I am out on the streets most nights. I am stopped at, and proceed through, the Police /Military checkpoints like everyone else. Since implementation of Martial Law, I have never been harassed, either (on foot) on the streets, in bars or in taxis. And in spite of being in touch with the Bangkok Nightlife Scene as well as most, I am yet to receive a first-person account of shakedowns from personal friends, acquaintances or my 'network' of reliable sources. Nor have I ever witnessed foreigners being harassed by Police or the Military since the military takeover in May of last year. I see the Time article as very poorly researched - specifically linking an increase in alleged Police extortion with the implementation of Martial Law. Time had a reported isolated incident and hearsay as their support. Also it should be noted that the reporter, as have many others, commingled and confused the functions and responsibilities of the Thai Police and the Military, and their relationship with one another.

To the contrary, the article appears to be one of many that support, or tend to support, the official US view that the current transitional Military Government is 'undemocratic, therefore bad'. (Somehow defining 'election' as the sole criterion for, and synonymous with 'democracy'...). In fact, the streets have been much more peaceful, and the police checks against civilians have been less egregious, fewer shakedowns than before. I repeat, while there are still shakedown incidents -common in Bangkok for decades- there are much fewer, and they are much less egregious than in previous times.

I have never heard, seen or read an (authoritative) account of a foreigner having to take a roadside piss test - as quoted later in the article. Nor have any of my longtime-Bangkok resident friends. As far as I am concerned, this is bullshit - until proven otherwise.

The military takeover has made a huge difference in the stability and security on the streets - and I mean 'positive' difference. If the military keeps its word and returns Thailand to a 'democratic-form-of-government' (as scheduled), it will have been a grand, unmitigated success. I live in the area of Bangkok which was taken over by the Red Shirt anarchists on two successive upsurges. I have seen the treachery of their hard-core thugs eyeball-to-eyeball, their snipers, their arsonists, and I have photographed it. Since the implementation of Martial Law there has been no more blood on the streets, either Yellow or Red.

Also, as a side note, while I am no fan of Chuwit 'Uncle Hot-Tub' Kamolwisit, he is quoted out of context - his remarks regarding the 'Sukhumvit litter-police' in no way implied that this practice was implemented during, or was exacerbated by, the current interim Military regime. The 'litter-police' scam has been going on for years. American journalism failing big-time - again.....

Frankly, articles like this, entirely unrepresentative and poorly researched, totally piss me off. It's time to set the record straight. Better yet, come to Thailand and see for yourself.

For the record, yes Midnight Hour reads the blogs. Yes, we read the local English and Thai papers. Our conclusion from first-hand observations on the street, and from reading legitimate publications, is that many 'blogs' and much of the foreign Media go to print without verification. We have found it 'best policy' to either print known facts, or if it cannot be substantiated by us, we clearly so state.

Asian Farmer skrev:

Fucking Bullshit !!!!!

Jeg er blevet antastet af politiet så mange gange.
Aldrig blevet afkrævet urinprøver eller forvisninger af pas etc....
Altid i en god tone, aldrig betalt for nogetsom helst!!!!

Tror seriøst de her turister i artiklen har været dopet eller ude hvor de ikke kunne bunde !!!!!