Farangs: Mobile ATM machines to the Police
The moment you land here, you’re told about how the police love to stop farang’s and point out they have broken some law. I always thought it was bitter ex-pats who were obviously breaking some law, until I went out on my friends scooter to Siam Paragon.
The issue’s started 400 metres away from the flat, with us being pulled over by a gentleman in the worlds tightest uniform. He came over and shook his hand, asked if I spoke any Thai, to which i replied “nit noi” and then produced a handy laminated card which listed a whole host of issues he had with me. He decided that:
– I wasn’t wearing my helmet (until i pointed to the black thing on my head)
– I didn’t have any tax (until i showed him the correct stickers)
– I didn’t have my seat belt on (at this point he was just going down the list)
Anyway he asked for a 400 baht fine and I just wanted to get some food, so i paid. I only had a 1000 baht note and the cheeky swine happily snatched that and waved me on. This wasn’t the end of the story and by the time we got to Paragon we had paid nearly 2000 baht in “fines” for utterly pathetic excuses. Seriously I understand that not all police are like this, but I think i need a t-shirt which states “Pom Mai Chai ATM”
One of the downfalls of living in the land of smiles, a police force which loves our money more than we do!
I wonder why Thai policemen are so currupt. I don’t think it’s all just to do with little salaries they get. Anyway… even if you do everything right, they can still find a way to fine you somehow. :P If you point to a car (any random car) and ask a policeman to tell you charges, they can certainly give you more than plenty.
Sensible rant. It is the real thing. The hungry policemen always have the eyes for the weak target and they come for it. Prepare some change on the road next time.
Pong your a genius!!
pay them in 5 satong coins (upto the amount they require). Visions of police in tight uniforms with massive pockets could be the norm around Chongnonsi soon :)
Savadde…ka เม้นต์นี้หวังว่าผู้ทำบล็อกนี้คงอ่านออกนะคะ (เห็นมีภาษาไทยยาวเยี่ยด) ส้มอ่านอะไรในเว็บนี้ไม่ค่อยออกหรอก ถึงออกก็แปลไม่ได้ – -” เผอิญหลงเข้ามาค่ะ น่าจะเอารูปวัดพระแก้วมาลงบ้างนะคะ มันดูเป็นเอกลักษณ์ของประเทศเราดีนะคะ…^______________^”
Well nether have a matter with them, just have some beer sometimes but leave before going together have some fun in red place….
Perhaps you just look dodgy yourself? I’ve been here years, as have people I know, and none of us have ever, ever had any trouble with the police. And it’s not like I’m tidy or clean shaven. I’m not.
Do you ride around on scooters/bikes or catch cabs?
I think the main difference here is that you hardly see any foreign people using scooters, hcne its a nice little earner for the police to pull one over.