I think a lot has to do with the particular officer you get on the day, and of course if he happens to be in a good mood today. I think generally a police officer will decide if he likes you or not within the first few minutes of an encounter and it's probably based on superficial or silly things - if he likes the way you dress, or the colour of your bike, maybe he likes or dislikes people with beards/tattos, or you happen to support a football team that he likes...
Of course, as I have said before, if you go around with the attitude that "All police [or even Thais in general...] are our to get you" then that will come out in the way you act to the police and you will probably change the mood of the officer so that things go against you (and the guy behind you probably; so thanks for that! )
But I remember one time I was stopped by an officer who had pulled me over many times before. I was just about to show him my licence when he waved me on and said ok ok (as he'd seen it before). Just as I was about to head off a more stern looking police officer came and started looking at my tax disc and giving my bike the once over for potential violations. The original officer, who it seemed had taken a likening to me, said in a chirpy voice "no this one is fine. He has a Thai licence. Thai girlfriend too". The more stern officer just grunted and let me go on my way.
Pagey wrote:Army checkpoint on Pattana 2 this morning just before Soi 102 junction when travelling from Soi 94
That's been a regular Pagey since they completed the road from it being a dirt track.
I'm just a pup in Hua Hin compared to some you. I've only been here just over 3 years. When I first came here I was stopped a couple of times in the first couple of months on the bike in town. I ended up paying the obligatory 200 baht both times as I knew I was in the wrong. Since then I must have approached checkpoints around 20 times, mainly the one on Pala U Road where Peppers restaurant used to be, and have always been waved through. As some previous posters mention, I'm always polite and have my Thai licence at the ready but never needed to show it. What I did notice was that they seem to be concentrating on Thais on bike riders or those rickety old pick-ups.
Stopped at 3:05 this morning on the road from Petchkasem to the Sofitel. I knew there was a good chance I'd be stopped there, but still went that way. Basically it was where are you travelling from, where are you going, a discreet sniff of my breath to check I hadn't been drinking. Then a salute, and I was on my way. Not an unpleasant experience.
I've said it many times, IMHO Hua Hin's traffic police don't have to scam. There are plenty of people willing to break the law and keep the tea boat topped up anyway. Long may the drink drivers, non-helmet wearers and non-licence holders continue in Hua Hin.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 0 Hull City
Points 51; Position 21 Consolidated - Championship Next Season
i have to say, coming from LA and being pulled over by LAPD where they approach the car with extreme caution, the Thai police at the checkpoint Friday night would have had a very bad night if I was a bad guy, even being on a scooter.
they really need to think about that they are doing. not just counting the cash in their heads.
but that is one reason i like it here. sad to see the police are stepping up patrols in cowboy and metal detectors now in nana.
I really like this forum because there are no personal attacks. All the members contribute in a positive way to my posts.
^^ a big question mark is now hanging over Nana Plaza. With 3 of the 5 foreign owners having died (some under questionable circumstances) in the past few months we will see if this place remains in the future or is flattened and replaced by something more fitting to a city centre. These boiler room guys are no longer in control
"'The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain
^^ The demise of Nana Plaza has been "imminent" for at least 20 years, and probably long before. I remember when the Landmark Hotel had supposedly just about finalised a deal to buy the land. Never happened of course. Always rumours. Still, "progress" will eventually win.
hhinner wrote:Still, "progress" will eventually win.
At which point I hope all the Yanks in Bangkok who love baseball gather in front of Nana Plaza and sing the chant used by fans when the opposing team's pitcher is removed from the game for poor performance:
Set up a roadblock on Soi 70 as you cross the railway line. I stood with helmet in hand and walked past a contingent of the boys waiting for any foreigner on a bike to go past.
Eight motorcyclists without helmets go through the check point without a glance. I walked through with my helmet in hand and I'm stopped. I'M WALKING.
No helmet, No licence and possibly alcohol in their system, that late at night, it seems to me that if you're a foreigner you have to be stopped as it's an easy way for the local police to make money.
What have the local police achieved with the arrest or apprehension of the people, most probably Thai nationals who planted the bombs recently???
Free left turn?! Only for Thais. No helmet? Only for Thais. Stopped by the police? Only for foreigners.
Its always good to hear another side of the story. I was directed to pull over at about 10pm a couple of weeks ago on the same road (maybe a bit further West), which I did - everybody was being stopped. When the window down, and they saw a Farang in the driving seat, there was a lot of interaction between the officers with the word 'Farang' very prevalent in the interchange. The guy in charge then came to my window, and couldn't have been more apologetic - I was sent on my way, very confused.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 0 Hull City
Points 51; Position 21 Consolidated - Championship Next Season
Travelling northbound on the backroad between Soi 112 and 102 on Sunday 1130 hrs. Roadblock set up with about 6 police and 1 Commissioned Officer checking all northbound traffic. 3 vehicles in front were "tipped over" with a cursory search of the vehicles and occupants. As I progressed to the front of the line was approached and asked where I had come from and where I was going. Wife was then asked if it was her handbag on the front seat and if she was carrying any weapons. No Search, ID or licence demand made. All quite polite and waved on our way.
'Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way they ask for directions'. -Winston Churchill-