Dessverre har politiet i landet dårlig rykte for utpressing av turister, og lokale. I dag kom det også beskyldinger mot politiet ved ledelsen i Bangkok om at det settes inn så store summer som 324 millioner baht hver måned i et «fond» som er korrupsjonspenger. Les mer om det HER
Men hva kan vi gjøre hvis vi skulle bli stanset av politiet? PhuketGO har laget en artikkel med tips til dette. Det første de sier er at man bør holde seg rolig, noe som antakelig for mange ikke er lett når man ikke hverken er vant med eller ønsker kontakt med politiet. Spesielt med tanke på ryktet politiet har i Thailand.
Selv ble jeg stanset for noen år siden for kjøring uten førerkort på scooter og er nok fortsatt overbevist om at de 400 baht jeg betalte for dette gikk i noen lommer til tross for at det ble skrevet ut en «bot» som jeg ikke kunne få kopi av.
Noen andre erfaringer eller tips i forhold til politi i Thailand?
What to do if Thai police stop you and attempt a ‘shake-down’
Thai police are entitled to stop you on the street, or in a car going through a checkpoint, if they are suspicious about anything.
• Don’t admit to anything or agree to having your photo taken at this stage.
• If they ask to see your passport and ID, do so without fuss, and then politely ask for their return.
• You are entitled, politely, to ask for their ID as well. They all display their name on a name badge.
• Allow any bags or your pockets to be searched – you are entitled to record this process, as long as your filming doesn’t interfere with their search. You should also ask for someone to act as an independent witness during the search.
• Don’t sign anything, especially as the documents are likely to be full in Thai language
• Don’t agree to leave the immediate area you have been stopped, even if they insist that you go to the police station
• Ask, politely, for the Tourist Police or to contact a Thai friend who can act as an intermediary and interpreter. Thai Tourist Police can be contacted, anywhere in the country, on 1155.
If the situation is even slightly serious – a crash or an accusation of drug possession – insist that you can call for a consular or embassy representative of your country.
• Absolutely remain polite and don’t cause a scene or start shouting – this will NOT end well.
• If they start talking about a fine, or a pay off, whatever the situation, just politely refuse saying that you’re waiting for an interpreter, consular official or tourist police. Thai police are entitled to stop you on the street, or in a car going through a checkpoint, if they are suspicious about anything.
• Don’t admit to anything or agree to having your photo taken at this stage.
• If they ask to see your passport and ID, do so without fuss, and then politely ask for their return.
• You are entitled, politely, to ask for their ID as well. They all display their name on a name badge.
• Allow any bags or your pockets to be searched – you are entitled to record this process, as long as your filming doesn’t interfere with their search. You should also ask for someone to act as an independent witness during the search.
• Don’t sign anything, especially as the documents are likely to be full in Thai language
• Don’t agree to leave the immediate area you have been stopped, even if they insist that you go to the police station
• Ask, politely, for the Tourist Police or to contact a Thai friend who can act as an intermediary and interpreter. Thai Tourist Police can be contacted, anywhere in the country, on 1155.
If the situation is even slightly serious – a crash or an accusation of drug possession – insist that you can call for a consular or embassy representative of your country.
• Absolutely remain polite and don’t cause a scene or start shouting – this will NOT end well.
• If they start talking about a fine, or a pay off, whatever the situation, just politely refuse saying that you’re waiting for an interpreter, consular official or tourist police.
