Bangkok

steve@thaib · #1 25-04-2007, 14:43

I've just had something of an unsettling experience. I wasn't far off the beaten track, no more than 1km down Sukhumvit Soi 3 away from Nana. I was going to buy some jewellery for the wife and noticed two regular cops stop a meter taxi and shakedown a big 'African American' looking guy.

I didn't think too much of it because I have seen that sort of thing in most countries I've been to, not fair but not unusual I guess.

Anyway, on my way back they got me (Iwas walking). I'm not used to being searched by guys with guns, and I was pretty fortunate to be carrying my passport. They asked for it and normally it would be in the hotel, this time it was in my pocket.

They can't be looking for somebody specific, because you could not get two more different looking people than me and the other guy. They were polite and apologetic, but I don't know how it would have gone if I had not had my passport on me.

The moral of the story for me now is that whenever I am mooching about in Bangkok I will carry my passport. I know taking your passport along is not a good idea when you are out on the beer in the evenings, but during the day and especially away from the tourist areas I now see it as a must.

Hobbsy · #2 25-04-2007, 14:57

Me and Alfie got stopped in BKK also - asked for i.d. and such and they were bordering on impolite, deffo got the "don't fvck us about" feel. Asked where we were from, where we were staying and where we were going etc all standard enough but as you said - it is unexpected.

Sirgezza · #3 25-04-2007, 14:58

I have taken a copy of mine and had it laminated. Don't usually carry it around with me though.

Nicke · #4 25-04-2007, 15:01

Or a copy of the passport. I have even seen a BM carrying a down sized laminated copy.

Its never any problems in Phuket but may be wise elsewhere in Thailand as people is required to carry ID by law. Ead always carry her ID card with her.

But why did they search you? Looking for drugs?

Petter · #5 25-04-2007, 15:23

Yes i had some problems last time just above Landmark,did get a 2000 Bath
fine for throw a cigarette-end at the street (onest dident do)
And i dident have the passport with me,a lot of hasseling and questions before they let me go afther paid them

IRISH JONNY · #6 25-04-2007, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirgezza

I have taken a copy of mine and had it laminated. Don't usually carry it around with me though.

GOOD IDEA GEZZER.I MUST DO THAT WHEN I RETURN TO EIRE

capdagde · #7 25-04-2007, 18:04

Maybe looking for overstayers? As the visa laws have changed it is a natural progression to checking ID and visas? Just a thought (it happens a lot in Saudi after the pilgrimage season).

Not wishing to make everyone paranoid (he lied)...

Andy Cap

steve@thaib · #8 25-04-2007, 18:12

I didn't ask what they were looking for, but it sure seemed like a drugs search. He checked in all the little pockets in my wallet etc.

I thought we were obliged to carry passports at all times (foreigners)? I used to carry a photocopy but have not bothered for the last few trips. It was a pretty solid reminder that I'm not at home I guess.

steve@thaib · #9 25-04-2007, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by capdagde

Maybe looking for overstayers? As the visa laws have changed it is a natural progression to checking ID and visas? Just a thought (it happens a lot in Saudi after the pilgrimage season).

Not wishing to make everyone paranoid (he lied)...

Andy Cap

He did check through my passport pretty carefully as well, dates on my visa etc.

Simbo · #10 25-04-2007, 19:10

Attached is a link to a phuket gazette report from about Sep/Oct 2004 which addresses this issue- although I realise it is patong specific. I know people who travel all over Thailand with only a copy of the passport and the cops are happy with it. Obviously it will wear a bit better if laminated- I think I'm on about my 3rd laundered copy at the moment.

At the end of the day so long as we going about our lawful business and accept that we may get tapped for a '300' it shouldn't be a problem.

Phuket Gazette - online English newspaper for Phuket, Thailand, with advice and infomation, daily news, classified ads, yellow pages, business listings, upcoming events, event calendar, phuket events

jaffaman · #11 25-04-2007, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirgezza

I have taken a copy of mine and had it laminated. Don't usually carry it around with me though.

I recall you had your passport photo page on the front
and your driving license copied on the back..

I might make a shrinkie of these myself, laminate and hang them on a
lanyard around my neck like a dog tag.

thanks for bringing this up.

capdagde · #12 25-04-2007, 19:58

Anywhere near Bangla where such a photocopy + lamination process could be done ? Want to have the visa on the back perhaps.

I've gone and f***ing scared meself now!

Passport in room safe and lamninate in back pocket... sounds good.

Andy Cap

MajorTom · #13 25-04-2007, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by capdagde

Anywhere near Bangla where such a photocopy + lamination process could be done ? Want to have the visa on the back perhaps.

