Eighty year old Frenchman pays 50,000 bail for flouting Pattaya beach regulations

[GAZZPA]

2 hours ago, SometimezaGreatNotion said:

May be just me, but if I was so horrified of the police and visciously critical of a country's culture, I would not be living in that country and wasting my time posting angry rants on threads about life there. 

But you will post rants about the people wasting their time posting rants. 

[GAZZPA]

4 hours ago, PatchinExPat said:

I intend to give it about 2 more years if my health holds out then take a slow boat

back to the USA. If I was younger I might look at other places in Asia, but I am not.

Don't waste 2 more years in my opinion. 

[JensenZ]

2 hours ago, essox essox said:

why pay such a large amount in form of a fine.....and NEVER get a receipt ????

They probably used scare tactics, stating the law prescribes jail time and a 100k fine.

 

In reality, these maximum penalties would not have been applied, not even close. Had he been ticketed for the violation and appeared in court, according to standard procedure, he would likely have received a small penalty.   

 

Once again, good lawyers are essential for expats in Thailand and everyone should have one to call. I'm disappointed that the expat didn't understand that the police can't ask for bail. Had the police risked facing a lawyer, they probably would have let him go with no charge rather than exposing their little scheme.

[IAMHERE]

Next they'l fine the tide for coming unto the beach. 

[GAZZPA]

3 hours ago, snowgard said:

Who extort money from poor victims??? The police done nothing!!!
 

1. Him do something against the law.
2. Him don't paid a fine to the police but paid money to a bail bond agent.
3. If him don't get a bill, why him paid it?
4. Why him or his wife not called a lawyer?
5. Why his wife not made photos or video of it all?
6. And why doesn't his friends done something too?

Can it be they are all STUPID? They can go out and do something against the law but can't do anything for help themself???

Really? So the 50k was a legitimate fine was it? so the police are throwing 50k fines at the locals on the beach?....

 

The issue with Thailand is not the law, it is the selective and slack enforcement of the law. If Thailand does not want law breaking then consistently enforce the law. The only time they do enforce laws like this is when it is a farang who will likely have deep enough pockets to pay a ridiculous fine that will very likely line the policeman's pocket. 

 

So it really is simple. The laws of the land are for everyone, locals and foreigners. If the locals don't follow then it is reasonable to assume for visitors that the law is not enforced and that nobody cares, right? 

 

It is the same for everything in Thailand, nail the foreigners who have cash, leave the poor locals alone. If you don't realise that wake up and open your eyes...

 

Also observe the mass migration as foreigners leave for better options....

[natway09]

What about the Commissioners cut ? With no receipt he will be checking 

[GAZZPA]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I'm not stupid or blind and don't need to do any research...  
If a law is enacted by a country in which I am a guest I have learnt from many years of experience it's best to abide by it.
If the law is right or wrong is of no consequence... it is the law.

No offence intended.

blimey, didn't take years of experience for me to know that abiding by the law is the thing to do. The issue is the lack of enforcement or at the very least selective enforcement. When the time is right, i.e, when they can get enough cash out of you the police dive into action. When the locals around you and many farangs are not following the law it is not unreasonable to assume that it is not an enforced law and that nobody cares,,, then when the police chose to enforce an often ignored law just to get cash out of someone you stand up and preach the rule of law.. ridiculous. It's like you have no idea what is going on at all, even with all your years of experience...

 

[whaleboneman]

9 hours ago, Walker88 said:

"some sort of normal"

 

Interesting phrase.  Here's the reality about that 'normal':

 

CV-19 is now a permanent part of the ecosystem. It is not going away. Ever.

 

The mitigation strategies common in the world are not aimed at eradicating the virus, as that is impossible. The sole purpose is to spread out over time the inevitable rate of infection. You are likely to get CV-19 eventually. If you have a decent immune system you will live; if not...ma salamah.

 

Those who get CV-19 and survive seem to have antibodies making them unlikely to become re-infected. This is not yet certain, and in any event only applies if the virus does not undergo a significant mutation, along the lines of the yearly flu, as coronaviruses are wont to do.

 

In the Second Wave, those who were not yet infected are likely to get it. Many will die, especially in countries who went into lockdown very early on, like NZ and Australia. When somewhere on the order of 60-70% of people have caught CV-19, it is possible there will be herd immunity---again, pending no major virus mutation.

