Riding a motorbike

[Siam Sam 964]

In 9 years they have never accepted my offer in Pattaya. Always had to go to soi 9. Maybe 30 times in 9 years. I go down soi 1 the wrong way a lot. It is worth the ticket for the convenience and time except when I have to go to soi 9. Yes, The fat cop.

Jack

 

So you quite openly offer them a bribe and they just decline your advances?

[MM 6,562]

I got stopped about 6 montha ago although i was wearing my helmet.They were stopping everyone.I have Thai license,helmet,tax but although i have been stopped before with no problems this time he said "where is the green book"?

I wasnt carrying a copy or original ,it was in the house so he wrote me a ticket and told me to go and pay his boss at the side of the road 200bt.

There was a big queue of people there already waiting and when it got to my turn it changed from 200bt to 400bt.

Itwas all written in Thai so i didnt understand.I questioned it but he just kept saying no 200bt,400bt.I paid it and went home furious.Rang my missus and she came home and me and her went back to the place where they all were.

It turned out that the cop who had written the ticket had put that i didnt have a license which was bullshit as i had shown him it.

Anyway my mrs walked up to this cop boss and all his cronies(about 10 others)and went absolutely fuckin mad at them.There ended up with a big crowd in the road all looking to see what all the fuss was.

But it didnt matter what we said he wouldnt give me back what he owed.Didnt want to lose face.

I was gonna take it further but after a few days i calmed down and then i couldnt be bothered just for the sake of 200bt.

 

I know i should have done.

 

My understanding is that you are supposed to keep the green book in a safe place separate from the bike, since it represents the ownership papers. Your current annual registration should be enough for them. But, from the looks of it, it was an obvious scam in the first place. Tough luck, but gladly, I think that sort of thing is not too common.

 

 

 

[simon_cook 22]

MM,

 

My wife and i had this discussion with them. I said that if someone stole the bike then they would have the book.He said i should just keep a copy of it.

I told him i got stopped before and the police guy i spoke to said everything i had was in order so i had no fear of getting stopped again knowing all my papers were in order.

When my wife told the boss cop this he said it was a new thing they were doing.

I went over to the cop who issued the ticket in the first place and told him his boss had just charged me 400bt for no license when i had already showed him it and he said "oh sorry about that".I could tell he wanted to tell me something about his boss but was afraid to.

 

Tossers!

[MM 6,562]

MM,

 

My wife and i had this discussion with them. I said that if someone stole the bike then they would have the book.He said i should just keep a copy of it.

I told him i got stopped before and the police guy i spoke to said everything i had was in order so i had no fear of getting stopped again knowing all my papers were in order.

When my wife told the boss cop this he said it was a new thing they were doing.

I went over to the cop who issued the ticket in the first place and told him his boss had just charged me 400bt for no license when i had already showed him it and he said "oh sorry about that".I could tell he wanted to tell me something about his boss but was afraid to.

 

Tossers!

 

Well, in that case, I'll go check if I have a copy of the green book. But I am certainly not keeping the book itself in the bike.

[simon_cook 22]

MM,

 

Thats what i do now.Have spoken to a few of my Thai friends and they say they knew about this rule already so whether i was being scammed or not i dont know but its no hardship to carry a copy.

I did say to the police that day that if i made a copy and carried that then i bet the next time they stop me it will be something else that i should be carrying that i dont have,though i dont think there is anything else.They just laughed.

Im sure they will think of something.

 

 

Tossers!

[jaxxon55 252]

So you quite openly offer them a bribe and they just decline your advances?

 

No, I ask if I can pay the ticket on the spot and they always write me up and make me go to soi 9.

Jack

[gerry53 1]

Well, in that case, I'll go check if I have a copy of the green book. But I am certainly not keeping the book itself in the bike.

