Beware of youth motorcycle gangs in Pattaya

Letters to the editor

Pattaya Mail 8. 10. 2004

Editor;

At the risk of sounding like an alarmist, I decided I needed to share

the following experiences with my farang friends who may drive on the

roads of Thailand.

I had a disturbing experience last evening when turning off south

bound Sukhumvit onto Soi Khotalo here in Pattaya. As I rounded the

corner I saw the road was blocked by several motorcycles parked askew

with lights on and folks running about. At least one pickup was

attempting to get by the motorcycles and drivers. The crowd was

shouting, pounding on the windows and kicking the doors of the pickup

hard enough to cause denting. Obviously there was some kind of ugly

confrontation going on. I didn't see any weapons, thank goodness. I

got past the area as quickly as possible without harm. I have to

admit I was frightened for myself and family, however.

Additionally, a couple times in the past month on Sukhumvit I've come

across large numbers of young Thai motorcyclists (like 50+) in a gang

convoy going slowly to block motorists then cutting recklessly back

and forth across the road, obviously hassling them and daring them

react somehow. I've backed off and gotten away from those scenes as

quickly and covertly as possible too. I've heard reliable reports

that it's popular lately for these young hoodlums to carry handguns,

home made and using 12 gage shotgun shells.

In five years of driving all over Thailand, these are new experiences

and are quite disturbing. Since the city doesn't provide any

substantial alternative activities for the local kids, and police

don't seem up to controlling these gang situations, I offer a

‘heads-up' for those of you who may confront similar situations.

Don't mess with or challenge these kids. It's not worth it.

Bobby

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Source: http://www.pattayamail.com

Did anyone call the police?