pattaya is definitely bad, I got done with a loud exhaust there, definitely depends where u are. Chon buri is it's own kingdom. I call this country "The land of stories" cause everyone has a different one. Enjoy it.
you got finessed, that's not the norm. I've had no helmet an no license on me drunk at 2am and drove off after telling him I don't want to do the test. Granted at the time I held a thai police I'd but still u both are right but not all the time and not everywhere. If you came through my checkpoint you'd be fine if ur docs stack up.