Heres one...................

steve@thaib · #14 25-04-2007, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

Attached is a link to a phuket gazette report from about Sep/Oct 2004 which addresses this issue- although I realise it is patong specific. I know people who travel all over Thailand with only a copy of the passport and the cops are happy with it. Obviously it will wear a bit better if laminated- I think I'm on about my 3rd laundered copy at the moment.

At the end of the day so long as we going about our lawful business and accept that we may get tapped for a '300' it shouldn't be a problem.

Phuket Gazette - online English newspaper for Phuket, Thailand, with advice and infomation, daily news, classified ads, yellow pages, business listings, upcoming events, event calendar, phuket events

That's a pretty succinct answer. But do they just tap you for the 300 or do you have to go to your hotel, get your passport and then round the police station?

SirDougless · #15 25-04-2007, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

...The moral of the story for me now is that whenever I am mooching about in Bangkok I will carry my passport. I know taking your passport along is not a good idea when you are out on the beer in the evenings, but during the day and especially away from the tourist areas I now see it as a must.

Interesting experience Steve. I only carry a photocopy of my passport on me and have only been challenged in BKK about that once (never anywhere else). Luckily my GF was with me and (quick thinking by her, which stunned me!) she explained to the cop that it was illegal in my country for me to allow my passport to get damaged (it was Songkran) so that's why I only had a copy. No problem in the end (still a scary experience), but I suspect it would have been different if she was not with me.

Simbo · #16 26-04-2007, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

That's a pretty succinct answer. But do they just tap you for the 300 or do you have to go to your hotel, get your passport and then round the police station?

Never had to produce so far so I wouldn't know. As the Police Chief here says a photocopy WILL suffice so no need to return to hotel and produce original. If one has been involved in a serious incident it appears from what I have seen that they escort peeps back to their hotel to collect passport, bank cards, etc as required. I work on the premise that if the MIB want a cup of tea they will find some way to 'earn' it no matter if you are at fault or not. I'm not aware of random ID checks occurring in Patong yet either, but again if I have nothing to hide I have no probs producing ID as I would be required to do in one form or another in any country. Never known anyone who HAS produced a photocopy to have it refused

ThaiLearner · #17 29-04-2007, 21:46

If you have a photo style driving licence then you could also use that, I would rather carry that around than my passport.

TanMan · #18 30-04-2007, 00:07

I doubt anything would happen here... I have never carried a PP or Dl and have only gotten a 300 bt fine at it's worst.

slinggalin · #19 30-04-2007, 02:42

Very good thread.

Going to Bkk and Patts in a few weeks and never really carried my Passport w/ but I will surely carry a reasonable fasimile thereof when walking about.

Thanks fer the info......

t0rn · #20 30-04-2007, 03:15

Whenever asked for PP, I hand over UK photo driving licence, when asked for 'international' driving licence then same - not had a problem with that- though prob a good idea to have the laminated passport thing.

soicowboy · #21 01-05-2007, 10:50

Do not like the idea of playing and drinking with PP on me much to easy to lose ,always carry copy , think it to be safer in the long run, A little hassle going back to hotel alot easier than PP replacement.

khon kaen boy · #22 01-05-2007, 12:22

was only ever asked for pp once and that was when done in bkk for ciggy butt and it was the enviromental guys, not the cops, who asked for it...no way as they do not have the power to do this...and also asked me to sign a piece of paper wholly wriiten in Thai script with some blanks...refused again as who knows what you would be signing.

KK boy
P.S. these c**** appear from nowhere when you are disposing of said butt

les1999 · #23 01-05-2007, 18:19

I actually made 4 laminated copies of my passport.....................but always leave them in the room safe..........duuur

Premier · #24 01-05-2007, 20:13

I was in Bkk last week and was stopped and searched by cops TWICE within 2 minutes by different cops on soi 18, this was about 3.30 am. They made me empty my pockets and gave me a good pat down, the first place they checked was the little pocket on the front of my jeans, obviously they were looking for drugs.
Once around the corner I rang a mate who was still at the bar I came from to warn him.....too late. They had already found a little plastic bag containing a few crumbs in his wallet, cost him 7000 baht to avoid a trip to the slammer.
I was also searched in almost the same spot last August. This last experience was a big wake up call for me, I have to admit that I do take drugs in Thailand and I was off my guts when the cops pulled me over.
I realise the guys who run this board object to posts with reference to drugs but I hope you don't delete this post as it serves a timely reminder as to the stupidity of taking drugs in Thailand. It is definitely not worth the risk.