SOURCE: Pattaya People: January 31st 2007

Thief at large in shopping center

The Pattaya police were informed that a thief was at large in the parking lot of a famous shopping center of Pattaya on 29th January at 6 pm and requested the police to come to investigate.

When the police arrived, they found the victim, Miss Jandee, aged 23, a dancer a X Zyte Discotheque waiting in the parking lot together with the security guards.

Miss Jandee told the police that after she finished shopping, she went to her Vios car, and suddenly a tall thin man approached her from behind, aimed a gun into her back, and demanded her to pass over her handbag.

Miss Jandee fought back and screamed for help. When the security guards came, the thief ran away empty handed.

Later when all were at the police station making a report, another victim, Miss Rattanaporn, aged 20, came in and told the police that her motorbike was stolen by a tall thin man, outside the same shopping center.

The police believe that this is the same culprit who tried to rob Miss Jandee. At the moment the police have requested searching details from the surveillance camera for a possible arrest of this man.

Be aware, tall thin man on the loose in Pattaya, if you see him please do not approach.

It won't belong before somebody posts on this thread something to the effect of "Somebody please remind why I stopped going to Pattaya..."

I used to smirk when I read those posts but I'm not smirking too much any more. There is no question that crime is getting out of control in this town. Some people will argue that Pattaya is a big city and it's normal to have crime but I disagree. Pattaya is not that large, I'm from chicago, that's a big city!

Petty crime is rampant, my buddy was pickpocketed for 6000 Baht last night on walking street and snatch and grab crimes happen daily.

Be careful Out There!

Thanks libya and the rest of you for keeping these posts coming!

What is it about all the crime posts coming from Jomtien & Pattaya? Beginning to sound worse than most large international cities I've visited or lived in.

OK, let's give equal time to good news in Thailand: In contrast, last night after a late arrival from Bangkok on a chartered coach, I walked 1km to my home from where I was let off. Conditions: 2:00 a.m., a dark unlit road, a few barking dogs, a couple of friendly motorists (with families) who stopped to offer me a lift (which I declined with a smile--preferred stretching my legs after a long ride), a friendly neighbor who woke up and stopped by for just a couple minutes to make sure it was me (rattling the padlock on my door) and to make sure that I was safe and sound.

Location: Isaan.

We may be a bit primitive up here, but there sure are some nice trade-offs--a sense of personal security being one of them.

Edited February 1, 200719 yr by toptuan