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Delightful Traffic Police

It was about 10pm when I was driving my own car through Silom road in Bangkok. I was on my way to Sukhumvit. Just before I reached Patpong there was a checkpoint with about 10 policemen. I knew that I did not drink at all so I was not scared to drive through.

A policeman stopped me. I rolled the window down and then he asked me for my driving license. He told me that I was not wearing a seat belt.

I thought for a second whether I should bribe him here and get this over with or just take the fine ticket and pay at the police station later. Usually I would bribe the policeman right away with a 100 baht note or two.

But this time I was scared to do so. Perhaps because it was right in the middle of Silom, also with too many other policemen around. He may not accept it and this could make it even worse.

I gave him my driving license and he gave me a ticket. I drove on.

About two days later, I had the time to visit the police station. I wanted to pay my fine so that I can have my driving license back. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is 200 baht. It was written on the ticket.

At the police station I asked one of the guy in white shirt in front of the police station, he is supposed to be one of the policemen. I told him where is the place that I can pay my driving fine. He said you can give it to me and I'll take care of it for you.

I gave the ticket to him. He got my driving license back for me and then said the fine is 300 baht. I knew right then that this guy is trying to cheat me and keep the extra 100 baht. But I did not want to cause any problem, so I gave him 300 baht.

I then asked him for a receipt. He said that there is no need for a receipt, you got your driving license now it is done.

I left. I was happy enough that I got my driving license back.

Submitted by : Anupon
21-Sep-05

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Reader's comments:

Here 25 years : funny stories, and here, in Russia, we have that type of cops. I recive change from my local traffic police many times, that almost normal here :-) Cops hiding and wait peoples who break the law of speed limit. And nobody want to go at police office for pay bill, we always pay to cops, not to goverment :-)

Added by: RussianGuy Report abuse

The traffic cops here are paid about 6,000 baht a month. Can you imagine trying to raise a family on that? They have to work out in the hot sun, in the pollution all day. It's amazing they are still so cool and polite when dealing with drivers, and of course they need money; for themselves and to give to their superiors to help run the police station. The government gives them almost nothing to do a tough job.

I have dozens of funny stories about my dealings with the Thai traffic cops. Here are a couple:

One day I was stopped by a motrocycle cop near the Rama 4 expressway exit for 'going over a double line'. He asked for an on-the-spot fine of 20,000 Baht. I negotiated with him for about 20 minutes and finally got him down to 200 baht. I pulled out my wallet and showed him 1,000 baht and asked if he could give me change. He snorted in frustration and told me to get going. No fine.

Story 2:
A few years ago there was a law banning pickups from driving on the right hand lane. I drove up Phaholyothin road to the Central Lard Prao intersection. I was going to do a U-turn under Vibhavadi so I got on the right hand lane. A high-ranking cop with a couple of stars on his shoulders pulled me over and asked me in perfect English if I knew about the law banning pickups in the right lane. I said 'Yes'. 'Why was I in the right hand lane then?' He asked. 'Because I am going to do a U-turn. If I do that from the left lane I would have to cut in front of traffic to the right of me and possibly cause an accident. Would you want that?' The policeman thought about it for a moment and then said, 'Ok, you are right. But please don't do it again. Off you go.'

Where else in the world would that happen. So before you start accusing the traffic cops of being corrupt and only after your money, give a little thought to the tough job they do. Would you like to be in their shoes? I think most of them do a terrific job.

Added by: Here 25 years Report abuse

can you wonder that the baht bus drivers rip you off, when every day the POLICE are doing the same. thailand is not a third world country and collects milliond fo baht of western tourists every year. think of the millions of revenue collected at don muang in DEPARTURE FEES, NO WONDER YOU CAN GET A 30 DAY VISA ON ENTRY THEY WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS, AND THEN CHARGE YOU TO GO HOME. land of smiles my ar--. LAND OF SCAMS

Added by: mike uk Report abuse

I drive daily in BKK and therefor i'm stopped quit often by the police. I have 2 strategies, 1 is smile and do if u don't understand them, mostly after 10 min. they let me go(funny for me)
But i can be pissed of sometimes also and then i am not so friendly at all and i argu with them in Thai, i even call them cheaters, they get scared and let me go

Added by: Dave Report abuse

I have read some of these complaints about farangs being ripped off and the only answer is: just don't pay the extra and walk away. I have done this and there's been no problem. Don't allow yourselves to be bullied. It's not rocket science!!

Added by: Paul Report abuse

a lesson well learned, all cops in Thailand are crooks and will rip off any one they can

Added by: ripped off Report abuse