Criime Against Falangs, Is It Common?

[dude123]

If you can afford it, have you considered living in both countries? I know an older French man who started a new family here about 7 years ago. He divides his time equally between Thailand and returning to France with his Thai wife and their daughter during the spring and summer. He seems to be quite happy. Sounds like the best of both worlds.

I have convinced my wife that living equal time in Canada and Thailand is a great idea. I like the idea too. I love riding my motorbike in the mountains around here and love this side of Canada, so maybe living on the beach in Winter and in the mountains in Summer is the ultimate heaven for me. How to do I give up riding to lakes like these! Cheers.

Edited July 5, 2008 by dude123

[Heng]

It's not really a clear cut "common" or uncommon situation. In some areas, farangs are IMO often the target of crime (but still less than local-local crime of course), and in other areas they are not. Farangs make themselves more of a target in some areas, and less so in others.

[jumnien]

Most crimes against farangs involve their alcohol/drug abuse, prostitution and middle of the night carousing. Normal farangs are unaffected and rarely the victims of crimes.

[Heng]

Yeah, I know of a few cases (usually of the planned burglary type in gated neighborhoods... but again, compared to Thais in the same communities, that's probably like 1 in 500 or 1000), but I'd say agree also: rarely.

[wolfmanjack]

If you can afford it, have you considered living in both countries? I know an older French man who started a new family here about 7 years ago. He divides his time equally between Thailand and returning to France with his Thai wife and their daughter during the spring and summer. He seems to be quite happy. Sounds like the best of both worlds.

I have convinced my wife that living equal time in Canada and Thailand is a great idea. I like the idea too. I love riding my motorbike in the mountains around here and love this side of Canada, so maybe living on the beach in Winter and in the mountains in Summer is the ultimate heaven for me. How to do I give up riding to lakes like these! Cheers.

now you are making me homesick

[way2muchcoffee]

I guess I was just one of the victims of crime in the 'rarely' category. Walking to a friend's apartment near Pra Khanong at about 9 in the evening I was cornered by two young Thai men with machetes. They said nothing, simply attacked. I managed to block the machete arcing down at my forehead, break free, and run like hel_l. Nearly lost a finger and thumb when I blocked the blade. I was alone, sober, and minding my own business. So yes, random violence against westerners can and does happen.

Edited July 5, 2008 by way2muchcoffee

[pampal]

I feel very safe in Thailand, I often ride my bike alone through very poor areas, the slums of Bang Sue and Rama IV and have always been treated kindly, although I do get some stares, they are in no way threatening, only inquisitive.

Edited July 5, 2008 by pampal

[Jimjim]

I'm only responding to the title of this post because I feel all the posts will be predictable and may end in petty bickering. I'd say, yes, crime towards foreigners is somewhat common in Thailand, but probably not as much as some people think, and probably not as little as others think. True, accurate statistics are almost impossible to put together.

Now I've read the actual OP. Yes, I think house robbery is quite common in Thailand for anyone, especially foreigners. You would need some security in a house for sure. "Third World Country" is a seriously outdated and overused term used to describe a country the speaker views as backwards. Thailand is a newly industrialized country.

Edited July 5, 2008 by Jimjim

[TAWP]

Most crimes against farangs involve their alcohol/drug abuse, prostitution and middle of the night carousing. Normal farangs are unaffected and rarely the victims of crimes.

Surely posting the same crap 3 times over 2 pages would be considered trolling...

[TAWP]

I feel very safe in Thailand, I often ride my bike alone through very poor areas, the slums of Bang Sue and Rama IV and have always been treated kindly, although I do get some stares, they are in no way threatening, only inquisitive.

If that is how you ride your bike around *looks at avatar* I understand the stares.

[pampal]

I feel very safe in Thailand, I often ride my bike alone through very poor areas, the slums of Bang Sue and Rama IV and have always been treated kindly, although I do get some stares, they are in no way threatening, only inquisitive.

If that is how you ride your bike around *looks at avatar* I understand the stares.

The bike in my avatar is my "Street Bike"

[sylviex]

Foreigners may be targetted by criminals on the basis of their wealth.

Agree. Or their perceived wealth. This applies especially to crimes like house breaking, picking of pockets and common or garden everyday scamming as well as scamming on a larger scale.

I agree with the suggestions about living part-time in Thailand, or just taking an annual holiday here (seems you have not been to Thailand before ?). You seem very happy where you are, other than the cold weather and the situation with your brother . (I hope that can be turned around somehow. It seems too much to sacrifice this relationship, which you describe as having been very close. I realize you didn't ask about that but you did raise it, and it seems to me it must be bothering you quite a bit.)

