What to do if the Thai police stop you and try to extort money from you?

Following recent cases of tourists being extorted by the Thai police, a tourist website has published a guide with advice for travelers.

The problems of tourists being extorted by the Thai police are not new, but recent cases have highlighted the actions of some corrupt police officers.

See: The Thai police admit to extorting money from the Taiwanese actress

To reassure and inform travelers, the Phuket Go website has shared tips on how to react in this situation:

“First of all… stay calm.

Let them lead the conversation and do nothing else but answer their questions.

Secondly, the vast majority of Thai police officers are there to do their job and protect their compatriots and foreign visitors.

But there are a few who take advantage of situations where they think they can get away with it by extorting a few thousand baht from you.

Thai police have the right to arrest you on the street, or in a car passing through a checkpoint, if they have any suspicions.

At this stage, do not confess anything and do not agree to be photographed.

If they ask to see your passport and ID, do so without making a fuss, then politely ask for them to be returned to you.

You have the right to politely ask for their ID as well.

Allow the search of your bags or pockets, you have the right to film this procedure, provided it does not hinder the search.

You can also ask for someone to act as an independent witness during the search.

Don't sign anything, especially since the documents are likely to be written in Thai.

Do not agree to leave the place where you were arrested, even if they insist that you go to the police station.

Politely ask to be assisted by the tourist police or a Thai friend who can act as an intermediary and interpreter.

See: Theft, scams or assault in Thailand, should you contact the police?

If the situation is at all serious, an accident or an accusation of drug possession, insist that you be allowed to call a representative of your country's consulate or embassy.

Remain absolutely polite, do not make a scene and do not start shouting, it will not end well.

If they start talking about a fine or a refund, whatever the situation, politely refuse by saying that you are waiting for an interpreter, a consular official or the tourist police.

On the other hand, if you have committed an offense, speeding, drunk driving, possession of a small amount of drugs, caught smoking with an e-cigarette, be prepared to negotiate a fine and payment on the spot.

Whatever the amount demanded by the police, it will be much less than the trouble you will have to go through if you decide to refuse their offer.

You can also negotiate the cost of the bribe, as Chinese tourists have done, who have reduced the fine from 60,000 to 30,000 bahts (1,677 to 838 euros).

See: Tourists extorted for 838 euros in Thailand because of their e-cigarettes

If the tourist police or a consular officer advises you to pay, do so, as they have already been in this situation hundreds of times.

If you start asking to see a lawyer, raising your voice or getting angry, the situation will escalate and the police will lose face, which is the worst thing that can happen.

It sometimes happens that the "cops" who stop you are not police officers, but pretend to be police officers.

If you suspect something like this, be even more vigilant and wait for witnesses to arrive before doing ANYTHING.

You have every right to protect yourself against dishonest or fraudulent police officers.

Exercise diligence when a person claiming to be a police officer wants to search you or your property. »

See also:

Why expatriates need legal protection in Thailand?

Advice from a lawyer when dealing with the Thai police

The law on e-cigarettes puts travelers in Thailand in danger

Scams in Thailand: know and protect yourself