A BIG increase in the harassment of foreigners by police in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok topped all expat matters last month, with the press and social media reporting a slew of incidents and mostly negative comments.
The stop-and-search campaign seems to have been stepped up several notches following the daytime ban on pavement vendors and the enforced closure of dozens of small massage parlours, which may have resulted in a substantial drop in “income” for officials.
The stop-and-search campaign seems to have been stepped up several notches following the daytime ban on pavement vendors and the enforced closure of dozens of small massage parlours, which may have resulted in a substantial drop in “income” for officials.
Western visitors and residents are now being stopped and searched more frequently by police who say they are looking for evidence of drugs or drug taking. Some foreigners are subjected to a urine test; a few are taken to the police station for further inquiries.
Brown-uniformed accomplices of the police known as Tessakit are also stepping up their harassment of pedestrians who may absent-mindedly drop cigarette butts or small pieces of litter on the same sidewalks that motorcycles use illegally, but generally without reproach. When told they face a fine of 2,000 baht, the offenders are not only shocked but also frightened, especially when these BMA officials with no legal power of their own summon police to force the issue.
As the majority of comments on social media point out, this is unnecessary harassment and negativity at a time when Thailand’s tourism industry is facing some major public relations disasters.
While a few comments praise the police for the crackdown on drugs, most suggest the best ways of handling the situation, including contacting respective embassies.
Brown-uniformed accomplices of the police known as Tessakit are also stepping up their harassment of pedestrians who may absent-mindedly drop cigarette butts or small pieces of litter on the same sidewalks that motorcycles use illegally, but generally without reproach. When told they face a fine of 2,000 baht, the offenders are not only shocked but also frightened, especially when these BMA officials with no legal power of their own summon police to force the issue.
As the majority of comments on social media point out, this is unnecessary harassment and negativity at a time when Thailand’s tourism industry is facing some major public relations disasters.
While a few comments praise the police for the crackdown on drugs, most suggest the best ways of handling the situation, including contacting respective embassies.
