Violent Mugging In Rawai

[stuandchris]

Huggybear is right, keep a gun your fault, beat shit out of a burglar with a baseball bat, your fault. I would be more than happy to defend me and my family if I had a level playing field.

I abide by Thai law in everything but if I abide by the law I expect the law to defend me.

Basic human rights really, perhaps things will change when a farang gets a good hiding and survives then takes the whole thing to the UN claiming Thailand is contrevening their conventions by these double standards.

In the meantime I have my pickaxe handle in the bedroom, Tyre iron in the car and don't ride the bike after midnight.

Great way to live isn't it? I come from what is meant to be the roughest part of the UK but never in my wildest dreams did I have to do this.

LOS, gentle people? Don't make me laugh.

[kolasaab]

Ok guys i am planning to bring my teenage kids to Phuket in July for 2 weeks vacation. We were there for the past two years running and we had a great time and we the local Thais were great, even the tuk tuk drivers.

Have things really changed that much and should i be thinking of going elsewhere if things are really this bad?

Cheers, Rick

I was in patong a few months ago for 3 weeks and like you had a great time and i found the locals to be friendly. If you are out in the early hours of the morning then things might get a bit dodgy as in any where in thailand , wrong place at the wrong time

[LivinLOS]

Another farang shot.. Chalong this time..

[Robinsons]

Another farang shot.. Chalong this time..

Do you know something more about this case?

Robinsons

[phuketsub]

From Phuket Gazette:

Friday, May 23, 2008

Brit shot, robbed in Chalong

A picture of the victim in the hospital is here:

http://www.siangtai.com/TH/newspage1_detai...p?News_ID=16814

CHALONG: Police are hunting two suspects who shot and robbed a British man while he was riding home on Patak Rd before dawn yesterday.

Chalong Police Superintendent Col Samarn Chainarong today confirmed that UK national Richard Hendren, 50, who runs the September beer bar on Soi One Man in Karon, was riding home to Chalong around 5 am when he was attacked.

After closing the bar, he stayed on to watch the UEFA Champion’s League final, set off on his Honda motorbike to his home on Soi Yodsane, Chalong, where he lives with his Thai wife of three years.

Riding pillion with him was 13-year-old Phraewnapa Laohongse, the daughter of one of the bar staff. She was riding with Hendren so that she could return the bike to the bar.

As the pair were rounding the final bend coming down Kata Hill and into Chalong, two men wearing full-face helmets on a black Honda Wave pulled alongside. The man on the back kicked the bike, causing it to crash.

As Hendren and Phraewnapa lay on the road, the man who had been riding pillion approached them and demanded their valuables.

When Mr Hendren said he didn’t have any, he was shot in the left leg. The force of the blast caused a compound bone fracture to add to the extensive injuries he had sustained in the crash.

Still at gunpoint and lying in a wet roadside ditch after trying to crawl to safety, Mr Hendren was forced to hand over his waist pouch, which contained cash and ATM and bank cards.

The bandits then robbed the girl of 200 baht and her mobile phone before riding off toward Karon. The man riding pillion allegedly fired a shot into the sky as they sped off.

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Phuket, Thailand

21:05 local time (GMT +7)

[LivinginKata]

On Patak Road... ?? Now that is quite worrying.

[MaximumSecurity]

When you get sick, you go to a doctor. When you have legal problems, you go to a lawyer. When you want to build a house, you go to an architect. Why, when there are concerns that could cost you your life, do you not consult with a specialist in security?

"There are simple solutions to the muggings in Rawai, and to the robberies and home invasions that are becoming all too common. People just have to stop pretending that Phuket is different from anywhere else in that regard, and take control of their own lives. Security concerns should as basic as taking a vitamin to prevent illness or putting on your car's seatbelt."

How do you figure "simple".

Carrying a gun? Farangs cannot.

What is your "simple" solution after your post states the obvious (Phuket=$)?

[huggybear]

When you get sick, you go to a doctor. When you have legal problems, you go to a lawyer. When you want to build a house, you go to an architect. Why, when there are concerns that could cost you your life, do you not consult with a specialist in security?

And that is you?

SPAM

[Bagsida]

When you get sick, you go to a doctor. When you have legal problems, you go to a lawyer. When you want to build a house, you go to an architect. Why, when there are concerns that could cost you your life, do you not consult with a specialist in security?

