lurcio wrote:

epidemiks wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2017 1:41 pm

lurcio wrote:I've heard of the police asking $500 if they find drugs but not for no licence.

Not saying that is what happened here but it's not like either party would advertise the fact.

When did traffic cops start searching people for drugs?

I would say about 3 years ago they started milking this revenue stream.
If they catch you with weed expect an initial request for a $500 donation. 1 friend got caught with 2 bags of MDMA and 10g of weed but as he speaks fairly fluent Khmer he got away with a $100 donation, lots of smiling, laughing and back slapping. Conversely another (part-timer Pattaya-exile) was caught with a couple of spliffs worth and got hit for $300.

The simple answer is

1. DON"T DO DRUGS
2. Stick to beer and
3. Most importantly learn to converse in their language as they are actually just normal guys trying to get a bit of money together to put food on the table / have a good night out and are very flexible about who's pockets they decide to empty.

One time many years ago when Otres was the end of world and you had to paddle your bike through a foot of mud at the base of the hill I got roped into getting pissed up with them to the point of projectile vomiting and when I said it was time for me to ride home I was given an escort to my front door all at about 10km/hr as I couldn't see further than 10m in front of me. Good times.

ps. If the Gendarmerie??? (ie not the blue traffic police) catch you then I think there is no easy way out.

epidemiks wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2017 10:14 pm

lurcio wrote:

epidemiks wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2017 1:41 pm

lurcio wrote:I've heard of the police asking $500 if they find drugs but not for no licence.

Not saying that is what happened here but it's not like either party would advertise the fact.

When did traffic cops start searching people for drugs?

I would say about 3 years ago they started milking this revenue stream.
If they catch you with weed expect an initial request for a $500 donation. 1 friend got caught with 2 bags of MDMA and 10g of weed but as he speaks fairly fluent Khmer he got away with a $100 donation, lots of smiling, laughing and back slapping. Conversely another (part-timer Pattaya-exile) was caught with a couple of spliffs worth and got hit for $300.

The simple answer is

1. DON"T DO DRUGS
2. Stick to beer and
3. Most importantly learn to converse in their language as they are actually just normal guys trying to get a bit of money together to put food on the table / have a good night out and are very flexible about who's pockets they decide to empty.

One time many years ago when Otres was the end of world and you had to paddle your bike through a foot of mud at the base of the hill I got roped into getting pissed up with them to the point of projectile vomiting and when I said it was time for me to ride home I was given an escort to my front door all at about 10km/hr as I couldn't see further than 10m in front of me. Good times.

ps. If the Gendarmerie??? (ie not the blue traffic police) catch you then I think there is no easy way out.

Never seen a traffic cop search for anything but a few bucks from easy marks. Not even sure they're authorised to search vehicles, definitely wouldn't let them touch my bike or person for a red light stop, and I don't touch illegal substances here.

Raybull wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2017 10:37 pm Have seen them doing lots of vehicle searches, especially in the last year when they've setup roadblocks either at the golden lions, in front if the provincial hospital or near the cop station. Lots of pics on FB pages of the SHV police and Narin's own page if you don't believe me, sometimes only the blue boys, sometimes working with the brown boys.

Hotdigr wrote: ↑Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:29 am They have been doing random drug searches on traffic stops, for at least 2 years now.
As to the licence issue - lets face it, it's as up in the air as the work permit and the new visa issues. If you know anything about insurance companies, then as I said - make sure EVERY i is dotted and EVERY T is crossed, because if there is even a hint of a breach of their fine print, you are fukd.
Up to you guys anyway, make your bed - lie in it ay.

epidemiks wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:19 pm
hold a motorbike licence in Australia for the same class of bike you’ll ride overseas, regardless of the local laws;

For motorised vehicles:
not wearing a helmet where one would be required in Australia, regardless of the local laws; and
operating any motorised vehicle without a valid licence for the same class of vehicle or watercraft in Australia and as required in the relevant country where you're travelling; or
riding as a passenger in or on any motorised vehicle or watercraft where you know or you should know your driver does not have a valid licence in their country of residence and as required in the relevant country where you're travelling.

kgbagent wrote: ↑Tue Feb 21, 2017 3:53 pm From World Nomads Australia

For motorised vehicles:
not wearing a helmet where one would be required in Australia, regardless of the local laws; and
operating any motorised vehicle without a valid licence for the same class of vehicle or watercraft in Australia and as required in the relevant country where you're travelling; or
riding as a passenger in or on any motorised vehicle or watercraft where you know or you should know your driver does not have a valid licence in their country of residence and as required in the relevant country where you're travelling.