Pickpocketed on the MRT

[RuamRudy]

I was the victim of a pickpocket duo on the MRT last week. Although feeling very angry with myself and foolish at falling prey to them, I thought I would describe what happened so others might be more aware.

 

Firstly, although I no longer live in Bangkok, I did for a long time in the past and continue to visit regularly. I thought I was clever enough and street smart enough that I knew how to handle myself. Clearly that's not the case.

 

On the day, I had arrived at Suvarnabhumi around 5pm and took the train to Makasan then the MRT to Silom where I changed to the SkyTrain. I had a carry-on suitcase and my backpack slotted over the handles of my case.

 

As the train pulled into Silom I got up and queued behind a few people to get off. The doors opened and we moved to the exit - the guy in front of me paused as he got off the train, looking a bit confused as to which way to go. I stopped abruptly as he had blocked my exit and I recall someone 'bumping' into me from behind.

 

About 30 minutes later when I arrived at my hotel I realised that my travel wallet, which usually holds my passport, was missing from my backpack. I realised what happened - the first guy created the abrupt halt which gave the guy behind a reason to push into me and dip my backpack. 

 

Fortunately, for some miraculous reason my passport was in my shirt pocket. Usually I place it in the wallet for safe keeping but this time I simply didn't. Obviously I am very grateful for that. 

 

In fact, all they got was about $100 of unpopular currencies (Kazakh tenge, Scottish pounds and Philippines pesos) but, infuriatingly, also my vaccination passport with details of all my vaccinations. I really wish I hadn't lost that.

 

Anyway, we live and learn so I will definitely be more careful and less blasé in the future. And if you are on public transport, keep your variables safe and watch out for the pickpocket tag team.

 

Oh, and if anyone has an email address for MRT lost and found, it would be much appreciated!

[mokwit]

Apparently you cant picpocket someone when they are moving. They have to be stationary.

[stoner]

  On 1/18/2024 at 10:49 AM, RuamRudy said:

I thought I was clever enough and street smart enough that I knew how to handle myself. Clearly that's not the case.

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exhibit A your honor...

 

  On 1/18/2024 at 10:49 AM, RuamRudy said:

I had arrived at Suvarnabhumi around 5pm and took the train to Makasan then the MRT to Silom where I changed to the SkyTrain. I had a carry-on suitcase and my backpack slotted over the handles of my case.

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[blackcab]

@RuamRudy

I think you will find the details you need here:

 

https://www.mrta.co.th/en/lost-and-found-centre/11131

[OneMoreFarang]

  On 1/18/2024 at 10:49 AM, RuamRudy said:

On the day, I had arrived at Suvarnabhumi around 5pm and took the train to Makasan then the MRT to Silom where I changed to the SkyTrain. I had a carry-on suitcase and my backpack slotted over the handles of my case.

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Good that the robbery was not too bad.

But I wonder why you would travel with all that on the Skytrain. It must be a nightmare to get it up and down the escalators or stairs. And for what? Saving 300B for a taxi or so?

[Yellowtail]

Because your passport was in your shirt pocket, are you sure you did not leave/drop the wallet at immigration? 

 

[Yellowtail]

  On 1/18/2024 at 11:28 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Good that the robbery was not too bad.

But I wonder why you would travel with all that on the Skytrain. It must be a nightmare to get it up and down the escalators or stairs. And for what? Saving 300B for a taxi or so?

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Think? 

[kidneyw]

Were they Thai?

[RayC]

  On 1/18/2024 at 10:49 AM, RuamRudy said:

I was the victim of a pickpocket duo on the MRT last week. Although feeling very angry with myself and foolish at falling prey to them, I thought I would describe what happened so others might be more aware.

 

Firstly, although I no longer live in Bangkok, I did for a long time in the past and continue to visit regularly. I thought I was clever enough and street smart enough that I knew how to handle myself. Clearly that's not the case.

 

On the day, I had arrived at Suvarnabhumi around 5pm and took the train to Makasan then the MRT to Silom where I changed to the SkyTrain. I had a carry-on suitcase and my backpack slotted over the handles of my case.

 

As the train pulled into Silom I got up and queued behind a few people to get off. The doors opened and we moved to the exit - the guy in front of me paused as he got off the train, looking a bit confused as to which way to go. I stopped abruptly as he had blocked my exit and I recall someone 'bumping' into me from behind.

