The Adventure of Getting Pulled Over in Bangkok

Okay, so here I am minding my own business, following my GPS on my way to find the Racquet Club for a homeschool activity, and up pulls an officer on his motorbike. Apparentley, while following the directions from my GPS to go straight, I was in a bus only lane. I couldn't understand much of what the officer was saying, but he didn't seem to care that I didn't know any better. I tried acting even dumber than I really am, saying "I don't know" after almost everything he said. He finally let me know that I could take care of the "ticket" right there with him and it would only cost me 1000 baht. (Approximately $30) Which I later found out was WAAAY too much! Anyway, lesson learned. Actually, more than one lesson learned. Lesson one, no matter what your GPS says, if no other cars are going a certain way, don't go that way!!! Lesson two, now I know what to do if I get pulled over again. Too bad I didn't learn this before I got pulled over for the second time! Only 10 minutes later!!! What!?! Are you kidding me!?! Here's what I did. Once again, following my GPS, I am told to turn right after 700 yards. Well, I find out, when I see the right turn arrows, that I am in one of the right turn lanes. However, that right turn is only 90 yards away, so I need to get over. Like usual traffic, it's not moving, so I put on my left turn signal and a nice person lets me over. No one gets cut off, no problems, no big deal, right? Well, when I get to the top of the hill and the officer sees that I am white, he has me pull over. Really!?! REALLY!?! By this time I lose it. I roll my window down, hand him my International Drivers Licence, and start bawling. I know that it won't cost much, but being pulled over not 10 minutes after the first time was too much. Then there was the part of not being able to understand what he was saying (he was even harder to understand than the first officer), but the thought of "This is not fair! He only pulled me over because I am not Thai!", was going through my head and upsetting me even more. My very calm and patient daughter tries explaining that the reason I am crying hysterically is because I just got pulled over. He still didn't seem to care. So, we ask him how much this ticket will be, and once again we are fortunate to be able to pay him right there. No need to go to the police station. This one only cost me 400 baht. So, my trip to the Racquet Club for some rock climbing with homeschool friends cost me an extra 1400 baht. (Approximately $45) I am so thankful though for my homeschool friends in making me feel better. We ended up having a wonderful time, and the three oldest all enjoyed rock climbing, while the youngest had fun climbing on his own size "rocks" and jumping/falling onto the big landing cushion. After we spent about 4 hours there, we headed to our favorite area, went for some McD's, and then went to the night market before heading home for the night. A wonderful end to a not so wonderful start! Until the next adventure!