Know Your Rights if a Policeman Stops you in Bangkok

Over the last month or so there have been many negative reports in the media about police in Bangkok giving foreigners the shakedown. The story goes that the cops demand to see your passport or insist that you do a urine test beside the road. Failure to do so would lead to a “fine” of 5,000 Baht or a night in the local lock-up. Due to international coverage and pressure on social media, police authorities have come out to say that there is no campaign to target foreigners. Thonglor Police Station have gone one step further by distributing a leaflet making it clear what your rights are. Here is what they say:

Thonglor Police Station notice about searching foreigners for contraband

1. Searching foreigners
1.1 Foreigners may take photos of police officers who do the search before searching begins
1.2 Searching has to be done in a place with sufficient lighting and not be desolated
1.3 Do not pay any amount of money to police officers whether you are asked to do or not
1.4 In case you are in a vehicle or a taxi, police officers who stop a vehicle and do the search must be in a proper checkpoint, under control of a commissioned officer

2. Collecting urine specimen must be done only in the police station

3. Foreigners could carry a copy of first page and entry stamped page of their passport instead of the original one.

If you experience any problems, you can call the tourist police on 1155, 24 hours a day. You can also call any of the following police stations in Bangkok:

Thonglor Police Station: 02-3818853
Klongton Police Station: 02-3140041
Lumpini Police Station: 02-2555993
Bangrak Police Station: 02-2340242
Makkasan Police Station: 02-3181821

66 thoughts on “Know Your Rights if a Policeman Stops you in Bangkok

  • September 6, 2019 at 2:27 am
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    I got searched tonight in Thonglor. I was dressed nicely and was walking alone although many Thais were walking there too. Two motorcycle Police were alongside the road and once they saw me they motioned for me to come over which I did. They asked me where I was going, and if I had drugs while motioning to my pockets. This is highly offensive and insulting to me. I asked them why they were asking me this and they just repeated their drugs question. I asked them why they stopped me and not any of the Thais that were walking all around me. They finally just said go, go. I googled about this tonight when I came home and found that its a common occurrence as shown in this blog as well as more recent articles (https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thonglor-police-chief-denies-expats-being-searched-illegally/). Professional, self respecting people with options (money) will choose a place to live where they are treated with respect.

    Reply
    • October 26, 2021 at 10:19 am
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      Hello yesterday(25.Oct.2021)
      Im going to bangna on the way. Suddenly,2 motorbike checking in texi inside, after stop to texi by the road, and checking my passport, and my body and my pocket even though cigar inside WTF? They were disappointed that no drugs came out. And My I’ve never experienced this before. Even though I’ve never experienced this during a trip to China. Thailand police really suck and rude to foreigner. I dont want to travel again in thailand but also cant recommend travel to Thailand they think foreigner money are theirs huh?

      Reply
  • July 17, 2019 at 7:39 pm
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    Literally just got searched between Phrompong and Thonglor while walking home. 2 officers on a motorcycle both were exceedingly polite, shone a torch on items, kept their hands in plain view as they searched the items i removed from my pocket and as they searched my bag.
    I was polite and conversed with them in Thai. It all went well and they thanked me and i left.
    Didnt feel like a shakedown at all (Phuket and Bali is very clear normally).
    Kinda scary to hear of drug PLANTING… are there any documented cases of police caught doing it recently?
    Cheers Richard for the tips above… i will ask to film the next time.

    Reply
  • April 28, 2019 at 4:54 pm
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    You made the right decision to pay ; Thai prisons are no place for Western visitors , It would be a unique experience ?? But not one You would want to repeat ?? Use the lesson as a valuable piece of knowelege , Look up women prison s in Thailand and relise how lucky You have been ?? Most Thai people are friendly and honest , Some countrys would have found a lot more and demand Your family pay $ 10, 000 U S within a week

    Reply
  • April 26, 2019 at 7:47 am
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    I got stopped and searched last night near khao San road because my friend was drinking a beer on the street. They found a little weed and cuffed me. They asked for money 40000 baht which I told them was ridiculous. I didn’t have that much. They brought me to my hotel so I could get my atm card and settled for about 14000 baht. They kept asking me if everything was okay. The nicest shakedown I’ve ever experienced. I’ll pay to stay out of jail anytime.

