence between tourists and the security forces”, he added.

The biggest pile of horsesh!t I've ever heard.

People who frequent clubs = criminals is what he is saying. Jesus wept

[Somtamnication]

Nice to know that nothing illegal was going on near Grace hotel.

[neverdie]

Ohhh wilber !

[KunMatt]

Looks like a good use of at least 9 police officers that I can count in that photo.

"We've finally caught the no-passport bandit, crime as we know it is over".

[neverdie]

Ohhh wilber !

The sooner they start microchipping those pesky farang the better off everyone will be.

[smedly]

Like I said before there is more to this, I believe there is and has been a credible terrorist threat in Bangkok or major tourist areas in Thailand, basing this on two things, the leaked memo in Phuket and gut feel, if there is a threat they would be better telling people than trying to hide it.

[djjamie]

Yes, have to respect the rules of any country that you visit or live in. I carry a photo of my passport on my phone to ensure I abide by the law.

At the end of the day if this catches only one illegal foreigner or only saves one life by arresting a potential threat then this initiative has worked.

I am sure the very same people that suggest this is too controlling of the govt will be the same ones that complain about the govt if someone that this initiative is targeting commits a violent crime.

Can't win if you do and can't win if you don't.

Edited March 19, 2016 by djjamie

[NCC1701A]

interesting the screen on the computer to the right.

Edited March 19, 2016 by NCC1701A

[jucel]

Like I said before there is more to this, I believe there is and has been a credible terrorist threat in Bangkok or major tourist areas in Thailand, basing this on two things, the leaked memo in Phuket and gut feel, if there is a threat they would be better telling people than trying to hide it.

They must not have very good intel if this is their approach.

[Andrew65]

Or a photocopy. You need to change that headline.

If you remember, some time last year, the General in charge of the Imm. police publically stated that a photo-copy is ok.

[baboon]

Bet that made all the tourist feel welcome.........

Not good, is it? Police carrying out document checks not in conjunction with any crime which had actually been committed, but simply for the sake of doing so:

'Thailand remains under military rule and foreigners can expect to have their papers checked at any time and for any reason; sometimes for no reason other than to ensure they are in compliance.'

Doesn't exactly send out a positive message, though it must be a wet dream come true for some Thaivisa members...

Edited March 19, 2016 by baboon

[NCC1701A]

"“The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because many entertainment venues which attract foreign tourists are located in these areas. And since many foreigners visit these areas I’m afraid some of them might have ill-intentions to be involved in dark business, or even crimes, especially trans-national crime."

you mean with people other than yourself?

"“The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because... I watch a lot of films and TV from America. I see that bad people always meet in high profile public places where they can be easily spotted and caught. Most bad Farang men in movies wear nice Armani suits or black leather jackets and black leather gloves and dark sunglasses at night, and drive new BMWs so I look for that. But I know Mission Impossible man good if I see him"

[Mister Fixit]

Like I said before there is more to this, I believe there is and has been a credible terrorist threat in Bangkok or major tourist areas in Thailand, basing this on two things, the leaked memo in Phuket and gut feel, if there is a threat they would be better telling people than trying to hide it.

Hiding things is the Thai way, though. Head in the sand at all times.

[baboon]

Yes, have to respect the rules of any country that you visit or live in. I carry a photo of my passport on my phone to ensure I abide by the law.

At the end of the day if this catches only one illegal foreigner or only saves one life by arresting a potential threat then this initiative has worked.

I am sure the very same people that suggest this is too controlling of the govt will be the same ones that complain about the govt if someone that this initiative is targeting commits a violent crime.

Can't win if you do and can't win if you don't.

I prefer the presumption that one is not an "illegal foreigner", whatever one of those is, or violent criminal until it has been proven otherwise. However it is no surprise to me that you would prefer it the other way round and that the onus should be on the individual to prove his or her innocence, even without a shred of evidence as to any nefarious activities.

.... a wet dream come true for some Thaivisa members...

