Some Bad Experiences In Patong

[viktorrak]

I would like to tell about what happened to me during my last journey in Thailand. The story is not unique, it has happened to dozens of tourists already but the reason why I want to tell about it is that there may be a few who hasn’t heard about things like that and it may be a warning for them.

The following happened to me in Patong Beach, Phuket on 20 June this year. I checked in with my Thai friend at a new and nice hotel named Patong Premier Resort at midnight 19 June. The reason of the late check-in was that we arrived with the last flight from Bangkok. The hotel advertises itself with 24-hour security, there were two receptionists and also a security guard, so we thought we are safe. We already spent a week in Koh Chang in a small bungalow and we had no problems. The first strange thing we recognized was that there were some guests with some ladies around the pool late at night which shouldn’t be allowed. But we locked the door of our room and went to sleep. Next morning my friend recognized that my hand-bag was not at the same place where I left it last night. My digital camera with more than hundred beautiful and unique pictures, my wallet with two credit cards and about 4000 baht and both my and my friend’s mobile phone were missing. Of course we made a report to the hotel and the police as well, and at first sight the hotel seemed helpful. But we had to realize soon that they are not that nice. First they charged me 1500 baht for the telephone, because I had to cancel my credit cards and also contact my insurance. And when I asked about how it could happen to us, the manager told us some stories which later turned out to be not true. He wanted to blame my friend and tried to suggest that it must have been either my friend or some friends of his. And he tried to protect his hotel which is understandable. But later he suggested to the police that it was maybe me who made this whole thing happen just because I didn’t want to pay for the room. This was the point when I lost my temper. Not to pay 700 baht for a night….this is non-sense.

The security guard reported to the police that there were two Thai guys who come to the hotel at 5 a.m. and wanted to go to the rooms. And the security guard let them go to the rooms. The receptionist was in the restroom so there was nobody who could have stopped them. They only needed 5 minutes to steal our belongings. And when I asked the manager how it could happen that two guys came to my room at 5 a.m. the only thing he said was that this is another question and this doesn’t have anything to do with my case. For me, it has something to do with my case because these guys could have killed us in the room. And the manager hasn’t done anything against this. Both the receptionist and the security guard are still employed there.

One of the main reasons I am writing about my case is the make a warning: the Patong Premier Resort is not a safe place to stay!!!! So I warn everybody not to stay in that hotel!!!

My story has another part, with the police who couldn’t do anything to find the guys. And they have – or at least could have had – a video tape with the face of one of the guys and the car they used. Because the guys tried to use my credit card at a Thai Farmers Bank ATM in Phuket Town. I saw the tape and have some pictures as well. But the police couldn’t get the video tape. Or didn’t want to. The superintendent had the tape in his hand but he wasn’t smart enough to make a copy of it. He only had five pictures from the tape. And when I tried to ask the bank for a copy the bank manager refused to help. First he said I need to write a letter to the head-office in Bangkok, but after a few days he refused every kind of help. He is holding back an evidence in a criminal case which is – according to the laws of my country –a crime itself. And he even refused to tell me his own name….

The investigation was mainly done by me and my Thai friend, because the police officer had more important things to do – he played card games on his computer.

Of course I must say I was lucky because the guys only stole my things and didn’t kill me or my friend. And the police tried to help me in some way. The superintendent was quite nice to me, but he couldn’t do anything. And when I closed the door everything changed again. And I spent five days at the police station instead of enjoying the beauties of the island.

I learned the lesson: try to avoid any contact with the police in Thailand and keep my values under my pillow.

Thank you for everybody who takes the time to read my story and if you have any comments or tips do not hesitate to write!

Sawadee - Viktor

[huski]

sounds like a shitty ordeal.