But o.k. - we are waiting for your quotation for an group contract about protect us all, everywhere on Phuket and 24 h

The situation is irredeemably but not yet serious !

So let´s go on and speak about the next deplorable victim and the next, and the next.........

Bagsida

[Bagsida]

P.S.:

I forgot to ask if somebody knows, how much the hospital charged for the treatment & if they first wanted to see his credit card.....

Someone heard about that the Pattaya police got support from 600 naval soldiers because of the decreasing amount of tourists in Pattaya ?

http://www.tip-forum.de/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID...amp;whichpage=2

Bagsida

[Sir Burr]

Not a lot of use posting links to a German language forum on an English language forum, now, is there?

[Bagsida]

Not a lot of use posting links to a German language forum on an English language forum, now, is there?

Sorry, it´s too difficult for me to translate all to English - there only one member reported about the support of the naval soldiers in Pattaya - is it true ?

Bagsida

[bangkokrick]

When you get sick, you go to a doctor. When you have legal problems, you go to a lawyer. When you want to build a house, you go to an architect. Why, when there are concerns that could cost you your life, do you not consult with a specialist in security?

But o.k. - we are waiting for your quotation for an group contract about protect us all, everywhere on Phuket and 24 h

The situation is irredeemably but not yet serious !

So let´s go on and speak about the next deplorable victim and the next, and the next.........

Bagsida

We did not have to wait too long did we. How can the authorities let this go on so long it will undoubtedly how an effect on tourism going forward. I for one will not be bringing my family there this year. It's a crying shame that they let such a good holiday destination turn to crap fo the sake a a few wannabee highway men.

Mugging link

Shame,

Rick

[Sir Burr]

It will have no effect on tourism.

Within a few months this will have been forgotten about. the tourists that come in the high season, won't be reading TV or Phuket Gazette. they will remain blissfully ignorant.

Also, most of these muggings happen after 03.00 am, when most people are in bed.

[Bagsida]

It will have no effect on tourism.

Within a few months this will have been forgotten about. the tourists that come in the high season, won't be reading TV or Phuket Gazette. they will remain blissfully ignorant.

Involve the international media and step by step it will - you not read what I wrote about Pattaya ?

Also, most of these muggings happen after 03.00 am, when most people are in bed.

For a comment like this I wait already - in this case it was 5 am, what means early in the morning, not late at night and some people start drive to work already- what will you say if it happens at 6 am or 7 am or the next victim is shoot, stabbed or what else in his/her (own) bed ?

What was with the young Swedish girl murdered on the beach by day ?

This way of thinking is like to prefer to live in prison for own protection and not to arrest the crimals there for "normal" citizens can live in a save area.

Bagsida

[MellowYellow]

Ok. I volunteer for the "bait" job.

Just a few questions before we proceed with operation STING.

1) Anyone got some kevlar for me?

2) Who is backing me up when I srsly injure/maim/kill one or more attackers?

3) Do I become the bad guy or do I get some sort of civil service immunity for self defence?

4) Will there be an ambulance standing by for the attackers or possibly me?

5) Who will be providing the security for my home whence the Police duly inform all the attackers and their relatives of my address and identity?

Satisfactory answes to those brief questions, and I'm down for this operation.

LETS ROLL!

Assuming questions 2-5 can't be satisfactorly answered, I'm willing to still take the job assuming I can arrive in a fancy dress costume to maintain my anonimity, do the job, mash some muggers, and then disappear into the mist on my MB like a Phuket superhero. I can handle most situations and am athletic, young, agile, etc, but I have put on a few kilos. Perhaps I could earn the Phuket FATMAN superhero title.

Now accepting inputs for costume (pls include cape and mask specs and colours) suggestions.

[Sir Burr]

^ ^

International media?

Do you read about muggings in Miami, Kingston, Benidorm, Manila, Valleta, Tunis or, any other tourist destination in the international media?

Wake up! It's not news-worthy.

It's only of concern to people that live in Phuket.

As for the time, after 05.00 am there are too many people on the roads. In other words, too many witnesses.

Most muggings occur from 02.00 am to 05.00 am. After the bars close and when there are few people about.

You keep banging on and on about this. The bottom line is only the police can arrest these people.

I have already suggested what foreigners can do.

Writing to embassies and the media is ineffectual. Come up with a good idea.

Edited May 24, 2008 by Sir Burr

[bangkokrick]

^ ^

International media?

Do you read about muggings in Miami, Kingston, Benidorm, Manila, Valleta, Tunis or, any other tourist destination in the international media?

