Pattaya’s Bizarre Police Bazaar
The steady flow of news about crimes committed by people impersonating police officers is always a depressing feature of Pattaya’s media headlines.
In most countries it’s a crime to impersonate a police officer. In Pattaya it’s a cottage industry.
You may wonder where they get their convincing outfits?
Well, probably by popping down to the stall set up outside Soi 9 station, which I recently strolled past.
It was selling every kind of police-emblazoned accessory you can imagine; including luminous vests, police caps, jackets, and a tantalizing array of batons, knives, stun guns and convincing, official-looking walkie talks and radios.
That’s probably why so many people refuse to stop at roadblocks manned by vest-wearing individuals, especially at night.
Yet it is actually a crime to impersonate a police officer in Thailand, so this stall is definitely lucky to be able to stay in business, as it can only encourage that kind of criminal behavior.
kell
I can confirm the street stall having seen it myself and my Thai Girlfriend's cousin almost had me leaping from the balcony after bashing on the condo door with a police baton wearing the full Thai police storm trooper regailia.
Almost had me regretting my decision to retire in Thailand there for a few heart stopping moments.