Farangs w/o Passport Taken to Jail

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I just received a phone call advising me that all the Farang in Wild, Wild West without a passport in their possession were detained/arrested/taken to jail??? Not sure which, but definitely not good. It is 10:30 p.m. in Pattaya, apparently this just happen this evening. Also rumor of two or three bars being closed, but no confirmantion.

 

Can anyone either confirm or deny this information?? I sure hope it is some kind of mistake, but the way things go, you never know!

[Guest painai]

Yes, I was there, thank goodness I carry a laminated copy of my passport (which includes the first page and copy of my visa), only 2 of the customers, myself and a Japanese tourist who had his passport, were not taken away in a pick up by the (I assume) Bangkok police. The police came in only questioning the customers, and those without id were rounded up, searched, questioned and taken away. About ten or twelve all together were taken away. It really looked sad to see the elderly farangs who had trouble walking trying to get in the pickup. Moral of the story, carry your id!

[Guest wowpow]

from Sawatdee Gay Thailand

campuscat Big raids on Sunee Plaza

 

The farang grapevine is humming tonite in Pattaya/Jomtien. So much is happening so quickly I will just touch on the issues and

let others fill in the details as the facts become better known and clearer in the next day or two.

 

In Sunee Plaza, the sign people were busy changing the name of Banana to Krazy Pub but tonite the beer bar next to Krazy Dragon was shut down tight and the owner (or part owner) in some sort of detention for underage porno activities. There is a write up on him on one of the pattaya news websites and I am sure someone can provide the link.

K-Boys is closed for one month for issues stemming from the recent police raids.

Holiday Boys formerly Butts Boy is closed due to issues with its lease.

Euro Boys is closed for an indefinite time period but at least a few months for reasons of the new owner.

 

In Boyztown Pattayaland sois, police were very active tonite and it is reported on another site that those customers

lacking passports or equivalent IDs were taken by the police right out of the bar. This is the first time I have heard of the

police activities being aimed at the farangs including the Asian customers from Japan etc.

Bars were told to close early on other Pattayaland sois because of improper liquor licenses etc. and the pressure is on..

I cannot confirm the names of the bars involved as I only have scattered information from the other website and a couple

of telephone calls but I am sure others can fill in the info as it comes out..

 

These type of things tend to last for months and only a fool with go out with his passport or equivalent ID and take a boy without

an ID card for the time being.

[Gaybutton]

If this is true, then as far as I know it's the first time something like this has ever happened. I'm always advising people not to carry their passport because of the possibility of loss or theft, but I agree that at least until we know for sure what's going on it might be a better idea to carry your actual passport, a copy of it in case of loss or theft, and a second copy of it in your hotel room.

 

I have not yet been able to find anything about this in any of the local or national media. I would think such a thing would be headline news . . . a police station full of "farang," probably raising holy hell.

 

Until we can be certain as to what happened and what is actually going on, all I know is I'll be carrying my passport with me at all times.

 

Thai law specifies that foreigners must have their passport on their person at all times, just as Thai law specifies that Thai citizens must have their national ID cards on their person at all times. In the past whenever a foreigner is caught without carrying his passport, a copy of it has usually been acceptable. If the police wish to verify it, most of the time the foreigner has the actual passport in his hotel room and the police accompany him to the room to check it out. However, they do not have to do that. If they arrested a whole truckload of "farang" they might not even have the manpower to send a bunch of police officers out to various hotel rooms. They're too busy catching helmetless motorcycle drivers.

 

In light of the recent publicity about how immigration officers at the airport are all being trained to be smiling and polite to foreigners, it would seem bizarre that after all these years there would be such a sudden crackdown without any warning, but bizarre seems to be a part of daily life in Thailand anyhow, so this sort of a crackdown would come as a surprise to me, but not much of one.

[Guest wowpow]

It seems rather impolite to suggest that the above reports are not true.

 

I was very concerned as I had friends that I knew were visiting Wild West that evening. I have a first hand reliable report;

 

"The Police came in and checked with his friend who did not have a passport. He was told to carry a COPY in future. His boyfriend's rucksack was searched. My friend was in the toilet when they arrived and he was not questioned. The Police spent some time at the far side of the bar but they could not see what was going on. About half a dozen people left and then the place returned to normal and the show was at 10.30 as usual.

 

I read the reports in the wee small hours and was concerned incase they had been carted off to jail. Its all very strange as this friend rang me yesterday afternoon to see if I had been in jail - a rumour seems to have started after the article from Lonely Planet Thorntree about "In the monkey house for no exit stamp".

 

I think that the local police are very worried after the visit of the new Police Chief and want to be noticed being effective.