    Reply
  • March 4, 2018 at 10:38 pm
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    Hey Richard, is there any document even in pdf or digital form that i can carry on me to avoid getting in these situations? Im also the son of a diplomat, would that change anything ?

    Reply
  • December 15, 2017 at 1:49 pm
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    I was stopped and searched on Ekamai by two Thong Lor motorbike cops a few months back. They pounced (from a hidden location) on me and my other Farang friend (2 blokes). We had been drinking and it was about 12.30. I was polite, showed them my official credit card sized passport card. They searched our pockets and frisked us and then let us go. I was polite spoke a little Thai but it felt like a shakedown. They seemed disappointed.

    Reply
    • December 15, 2017 at 6:31 pm
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      They do it all the time at Ekkamai, but mostly they check people coming from Pattaya bus.
      Good that you didn’t have anything with you (or that they are too stupid to find hahaha).

      Reply
  • October 21, 2017 at 3:54 pm
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    I was stopped at a highway checkpoint in the NE. The police officer asked to see my passport, so I gave it to him. He didn’t even open the passport. He just said “give me money for coffee”. So, I gave him 100 baht, he returned my passport and I drove away.

    Another time, I was stopped on a 2 lane major highway. I, mean 2 lanes going north and 2 lanes going south. The police officer told me that I was not allowed to drive in the right lane. He said I was only allowed to drive in the left lane and fined me 400 baht. He then gave me the option of paying him directly or paying double at the police station.

    So, I decided to install a dash cam in the hope that it may provide some protection from this kind of “extortion”. Nope, when stopped again at a checkpoint the officer immediately noticed and commented on the camera. Then, he asked me to step out of the truck. Once out of view of the camera he asked me for 400 baht. Hahaha:) You just can’t win.

    In Koh Samui the police set up roadblocks about once / week. Mainly, they stop and fine motorcyclists for not wearing helmets. That’s their gig. The rest of the time, you never see them. There is no law enforcement on the road whatsoever! Consequently, people drive around the island like crazed maniacs, resulting in about 2 road fatalities / day and countless injuries. It’s insane! The complete opposite of Isan, where you practically can’t go anywhere without going thru a checkpoint. Also, in Isan, they piss test all the Thais right there in the open, on the spot!

    Reply
    • October 21, 2017 at 4:02 pm
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      They piss test people everywhere, lately reports from BKK and Pattaya also.
      I wonder how much money they would lose if dope was legalized…

      Reply
  • September 19, 2017 at 10:03 am
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    Good to know our right as a foreigner in the Kingdom of Thailand. The awareness is exellent if observed by the local police officers who always like to take advantage of their uniform to intimidate most especially foreigners. Thanks for the information.

    Reply
  • September 18, 2017 at 7:33 am
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    Are they still checking people for drug in Bangkok streets ? I know that they do it daily at Pattaya.

    Reply
      • September 18, 2017 at 8:29 pm
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        Thank you Mom. But in Colorado it is legal ! The only problem is that in Thailand as in many retarded Asian countries, they can try to get your money even if you do no have any substance with you, but have it in your system.
        And anyway, we do not all fancy a boring English teacher life…
        Thank you Dad.

        Reply
      • September 19, 2017 at 12:37 am
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        Yes, they do. The only thing they need is money, not justice. So they sometimes have it in their hands and pretend they found it in your pocket.

        Reply
    • September 19, 2017 at 12:37 am
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      Yes, they do. The only thing they need is money, not justice. So they sometimes have it in their hands and pretend they found it in your pocket.

      Reply
      • September 19, 2017 at 12:38 am
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        Did it happen to you ?

        Reply
        • September 19, 2017 at 12:50 am
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          Almost : I always moved to a place where there was enough light to prevent any bad surprise. Once a “policeman” asked me to come into a dark area : I never accepted.

          Reply
          • September 19, 2017 at 12:51 am
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            But I don’t have anything in my system anyway

  • September 17, 2017 at 7:44 pm
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    Does anyone have experience of a photo copy of your passport pages on your phone being acceptable? I should think that with the smartphone evolution almost all foreigners would be able to store a copy on their phone?
    It would seem like a sensible solution to me. Also having a copy on your e mail which could be accessed via computer or phone.
    Comments please.

    Reply
  • September 17, 2017 at 7:40 pm
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    Does anyone have experience of a photo copy of hour passport pages on your phone being acceptable? I should think that with the smartphone evolution almost all foreigners would be able to store a copy on their phone?

