Thread: How to Deal with Thai Police?

Originally Posted by Satonic

Don't stop.


Seriously

Yeah done that a few times on the bike, it does not end well.

If I'm on the bike I don't stop.

If I'm in the car I sit there and ignore them until they wave me on.

Originally Posted by 9999

In Chiang Mai city I've been done for no seat belt, no motorbike helmet,

Deservedly so. Nowt wrong with them getting 'idiot tax'.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Nowt wrong with them getting 'idiot tax'.

And nowt a peep of whining from said idiot either. Everyone is happy

If I'm on the bike I don't stop.

If I'm in the car I sit there and ignore them until they wave me on.

I'm not sure this is such good advice to give to a newbie. Deal with Thai police by either doing a runner or passively aggressively ignoring them?

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

I get stopped around once a year, pay up, smile and thank them for drawing my attention to my excess speed/the bus lane/ some obscure rule which I was hitherto unaware of. They thankfully don't "get" sarcasm.

Do same. Never been stopped for something I didn't do wrong. Guilty as charged so just pay up.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

If I'm on the bike I don't stop.

Plausable as I've never seen a police chase car parked further on from a road block.

Originally Posted by Norton

Never been stopped for something I didn't do wrong. Guilty as charged so just pay up.

Paid once for something I didn't do due to being a newby. Never again. Anyway I got stopped more times whilst driving a pickup than I've done with a Fortuner. May be the car tells the cops as to who's easy meat?

If I was in the wrong / speeding fair enough. I always have a works (construction) safety helmet in the car with PTT logo on the front seat and usually never usually have to pay a thing though.

Originally Posted by baldrick

you also need to understand that the speed limit on provincial highways is 90 kph.

I've never seen a speed camera here. I think that if you're in the overtaking lane you must be exceeding the limit cus the guy in the left lane must be assumed to be doing 90km. Okay you may claim that you weren't doing 90km in the overtaking lane. The copper then changes the reason for the stop to that you failed to return to the inside lane, as one tried to do with me once. How many Thais get taught that on their test?

Drive a Benz, cops don't like to face problems <3

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

They generally try to charge you more the less language s you have Vs. the value of the vehicle you're driving.

C=ls2 x VVT (3n2)

In laymans terms, if you look like a sack of shit and are driving a shed - 100bt should be sufficient.

If your step has spring and you push a nice motor 200-500

I have heard the opposite - drive a pick up truck and you will be harassed . Drive a classy vehicle with dark tinted Windows and the cops won't be sure of who you are and. Won't want to risk harassment of someone with connections

Drive a tank and they will think you even more privileged and stop traffic for you.

Originally Posted by baldrick

you also need to understand that the speed limit on provincial highways is 90 kph.

On many highways 80 kph for pickups. No idea why. I constantly drive between Roiet and Bangkok. If in a car keep speed under 110. If in a pickup anything over 100 and you'll get tagged.

Last ticket I got was in Pak Chong area. Received it in the post. Speed camera. Claimed I was doing 123 kph. Seemed about right so paid the 400 baht fine at local post office.

Originally Posted by Norton

Last ticket I got was in Pak Chong area. Received it in the post. Speed camera.

could you tell by the photo where it was ? I have not seen a speed camera yet - do the pak chong hill many times

Originally Posted by ftpjtm

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

They generally try to charge you more the less language s you have Vs. the value of the vehicle you're driving.

C=ls2 x VVT (3n2)

In laymans terms, if you look like a sack of shit and are driving a shed - 100bt should be sufficient.

If your step has spring and you push a nice motor 200-500

I have heard the opposite - drive a pick up truck and you will be harassed . Drive a classy vehicle with dark tinted Windows and the cops won't be sure of who you are and. Won't want to risk harassment of someone with connections

Trust me, this is 100% sure, no need to even open the window and I always see them look at the star in front of the car before I reach them.

Originally Posted by baldrick

could you tell by the photo where it was ?

You receive a letter. Has a pic of the front grill of your car. Can clearly see number. Gives you your speed and where located.

Originally Posted by baldrick

I have not seen a speed camera yet

They are there. Spotted one which likely nailed me. Was near McDonald's. They are silver with a plastic cover over the lens. Mounted faily high up on a pole.

There are two between Roiet and Maha Sarakham.

The upside to all of it is avoids BiB encounters of the worst kind.

There are also some on the northern approach to Prachuap. Bastards got me twice there.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

If I'm on the bike I don't stop.

Though not stopping leaves you open to getting shot at .
Which is standard procedure at some check points .
Soldiers are standing there with loaded rifles waiting, with their finger on the trigger.

I've lived in Laos one year now and have also done a fair bit of driving in Thailand (Udon, Bangkok, Trat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen etc) and in the one year I've been here I have paid a total of 20,000 Kip (80 Baht) in 'Fines' The 20,000 Kip which I paid was for turning left three times in a row where it was a no left turn so I didn't mind paying lol.

In general I find the Police here fine, they never stop you here in Laos for any other reason than checking your paperwork in general, if you don't do anything wrong then no worries!

In Thailand I have been stopped only once in the last year...The policeman who stopped me was more interested in why a foreigner was driving a Lao car than anything else ha ha, I was doing 140kph on the road from Nong Khai to Udon Thani and he didn't even make any signs of wanting any money.

I have been stopped once in my car with no road tax here in Laos also, my wife just said to him that "there's no chance I'll pay him anything as I'd rather leave the car there and walk home!, his response was "Can you buy me a Redbull" I said no, he gave me my licence back and I went.

In general my advice of limited experience is keep all you papers with you and if you are stopped for no reason then never pay anything, just sit there in your car and ignore them.

These threads do baffle me, I have driven 1000's of KLM's all over Thailand and never once been shaken down.

I've been stopped at upcountry road blocks but waved through every time.

Once I was stopped in Chaing Rai on top of Doi Salong .

The cop asked very politely if I'd give two monks a ride down the mountain which of course I did.

Of we went no problem.

Funny how some farangs seem to have these probs and some don't.

Thing is if you are 100% legal you will not have a problem.

I only pay in 20 b notes they hate it and only take 100b or refuse it asking for hundred notes

The best thing is to learn Thai and always have a Thai with you if possible to speak for you. Drive safe at all times.

Originally Posted by terry57

...Thing is if you are 100% legal you will not have a problem.

Not quite. I am 100% legal with bike and car, but still was stopped on several occasions and paid to continue unmolested.