And when I asked about how it could happen to us, the manager told us some stories which later turned out to be not true. He wanted to blame my friend and tried to suggest that it must have been either my friend or some friends of his. And he tried to protect his hotel which is understandable. But later he suggested to the police that it was maybe me who made this whole thing happen just because I didn’t want to pay for the room.

clue #1, the night manager was in on it

The security guard reported to the police that there were two Thai guys who come to the hotel at 5 a.m. and wanted to go to the rooms. And the security guard let them go to the rooms. The receptionist was in the restroom so there was nobody who could have stopped them. They only needed 5 minutes to steal our belongings. And when I asked the manager how it could happen that two guys came to my room at 5 a.m. the only thing he said was that this is another question and this doesn’t have anything to do with my case. For me, it has something to do with my case because these guys could have killed us in the room. And the manager hasn’t done anything against this. Both the receptionist and the security guard are still employed there.

clue #2, security guard not fired? in on it too.

a few months back i stayed at the Salathai and there was a safe in the closet that you can set the combo...look for that and two locks on the door before accepting a room.

[kenk3z]

You are usually a bit safer if your hotel room has an extra latch on the inside that is independent of a key. Typically its the type that lets the door open a bit but no more than a couple inches, and will not let anyone in (even if they have the key) without substantial forcing.

In hotel rooms without this kind of latch, I've been known to block the door with other materials. At least to the point that a lot of noise has to be made to get in.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, and thanks for the warning.

kenk3z

[dr_Pat_Pong]

A terrible experience Viktor, and a very bad outcome.

[Padkapow Guy]

Sorry to hear about this Viktor

Don't let his discourage you from visiting Thailand again. I think you will be more aware on your next trip and I doubt if this will happen again. Always be aware of your surroundings and let people see that you are being cautious so they know that you will not be an easy target. The wife and I usally lock the camera and anything else that is valuable in our suitcase. never leave anything out in plain sight. You don't know who the cleaning ladies are and what type of friends she has. We usally tip them farely well right away that way they try to keep you happy and look out for you. Over the last 9 years of visiting Thailand we have had a couple of cleaning ladies warn us of people who hang out around the hotels just waiting to rob people. One time the cleaning lady came running down to the corner of the soi to meet us. It was her way of protecting us from a potential mugging. All she said is it not safe walking past these guys. Little things like these can make your next trip a better one.

Also I do not mean any disrepect but your thai friend that was with you. Did she recommend the hotel, has she been to Patong before or lived there. Something to think about. I have heard of this thing happening before. Just another thought but hopefully a wrong one. You are right about thai police, for the most part they are useless.

[eyespan]

Patong Premier Resort is not a safe place to stay!!!! So I warn everybody not to stay in that hotel!!!

Never heard of the hotel. Now that I've heard of it, never want to stay in it, None of my friends, family etc will either.

[Andi]

What a terrible experience. You were certainly lucky they didn't harm you. I know having money and valuables stolen is bad enough, but I feel for your collection of photos on the camera. Cant put a price on the memories!

I love Thailand but have had my fair share of misfortune too. Got jewellery scammed the first time in Bangkok. Very naive, wised up very quick. Bungalow got broken into in Krabi, stole minidisc player etc. Police in both cases less use than chocolate fireguard.

I think it's good advice that people have been giving in response to your story. Be on your guard. Thai's look as us and our belongings as fair game, and there are some very unscrupulous people around (in any country), so need to take care wherever you are.

Glad you were not hurt anyway. Hope it doesn't put you off Thailand for good.

[eyespan]

and there are some very unscrupulous people around (in any country), so need to take care wherever you are.

True, thats why I got a 9mm and rotweiller.

[viktorrak]

Also I do not mean any disrepect but your thai friend that was with you. Did she recommend the hotel, has she been to Patong before or lived there. Something to think about. I have heard of this thing happening before. Just another thought but hopefully a wrong one.

Thanks for the warning but without my friend i couldn't have done anything. He was a very big help for me, and i don't have any concerns about him. I know him for a year now, and before going to Phuket we already spent 2 weeks with travelling around in Thailand. During this time we always shared the room, and anyway, i trust him 1000 %. He helped me from the first moment and it was him who asked me to let the world know about our case and warn others.

So the warning may be right in some cases but not in mine. My friend is a real friend and i trust him.

Otherwise, the police had the same idea and the way they talked to him was more than humiliating...sometimes i felt i teach them how to talk to an ordinary man but as we all know it is better to show respect towards to the police in Thailand even if they don't deserve it...