    Reply
  • October 27, 2016 at 12:40 am
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    It seems that some of the Thong Lor policemen are again very flexible about the rules they are supposed to follow. I was walking in soi 20 today, and I was stopped by a man in uniform who was not polite at all. I stepped back when he touched my bottom. He tried to take my purse, which I refused ; I speak a few words of thai and I could hear that he would talk about me with the pronoun “man”. He wore no gloves when trying to touch me, etc. I did not have the feeling that I was with a professionnal… Maybe an update about what the rules are supposed to be could be usefull.

    Reply
  • June 25, 2015 at 3:10 pm
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    Ciao Robert, you are talking about driving checkpoints right? If i m gonna walking Can I be involved in this kind of situation? Thank you

    Reply
  • February 4, 2015 at 8:40 pm
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    A driver’s license has always gotten me by, but I’ve never had a cop try to extort money from me either. Would that suffice?

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  • January 6, 2015 at 9:01 pm
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    Does this happens daily in. BKK or all around in Thailand

    Reply
    • January 7, 2015 at 6:32 am
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      I’ve never seen it even though I went looking for this. I have been living here for more than 20 years. Yes, it does happen but not as often as some people are saying. And anyway, we are under martial law in Thailand at the moment. If you come here you need to understand that.

      Reply
      • January 9, 2015 at 3:25 am
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        I was 5 Months in the Prison in BKK only about Visa Overstay about more Details and Pictures Contact me

        Reply
        • January 9, 2015 at 6:50 am
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          I presume you mean Immigration Detention Center (which many says is worse than prison). And I presume you were detained as you weren’t able to pay the fine and/or buy the plane ticket home straight away?

          Reply
          • January 16, 2015 at 7:59 am
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            Dear Richard, please I want to know if it’s possible to extend 12 months overstay non b visa in Thailand if he pay the overstay fine. and can one cross to Cambodia via land border if he can pay his overstay fine at the border?

        • January 9, 2015 at 9:37 am
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          I sympathise and 5 months seems excessive but it has nothing to do with a farang’s rights when police arrest a person.

          It does not compare with western rules and laws but Thailand is a sovereign country. RB is merely pointing out how rights work here.

          Reply
  • January 5, 2015 at 1:15 am
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    what is the name of the head of the Thonglor PD?, I’ll get it translated, and stop by and ask if he doesn’t mind signing a copy, and post it back online.

    Reply
    • January 5, 2015 at 9:34 am
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      Thais would see that as provocation from a farang. Better to follow RB’s advice and play it cool. IMO

      Reply
      • January 7, 2015 at 12:02 pm
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        funny, even the mention of the PD captain’s name is probably too scary to do. PD dept’s like NYC’s right now, seem to be a law unto themselves, esp. in LOS, one imagines. was a hypothetical joke you see.

        Reply
  • December 30, 2014 at 8:09 pm
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    Police officers have the rights to request to see your passport, failure to present the requested document may result as a fine of 1,000 Baht.   The type of identification required may vary depending on the officer, some may accept a Thai Driver’s License while another may accept a photocopy of the ID and visa pages of your passport. Some could insist on seeing the original passport.   This may involve some negotiation with the officer, that you need to return to hotel to collect your passport and show it to him.
    Officers are being more watchful to ensure that there are not people overstaying their visas.

    The relevant act is the Alien Registration Act B.E. 2493 (1950 A.D.)  Section 17 and Section 22 (3) . The Act does not specifically state that it must be presented to an official within 24 hours but in practice we have heard of the police allowing the foreigner to send a friend to their house or accommodation to get their passport, sometimes the official has gone back to their home or hotel to collect the passport. However, if they require your passport.

    Reply
  • December 29, 2014 at 11:56 pm
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    A few weeks ago I had to help a friend who was detained at Klong Tan police station. His fault : not having his passport or any copy of it with him, and asking the policemen who he was – because he was not wearing the proper uniform.
    I thought it was abusive, as he had all kind of documents with him (registration as a resident in Thailand, work certificate, etc.). We both had forgotten we are still under martial law… and that a passport copy is still required at all times.
    Finally I had to go to the police station where he was literally jailed. I had to ask the guard to let me see my friend in jail, get his keys, go to his apartment, get his original passport in his flat in Thong Lor area, then go back there, pay a 100 THB fine for not having passport… Kafka would have been happy and we had quite a lot of fun indeed.
    I joked a bit with the officers and asked if they could get me a knive, so I could cut his finger and enter his condo… but they were not really friendly. They had to sign a paper I could show to the guard at the entrance of his condo.
    What a waste of time… I cannot say I kept a lot of admiration for police in Bangkok from this event.

