Thailand Expats

llp · #1 07-06-2009, 20:51

There was one going from Kata to Chalong next to the gas station a couple weeks ago. Stopping everyone looking for drugs/guns/tax sticker etc... but somehow I went through it at the time as there were too many people stopped and not enough police. My buddy paid 500 baht for tax sticker. What would be nice is if they checked for stolen bikes at these stops. No tax sticker means no greenbook (or too lazy/no money to get a sticker) and the bike should not be back on the streets until the owner is confirmed.

Came across one on Chao Fa West heading south from Central to Chalong not too long ago, was wearing jackets/jeans, once he saw that I was a farang (or whatever the deciding factor was) he waved me though, not sure what the stop was for but thai people on the side of the road getting patted down, etc...

Stopped twice last night in Phuket Town. Once on soi 1 that's next to land transport office. This one is pretty common for helmet checks. The other huge road block I had never witnessed before was at the 24hours shell gas station and it went on till 2am. Lots of drunk people out at this time. All non helmet motorbike drivers are instantly pulled over, most cars went straight throw as they only had space for 3-4 cars at a time. Everyone that appear/smell drunk had to do the blow test. Tons of people on the side of the road.

In all my stops, I have never paid a fine yet, Thai license and helmet gets me through quickly as they just want to nail the next guy with a fine. Also, my tax sticker is under the seat and I have never been asked to show it.

Saw quite a few cars/bikes running red lights at full speed last night. Some of them honk as they are running the light to let you know that they are on a death mission. Lots of ambulances out last night too. On my way home I was slowing down at green lights to look both ways. Anyways, careful driving.

Nicke · #2 08-06-2009, 08:30

I can only add that since I moved to Kathu 3-4 months ago I have seen more road blocks than the last 9 years in Patong. Especially the last 1-2 months Kathu often have road block.

Fined for old tax sticker (renewed now), a few times asking where we go, one time suspecting my driver was an illegal taxi driver, one time asking why my driver had a HAM radio, two times alco test for my driver, one time searching the car etc. Think they start to recognise us now as last time he just waved us through, remembering us. Most of the time tho, cars is more easily getting through while most motorbikes do have to stop.

This is during evening/night time, when I drive myself during daytime I almost never see a road block.

Oh, Sai Nam Yen/Rat-thit also had a road block often during this period, only for people on motorbike tho.

briofoz · #3 08-06-2009, 08:49

I have been here for 9 weeks now, and guess I have been stopped about 20 times...mostly at Kathu, at bottom of Patong Hill. I have been doing a lot of kms so I expect to see them.

Once sticker was checked, and once under seat checked. I now have Thai licence which seems to minimise stop time.

I am in favour of them....anything to improve the dangerous road behaviour gets my thumbs up.

jaffaman · #4 08-06-2009, 10:32

Chiang Mai has had a blitz lately, much the same checks done.
helmet wearing is becoming a little more popular.

11 · #5 08-06-2009, 11:03

Solution - go out when its raining as BiB dont work when it rains.

The Loop · #6 08-06-2009, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by briofoz

I have been here for 9 weeks now, and guess I have been stopped about 20 times...mostly at Kathu, at bottom of Patong Hill. I have been doing a lot of kms so I expect to see them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaffaman

Chiang Mai has had a blitz lately, much the same checks done.
helmet wearing is becoming a little more popular.

They are certainly targeting MB`s.
Great they are fining for not wearing a helmet,but they need to legislate and lift the quality/safety standards of the helmets so that they will in fact protect the wearers head in the event of an impact on it.

I have been driving the car a lot lately,and have only been pulled over the once this year so far.

Soupdragon · #7 08-06-2009, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Loop

They are certainly targeting MB`s. Great they are fining for not wearing a helmet,but they need to legislate and lift the quality/safety standards of the helmets so that they will in fact protect the wearers head in the event of an impact on it.

One step at a time Lew. Next you will be saying you want drivers to indicate and use mirrors 555555

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Loop

I have been driving the car a lot lately,and have only been pulled over the once this year so far

I live near Simon Caberet so have to go through the Karon/Nanai junction a few times a day. More often than not they have a road block there. Like Lew I take the car out and have never been stopped yet. I looked at my motorbike the other day and it had 2 flat tyres and covered in spiders, not worth taking it out when there are so many roadblocks.

The Loop · #8 08-06-2009, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

One step at a time Lew. Next you will be saying you want drivers to indicate and use mirrors 555555

Yeah,more to do with common sense,innit....just aint gunna happen...555

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

I take the car out and have never been stopped yet.

With low season here,its much safer and easier to get around Patong in the car.Much less dust being breathed in too.

Plenty of places to park as well.

PTG · #9 08-06-2009, 12:34

>>I am in favour of them....anything to improve the dangerous road behaviour gets my thumbs up.

I'm thinking safety is not the primary reason for the stops. More like they need to pad the whisky fund and need an allowance to cover ST's.

Soupdragon · #10 02-07-2009, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

I live near Simon Caberet so have to go through the Karon/Nanai junction a few times a day. More often than not they have a road block there. Like Lew I take the car out and have never been stopped yet.

Well last night was different. They had the usual roadblock just as you turn into Karon road from Nanai but last night at 1.30 a.m. everyone cars and motorbikes were being stopped and questioned. It wasn't police but some military body in uniforms I have never seen before. Maybe the advance guard for the upcoming event.