 

Future breakouts will require protection/sheltering for the vulnerable:  aged, obese, Type II diabetics, smokers, vapers, high BP, HIV+, other lung issues. If a major breakout occurs, mass lockdowns will once again be required so that the healthcare system is not swamped and the best care possible can be given to those afflicted, as well as those suffering other maladies, accidents, etc.

 

THAT^ is our future. THAT^ will define 'some sort of normal' for the next few years.

You're posting on the wrong thread.

[snowgard]

3 minutes ago, GAZZPA said:

Really? So the 50k was a legitimate fine was it? so the police are throwing 50k fines at the locals on the beach?....

What is your problem? Do you can't read or do you not want to understand? Him paid 50.000 to a bail bond agent!!! This is not a fine!!! And if him not get it back, than it is because him don't got a receipt and accepted it so. Otherwise him would have been in the monkeyhouse to today morning and made a trip to the courthouse.

Now do you understand??? 

[sallecc]

For Christ sake, grandpa is 80 years old, and some of you want him to be burned alive, for what? For going out on empty beach? Yes he made mistake, yes he should be warned or punished, but come on, 50k? really? and all into cops pocket, no receipt, no record... So 10 cops x 5k each, and government lost 800k++ when he gets the hell out of this 3rd world country, nice calculation, Thailand, congrats... Today here in Phuket Kata I saw 20 Thais without mask, and 0 (zero) farangs without mask... I don't ask to punish Thais same as farangs, but just have some damn compassion and decency, for god's sake, we will all go six feet under sooner or later... in our case much later then this poor 80 years old grandpa.

Edited May 4, 2020 by sallecc

[White Christmas13]

23 minutes ago, whaleboneman said:

You're posting on the wrong thread.

Yes and on top of that nonsense.

Edited May 4, 2020 by White Christmas13
typo

[Scott]

Inflammatory post and replies removed.  

 

[Ron jeremy]

No sympathy from me, he's a big boy, he knew he wasn't supposed to be there" they imposed restrictions for a reason. How many times do the Thais have to tell the people to stay home, don't go to the beach, stay out of the bars etc etc etc????? 

Pit was his choice to break the law, if they slapped everyone with a warning, guess what, he would be back the next day.

i hope he gets a 100 k fine on top of everything.

perhaps now he'll stay home???? But I wouldn't count on it.

[balo]

It's very simple, respect the big signs on the beach. They gambled and now they have to pay the price. 



 

[flinc2020]

Seems there are a few here who are of the, not incorrect might I say, opinion that if you break the law you must face the consequences. I am fully in agreement with that. It has been widely publicised for weeks now that the beaches are off limits so going onto the beach is a breach of the law and therefore punishable by law. However, we're not talking about Pablo Escobar here, this is an 80 year old man who went for a walk in the wrong place. He is hardly a "flight risk" so do what a normal and decent police force would do. Take him to the police station and charge him then release him on his own recognisence until his court date. If, and it's a big IF, the policy is on the spot fines then a receipt should be given along with copies of the charge sheet etc. Not allowing the person to have copies of any paperwork when being told to hand over 50,000 BHT does not just sound 'dodgy' but criminal. As for the 2000 BHT for escorting them home when a letter from the police (they were in their staion after all so would have access to such an item) would suffice, and again, no receipt, is far from right or legal.

[Edwin Cameron]

you have got to be kidding..Thai people aren't going to get tourism back to normal with blatant discrimination of 'Farangs' Wake up and control these foolish police before they do any more damage to Thailand.

 

[Stargeezr]

Well by this story, it would seem that there are no plans for Tourism to restart

soon. It would appear that the beaches are toxic and expensive for now and

besides, that is where I like to enjoy a beer or two under a beach umbrella.

  I sure plan to go somewhere that is not Thailand on my first two vacations 

after I start travelling again.  I will spread the news of how people are being treated

by the police and help keep future tourists away from the unfriendly people

on some Thai beaches. Look at pictures of the beaches in Australia, Europe and

the USA even, as no one is getting charged on those beaches. Way to go

Thailand, keep up the good work and the great image.