Wake up! It's not news-worthy.

It's only of concern to people that live in Phuket.

As for the time, after 05.00 am there are too many people on the roads. In other words, too many witnesses.

Most muggings occur from 02.00 am to 05.00 am. After the bars close and when there are few people about.

You keep banging on and on about this. The bottom line is only the police can arrest these people.

I have already suggested what foreigners can do.

Writing to embassies and the media is ineffectual. Come up with a good idea.

I beg to differ Sir Burr many of these stories do go out in the International press. The case of the young Swedish girl that was brutally murdered was covered extensively by the Afton bladet in Sweden and other stories have been covered by the other Scandinavian press. The BBC also cover stories from time to time. People should be made aware of the dangers before they consider coming to "paradise"

I believe that only the media can make a difference in these cases.

Cheers, Rick

[Sir Burr]

Yes, but, they have to be murders, not muggings when the victim lives.

Also, it's usually only news in the country of the victim.

[bangkokrick]

Yes, but, they have to be murders, not muggings when the victim lives.

Also, it's usually only news in the country of the victim.

The way things are going it won't be long before it is murder. If nothing is done to stop these thugs they will only get more adventurous and then who knows what will happen. How many muggings have there been over the last month?

Cheers, Rick

[geriatrickid]

The assumption that there will be an impact if one writes letters to various embassies and newspapers or mounts a "protest" is naive.

Here's a reality check; All of the major western countries post warnings on their respective government foreign affairs websites, the crimes have received coverage in the western countries and yet the tourists still come. You know why? Because;

1. A few muggings are nothing to most westerners as their respective papers are filled with gruesome stories of gangs, rapes, murders and muggings on a daily basis. A fellow getting mugged in Rawai draws a yawn.

2. That's right, I wrote a few. Crime may abound in Thailand, but it doesn't have much of an impact on your typical visitor. The family with kids staying at Karon beach isn't targeted, the elderly couple that's snugly tucked into their beds at the Novotel by 10pm is not at risk. The typical tourist will either; stay in a tourist area and not be driving about at 3 AM or if doing so, not care.

Before you dismiss that, check it out for yourself. Go up to some guy at a bar at 3 Am and tell him he runs a chance of getting mugged. Do you know what his reaction will be? "Yea, so what. I'll take my chances."

3. As long as the price is right, cold and weary tourists will come. The allure of the Thai smile combined with affordability, beautiful beaches and sun offsets any fear of crime, particualrly when people need to wander. Thailand is as safe or dangerous as most any other tourist venue in the same price range.

4. You are delusional if you think any foreign government will intervene aside from the official travel advisories. The reason is quite simple: No specific foreign nationality is being targeted - it is general crime and all western countries suffer the same affliction.

Consider it a resigned indifference.

The situation in Thailand loosely parallels the situation in Mexico. Canadians and Americans are regularly gunned down and mugged. Here is an excerpt from an editorial on the recent murder of a Canadian couple in Mexico. Substitute Thailand for Mexico and you will see the parallel;

What has some Canadians concerned, however, is the handling of these incidents when they occurred. Certainly the investigation into the deaths of the Ianieros was severely lacking in competency, not to mention surrounded by controversy. The instant reaction by Mexican authorities to protect their tourism industry, in the eyes of many, marred the investigation and likely destroyed any chance of solving the case. Mexican authorities need to be more upfront, cover up less, and clean up their act. The good news is that headway is being made, and Canadians are helping. Mexico is allowing the RCMP to assist them in their probe. Moreover, you can't blame a nation for a few bad apples. I love my Mexican friends, and I would visit them almost anytime.

Overall, foreign governments have done F.A. on behalf of their citizens because they cannot do much other than warn their citizens of the dangers.

There is only one solution and that is to take appropriate personal security measures. Many of us do not understand that we have to adapt to our environment, but that's the reality. If German citizens know that they need to avoid the Reeperbahn area of Hamburg, surely, they are capable of doing the same in Phuket. The primary responsibility for personal safety starts with ourselves.

Edited May 24, 2008 by geriatrickid

[stuandchris]

This has been reported on the general forum and the comments there are basically disbelief that we are doing nothing. Turkeys waiting for Xmas springs to mind.