 

"Heavy Handed new Police Chief leaves Pattaya Police uneasy

[Guest painai]

Since I had id, I was allowed to leave, all the customers, except 2 of us had been left sitting in the bar. I saw the farangs climbing into the back of the police pickup as I left the soi. What eventually happened to the Japenese tourists, I don't know--they were with the police when I left . I do know the police were pretty rough with the Japanese tourists as far as searching them. The bar picked up all the check bins of those customers with the police ( I had to pay mine though, even though I joked "free"). It was a pretty upsetting experience what with the police showing us their badges and wanting to see our passpsorts or go with them! I did not mean to create a panic, just be aware that one should carry a laminated copy of your passport or the actual passport at all times--Especially when bar hopping. I am glad to David in Pattaya (may he rest in peace) who had told me that years ago when I first came to Thailand. painai. Also, I might add the boys kept on dancing during the whole ordeal with the music going, however the boys sitting with the Japanese were told to leave. I was able to even off the boy I wanted, the mamason just said for the boy to meet me on the corner by the bank.

[Guest Boxer]

Before we all get carried away on this, Painai IS THIS ACTUALLY WHAT HAPPENED?

 

"The police came in only questioning the customers, and those without id were rounded up, searched, questioned and taken away. About ten or twelve all together were taken away. It really looked sad to see the elderly farangs who had trouble walking trying to get in the pickup. Moral of the story, carry your id!"

 

"I saw the farangs climbing into the back of the police pickup as I left the soi."

 

Another eye witness present says it was much more low key just checking Farangs at Bar and no reports of anyone carried away? The music and show carried on as normal he says, which is not usual in a raid?

 

Will we ever know the truth? Rumours start so easy in this town.

 

 

 

[Guest gwm4sian]

I posted this earlier on another forum

 

"I was watching part of the raid in Boyztown. I was told they turned over Wild West Boys, and took away customers with no passports, but did not see that bit.

 

I saw them go through Panorama bar, checking Thais and Farang. Maybe 15 or more farang were told to go out of Panorama, and standing on the soi outside they seemed to get a good talking to ("dressing down" as the military say) before being allowed back inside the bar. Did not see anyone taken away.

 

Then they moved on to My Life, did not enter the bar but inspected the license. Much talking and gesticulating, and another one brought from Throb/Splash for comparision. Apparently the license was in the wrong style.

 

Then they moved into BBB, and I left."

[Guest Boxer]

Thanks for EYE WITNESS account.

[Guest painai]

All I know is that I saw the farangs without id getting in the police pickup bed when I left, now whether they jumped out of the pick up after I left, I have no idea. Also, the group of Japanese from the bar were with the police outside the bar when I left. Altogether around 10 I imagine, but I did actually only see a few farang get in the pickup. I was pretty excited last night and, again, the farangs were the only ones I witnessed in the pickup. If one doesn't believe this all happened--fine.

[Guest Boxer]

All I know is that I saw the farangs without id getting in the police pickup bed when I left, now whether they jumped out of the pick up after I left, I have no idea. Also, the group of Japanese from the bar were with the police outside the bar when I left. Altogether around 10 I imagine, but I did actually only see a few farang get in the pickup. I was pretty excited last night and, again, the farangs were the only ones I witnessed in the pickup. If one doesn't believe this all happened--fine.

 

We believe you but just want to know if Farangs went to Police Station or not as this would be a big change in current actions by Police locally. Very little bother at the Bars as other reports from Panorama etc. confirm.

[Guest hajuthai]

They also closed Panorama bar, MyLife ans Serene, saying they did not have the new license.

Funny that the poliveman taing care of this bars did not know what they wre talking about. He did not know a new license. But he told the barowners, that the hole action was to please the new national policecheif, who was in town because of the russian murder.

No girliebars were raided!!! Only the gaybars.

 

If we had a united gaycommunitee here in Pattaya, we could do something about it. But read the 3 boards, bath-stop, sawatdee and gaythailand, and what do we do - talk bad about eachother, criticise everything, esspecially charity, so it will be hopeless to believe we can do anything about the policebehavior.

[Guest wowpow]

As I reported earlier it was not as dramatic as some made out. BUT I think that this is the very first time that farangs have been taken away by Police from the Boyztown/Pattayaland area. Seemingly there were not many a few Japanese and a few farangs. A friend who was in the bar was not questioned at all by the Police.

 

As Boxer says rumours do get started very easily in this town. Several people have asked how I am after being in jail for passport problems - someone read only part of a cut n' post that I made on Sawatdee. I also had people phoning thinking that I was at death's door with Emphysema - well I do have a bit of a cough.

 

You think that this is a storm in a reacup - well earwig's back in town so things will get even livlier.

[Guest Boxer]

Girlie bars also checked according to pattayacitynews.com

 

Immigration crackdown as Police hunt for foreign

[Guest buaseng]

One man was arrested for failing to produce his original passport when requested by the officers.

