Guest Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 Earlier this year, I think August. I decided to take a walk to see the sites at night. I walked from Soi Cowboy, down Soi 21 and turned right down New Phetburi Road all the way down past Soi Ekkamai. I'd worked up a bit of a sweat by then, it was about 2am, so I decided to take a taxi back to Soi Nana. I got into the taxi, in order for it to go back the other way it had to use a secluded underpass thingy. Who do you think was waiting there? So there I was, all sweaty sitting in the back on a taxi. Did I look suspicious? One of them shone a torch through the window and beckoned me to get out. I did so. Passport? I didn't have it. Copy? Not either. They wanted to look into my bag. Darn! I'd just bought some samples of 'Indian Viagra'(pink) for a friend in Europe to try. What would they think they were? There was no Thai script on them. Oops! I'd also forgotten about the generousity of the stewardess on Emirates. So, in my bag I also had 13 miniature bottles of various spirits. Hmmm. Still, I hadn't done anything wrong. New backpack, they couldn't figure out how to open it. I opened it for them. Asked about drink. I said that I was in Thailand for 'happy'. :-) One took the tabs out and looked at them. One said that I would have to go with them to the Police Station. I say why, he said identification. I said call my hotel, no problem. I British tourist. He asked me where. I said London. Then one of them said "Chelsea". I said that was near to where I lived. Then he said Man U. I said, that's my team, but not nearby. I demonstrated with my hand. Then I proceeded to tell him all of the London football teams. He smiled and said I could go. I checked my bag some missing items later. All intact. They'd had also stopped a Thai boy and his girlfriend, so I wasn't worried about unfairness. Just keep your cool and be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 There is a cop stand next to the JW Marriot. I have often seen foreigners stopped there by the police. I think they were being "fined" for littering or not having ID. Seems like a good way to encourage tourism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iuytrede Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 daytime, about 5 pm I saw one other farang who was stopped and asked to show his passport, but not searched (he had a TG with him, guess that makes a difference) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 Thank you very much. So, it seems everybody can be searched at every time and every place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 "So am I correct in assuming that I'm an idiot for carrying around my real passport" I don't think so,cops checked everybody at the end of soi 13 a while ago,brought a few guys to the station for further check,including a european guy who had only the picture page copy,but not the visa.I think last year an american guy was brought to the station too for not having his passport.He had a few days overstay and a friend went there to settle the issue.A couple of thousand baths I heard,not quite sure. About speaking thai,here's an instructive story.As I heard it the same way and when it was still hot from the 2 protagonists I'd say it's true.2 westerners from non english speaking country,where brought to the Suan Phluu immigration office after they were caught in a minor scam.Despite the advice of the eldest,himself able to speak thai,the young guy started to answer in Thai.He then got 3 cops beating on him with the police metalic cards.The worst the other got is getting threatened with a PILLOW!!He's still laughing to that day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danish30 Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 Just two days ago I saw a young farang couple being searched at the Ekkamai bus station by 4 cops, the couple sure didn't look happy at all, with all their belongings out on the bench. It happened around 7pm when my gf and I had just returned from a trip to koh Samet. Is it just me or are there a lot more cops on the streets these days? Best regards, Danish30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 >Is it just me or are there a lot more cops on the streets these days?< no, it's not just you. but then, you have to understand that thailand is in the middle of a drugwar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidflux Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 On my last trip while taking a taxi from patpong back to my hotel I went through some kind of checkpoint. There was a cop on the street and the driver slowed down to let him look into the car. I was alone and he just waved us thru, but I've always wondered what they might be looking for. Anyone else have this happen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 Yep, I have seen many checkpoints, but always have been waved through. Also on the way from Nana/ Soi Cowboy to Patpong and back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted October 4, 2002 Report Share Posted October 4, 2002 Hi, Those checkpoints are often for drugs. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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