heathrow horror

[Homer]

I've read people who advocate responding to any unreasonable question from their country's border security by first reading the text of what are permitting questions, making a statement about the inappropriateness of the question and asking to see a supervisor. Others respond that one would be an F'ing idiot to do so because the knuckle dragger will back down then lie about the reason for flagging you for closer scrutiny on every subsequent pass through their security.

[hhfarang]

If you are a single male traveling to Thailand, they are probably correct... did you come here to look at the temples?

[TingTongJohn]

If you are a single male traveling to Thailand, they are probably correct... did you come here to look at the temples?

Temples and culture mister.

[TheBludger]

Personally I don't believe they have the right to look through your photos, no matter what the hell they're looking for.

They do have the right to check photos. Immigration and Customs and Border Protection are almost a law unto themselves in most countries nowadays. But the crack down on child pornography is specifically allowed for and includes checking your photos.
The OP was lucky that he didn't get a cavity search - they can do that with impunity also. It is also an intimidation approach if someone is getting uppity. Lawyers cannot touch them as a simple "we had reasonable cause to believe that the defendant may have been carrying drugs" is sufficient to get them off the hook. It doesn't matter how clean your record is.
As one of the other posters said, it sounds like they may have had specific intelligence about a person and the OP happened to match the description. Mind you a guy travelling alone on a specific flight is pretty broad description.
The Bludger

[pharvey]

Then again, if it stops b@st@rds like this.......

Thai Immigration arrest 65-year-old British National on child abuse charges

BANGKOK: -- An alleged child abuser, 65-year old British national, was captured by the Immigration Bureau Police on Sunday on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and publicizing child pornography.

Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt General Wiboon Bangthamai raided a house in Pridibhanomyong in Klongton Nua, Wattana District of Bangkok. Varley Layman Andrews, 65 year old British national was arrested on charges of statutory rape of a minor and child pornography. Andrews is wanted by both the Indian and the UK police. He fled to Thailand and changed his name to Martin Ashley.

The police have transferred the custody of Andrews to the British embassy in Thailand.

Translated from DailyNews.co.th

[caller]

The police have transferred the custody of Andrews to the British embassy in Thailand.[/i][/b]

I doubt thats correct?

[dtaai-maai]

Yes, I noticed that too - I imagine they mean that the British Embassy is to extradite him to the UK, but he's presumably still detained in the meantime rather than having tea with the ambassador!