    Reply
    • December 30, 2014 at 12:09 am
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      Thanks for letting us know. It shows you at least the importance of some photo ID. Thais have to carry them and it makes sense for foreigners to do so too. I shrank a copy of my passport to credit card size and laminated it. It is in my wallet all the time just in case. If I go up country I take my passport with me but leave it in the hotel. In Bangkok there is no need as I can always return to my home if the police insist on seeing the original. Interesting to know the fine is only 100 Baht.

      Reply
      • January 13, 2015 at 9:21 am
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        Richard, is the credit card sized copy just of the photo page of your passport?

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        • January 13, 2015 at 12:47 pm
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          No, photo page on one side and visa on the other. As long as you are not too far from your original passport (say and hour or so) then this is fine. They are in their right to demand to see original if their are suspicious of you. But for most police, a photocopy is fine as a photo id.

          Reply
          • January 14, 2015 at 12:51 pm
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            Thanks Richard. It’s a great idea. I intend to do the same.

        • March 1, 2022 at 2:29 pm
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          I have read that you can (and should) record/video any encounters with police. Ask to see their ID and if not produced get attention from others who may act as witnesses later for you. Also it is (apparently) permissible to get a policeman to empty their pockets before searching you, obviously to reduce the likelihood of something being planted. Any urine tests are required to be performed at a police station. Never sign anything unless you fully understand the document. This does not include the police ‘explaining’ it to you. If multiple pages, initial or sign each page and number them 1 of 3 etc. to avoid additional or different pages being inserted.
          This is not to say the Thai police are not trustworthy, just that they are not trustworthy.

          Reply
  • December 29, 2014 at 1:46 pm
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    The ID and domestic flights comments remind me. I haven’t done it yet but I’m thinking of flying BKK to Khon Kaen. What ID is my (born in Thailand and half Thai) daughter expected to show? She is only 4 and therefore has no Thai ID card and she has no passport of course.

    Reply
    • January 2, 2015 at 2:18 pm
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      My son (6 yrs, born in Thailand as well) is using whatever credit card sized card with his picture and name on it. The easiest one is a library card (such as TK Park in Siam World Centre (150THB production fee), or a student card.. Otherwise a copy of the birth certificate can be used as well…

      Reply
      • January 2, 2015 at 11:57 pm
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        Many thanks. A copy of the birth certificate sounds the best option.

        Reply
  • December 28, 2014 at 3:30 pm
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    “Foreigners could carry a copy of first page and entry stamped page of their passport instead of the original one.”

    Does this mean “must carry at least”? Always been a bit hazy on these rules, especially in the case of long-term expats who might not want to tote around documentation while doing errands. Thanks for the informative post.

    Reply
    • December 28, 2014 at 6:30 pm
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      By law everyone should have photo ID with them at all times. For foreigners, this usually means a passport. For myself I have my Thai driver’s license which has been accepted as ID at domestic airports, hotels and army checkpoints near the border. I’ve never been asked for my passport. I do have a laminated copy in my passport and camera bag which I shrank down to credit card size with a photocopier. It would seem that most policemen will accept a photocopy copy of your passport as valid ID. I did once see a foreign couple board a domestic flight by only showing a photocopy of their passport. For myself, if I go away for an overnight trip I always take my passport. But in Bangkok I am presuming my driver’s license or copy of passport would suffice.

      Reply
      • December 29, 2014 at 1:42 pm
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        Yes, don’t argue but I find that acting the (polite) dummy works and never admit to speaking Thai! They tend to get a little exasperated and wave me on!

        Reply
      • February 11, 2015 at 4:19 pm
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        Sawasdee Richard. As of today Feb 10, is this still happening in Bangkok? I am a 65 year old American Male and planning on visiting Bangkok this summer? I do not do drugs, always carry a passport copy with me, and really like to explore on my own. But will I be harassed ? Please give me an updatable response

        Thanx, DaveWaikiki. Honolulu, Hawaii. USA

        Reply
        • February 11, 2015 at 6:26 pm
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          Social media has gone all quiet on this the last few months. Just the usual checkpoints that any city around the world would have.