 

 

I got caught on this scam beside the railway on the darkside. I had copies of the 2 pages required from my green book. This cop wanted 500 baht and wouldn't budge. I told him I don't keep the book on the bike due to the reasons already posted. After his second attempt to relieve me of 500 baht I said no and lets go to station so I can speak to his boss. He had a sudden change of heart and looked at some of the paperwork and said "same same" and let me go - they were the same papers he looked at earlier. He was stopping many farangs and was making a fistful of baht - if he had to take me in it would of prevented him from getting more "tea money" and this may have been an embarassment also.

 

Stand up to the thieving bastards when you know you are right.

[Idefix 2,275]

The Yamaha Nouvo Elegance is 135 cc,

the regular Nouva is still only 125 cc.

No. The Nouvo (not Elegance) is 115 cc.

 

Always had to go to soi 9. Maybe 30 times in 9 years.

I go down soi 1 the wrong way a lot.

30 times !?? Would you do that in your country ? So why here ?

 

I drive "the normal way" here, and always wear my helmet.

Never had to pay a fine; Never put myself in a position where corruption could occur.

 

Reading this thread, some people really look for problems here

[SpicyMartin 11]

If you can be bothered, make a reduced size copy of your bike/car registration book (and passport? I did) the same size as a credit card, laminate 'em and keep 'em in your wallet with your DL.

[gerry53 1]

No. The Nouvo (not Elegance) is 115 cc.

 

 

30 times !?? Would you do that in your country ? So why here ?

 

I drive "the normal way" here, and always wear my helmet.

Never had to pay a fine; Never put myself in a position where corruption could occur.

 

Reading this thread, some people really look for problems here

 

I think you are correct about the Nouvo at only 115cc - I never owned one only the Nouvo 135 Elegance.

 

Keeping legal definitely helps but sometimes they go after you anyways - what about the no green book phoney fines??? You have just been lucky or rather many of us have been unlucky.

Incidently the "normal way" the Thais OFTEN drive is no helmuts, 3 plus on a bike and lets not forget the baby too. If you want to guanantee no problems leave the bike in the garage!

Edited November 2, 2011 by gerry53

[jacko 8,766]

If you can be bothered, make a reduced size copy of your bike/car registration book (and passport? I did) the same size as a credit card, laminate 'em and keep 'em in your wallet with your DL.

Why not just keep a regular sized copy under the motorcycle seat?

[SpicyMartin 11]

Why not just keep a regular sized copy under the motorcycle seat?

Coz 9 times out of 10 I don't even turn the engine off, let alone get off the thing! Police pull you over, you go straight for your wallet, show 'em license and copy reg, 9 times out of 10 plod is happy and appreciates you cooperating and waves you on with a "khob khun khrap" and a smile. It doesn't have to be confrontational or antagonistic.

[jacko 8,766]

Coz 9 times out of 10 I don't even turn the engine off, let alone get off the thing! Police pull you over, you go straight for your wallet, show 'em license and copy reg, 9 times out of 10 plod is happy and appreciates you cooperating and waves you on with a "khob khun khrap" and a smile. It doesn't have to be confrontational or antagonistic.

Hmm, when I get stopped I am in the habit of turning the engine off pretty quick.

I don't have the 'tax disc' fixed to the outside of the bike and sometimes they want to see that too.

 

The one thing I don't like doing is getting my wallet out, although that is where the licence is.

I doubt the registration page shrunk down to wallet size would be readable by anyone other than a hawk.

Glad it works out for you, but I think it is in reality the sight of a Thai licence in the hands of a falang alone that mostly gets me waved on.

[SpicyMartin 11]

Hmm, when I get stopped I am in the habit of turning the engine off pretty quick.

I don't have the 'tax disc' fixed to the outside of the bike and sometimes they want to see that too.

 

The one thing I don't like doing is getting my wallet out, although that is where the licence is.

I doubt the registration page shrunk down to wallet size would be readable by anyone other than a hawk.

