Whenever I am a guest speaker at an event for an international organization or association a question that is commonly asked by foreigners is “why do the traffic police always stop us”. Usually after discussing the problem with them I discover that they were riding a motorbike but without a driver’s license, both passengers were not wearing safety helmets and they were driving on the wrong side of the road as well as violating other traffic laws. I find that things like these occur because the foreigners in question think like Thai people, so I ask them “If you were in your own country would you drive with no license, not wearing a helmet and on the wrong side of the road violating the most basic of traffic laws?” So this is a rhetorical question, if one stays within the laws and rules of the road then they will not have any problems with the traffic police.
Whenever I am abroad in other countries I will always have to follow and obey those countries laws. I keep my passport on my person at all times, and follow the countries rules and regulations accordingly. So please don’t think you are a second class citizen whilst here in Thailand, you are on the same level as any Thai person. If the law requires a Thai national to follow a rule or regulation then you will also need to follow those rules as well. Please don’t think about what you should get, but what you should give or do in order for you to have a trouble-free time here in the Kingdom of Thailand. I can confirm that if something happens to you in Thailand, you will be treated the same as any Thai person as there is no law that states that you will be treated any differently.
These laws were written to protect the citizens and visitors of the country with the aim to govern and keep peace in the Kingdom, with the appropriate penalties in place to prevent and to prosecute offenders. The best way to never run afoul of any wrongdoing is to educate yourself with the rules and regulations regarding your actions, whether in a business or a social setting. By being informed you can protect yourself from any chance of criminal or civil negligence and avoid any form of lawbreaking. That said there are times when you can be unfairly prosecuted and require legal aid, when it comes to these matters it is imperative that you have the right lawyer.
It is a legal representative’s job to provide the best possible advice and guidance to clients as the world of law can be harsh and unforgiving if not negotiated properly. By helping the client make informed choices then they will stand with the best chances of justice being served. We have always said you should always feel trust with your lawyer as their actions can impact you in a big way good or bad. If you don’t feel this then don’t compromise or settle for second best, this is your life we are talking about and you need to be certain of the outcome.