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          • February 12, 2015 at 1:08 am
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            Checkpoints have increased under the military government but I don’t think harassment is a problem for tourists coming here.

          • February 12, 2015 at 6:33 am
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            I drive a lot and I cannot say I’ve noticed an increase in police checkpoints. I’ve never been hassled. Looking at the bigger picture, it is probably a good idea to have these checkpoints if it keeps off the road drunk drivers and those people driving without a license or insurance. If you haven’t done anything wrong then you shouldn’t need to be worried. A friend of mine was complaining a couple of days ago about being caught at a police checkpoint. But, he was over the limit for drinking and therefore breaking the law. They had every right to fine him.

          • February 12, 2015 at 8:07 am
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            The principal reason for Checkpoints in Thailand is not to catch drunk drivers, it is to apprehend illegals and, under this government, those wanted for other reasons. I travel extensively too and on the BKK Chiangmai route, as everyone on that route knows, there is an increased military/police presence. Also elsewhere in Thailand.

            But to reiterate: I see no reason for alarm for tourists or expats. But the reality must not be shielded from farangs.

          • February 12, 2015 at 12:15 pm
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            For sure, checkpoints on roads that lead to and from land borders are set up to catch smugglers and illegals. This blog is about Bangkok where they are mainly looking for people breaking road laws. But I agree with you that there is no reason to cancel holidays. Just pack common sense when you come here and act within the law.

  • December 28, 2014 at 2:13 pm
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    Thonglor police have violated these rights quite routinely, targeting foreigners, over the last two years. Many have tried to press these rights during illegal searches and illegal urine tests, with little success.

    Reply
    • January 3, 2019 at 1:31 pm
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      I recently (Dec’18) visited Bangkok and had one of the disgusting experience with the police officers from Thonglor Police station.

      Here is how it goes:-

      My friends and I were walking on the street in Thonglor and one of the policeman came and stopped us, only to realised that Electronic cigarettes have been recently banned in Bangkok (dated in June’18). We were quickly apologetic once we found out it has been banned but the policeman insisted we made a trip to the thonglor police station. As we were quite a distant from the police station, the policeman hailed a cab and tagged along with us to the police station, upon arriving the police station, police man paid for the taxi and at the point of time I realised the fact they are willing to go extra mile to pay for the taxi, then this might be the good opportunity for them earn some quick money. The understanding was then been established. Along the way to the police station, my friend was googling on the fact of electronic ciggies was indeed banned in BKK, but the police man was super upset while my friend taking out his phone and warned us to keep that away.

      As soon as we arrived, the policeman called up a Sargent (a rather young fellow-well-groomed, speak ok english, probably in this early 30s) came and talked to us, first he was telling us it’s electronic ciggies is a severe crime in BKK and we could get penalised for 100,000 THB or jail time. After that he spoke the golden word – “How do you want to settle this?”, and of course we took the hint and told him we have limited amount of money left as we have spent most of our $$ the first 3 days arrived in BKK. We said we only have 5000 THB left and thats all we can afford. He laughed and said 5000 THB was nothing and cannot be settled in such amount of money. He then walked away from us and got a policeman to guard us for the next 1 hour. Obviously trying to test out patient. We waited and negotiated a few times with the boss after that and eventually we managed to get off the hook for 3000THB.

      Though it’s not shit load of money, but the fact that they are openly asking for money at the police station proves that how corrupted the entire organisation is.

      So piece of advice, good luck when you travel to Bangkok next time, you dont want to mess up with the corrupted policemen.

      Reply
      • January 3, 2019 at 9:06 pm
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        You also prove how much a dxickhead you are for not knowing the law that anybody with a brain already knows.

        Reply
        • January 5, 2019 at 1:58 pm
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          Refraining from insulting people in this thread would be highly appreciated. The Thai law about electronic cigarettes is obviously something that some visitors are not properly informed about.