Glad it works out for you, but I think it is in reality the sight of a Thai licence in the hands of a falang alone that mostly gets me waved on.

Yeah I hear what you're saying but I have my tax disc for my Yamaha in my wallet with the insurance slip..... this particular Yam is not one where you can lift the seat up easily and show 'em a tax disc underneath and I don't like to see a tax disc sticking out the side of my number plate or stuck to the machine somewhere!

 

 

In point of fact I remember a Thai cop up Chiang Rai way being very impressed with the reg book pages being reduced and laminated and saying "good idea." But like I said..... it's an "if you can be bothered" kinda thing!

[roorsoldja 325]

K, just finnished my recent trip to los a few weeks ago, already planing the next one. I'm very interested in renting a bike but here's my problem i don't have a MC licence

actully never driven a bike other than the peddle kind. I take alot of motor taxies around town and it's getting a little costly plus i think i could get around alot faster if i was driving.

being on the back is not the same as driving but how hard can it be? there automatic no?

 

could i rent a bike with my normal drivers licence?

[keyman 1,379]

K, just finnished my recent trip to los a few weeks ago, already planing the next one. I'm very interested in renting a bike but here's my problem i don't have a MC licence

actully never driven a bike other than the peddle kind. I take alot of motor taxies around town and it's getting a little costly plus i think i could get around alot faster if i was driving.

being on the back is not the same as driving but how hard can it be? there automatic no?

 

could i rent a bike with my normal drivers licence?

 

 

Roo

If you've never ridden one before, Pattaya is not the place to learn. You have to have eyes in the back of your head and they will literally come at you from every direction. The normal rules of the road don't apply here. For instance, normally you would give way on a roundabout to vehicles already on it. In Patts they do exactly the opposite and the roundabout becomes crammed with cars, bikes and buses. They never look when they come out of a junction as they expect you to have seen them first. They will drive/ride on both sides of the road and either way on one way streets. Then to top it all off, if you are unfortunate to have an accident with another vehicle it will automatically be your fault as you are the Farang. Their logic is that if you hadn't come to their country the accident would never have happened!!

 

When i was last there I did hire a bike and had a great time. I was stopped by the BIB within two days, but they sent me on my way very quickly once I'd shown them my docs and I was wearing a helmet too. Never had any dodgy moments as I understood how they rode/drove and kept my eyes open. Expect the unexpected!!

 

Having said all that, if you are an experienced motorbike rider before you come here, then they can be a lot of fun and give you that sense of freedom to go where you like, when you like, but without that experience and basic knowledge of the Thai style of riding, I'd give it a miss for now, Roo and just enjoy the ladies!

 

hope that helps.

 

 

Keyman

[jacko 8,766]

K, just finnished my recent trip to los a few weeks ago, already planing the next one. I'm very interested in renting a bike but here's my problem i don't have a MC licence

actully never driven a bike other than the peddle kind. I take alot of motor taxies around town and it's getting a little costly plus i think i could get around alot faster if i was driving.

being on the back is not the same as driving but how hard can it be? there automatic no?

 

could i rent a bike with my normal drivers licence?

I am pretty sure you could... they don't look too closely at the UK one to figure out what you have.

But you might be a in a situation if you had an accident, no insurance etc etc.

 

I think you would get away with it if you stayed around town, but once you get on the outskirts there are checks and falangs often get stopped, and it is licence checking........

 

Mind you, I don't think a lot of the locals have a licence either.

[Baht 9]

K, just finnished my recent trip to los a few weeks ago, already planing the next one. I'm very interested in renting a bike but here's my problem i don't have a MC licence

actully never driven a bike other than the peddle kind. I take alot of motor taxies around town and it's getting a little costly plus i think i could get around alot faster if i was driving.

being on the back is not the same as driving but how hard can it be? there automatic no?

 

could i rent a bike with my normal drivers licence?