[ianh68h]

I think on balance your wife will always feel more at home in Canada than you will in Thailand. By that I mean genuinely feeling part of the community. What will you do about your business if you move? Can you guarantee an income in Thailand?

You haven't said where in Thailand your wife comes from but if it's Isaan then a book worth reading might be "My Thai Girl and I" by Andrew Hicks.

[wintermute]

If you can afford it, have you considered living in both countries? I know an older French man who started a new family here about 7 years ago. He divides his time equally between Thailand and returning to France with his Thai wife and their daughter during the spring and summer. He seems to be quite happy. Sounds like the best of both worlds.

I have convinced my wife that living equal time in Canada and Thailand is a great idea. I like the idea too. I love riding my motorbike in the mountains around here and love this side of Canada, so maybe living on the beach in Winter and in the mountains in Summer is the ultimate heaven for me. How to do I give up riding to lakes like these! Cheers.

Canada's beauty is unreal. I spent a lot of time in the Yukon and Alaska a few years back. One day i'll probably own a place in that region and use it as a summer home.

[Moonrakers]

Iv'e experienced alot of petty theft, phones, cash. It has decreased as I have become more careful though. I have also had a house burglary twice, and a few more attempted burglaries

Iv'e not experienced any violent crime though (Touches wood)

[girlx]

i have been hassled by and attacked once by taxi drivers (farang woman out on her own after 1am equates easy to them somehow). had a taxi driver try to snatch my wallet out of my hand as he drove off. been robbed twice- once in a bungalow where though the thieves had opportunity to steal a laptop, iPod, camera, cash etc. the only thing they took was 2 mobile phones. the other time was in a hotel in samui- they took $5000 worth of stuff, partly my fault for being stupid and not hiding it better but the stuff was in locked bags in a locked room! i have twice had thai men break into my house in the middle of the night (i lived alone), but they left when i asked them to. i had a strange man wearing a rain slicker follow me and masturbate at me from dark alleys in chiang mai. i have had thai "friends" steal money from me. also other thai neighbors on drugs threatened my life several times because they were paranoid i knew too much about them by living next door. been pickpocketed at chatuchak.... i think that is it. never had anything like any of this happen to me in 5 years in NYC. i think a lot of the problems though were misconceptions about 1) a farang female living alone (being an easy target), and 2) them thinking i had a lot more money than i do. one thing i have learned is not too stay in one place too long, as well as not flashing your cash or living too obviously an extravagant lifestyle. stay under the radar. and if you are going to be out late alone, have someone to call and make an obvious point of writing down the number on the taxi's door. also (more for males) DO NOT make Thais lose face or try to fight with Thais, especially drunk males... if it gets that far they may well kill you.

[scotwumman]

Brave lady girlx for having survived this and still choosing to remain in Thailand. I think though having read your posts, your decision to live in the City proves earlier posts that you can be a target in the smaller places although some men disagree. As a western woman, albeit a much older person than yourself I would imagine, even I felt threatened by Thai men who appear to think, as do the girls, that farang screams money. Silly bgrs if they think in a world economic crisis they can get away with it for much longer.

[Sabum]

ugh, you let your Thai wife put a wedge between you and one of your closest family members to the point he wont even visit you anymore? This is acceptable to you?

[mikethevigoman]

I think a lot of it is location,. there is a report in this weeks pattaya mail that a farang living in soi kaew noi has been burgled 5 times in a month, the last time they fondled his wife while asleep, he woke and was robbed at knifepoint, !. i dont know about you but after the first 2 id have been off !,. my advice, wherever you are be vigialnt, act like you are not wealthy, get friendly ( not over friendly ) with the neighbors and put up cameras and sensor lights,.but burglary is unfortunatly worldwide,.

[learnthaipodcast]

Personally I would be a bit worried about the behavior of your wife. From my experience Thai women trust you as quick as other women. Living a half year in the western world and half year in Thailand is a great mix. Good luck with what you do.

[sbk]

The travel advice from the FCO site is interesting: Travel Advice for Thailand

Six British nationals have been murdered in Thailand since January 2006.

Watch out for crimes of opportunity. You should take sensible precautions and be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. When walking along busy streets or travelling in open transport, such as tuk tuks, you should be aware that foreigners have had items snatched by riders on motorbikes.