          Reply
      • June 9, 2019 at 11:43 pm
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        as a matter of fact there is no actual law banning e-cigs in thailand up to date. its more an “everybody sais so so it myst be true” thing. but if you ask anybody what paragraph in the thai criminal law mentions e-cigs.. right.. they dont know. because there is none.
        the whole thing started with some lawyer posting his thoghts on facebook, that it might be possible to fine the import of e-cigs, since they are not regulated in the import taxes.
        somehow people probably just didnt waste time to read all of the post and just understood “e-cig” and “ban”..

        Reply
  • December 28, 2014 at 12:27 am
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    Take a urine sample? Is that implying that you are the driver being pulled over?

    Reply
    • January 23, 2017 at 11:53 am
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      Al, they don’t care if you are driving or walking. The police will test any males they can since it is illegal to have consumed many substances the fact you are behind the wheel is inconsequential to request to take a piss.

      Really the legislature needs to rollback many of the changes made under the democratically elected prime minster tenure. The laws aren’t helpful other than to progressed from placing the government in your pockets to into your body.

      And with practically no restraint such as reasonable suspicion they police use the laws to fish for offenders in situations where the police have no reason to search.

      Reply
  • December 27, 2014 at 9:18 pm
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    I see policemen harassing foreigners in Kuala Lumpur everywhere everyday. They are not so lucky. No advice from anyone to their rights.

    Reply
  • December 27, 2014 at 9:08 pm
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    What about the rest of the country? Are there different rules?

    Reply
  • December 27, 2014 at 9:02 pm
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    Good point Baht. A Thai copy would be an admirable suggestion. It’s naive to talk of arguing with a police officer’ You’re being very generous stating “a little reticent”

    Reply
    • December 28, 2014 at 6:26 pm
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      Never argue with anyone in uniform. Be polite at all times. Even more so if he has a gun.

      Reply
  • December 27, 2014 at 8:30 pm
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    Thanks Richard, but I would be a little reticent to argue with an officer who broke one of these rules.

    If there was a copy of these rules, in Thai and signed by the appropriate authority, e.g. the chief of Thonglor Police Station, I would be happy to keep a copy on my person.

    Reply
  • December 27, 2014 at 7:37 pm
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    Excellent helpful information and service Mr. Richard Barrow.
    Thank you very much! Galen B.

    Reply
    • February 2, 2018 at 4:13 pm
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      Kriminal Law is the body of rules and statutes defining the offenses against the Community in general. It regulates the investigation, charges, and trials of the suspects, and provides the punishment for convicted offenders.

      Every step in a criminal case procedure is critical. Every word that was spoken or action that was taken is significant when one is about to file or facing a charge of a criminal case. Our Criminal Lawyer Team handles all types of criminal cases and has enormous experience in representing clients involved in different criminal litigation cases. They will work with you diligently and provide you with the best representation possible. Our Criminal Lawyers take great pride in their abilities and will guide you through the very difficult experience for you. Most importantly, they will guide you from the preparation of all the legal documents to testifying inside the court room.

      Magna Carta has a good reputation for achieving success through an aggressive and thoughtful approach. Our criminal lawyers work with our valued clients to make especially relevant decisions that are best for them. Therefore, we make sure that they are well-informed throughout each phase of a criminal litigation case.

      Rights of an Alleged Offender in Criminal Cases during Investigation Stage
      Police officers have the right to keep an alleged offender for investigation for 48 hours. In case the investigation is not finished within 48 hours, the investigating police officer must obtain a court order granting confinement time extension. The period of extension of confinement is at the court’s discretion.

      During the 48 hours of the investigation stage, the alleged offender has the rights as follows:

      – be informed of charges brought against him by the arresting officer. They must show the arrest warrant (if issued) to the arrested.

      – remain silent or testify any facts.

      – inform his embassy, relatives or any people of his arrest and the place of his incarceration.

      – privately consult with his lawyer by making a written or verbal request to the police officer on duty for meeting his lawyer at the police station. The court can provide a lawyer without any cost for an alleged offender who cannot afford one.

      – have an interpreter (for non-Thai speaker) provided by the police or the court for translation during the legal procedures.

      – have a lawyer present at every step during the investigation.

      – receive visitation (if incarcerated) during business hours or at any time allowed by the police officer on duty.

      – receive proper medical treatment, if sick. Police officers will provide an escort going to a government hospital before confinement and after receiving permission from the police station chief.

      – apply and to post bail request form to the investigating officer and they will review

      Reply

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