[camster]

how about getting a car, or at least using a tuk tuk late at night, sure they're a rip off but at least you dont end up fighting for your life. just a thought

[Felt 35]

The tourist which come here for the future will probably be of the same calibre as they who do the muggings today so this will not have any effect on tourism. I doubt however If it makes Phuket a better place to stay!

[smartecosse]

what makes people think that thailand is different from any other country when it comes to muggings?

if i was driving down a road a back road in Leith at 3 am in the morning i would be on the lookout for trouble as its not the place to be. the same can be said for any location that has a certain "reputation" if you go there its at your own risk

the view point road is a known area for late night / early morning muggings. If you travel along it alone / drunk then it's on your own head.

I have lived in Rawai for three years with my family and we have never had any bother. One house behind us has been robbed. Thats less than where the house was in Scotland.

I havent noticed a paticular increase in crime - i have noticed that what was a nice quiet road leading towards the view point now has about 10 girly bars on, which means that invariably there are drunk farangs (easy pickings) heading home in the wee hours

[LivinginKata]

what makes people think that thailand is different from any other country when it comes to muggings?

if i was driving down a road a back road in Leith at 3 am in the morning i would be on the lookout for trouble as its not the place to be. the same can be said for any location that has a certain "reputation" if you go there its at your own risk

the view point road is a known area for late night / early morning muggings. If you travel along it alone / drunk then it's on your own head.

I have lived in Rawai for three years with my family and we have never had any bother. One house behind us has been robbed. Thats less than where the house was in Scotland.

I havent noticed a paticular increase in crime - i have noticed that what was a nice quiet road leading towards the view point now has about 10 girly bars on, which means that invariably there are drunk farangs (easy pickings) heading home in the wee hours

Completely agree. That's what I have said all along, but some members just don't accept the reality of moden life.

[Bagsida]

.........

3. As long as the price is right, cold and weary tourists will come. The allure of the Thai smile combined with affordability, beautiful beaches and sun offsets any fear of crime, particualrly when people need to wander. Thailand is as safe or dangerous as most any other tourist venue in the same price range.

.................

There is only one solution and that is to take appropriate personal security measures. Many of us do not understand that we have to adapt to our environment, but that's the reality. If German citizens know that they need to avoid the Reeperbahn area of Hamburg, surely, they are capable of doing the same in Phuket. The primary responsibility for personal safety starts with ourselves.

The price is not right anymore - many Germans not will come again to Thailand because the flight became very expensive and also the living on Phuket became very expensive, respective the nightlife, so they think about travel the next "high season" to a destination in Europe, save 50% of the flight cost and may be the same for the nightlife (if visit the east of Europe).

The major problem anywhere in the world is the difference of the social state between locals and foreigners - where "poor" people have to work a lot for only dingily livingin while the foreigners (expats or tourists) are spending a monthly salary of a local in one or half night, they will become enviously.

But Thailand / Phuket (and other countries too) needs this income and have to protect the "cows" the wants to "milk" !

I am not from Hamburg, but I think the Reeperbahn is not really dangerous - Reeperbahn = Soi Bangla ? But o.k. if you know an area is´nt save you will try not to stay there, but where are the dangerous areas on Phuket or better where it is´nt dangerous on Phuket ?

At the moment it seems like complete Phuket is´nt save anymore.

Bagsida

Edited May 25, 2008 by Bagsida

[Bagsida]

how about getting a car, or at least using a tuk tuk late at night, sure they're a rip off but at least you dont end up fighting for your life. just a thought

I´am shure many foreigners would prefer to take a Tuk-Tuk or taxi late at night or early in the morning, even if it´s crazy expensive, but first have to get one - if you are not looking for them in the Bangla area you not will find one !

Bagsida

[LivinLOS]

what makes people think that thailand is different from any other country when it comes to muggings?

How about that Thailand has a homicide by firearm rate of 33 per 100,000.. IIRC thats 3rd in the world worse only than Columbia and SA..

Thats 4 times higher than supposedly gun crazy Philippines.. Thats almost 10x worse than gun toting good old USA.. Or about 100x times higher than countries like Oz, Norway, Germany. 200x higher than NZ..

Singapore has a death by firearm of 0.07 That means your almost 500 times more likely to get killed by gun crime in Thailand over Singapore.

And you dont think thats 'any different' ??

Unless you come from South Africa or Columbia originally Thailand is clearly different.

[smartecosse]

mmmmmmmm

i think we are talking about farangs getting it by being in not so clever areas late at night

let me have a look at the gun crime statistics on farangs only on thailand