 

You will be able to find a guy to rent you a bike without the proper licence but if you cannot ride the thing then you are going to have problems and possibly an accident. Driving in Pattaya is a nightmare especially on a motorbike. As has been explained above you need eyes in the back of your head to watch out for the idiots who they let drive in Pattaya. I have rented a motorbike many times there but I have over 20 years experience and have had no serious problems and thankfully always had CBR's which had very good brakes.

 

I have had some berk in his car driving about a foot away from my back tyre,he was chasing me down 3rd road,I lost him as his car was not as fast as my bike. I have had a few people just pull out on me when I was a few feet away from them and various baht bus drivers pulling out without even a look. Plus the roads in Pattaya can have huge bloody holes in them so if you are not concentrating then you could have a serious accident and be hospitalised. Also there are many drunk people driving and riding in Pattaya. If you did rent a bike and had an accident and smashed it up then they will expect you to pay for it,as expalined above you could get shafted if you are in any accident with a Thai.Stick to the baht bus,its cheaper and safer.

Edited May 20, 2012 by Baht

[Lantern 193]

Was only stopped once, riding from Patong to Kata. There were loads of BIB on both sidesof the road at Karon beach around 5pm.

Got waved down, had just produced my Aussie licence when he noticed a Thai King pendant around my neck. He sorta went all gooey

and started stroking the pendant and with a huge smile waved me on my way. I had a helmet on.

 

A good luck charm for sure.

[rightsaid 44]

Just be careful.

 

In 3 years I've been to 5 funerals of friends (expats and long stay visitor), who've died due to motorcycle accidents. All were experienced riders.

 

At the same time I've lost count of the people I know who've bebeen injured.

[rightsaid 44]

Just be careful.

 

In 3 years I've been to 5 funerals of friends (expats and long stay visitor), who've died due to motorcycle accidents. All were experienced riders.

 

At the same time I've lost count of the people I know who've bebeen injured.

[steamer 158]

Rented bikes here for a total of maybe 10 days now. Was pulled over twice for no reason. They are just looking for cash. End of.

[MM 6,562]

Rented bikes here for a total of maybe 10 days now. Was pulled over twice for no reason. They are just looking for cash. End of.

 

What have you had to pay them?

[steamer 158]

300 baht because my rental co.(Thai) didnt pay the lic fee. The cop didnt care that it wasn't my bike, didn't care that the co. was renting unlicensed bikes. He could've charged the owner twice, Once for the fine and once for the lic fee but he had a sucker tourist with cash in hand. He wouldn't get a share in the lic fee so why would he even bother? What would a cop do back home? Throw the book at the owner and give the poor renter a break but no, not in Thailand. Cash money on the spot (they had an empty beer box full of cash no foolin'). I paid up and was allowed to continue on my unlicensed bike. If cops cared about safety all they have to do is crack down on helmetless riders and put them thru the ringer not look under the seat of a fallang ridden bike looking for anyway to trip you up.

[MM 6,562]

300 baht because my rental co.(Thai) didnt pay the lic fee. The cop didnt care that it wasn't my bike, didn't care that the co. was renting unlicensed bikes. He could've charged the owner twice, Once for the fine and once for the lic fee but he had a sucker tourist with cash in hand. He wouldn't get a share in the lic fee so why would he even bother? What would a cop do back home? Throw the book at the owner and give the poor renter a break but no, not in Thailand. Cash money on the spot (they had an empty beer box full of cash no foolin'). I paid up and was allowed to continue on my unlicensed bike. If cops cared about safety all they have to do is crack down on helmetless riders and put them thru the ringer not look under the seat of a fallang ridden bike looking for anyway to trip you up.

 

I've seen (and been stopped at) those checkpoints where the cops stop every bike to check licenses, and tax and registration documents. It's part of their crackdown to enforce compliance with taxation and paperwork requirements. If you have all your paperwork in order (and the rental company does as well), you are checked and on your way without paying.