National police to look into reports of foreigners harassed, searched

The Royal Thai Police are investigating reports that police are shaking down foreigners in areas popular with tourists and expats.

Police Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri, acting Central Investigation Bureau commissioner, said “damaging” reports of tourists in the Asoke and Thonglor areas being randomly stopped, harassed, subjected urine tests and demands for money would be reviewed, and if found true, whether they involved members of the police force.

Britain’s ambassador, Mark Kent, recently broached the subject with tourism officials, who according to the Bangkok Post, told him there was no organized campaign underway and such claims would be investigated.

There’s been a spike of anecdotal reports in recent weeks, with some claiming they were harassed without cause by police officers, while others claiming it was the municipal officials famous for demanding THB2,000 fines from foreigners and visitors dropping cigarette butts.

Photo: Royal Thai Police

Related:

Surge of reported harassment suggests police targeting tourists, expats