There have been a number of incidents in Koh Phangan in 2008 where western tourists have been victims of vicious unprovoked assaults by gangs. These attacks are increasingly common around the time of the Full Moon Parties and generally occur late at night in the vicinity of bars in Haad Rin. You are advised be extremely careful when walking in this area at any time, especially after dark and if possible avoid it altogether.

We receive regular reports of credit card fraud after shop employees have copied card details. You are advised not to lose sight of your credit card during transactions.

There has been a number of incidents where tourists have had their drinks drugged (in both tourist areas and red light districts). You should be careful about taking drinks from strangers and be wary at clubs and parties, particularly in the Koh Samui area and at the Full Moon party on Phangan Island where incidences of date rape have been reported. A number of British nationals have suffered severe psychiatric problems as a result of drug use, in a small number of cases resulting in suicide.

We receive occasional reports of tourists who have been robbed after bringing visitors to their hotel rooms. In some cases their drinks were drugged. Ensure that your passport and wallet are secure at all times.

We continue to receive reports of sexual offences committed against foreign women and men. In 2007 our Consular staff were aware of a number of British nationals who were the victim of a serious sexual offence in Thailand. In January 2006, three British women were raped in separate incidents in Thailand, including one who was murdered.

Female travellers in particular should maintain a high state of personal awareness during their time in Thailand. Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. Reports of sexual assaults against women have become particularly prevalent in the Koh Samui archipelago. Women travellers are, therefore, advised to take particular care over their personal security whilst staying in this area. For more guidance about this see the Assault, Sexual Assault and Rape Overseas page of the FCO website.

You should report any incidents of crime to the Thai police before leaving the country.

[Sabum]

Personally I would be a bit worried about the behavior of your wife. From my experience Thai women trust you as quick as other women. Living a half year in the western world and half year in Thailand is a great mix. Good luck with what you do.

Ya I dont mean to get on this guys case but hes making excuses for an abusive wife..... saying he heard they dont trust for 20 years... crapola. They are people, good or bad. Most people will only behave as badly as YOU LET THEM. Need to have some boundaries... or perhaps we will be reading about the op "jumping" from his condo balcony in a couple of years.

[dude123]

ugh, you let your Thai wife put a wedge between you and one of your closest family members to the point he wont even visit you anymore? This is acceptable to you?

No it is not acceptable and it drives me nuts. It could end in divorce sooner or later, but I won't be jumping off a condo that's for sure I'll get her a nice little house in Thailand if we divorce and be all the more wiser and stay single if it goes that way. I have constant knots still in my stomach as to her behaviour with my brother and not eaxcatly sure why I did not have the gonads to file for divorce yet. Maybe I just feel sorry for her, but it is wearing off slowly.

Some interesting stories about crime from everyone, especailly the one with the mashetti! Glad whoever posted that one thought quick enough to run. I guess I have heard it often enough now that if I do live in Thailand, that at least I would need some sort of house security. Someone here asked me if I have ever been to Thailand and the answer is yes, once 6 years ago for 2 weeks. Only the airport taxis in Bangkok tried to rip me off, but I have to admit, there is a shady element with some of the taxi drivers at that airport.

Edited July 5, 2008 by dude123

[MaximumSecurity]

GLOBAL PEACE INDEX

Survey finds nation more dangerous

source: BKK Post/Reuters May 22 2008

Thailand slipped to 118th from last year's 105th in the second annual Global Peace Index survey released on Tuesday, which ranked Iceland as the world's most peaceful nation. This year's index covered 140 countries in comparison to 121 nations when it debuted a year ago.

Thailand scored poorly in four of 24 criteria used as indicators: levels of violent crimes, political instability, respect for human rights, and the potential for terrorist acts. Only Burma, at 126th, was placed lower than Thailand among nine of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Brunei was not included in the survey.

Singapore came out top in the region at 29th, followed by Vietnam (37th), Malaysia (38th), Laos (51st), Indonesia (68th), Cambodia (91st) and the Philippines (113th).

The Global Peace Index, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, looks at 24 indicators of external and internal measures of peace, including UN deployments, levels of violent crimes, respect for human rights, estimated deaths due to internal and external wars, and the likelihood of violent demonstrations.

Based on a comparison of 121 countries in the same index last year, scores were slightly improved for levels of violent crimes, political instability and the potential for terrorist acts, said a statement accompanying the release of the index on Tuesday.

Steve Killelea, founder of the index, said: ''The world appears to be marginally more peaceful this year. This is encouraging, but it takes small steps by individual countries for the world to make greater strides on the road to peace.''