Geezer

[Skallywag]

Ahhhh reminds me of a time in my 20's when I broke the law and went to jail.   

Spent more than 50,000 baht equivalent on a lawyer, was a non-violent crime. 

Learned my lesson I did.  Some people it just takes them longer to learn.

[jacko45k]

15 hours ago, yuyiinthesky said:

In my eyes this is not ok, this is a bad example of corruption, this is extortion. But it happens in Pattaya for years, I've seen quite a few such cases.

Yes, true. And in these times without the bars and naughty places to bankroll these thieves they will grab any opportunity. Be wise folks, don't break the rules and give them the opportunity to extort you, because they sure will.

[Sydebolle]

Will be excellent news for all those government clowns, from the mayor of Pattaya and the minister of tourism. Pattaya is officially dead and hence some <cannot write what I want to write> in brown cream off wherever there is cream left. 

Thailand has lost it - for good and those highway robbers will be decimated anytime soon by their own people for the rampant corruption which is literally absolutely everywhere. It will be too late, it took them 1 ½ generations (that is something they are good in - quick breeding) to turn this country from a lovely jewel in the crown of beautiful countries with lovely people to the abyss. They have not arrived there yet but the free fall will end with a terrible crush. Good luck to them. What they have not understood is, that all "dirty farang" moved once already (i.e. to Thailand) and can (and the majority will do) it again! 

[Scott]

Troll post reported and removed.  

 

[mikebell]

Pattaya Plod 'serving and protecting' the elderly.  They are the single most corrupt institution keeping Thailand firmly in the 20th Century.  Even Prayuth went quiet on his promise to reform them.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, mancub said:

Call me cynical, but I wonder if the wife got a cut for "advising" him to pay ?

Hi cynical...

[brianthainess]

21 hours ago, keith101 said:

The sign next to them clearly states 1 year imprisonment or fine not exceeding 100,000 baht or both , so if he paid 50.000 its only half of what he could of had to pay .  

Maybe he can't read English in my experience French don't. At 80 yrs old, the police have acted abysmal in this case. just out for the money, 2000 baht to escort them home! since when have the police paid for their own fuel, i would be calling the hot line just in case it got a result. Reforms going well then and all happiness returned. Shame on this Govt.

[bbi1]

3 hours ago, Skallywag said:

Ahhhh reminds me of a time in my 20's when I broke the law and went to jail.   

Spent more than 50,000 baht equivalent on a lawyer, was a non-violent crime. 

Learned my lesson I did.  Some people it just takes them longer to learn.

Agreed, but at 80 you'd expect they would've learn the lessons during their lifetime, but in this situation they are still dumb.

[Kenchamp]

Anyone know what happened to the 11 who got caught on Jomtien beach the other day. Was it more of the same?

 

And who gets a share of the "bounty" once the extorted sum is paid?

[fred110]

13 hours ago, SometimezaGreatNotion said:

May be just me, but if I was so horrified of the police and visciously critical of a country's culture, I would not be living in that country and wasting my time posting angry rants on threads about life there. 

True, but those guys will do the same no matter where they go.

[fred110]

46 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Maybe he can't read English in my experience French don't. At 80 yrs old, the police have acted abysmal in this case. just out for the money, 2000 baht to escort them home! since when have the police paid for their own fuel, i would be calling the hot line just in case it got a result. Reforms going well then and all happiness returned. Shame on this Govt.

You can pay his fine for him if you're so outraged,

[Kerryd]

In the thread about the (5) Thais and (3) foreigners busted in the bar, it is claimed that the 3 foreigners only had to post 25,000 baht bails (and still have to go to court). The "staff" apparently were only fined 2,000 baht and let go.

According to the news article in that case, those foreigners face the same penalties as the Frenchman. Makes me suspect that the "bail bondsman" in the Frenchman's case probably pocketed half the amount he charged the old guy (which would, again, explain why no receipt was given).

Edited May 5, 2020 by Kerryd

[nausea]

37 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

Agreed, but at 80 you'd expect they would've learn the lessons during their lifetime, but in this situation they are still dumb.

You're in for a shock. It doesn't get better, it gets worse. I'd say you're at your peak around 15 or 16. After that, it's all downhill, ha!