I’m guessing you’re moving to Ratchada?

I have friends that think it is a good idea to make police “friends” and try to socialize with them. I think it is BAD idea because these cops could be the station’s dog’s bollocks, thought of poorly by the majority of the other officers, and then YOU are then guilty by association.

And, even knowing someone that truly IS in the right place (police, legal, immigration)…. well, it can all turn on a dime in a New York minute and then work AGAINST you. Call that negative if you want, but it is what I do.

I had hoped for comments from people with first-hand experience.

Sorry, but I do feel that you do see things in a slightly negative manner. I have dealt with Thai Police and Thai Immigration (Bangkok, Sadao, Nong Khai, etc.) and have so far never had any problems. Yes, things can be a bit too bureaucratic for my liking, but then I chose to stay here, so I have to put up with it.

Car, jewellery, cash, etc. can disappear anywhere in the world.

I would agree, however, that in many (if not most) cases the odds are against the farang, especially if he/she does not speak the language. But if one knows the right people in the right places, one can get away with all kinds of s**t.

And two financial rules to avoid any “legal” problems in Thailand:

1. Never bring anything into the country or buy there that you can not do without (property, car, jewellry, cash, bank account, etc. It can disappear in an instance.
2. Never be worth more dead, than alive.

I did think about it and found it kind of strange.

But my previous post was not a joke, I had simply been hoping to start an enlightening discussion. And/or a reply from someone who knows/has some legal experience.