 

We expect this Immigration Police Operation to continue and suggest that all foreigners should carry their original passport with them at all times.

 

FOR TIME BEING CARRY YOUR PASSPORT OR A GOOD COPY OF IT WITH VISA AND DATES SHOWN.

Very interested in this as I arrive for my next visit in 8 days time. For the last dozen or so years I have always carried my passport during visits in a waterproof ziplock plastic bag but obviously find it inconvenient and there is also a significant danger of loss/theft.

 

I know the letter of the law says that foreigners must carry their original passport at all times but now see that advice is being given that a laminated photocopy will be sufficient. There seems to be great confusion and some variance in this advice at the moment. I have a few questions and would appreciate it if Gaybutton/Boxer/Wowpow could provide answers.

 

1. Is a liminated copy of a passport acceptable to the police?

2. Which pages are required or is a copy of the whole passport needed? (I assume that the personal details page including photo and the page containing your current visa is the minimum. but what if anything else?)

3. Can the information be reduced in size before lamination?

4. Does the copy need to be laminated?

5. Is a copy of the 'TM' Immigration form required as well?

 

Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable and reliable advice !!

[Guest BKKvisitor]

If it was only the gay venues that were visited, as reports claim, it has much more to do with politics than homophobia. The murders of two Russian women, the posts report, were the trigger for the new chief's interest. If the cops raided the girl bars they would have been dealing with a lot of Russian customers, adding insult to injury to the Russian community. Thailand and Russian are in the process of improving trade and visa agreements and Thai authorities want to "appear" efficient in the murder investigation without ruffling feathers of the big-spending Russian tourists.

 

Boycotting sounds like a reasonable response but it's hard enough to get two gays two agree on the what constitutes a descent burger. And just where would you go instead of Thailand?

 

As in all matters of law enforcement in the LOS, only two things really matter: money and politics. Politics won this round.

 

[Guest luvthai]

This is bad for tourism as well as the business owners. Even tho one is not guilty of anything we still don't like the idea of being under 24hr scrutiny or being pulled aside to have our ID checked while the news cameras are rolling behind us. Take owners like Clubber who is heavily invested and has investors to please. This type of police harrassment will surely cut down on the sunee entertainment scene and most likely will see business go under if this becomes a long crackdown. If I had not already booked flights I'd probably go somewhere else and not because I have anything to hide but do not want the hassel of ID checks everynight or feeling like I;m being watched.

[Gaybutton]

Ok, here is what I can confirm:

 

The raids did take place as Panai posted. The raids occurred in Pattayaland. I have no confirmation of anything occurring at all in Sunee Plaza.

 

Both the Panorama Pub and the My Life for Happiness bars were raided and the customers were required to show their passports. I have no information regarding Serene. Both bars were told they have the wrong license. The license they have entitles them to remain open until 11:00 PM, but not until 1:00 AM. The foreigners who had no passport with them were taken to the street and given a stern warning, but no one was taken away.

 

Wild West Boys and one or two other bars were raided as Panai described. By the time the police were done there were only two customers remaining.

 

A copy of the passport was acceptable to the police. I don't know of any requirement for the passport copy to be laminated. People do that just to keep the copy from becoming ruined, I suppose. The police accepted copies that included the main photo and information page and the page showing the current visa. The size of the copy was not an issue.

 

Today nearly all of my friends, and me too, were carrying our passports. I know of no other raids. Nobody knows what was going on or why, although there is speculation ranging from the police were looking for Russians who may have been involved with the recent murders of the two women (although there is no evidence that the Russians involved were gay or would be likely to be in a gay bar) to the police trying to impress the "Big Boss."

 

None of us really knows what this was all about or whether to expect any more of it, however there is a story about it in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS:

 

(click the link for photos): http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_09_03_50_4.htm

 

Immigration Crackdown as Police Hunt for Foreign

[TotallyOz]

I spend great amounts of time overseas. I love Brazil as well. On my first trip there, the hotel I stayed at made a copy of the passport for me and told me to carry it with me at all times. I have done the same for all countries I visit. I have the hotel make a copy of the passport and visa and always keep that in my wallet. I have never thought to have it laminated but that is a good idea. Most hotels will copy things for you and you should keep your passport in the safe.

 

I have lost a passport in a foreign land and it is not an easy process to recover.

 

I also suggest that if you have a computer, make a copy of your passport and Visa and keep it on your computer. I find this is what I have done in recent years. If I do lose my wallet copy, I then just print out another copy on a printer.

 

[Guest pete1969]

I am a bit amused at the "outrage" from some about this matter. In the USA, most large bars and discos in major cities require ALL patrons regardless of age or nationality to present their ID at the door. Why? Because no one can legally be in a bar in the US without proper ID.

