Kind of surprised and a little shocked while eating at the Korean BBQ next to Big C in Ubon came out to my newly purchased family van to find a small panel missing off the sliding door. Now going through the Toyota insurance to try and get it fixed. Never had any problem here in Issan and now it's a paperwork time buster. Be careful where you park and wish me luck.

As a falang, you are considered mainly as the golden goose in Thailand and for some, it may almost have some form of legitamacy to rob a rich falang.

Golden rule in Thailand. They will respect and accept a Thai in a Lamborghini. But a falang with a new Toyota will be the one to rob from.

Rubbish.

On 4/6/2026 at 8:01 AM, SingAPorn said:

As a falang, you are considered mainly as the golden goose in Thailand and for some, it may almost have some form of legitamacy to rob a rich falang.

Golden rule in Thailand. They will respect and accept a Thai in a Lamborghini. But a falang with a new Toyota will be the one to rob from.

That's funny and totally BS.

On 4/6/2026 at 2:01 PM, SingAPorn said:

As a falang, you are considered mainly as the golden goose in Thailand and for some, it may almost have some form of legitamacy to rob a rich falang.

Golden rule in Thailand. They will respect and accept a Thai in a Lamborghini. But a falang with a new Toyota will be the one to rob from.

What complete and utter nonsense.

On 4/6/2026 at 4:51 PM, Dan747 said:

small panel stolen

Are you sure it was stolen and not just fallen off?

Where is this panel located, kindly share a photo of the entire panel

14 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Are you sure it was stolen and not just fallen off?

Where is this panel located, kindly share a photo of the entire panel

I think it fell off. Why on earth would anyone steal it? There's hardly a huge black market in tiny little Commuter plastic clip on mini panels.

On 4/8/2026 at 8:30 AM, josephbloggs said:

I think it fell off. Why on earth would anyone steal it? There's hardly a huge black market in tiny little Commuter plastic clip on mini panels.

Utter rubbish...

A westerner and his possessions are always eyed and envied by dishonest locals in Thailand.

On 4/8/2026 at 1:16 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Are you sure it was stolen and not just fallen off?

Where is this panel located, kindly share a photo of the entire panel

11 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Crikey, high theft item.

I'm reading articles that says it's plastic. 😂

8 hours ago, Sigmund said:

A westerner and his possessions are always eyed and envied by dishonest locals in Thailand

No, they are not. May be on the odd occasion but not "always".

7 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Crikey, high theft item.

I'm reading articles that says it's plastic. 😂

The part number Ai gave you does not look like the correct part.

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

The part number Ai gave you does not look like the correct part.

Oh, thanks for that, it looks like priced around $14.

If anything, the “mystery” here in my opinion, but what do I know at my age, is less criminal and more mechanical 🙂 Those brackets live in a high-stress, moving part of the door system, exposed to vibration, dirt, and wear.

Update: The Bracket was definitely stolen with two pry marks underneath the Bracket. Toyota dealer here in Ubon installed a new Bracket for 900 Baht (Too Much), mentioned that this happens at a regular basis as they have had to replace for other vans where the Backet falls off or is also stolen. "CRAZY"

Or maybe those disappearing brackets are simply good for business—they keep the comfortable waiting lounge full while customers enjoy a coffee and relax! 😄

On 4/6/2026 at 2:01 PM, SingAPorn said:

As a falang, you are considered mainly as the golden goose in Thailand and for some, it may almost have some form of legitamacy to rob a rich falang.

Golden rule in Thailand. They will respect and accept a Thai in a Lamborghini. But a falang with a new Toyota will be the one to rob from.

Some big assumptions there and I don't really agree. And who are you to make 'golden rules' ad by the way such 'golden rules' don't exist.

I've lived / worked in Thailandfor 40 years, I've held Thai Permanent Residencce for over 29 years.

I've ecountered many situations, some involving theft, the most annoying was to disover that a farang work colleagure had stolen my new camera and given it to his Thai girlfriend.

She instantly realised the camera she received belonged to me and she returned it to me.

My friendship with my farang work colleague ceased and his Thi girlfrind dropped him immediately.

8 hours ago, scorecard said:

Some big assumptions there and I don't really agree. And who are you to make 'golden rules' ad by the way such 'golden rules' don't exist.

I've lived / worked in Thailandfor 40 years, I've held Thai Permanent Residencce for over 29 years.

I've ecountered many situations, some involving theft, the most annoying was to disover that a farang work colleagure had stolen my new camera and given it to his Thai girlfriend.

She instantly realised the camera she received belonged to me and she returned it to me.

My friendship with my farang work colleague ceased and his Thai girlfrind dropped him immediately.

I had a Range Rover SVR.......both wing mirrors surgically removed in the night (back home, not here).........police told me they could go for up to £150 each secondhand.