Police friends warn me NOT to move to mae sai

[paulsmithson]

I am considering buying a home in the Mae Sai area. I currently live in a rural area in the centre of Thailand and have a few Thai police drinking buddies here.

They all warn me not to go live in Mae Sai saying that the police there would plant drugs on me or in my home then demand money to make the problem go away.

I have so far laughed at them when they say this but they are beginning to make me wonder!

I have spoken to one polics sergeant major in Mae Sai who is also a new friend and he says he has worked the area for one year now and that he has never heard of this happening.

I would appreciate advice from anyone living in that area and having any knowledge of this

[Panda]

You don't by any chance tend to pay for your Police friends drinks do you?

[paulsmithson]

No Panda . these are genuine guys and real friends.Usually with them I drink far more than I pay for.The sods got me pissed last night (again) on a mixtyre os beers and yaddon.

[bkkandrew]

Sounds like you are well liked in Mae Sai as you are here...

[sabang]

Mae Sai carries the usual reputation of a corrupt, lawless border town.

I'm sure the local BIB have got better things to do than frame you- just don't make enemies of the wrong people.

And make absolutely sure they don't find out your TD nic.

[rtwo]

Despite Maesai being a border town I'd describe it as very much a closed community and an outsider showing up in their midst will immediately attract attention if it's not obvious why they happen to be there. You don't tell us why yo'ure considering moving but they'll want to know and make it their business to find out. If you're not kosher, be careful because the powers that be don't muck about and it's then that you'll get in trouble. On the rare occasions that I've had occasion to come in contact with the authorities there, I've experienced nothing but help and courtesy but that's maybe because my wife is the daughter of a local puyai baan. As Sabang says, don't make enemies of the wrong people and remember that not all types of police are equal so go very easy before you know who it really is that you're mixing with.

[EmperorTud]

these are genuine guys and real friends.

[nightowl2548]

A lot of Thais have told me the border region with the Burmese Shan state is dangerous. Where there's smoke there's fire.

[rtwo]

A lot of Thais have told me the border region with the Burmese Shan state is dangerous. Where there's smoke there's fire.

But I bet most of them don't live there.

[peterpan]

these are genuine guys and real friends.

well et forgive him, he probably hasn't been here too long.

[Itchy]

Something I've never understood is why anyone, especially a foreigner, would want to have anything to do with the Thai Police - They are at the end of the day nothing but trouble.

The best way not to have a problem with any Thai Police is to stay away from them.

[DrB0b]

A lot of Thais have told me the border region with the Burmese Shan state is dangerous. Where there's smoke there's fire.

Plenty of smoke up there, one of the area's main attractions for me.

[DrAndy]

except in the "burning" months

[garye]

Your true friendship will end the moment it becomes convenient,or useful,but there will be no hard feelings on their part.Planting drugs takes effort,more than likely it will come in the form of graft,demanded loan,new tax on the cow etc.

[jandajoy]

Just rent a place for a few months.
If you like it stay.
If you get stitched up, send us photos.

[Lorenzo]

I have spoken to one polics sergeant major in Mae Sai who is also a new friend

you are using the term friend very loosly there friend