 

About 30 minutes later when I arrived at my hotel I realised that my travel wallet, which usually holds my passport, was missing from my backpack. I realised what happened - the first guy created the abrupt halt which gave the guy behind a reason to push into me and dip my backpack. 

 

Fortunately, for some miraculous reason my passport was in my shirt pocket. Usually I place it in the wallet for safe keeping but this time I simply didn't. Obviously I am very grateful for that. 

 

In fact, all they got was about $100 of unpopular currencies (Kazakh tenge, Scottish pounds and Philippines pesos) but, infuriatingly, also my vaccination passport with details of all my vaccinations. I really wish I hadn't lost that.

 

Anyway, we live and learn so I will definitely be more careful and less blasé in the future. And if you are on public transport, keep your variables safe and watch out for the pickpocket tag team.

 

Oh, and if anyone has an email address for MRT lost and found, it would be much appreciated!

Expand  

 

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. MRT link https://www.mrta.co.th/en/lost-and-found-centre/11131

 

A similar thing happened to me in a market in Brussels years back. I was at a stall when a fellow stood on my foot. He apologised but didn't immediately move his foot. At the same time I felt my pocket move. Realising that they had been rumbled, they took off with me in hot pursuit. My shouts of 'Voleur" roused a number of stall holders and a 'Keystone Cops/ 'Benny Hill' type chase occured. We eventually caught up with the thieves but they had disposed of my wallet by then. The stall holders were keen to dispense their own justice but I managed to convince them that doing so would probably cause them trouble. The thieves were sent packing with a few slaps and pushes and a warning that if they were seen in the market again they might meet with a more painful unfortunate accident. Luckily for me, my wallet was handed into the police almost immediately. This was a relief as it had my Id card and various bank cards in it. Replacing them would have been a pain.

[RuamRudy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 11:22 AM, blackcab said:

@RuamRudy

I think you will find the details you need here:

 

https://www.mrta.co.th/en/lost-and-found-centre/11131

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Thank you very much!

[RuamRudy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 11:28 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Good that the robbery was not too bad.

But I wonder why you would travel with all that on the Skytrain. It must be a nightmare to get it up and down the escalators or stairs. And for what? Saving 300B for a taxi or so?

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To be honest, I find it quicker than taxis at rush hour. That was the sole reason. And I travel pretty light. 

[RuamRudy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 11:32 AM, kidneyw said:

Were they Thai?

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I have I idea about the person behind me but the guy in front looked Thai, maybe mid 40s, balding, if I recall correctly, dressed in a smart sweater. 

[eyeman]

Outside the MRT exit at Sukhumvit somewhere between that and soi 13 a bit further up the road there was a rough looking Thai lady sitting on the side, she had just pick-pocketed someone in my opinion, and was inspecting the treasures,  she was holding a Thai ID up to light and inspecting it, and then continued rummaging pulling out another card, and inspecting that, I was watching for a few seconds until she clocked me and thought I can't be doing with a yaba junkie at this moment a pint awaits...  It definitely happens around the MRT / BTS interchanges although this observation was Asok/Sukhumvit.

[SAFETY FIRST]

  On 1/18/2024 at 10:49 AM, RuamRudy said:

keep your variables safe and watch out for the pickpocket tag team.

 

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Happened to me on the KL monorail. 

 

Awful feeling. 

 

[Elkski]

Blaming the guy for taking public transport?  I often use public to and from the airport.  Amd yes with luggage up the stairs. 

 

[josephbloggs]

I have seen signs on stations recently to beware of pickpockets which I don't remember seeing before, maybe it is known that this is happening. Also signs warning of sexual harassment and upskirt photos.

It's definitely worth contacting the MRT as there is CCTV all over the stations and also on trains. Maybe they can help identify them?

[impulse]

  On 1/18/2024 at 11:56 AM, eyeman said:

Outside the MRT exit at Sukhumvit somewhere between that and soi 13 a bit further up the road there was a rough looking Thai lady sitting on the side, she had just pick-pocketed someone in my opinion, and was inspecting the treasures,  she was holding a Thai ID up to light and inspecting it, and then continued rummaging pulling out another card, and inspecting that, I was watching for a few seconds until she clocked me and thought I can't be doing with a yaba junkie at this moment a pint awaits...  It definitely happens around the MRT / BTS interchanges although this observation was Asok/Sukhumvit.

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I don't guess she could have have found a wallet on the ground and was looking for the owner?

