2 hours ago, Card said:

What idiot carries 30-50000 baht cash in their baggage and lets thieves know it? Just asking for trouble

 

Perhaps the female victim's full name is Miss Ding Dong, or, better yet, Miss Ding A Ling.

47 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Hence the cash - it can be 'get out of trouble money' in some countries if things go sideways.... 

... Particularly in some of the corrupt shyat-holes oil-fielders end up in... 

 

Hard work - dangerous areas... Respect.

 

We had one guy who was a "guest" of Sadam for a few months during the first Gulf war when they took over an offshore platform.  Another guy (different company) cost the company over $1 million when his car hit a camel.  He wasn't even driving.  He was just in the car.   But they wouldn't release him until the compensation was paid.  My brother's company kept a yacht at the marina and his orders were to get on the yacht and over the horizon because the host country didn't have a navy to speak of.  All of them had practice drills for what to do.

 

So carrying $10K and a first class ticket was cheap bug out gear.  My career wasn't in nearly as dodgy areas.  Our offshore platforms in south Thailand were once surrounded by angry fishermen who wouldn't let anyone come or go.  But that was before I got there.  I loved working in S Thailand.  Great people.

 

8 hours ago, PomPolo said:

A little disappointed the Chinese seem to be taking over us Brits on the unruly tourist front at the moment I for one was getting quite proud of that record

The self hate is strong with this one!

3 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I keep $4900 emergency cash when I travel (to stay under the $5000 reporting limit for some countries I transit).  I keep it in my overhead bag, but it's in one of the hidden zippered compartments with a few bucks of sacrificial cash in the easier places.   49 bills make quite a lump in my pocket.  And I do my best to look like a cheap Charlie when I travel.

 

Companies I've worked for required our employees to carry $10K cash and an unrestricted first class ticket to get out of the country if SHTF.  I picked up that habit.  I've rarely broken into my cash stash, but never say never.

 

 

let us know when your flying next and what particular flight .... we'll be waiting    I hope I can sit next to you .....  

7 hours ago, ignore it said:

Seems Han was on the Tang, but Wang only got Ding 

That really wasn't worth the effort and time you put into that! 🙄😂

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Mid-Air Theft, Chinese Caught After American Passenger Sounds the Alarm

 

Pictures courtesy of Khoasod.

 

Two Chinese nationals were apprehended at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 10 April, after an in-flight theft was reported aboard an Air Macau service, thanks to the swift actions of a vigilant American passenger.

 

At approximately 10:30, Tourist Police stationed at Suvarnabhumi were alerted by airline staff from Air Macau flight NX996. A theft had reportedly occurred during the journey, prompting coordination between airline crew, airport security, and the Tourist Police Division.

 

 

The initial report came from Mr Tang, a 45-year-old Chinese national from Macau, who told police that as the aircraft was preparing to land, he was approached by Mr Ruggles, a 67-year-old American seated nearby. Ruggles had witnessed a bespectacled Chinese man rummaging through a black backpack in the overhead compartment, a bag which, it turned out, belonged to Mr Tang.

 

Mr Ruggles observed the suspect removing a plastic bag from the luggage. Upon landing, Mr Tang checked his belongings and discovered that 30,000 baht in cash was missing. He promptly informed the cabin crew.

 

Cabin staff had already noticed suspicious behaviour from two passengers, later identified as Mr Han (54) and Mr Wang (46), both Chinese nationals. Upon sensing scrutiny from staff, Mr Wang allegedly dropped a plastic bag containing the missing cash onto the aircraft floor and attempted to dissuade staff from reporting the incident.

 

Several other passengers corroborated the suspicious behaviour, having seen both men moving through the cabin and accessing overhead compartments during the flight.

Tourist Police officers at Suvarnabhumi were called to the scene, detaining the suspects and escorting them to the Division 3 offices of the Tourist Police Bureau for further questioning.

 

Shortly after the initial incident, Miss Ding, a 29-year-old Chinese tourist from the same flight, returned to the airport to file a report. Upon arriving at her hotel, she discovered her bag had been tampered with and that 50,000 baht in cash was missing. She recognised one of the suspects as having been seated next to her on the flight.

 

A search of the suspects and their belongings by Tourist Police revealed the missing 50,000 baht, as well as various foreign currencies suspected to have been stolen from other passengers. The evidence has been seized for further investigation to identify additional victims.

 

Despite the discovery of stolen money in their possession, both suspects denied any wrongdoing. Background checks revealed that both men were already on a Tourist Police watchlist of individuals flagged as high-risk for in-flight theft.

 

They have been formally charged with theft on public transport. Statements were taken from eyewitnesses, and police have confirmed that all recovered money will be returned to the victims.

 

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify any further affected passengers.

 

-- 2025-04-11

 

"Background checks revealed that both men were already on a Tourist Police watchlist of individuals flagged as high-risk for in-flight theft.:

That's a bit big brother

 

6 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

Recently flew back from Hong Kong with Hong Kong Airlines and was warned by the Airline that multiple thefts from Overhead Lockers were occuring on these Flights to Thailand on a consistent basis, so ensure the safety of our critical items.

I would be tempted to leave a couple of loaded rat traps on top of my clothes

The Chinese not respecting laws? That's so unlike them!

17 hours ago, bdenner said:

 

I get the feeling a "slap on the wrist" will be inflicted and the alleged perpetrators will be set free to do it again.

IMHO, 6 months in the Bangkok Hilton should be their just reward!

 

Think your right, But the hilton should be the right place for them.

17 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

How did they let the thieves know it ?

No idea, but they obviously did know it 

21 hours ago, impulse said:

 

We had one guy who was a "guest" of Sadam for a few months during the first Gulf war when they took over an offshore platform.  Another guy (different company) cost the company over $1 million when his car hit a camel.  He wasn't even driving.  He was just in the car.   But they wouldn't release him until the compensation was paid.  My brother's company kept a yacht at the marina and his orders were to get on the yacht and over the horizon because the host country didn't have a navy to speak of.  All of them had practice drills for what to do.

 

So carrying $10K and a first class ticket was cheap bug out gear.  My career wasn't in nearly as dodgy areas.  Our offshore platforms in south Thailand were once surrounded by angry fishermen who wouldn't let anyone come or go.  But that was before I got there.  I loved working in S Thailand.  Great people.

 

I understand all of this.  Where I've worked in the past led to my previous employer to send me on a hazardous environment training course.  Bloomin' interesting, how to avoid or deal with kidnap was one of the subjects.  The guys who taught it normally resided in Hereford...

On 4/11/2025 at 10:01 AM, trainman34014 said:

Recently flew back from Hong Kong with Hong Kong Airlines and was warned by the Airline that multiple thefts from Overhead Lockers were occuring on these Flights to Thailand on a consistent basis, so ensure the safety of our critical items.

Should put up a notice saying Keep your cash in your Inside pocket.  Years ago I always had a silk money bag, when on a flight or bus I’d just put the money bag on. Went all over the world with that .