[NongKhaiKid]

"The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because many entertainment venues which attract foreign tourists are located in these areas. And since many foreigners visit these areas Im afraid some of them might have ill-intentions to be involved in dark business, or even crimes, especially trans-national crime."

you mean with people other than yourself?

"The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because... I watch a lot of films and TV from America. I see that bad people always meet in high profile public places where they can be easily spotted and caught. Most bad Farang men in movies wear nice Armani suits or black leather jackets and black leather gloves and dark sunglasses at night, and drive new BMWs so I look for that. But I know Mission Impossible man good if I see him"

Of course anyone here for dark business, crime, hiding out etc will naturally regularly frequent places where they could be caught in an op like this.

What's the next step for the BIB, re-visit the premises and ask if official visits adversely affects their business because the BIB have an insurance policy covering such things ?

Edited March 19, 2016 by metisdead

[Evilbaz]

C'mon guys.!

Go to any Kodak shop with your passport.

For $3 they will colour copy your passport front page and Visa/Extension, reduce to wallet card size and laminate with one on the front and the other on the obverse.

In less time than it takes you to enjoy a cold frothy.

Do it on the way home from your annual Immi visit - you'll need a coldie by then.

[chainarong]

This has been policy for decades , in nearly every country you need to do this except your own , although these spiffs are now getting more arrogant by the day , now that they have their power base back in the form of the Junta........................................................

[baboon]

C'mon guys.!

Go to any Kodak shop with your passport.

For $3 they will colour copy your passport front page and Visa/Extension, reduce to wallet card size and laminate with one on the front and the other on the obverse.

In less time than it takes you to enjoy a cold frothy.

Do it on the way home from your annual Immi visit - you'll need a coldie by then.

All well and good until the guy on the spot decides he wants the originals. Good luck with quoting chapter and verse of the law to him on your way to the cells..

[arunsakda]

Or photocopy, carry on.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

He added that following the raids and passport checks, everything went smoothly and no one was found to be breaking the rules.

What's amazing to me, based on the OP report, is that they did all these checks the other night at "entertainment venues" and apparently didn't find ANY foreigners without either their original passport or a photocopy??? Really?

I've taken to carrying a laminated photocopy in my wallet since the coup, and always have had photos of the passport pages on my smartphone. But I live here, and tend to follow developments in the news. But I seriously doubt that most farangs in Thailand, especially tourists, are doing that.

Back in my tourist days here years ago, I NEVER carried any passport or passport photocopy around with me.

[Evilbaz]

C'mon guys.!

Go to any Kodak shop with your passport.

For $3 they will colour copy your passport front page and Visa/Extension, reduce to wallet card size and laminate with one on the front and the other on the obverse.

In less time than it takes you to enjoy a cold frothy.

Do it on the way home from your annual Immi visit - you'll need a coldie by then.

All well and good until the guy on the spot decides he wants the originals. Good luck with quoting chapter and verse of the law to him on your way to the cells..

Rubbish!

[xtof2]

One time you need.

One time you don't

[thesetat2013]

C'mon guys.!

Go to any Kodak shop with your passport.

For $3 they will colour copy your passport front page and Visa/Extension, reduce to wallet card size and laminate with one on the front and the other on the obverse.

In less time than it takes you to enjoy a cold frothy.

Do it on the way home from your annual Immi visit - you'll need a coldie by then.

You miss the point entirely! Thailand police are doing this under the assumption that foreigners are guilty or criminals without reason. They are harassing tourists causing undue stress and given their history perhaps even causing fears of being bribed. Nobody goes somewhere on vacation expecting to be confronted by the police demanding to see their passports unless they are in a communist country. As much as I like Thailand I think the BIB are wrong in this and I hope they lose tourists for their actions.

[JAG]

Must have been disappointing - I mean you go to all that trouble to set up a big shakedown operation like that and you don't catch anyone!

[MaeJoMTB]

If the Thai police want to catch serious criminals involved in human trafficking, drugs, gambling and extortion, they would be better off raiding police, army and navy bases.