 

Likewise, in the US, if ANYONE is stopped by the police, and they do not have ID, then they could have some problems. This same rule applies in Thailand. I've had to show my ID a couple of times before to get into a Thai nightclub. I've been asked by police a number of times to produce my passport, mostly when going through police checkpoints in the North while riding in the car with my BF or other Thai friends (but it has also happened in the South and in Phuket).

 

My BF, when told of this matter, scoffed at any indignation a farang might have. "Thai people always have to carry and show ID," he told me. "Farang have to do same." I will say that my BF has harped on me many times to always carry my passport, especially when I am in the car with him.

 

In the US, I never, ever go anywhere without my ID. Now, same same Thailand. Thais ARE becoming more sensitive to people being in their country illegally, and while it is an issue, then I would expect them to do more ID checks on foreigners.

 

I also wonder how many of those outraged by this would be so outraged in a first world country when told they always need to have ID on their person. As farang, I think we get so used to feeling as if we are on a pedestal in this country that we often forget that we really aren't the high and mighty we think we are. I mean, really, what is so hard, or so unusual, about carrying an ID or a copy of it wherever you are in the world?

 

Pete

[Guest wowpow]

"Wild West Boys and one or two other bars were raided as Panai described. By the time the police were done there were only two customers remaining." Gaybutton

 

According to friends who were there only about half a dozen people left the bar which was full. The Police departed and the 10.30 show proceeded as normal.

 

Perhaps you should check the reliability and accuracy of your sources before announcing that "I can confirm".

 

Perhaps you decided to accept but misread panai's confusing report?

 

"only 2 of the customers, myself and a Japanese tourist who had his passport, were not taken away in a pick up by the (I assume) Bangkok police. The police came in only questioning the customers, and those without id were rounded up, searched, questioned and taken away. About ten or twelve all together were taken away".

[Guest painai]

Thank you Mr Wowpow for calling my report confusing. I apologize for trying to give too much information. And yes I heard the show went on at 10:30, but it wasn't very good.

[2lz2p]

also suggest that if you have a computer, make a copy of your passport and Visa and keep it on your computer. I find this is what I have done in recent years. If I do lose my wallet copy, I then just print out another copy on a printer.

 

I agree with GayThailand's comment, but what if you are not near your computer that has these copies? Although I have my information on a laptop computer that I usually take with me when traveling, there is always the possiblity of a hard drive crash. Also, for some, their computer may be a desk top and thus have no computer when traveling.

 

One solution is to also have copies on a USB thumb drive and take it with you when traveling. Allso, there are several "free" email services that keep your emails on their servers (gmail, excite, yahoo, hotmail, etc.). As an added precaution, I have sent an email to myself with file attachment(s) containing copies of these documents. That way, if needed, I can access these copies from any internet connected computer.

 

[Guest laurence]

 

Likewise, in the US, if ANYONE is stopped by the police, and they do not have ID, then they could have some problems. This same rule applies in Thailand. I've had to show my ID a couple of times

 

Pete1969- There is no legal requirement in the USA to carry ID. It is still one of the few remaining freedoms we have. Many young people never bother to carry any form of ID with them even though that is very unwise. Police in the US have no right to ask for ID unless there is probable cause, which, of course, they can easily invent! For me I always carry it in order to get the senior citizen rate at all events!

[Smiles]

A synopsis seems rather appropriate about here:

 

NEWS FLASH

 

All the old codgers on the Gentleman's Board (i.e. GayThailand.com ... as opposed to the leaden and rabidly anti-semitic REALLY-Serious-Men-Only Board, i.e. Baht-Stop.com ) are completely freaking out over the police events in Pattaya over the last day or so.

 

Read all about here ( http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum...pic.php?t=10885 ) ... how ....... Things in Thailand are deterioratin' at a rapid pace !!! ... old farts with walkers hauled into paddy wagons!!!! ... Passorts? to carry or not to carry?!!! ... It ain't like it used to be!!!!!!! ... Police crackdowns on well-heeled PAYING GUESTS!!!! ... Gaybutton tries to calm the waters by ~ CONFIRMING RUMOURS!!!!! ... Wowpow adding fuel to the fire at EVERY TURN!!!!! .... Off fees inflating OVERNIGHT!!!! to 8000 baht per half hour + taxi ride home and "no-I-don't-bottom" ..... Beach Road to be re-paved AGAIN!!!!!! ..... Fecal matter sightings at Jomtien Beach 500% greater than last year at this time ..... It's all so UNFAIR!!!!! ...

 

Frankly, I think I'll take a page out of the Fat Bald Old C*nt's book and admit that I'm only in it for the laughs.

 

Cheers ...