 

[johng]

  On 1/18/2024 at 10:49 AM, RuamRudy said:

also my vaccination passport with details of all my vaccinations. I really wish I hadn't lost that.

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Does this "vaccination passport" have any purpose now in 2024 ?  did it ever really have any purpose ?

[johng]

  On 1/18/2024 at 12:27 PM, josephbloggs said:

Also signs warning of sexual harassment and upskirt photos

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Isn't it illegal to go out in public without underwear in Thailand ?  I'd say most Thai women employ

"belts and braces" when it comes to their underwear..very few go "commando"  yes of course some do  

[RuamRudy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 1:16 PM, johng said:

 

Does this "vaccination passport" have any purpose now in 2024 ?  did it ever really have any purpose ?

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Not COVID but all the many jabs I need to get to survive in the places my company sends my to work in.

[GammaGlobulin]

  On 1/18/2024 at 11:08 AM, mokwit said:

Apparently you cant picpocket someone when they are moving. They have to be stationary.

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You also can't pickpocket someone who has no pockets.

Or, for that matter, someone who is careful not to fill their pockets with anything but air.

 

I never put anything in my pockets when in public.

 

Consequently, in my opinion, this is the reason I have never been pickpocketed.

 

 

[JimTripper]

You're not very streetsmart if you have a zippered bag behind you anywhere.

 

The only thing I do that with is my messenger bag and it's buckled shut and has an extremely strong velcro closure (ie It can't be opened without me knowing).

[RuamRudy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 3:45 PM, JimTripper said:

You're not very streetsmart if you have a zippered bag behind you anywhere.

 

The only thing I do that with is my messenger bag and it's buckled shut and has an extremely strong velcro closure (ie It can't be opened without me knowing).

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You are right - but the first time in my 50 odd years this has happened so I guess I was getting complacent. 

As Bob Servant would say, I will learn from this...

[JimTripper]

  On 1/18/2024 at 3:52 PM, RuamRudy said:

 

You are right - but the first time in my 50 odd years this has happened so I guess I was getting complacent. 

As Bob Servant would say, I will learn from this...

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Understood. Have a look at some of these bags. https://chromeindustries.com/products/citizen-messenger-bag

[CecilM]

  On 1/18/2024 at 1:16 PM, johng said:

 

Does this "vaccination passport" have any purpose now in 2024 ?  did it ever really have any purpose ?

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Just FYI, in Germany (for example) you get a yellow vaccination 'passport' in which doctors record every single vaccination that you've received since you were born. Maybe he was referring to that. 
But, yes, the covid vaxx passport (which I also made an effort to get) has proven pretty useless. 

[Freddy42OZ]

  On 1/18/2024 at 3:58 PM, JimTripper said:

Understood. Have a look at some of these bags. https://chromeindustries.com/products/citizen-messenger-bag

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Better yet, check out Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags. 

This company was started by two good friends of mine in Hong Kong and back in the mid 2000's I helped turn them into an e-commerce business. 

Excellent products that are sold here in Bangkok.

https://pacsafe.com/
 

[RuamRudy]

  On 1/19/2024 at 7:02 AM, CecilM said:

Just FYI, in Germany (for example) you get a yellow vaccination 'passport' in which doctors record every single vaccination that you've received since you were born. Maybe he was referring to that. 
But, yes, the covid vaxx passport (which I also made an effort to get) has proven pretty useless. 

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That's the thing although mine was issued in the Netherlands, also yellow, but it's essentially the same thing.

[john donson]

  On 1/18/2024 at 12:17 PM, Elkski said:

Blaming the guy for taking public transport?  I often use public to and from the airport.  Amd yes with luggage up the stairs. 

 

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exactly with the taxi maffia in place, better go with bts as far you can go

[roo860]

  On 1/18/2024 at 3:29 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

 

You also can't pickpocket someone who has no pockets.

Or, for that matter, someone who is careful not to fill their pockets with anything but air.

 

I never put anything in my pockets when in public.

 

Consequently, in my opinion, this is the reason I have never been pickpocketed.

 

 

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So where do stick your wallet, up your <deleted >?

[alex8912]

  On 1/18/2024 at 3:45 PM, JimTripper said:

You're not very streetsmart if you have a zippered bag behind you anywhere.

 

The only thing I do that with is my messenger bag and it's buckled shut and has an extremely strong velcro closure (ie It can't be opened without me knowing).

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He was just getting off the train it seems it was on his other bag during transport. Please forgive him and others for their foibles.