I got my scooter today for the next couple of months and could not believe how many police traps there were.
There was one at Rat Uthit Song Rong Pai and Bangla road in the heart of Patong. Catching anyone driving down Rat Uthit Song Pai going south.
Which is not that uncommon and ran into this before. I have to pass it as the road is one way and there is no way to leave my Hotel without having to deal with it unless I go the the opposite way on a one way street.
But then there was one on Bangla road itself. Which I had not seen before. So you could not drive up Bangla road away from the ocean without also hitting a police trap.
So I decided to rent my scooter and just leave Patong and wait it out until they left. They were just setting up about 10:00 am so figured with the sun so bright they probably would only be out a couple of hours.
So I decided to go up 4030 towards Kamala Beach and just drive up the coast. But then was surprised that I hit another police road block near Cafe Phuket View Point on 4030.
Which is barely out of Patong.
Not a huge deal. They stop me, I show them I have an International Drivers Permit and wave me on. Only other thing they asked is where I was from.
But I noticed there was a lot of people holding what looked like a ticket. A lot more of that with the traps in the heart of Patong.
They all were Farang and wearing helmets so have to assume they were ticketed for failing to have an IDP.
I then decided to return to Patong about 4:00 PM. To find another police stop on 4030 coming the opposite way when coming down the hill into Patong. Basically returning to Patong.
I am thinking how many cops are there even in Phuket? They all must have been busy stopping Farang today on scooters.
So just make sure you get an IDP before coming if plan to rent a scooter. In the states you go to AAA and it costs about $20 USD. You do need a passport type photo which they do there. Or there are other ways to do it cheaper.
Still had just a blast riding the scooter in the blistering sun today. It is just something I can’t really explain why but I just so enjoy.
Not a cloud in the sky.
