The stories are way overhyped. I just talked to some travel agent chick on Suhkumvit Soi 5 in Bangkok. She was telling me that it is extremely unlikely you will ever be asked for your passport unless you've committed a crime and even if you are you could likely bribe the cops.
Ive been here 6 weeks and I have had zero interaction with any cops. My friend has been here 4 years and has had like 4, and one of them was a busted poker game, the other time he was on coke and somehow the cops just knew he was from like 200 feet away and subjected him to a search. The other time some hooker took a stack of like 20000 BAHT and put it in her pocket (playfully) but my friend snapped and slammed her up against the Taxi and the Taxi driver drove them to the police department.
If you stay low key and don't get into trouble, I seriously doubt any run ins with the law here. I dont drive, I take taxis so it makes it even easier. The chick told me that even if you get into an accident and didnt commit any crime it is unlikely the cops will search you. I believe her, from what I've seen here.
These stories about falsely accusing people of dropping cigarettes for cash, etc, cmon man, they are pussy rhymes.
