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men in tight brown shirts and related stories

By fast eddy, Created on: 05/02/2009, Last updated on: 06/02/2009

» Todya's opinion page saw a highly charged discussion on Thailand's thin brown line (well except for those in the 'oh my God it's 40 inches' weight control scheme) and their creative policing of the realm. I'm sure most of us have experienced twilight zone mini-episodes with these gentlemen and a couple...

• sulasno commented : lly hit the morning commuting traffic at a set of lights. the road was running parallel with the train tracks and I was following the same direction into the heart of Bangkok. All three lanes where full of traffic and eventually we got the green light to set off. I was flagged over by a cop standing on the other side of the crossroads - along the route I was taking. He informed me that the left hand lane was for those only turning left across the tracks - not to continue straight across the junction. I pointed out that there was no sign to that effect to which he replied that the markings were painted on the road -the same one that had been covered in cars and buses tail to tail when I drew up to the lights . My protestations went unheeded and I had to pay up a 200bt fine . The problem? I only had a 500bt note and he only had 100bt change. However, in true Thai style he winked and told me to wait. He went back into the traffic and stopped another motorist, fined him two hundred baht and added that to the 100 he already had to give me my 300bt change and waved me back out into the traffic! Priceless and well worth the 200bt fine just for the story Would be interested to hear from the rest of you - it could make a good book. Cheers Fast Eddy[/quote:gf2c2q2p] hmmmmm ......................... didn't you try to bargain it down to just 100 baht (just like true Thai style) ? I had something similar; A 500 baht to pay a 100 baht "fine" told Bangkok's finest to hang on while I had to p e e (was stopped at an intersection with a petrol kiosk nearby) got change for my 500 into 5 red ones and toss one into the drawer of his table

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