Cop stop
By Shazana
Riding in a cab on the way back from Patpong, Sasi, Malina, Fikri and myself were pulled to the curb by the Thai police. I knew this was probably a routine security check, but I could not help but feel a little adrenaline rush. The plot of the film Brokedown Palace, began to flash across my mind - two young tourists who come to Thailand, in search of fun, and ended up being falsely prosecuted on charges of smuggling heroine.
With torch lights beaming down upon our faces, the policemen stood by the car windows, two on each side of the car, curiously asking us where we were from, after realising that we could not speak the Thai language.
“Malaysia”, I replied hesitantly, unsure, for some reason, whether it was wise or not to disclose such information.
Soon we were all politely asked to step out of the car. They shuffled through our bags and requested for our passports – all done in friendly gesture. Satisfied with our documents, they sent us back into the car – phew!
It was good thing that we had all brought our passports. I dare not even dream about what would have happened if we had not…
Relating the story to Dr Yeoh, he said that perhaps the security checks were related to the series of bomb attacks on the London transport network which happened that morning and reportedly killed 33 people.
Or perhaps, it was really nothing to shout and bang about – just a regular security check – something that happens all over the world.
