There are many horrid stories of foreigner encounters with the Thai police.
Unfortunately the pleasant encounters with the "Men in Brown" are seldom revealed.
"Police Story Thailand" is a series of articles revealing my encounters with the Thai Police.
Police encounters aren't always the most pleasant... but in retrospect....
Episode 1: Kalasin Police
I admit, I had a few drinks before deciding to take a crotch rocket (motorcycle) journey.
The cool air of the Phu Phan mountains quickly sobered me.
I don't know if it was my timing, or if someone had called ahead.
At each police check along the way, cops seemed to wait for me to pass, before they shut off the lights and called it a night.
It was after midnight when I arrived in Kalasin. I had no idea where to locate a hotel for the evening.
I stumbled upon the Kalasin police station. It was a very hot and humid night. All police staff where sitting on the steps outside.
I asked for directions to a hotel. Blank faces stared at me.
I used sign language, placing my hands next to my face, indicating sleep. They understood.
I was given a police escort to a nearby hotel. I was directed to a guarded parking area.
The police officer confiscated my luggage and escorted me to the hotel registration desk.
One hundred baht for the night.
The officer, my luggage in hand, escorted me to the room. He inspected the room before letting me enter. He placed my luggage in the room, handed me the key and motioned me to lock the room.
He refused my offer for a tip and wished me a
"Good Night."
