dddave Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I took today's noon bus from Pattaya to the Eastern Bus Terminal, (Ekkamai) When I got off the bus, a police officer approached me and asked where I was going. I replied, he then proceeded to ask a whole lot more questions; where I was from, where I lived, how long in Thailand, How many times, ect, ect. He then demanded my passport. He checked the passport then told me to open my bag. He thoroughly examined the contents and found one Kamagra tablet (Viagra copy) and one Valium tablet on a labeled card that had been given to me by a physician friend. He called a more senior cop over and they both questioned me about where and when the tablets had been purchased and whether or not I had a prescription; which of course, I did not. They took handcuffs out and told my I was being arrested and taken to the police station. They threatened that if the drugs were found to be "illegal", I could be charged with possession and get an ugly stamp in my passport. They also made it very clear that negotiations would start now for settling the issue on the spot: they started at B30K! I will say at this point that I felt on pretty shaky ground. Several of the police were clearly highly ranked. Technically, they had me. I had no script and the Kamagra was from Cambodia. Even though the amount was small, I knew that if the issue were pressed, it could be made very difficult for me. Especially true in that I reside here on a long chain of tourist visas. Whether or not they would actually put a red stamp in my passport was an issue I really didn't want to test. At the same time, I wasn't about to hand over B30k. The negotiations were long and protracted: I ended up pulling B10K from the convenient ATM and put it in his palm. He smiled, gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder and gave me back my passport. Maybe, if I had hung tough or screamed for my ambassador or just put my wrists out for the cuffs, I might have gotten off for less, but I also figured it could end up costing a whole lot more if I pushed it. Several months ago, I had heard a second hand report from a friend of this exact same scenario at Ekkamai. I scanned all the boards for a confirming report but never saw one posted. Let this be a warning to all: be VERY careful what you carry in your bags when you travel in Thailand. Just because you can buy something over the counter doesn't mean it's legal. Hopefully, this won't happen to any of you but don't be complacent. We are all cows waiting to be milked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waerth Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I have heard about this before and was approached once years ago by a shady character at Ekamai bus station as well. I told him to buzz off in Thai. And went straight into a taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 yes indeed! a loud "pai long narok" from a farang scares a cop away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dullnight Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Dddave, i don't see how the drugs you were carying were illegal. It looks like pure racket although i don't know what would have happen if you carried on arguing. Ekkamai station has bad reputation, if I was to take a long distance bus to ekkamai I would drop before the station and catch a taxi to wherever i'd be planning to go in BKK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waerth Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 The shady character was in civilian clothes. Don't know if he was a cop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 maybe a "civilized" cop! the version in brown is often uncivilized! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I heard some years ago about a police captain or major who operated near Royal Palace and Emerald Buddha. College in England so fluent english, he specialized in farangs driving older cars, the car always had a lot of faults and the highest tea money I've heard was 50,000 baht. Maybe he changed to Ekkamai. Viagra/Cialis is illegal in Thailand if you didn't got it from a pharmacy on a doctor's prescription AFAIK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted October 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 To clarify: The police were fully uniformed and there was a colonel present; "F*ck off" was not an option. Viagra clones are illegal as are foreign prescription drugs without the prescription. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klong Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I always get off the bus On Nut and get the BTS no problems there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Dave, Sorry to see this happen to you! Sounds like a bunch of crap, but TIT, "we" all have targets on us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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