While Iceland topped the rankings, the US slipped to 97th from 96th last year, but was still ahead of Iran which ranked 105th. The US, however, lagged behind Belarus, Cuba, South Korea, Chile, Libya and other counties.

Iraq, which the US invaded in 2003 leading to the toppling of Saddam Hussein, ranked lowest on the index. Afghanistan, another country invaded by the US this decade, was also in the bottom five, along with Sudan, Somalia and Israel.

[Sabum]

ugh, you let your Thai wife put a wedge between you and one of your closest family members to the point he wont even visit you anymore? This is acceptable to you?

No it is not acceptable and it drives me nuts. It could end in divorce sooner or later, but I won't be jumping off a condo that's for sure I'll get her a nice little house in Thailand if we divorce and be all the more wiser and stay single if it goes that way. I have constant knots still in my stomach as to her behaviour with my brother and not eaxcatly sure why I did not have the gonads to file for divorce yet. Maybe I just feel sorry for her, but it is wearing off slowly.

Some interesting stories about crime from everyone, especailly the one with the mashetti! Glad whoever posted that one thought quick enough to run. I guess I have heard it often enough now that if I do live in Thailand, that at least I would need some sort of house security. Someone here asked me if I have ever been to Thailand and the answer is yes, once 6 years ago for 2 weeks. Only the airport taxis in Bangkok tried to rip me off, but I have to admit, there is a shady element with some of the taxi drivers at that airport.

No that was a joke... you won't be JUMPING, someone would push you. There's a high amount of mysterious farang suicides here, many seem to all "jump" from their balconys, bet alot of them had abusive controlling wives at first....... if you dont think alienating your family and keeping you isolated is abuse, look it up in Canadian law, imagine if you were doing that to your wife, pretty horrible. You seem like one of the nice falangs that is also a little naive.... I sincerely worry about you if you move to Thailand with your wife. Start researching and reading all the horror stories on this site, and dont just assume it will never happen to you.

And to answer your question: This country has plenty of violence and crime, not directed at falangs but anybody. 10 times more than you will be exposed to in Canada, which makes Canadians perfect victims because they dont realise the dangers and are too naive to take proper precautions and behave in a way as to limit their danger.

[geriatrickid]

There's a high amount of mysterious farang suicides here, many seem to all "jump" from their balconys, bet alot of them had abusive controlling wives at first.......

They are only mysterious because people like to make assumptions and to deny reality. The fact is that the deceased males usually have drug or alcohol dependencies, existing physical and/or mental health issues and or lifestyles that tend to produce suicidal behaviours.

Pattaya is the epicenter of farang suicide. Sort of odd that you don't see the same suicide frequencies up in Isaan or on Samui. One would think that with the stereotypes made about Isaan farangs and their "swarthy" bar wives that the farang males would be dropping like flies. Thing, is, that's not the case. Isaan farangs just don't commit suicide the way they do in pattaya. They also don't tend to end up mysteriously dead. If you look at the TV threads, the Isaan farangs must be a happy hardy lot, since they don't complain very much over small things.

Maybe, just maybe, Pattaya isn't the best of places to live if one is already living on the edge. If you have a population with a higher concentration of people most likely to commit suicide, it is to be expected that this will show in the results.

Yes there are murders are sometimes classed as suicides, particularly in Pattaya. That probably arises because the police get alot of farang suicides, including some very odd ones, and are too quick to make the assumption of a suicide themselves.

After looking at the suicide reports for the past 6 months for Pattaya, I have the impression that certain farangs are less likely to commit suicide; females, participants in a long term relationship and adolescents, than single males aged between 35 and 55. I am unable to identify any farang adolescent suicides (or murders) in the past 6 months. Considering that they are the group which features prominently in this cause of death, it suggests that either there are no adolescents in pattaya, or that they too are well adjusted and happy with life.

.

[dude123]

No that was a joke... you won't be JUMPING, someone would push you. There's a high amount of mysterious farang suicides here, many seem to all "jump" from their balconys, bet alot of them had abusive controlling wives at first....... if you dont think alienating your family and keeping you isolated is abuse, look it up in Canadian law, imagine if you were doing that to your wife, pretty horrible. You seem like one of the nice falangs that is also a little naive.... I sincerely worry about you if you move to Thailand with your wife. Start researching and reading all the horror stories on this site, and dont just assume it will never happen to you.

And to answer your question: This country has plenty of violence and crime, not directed at falangs but anybody. 10 times more than you will be exposed to in Canada, which makes Canadians perfect victims because they dont realise the dangers and are too naive to take proper precautions and behave in a way as to limit their danger.

I live in a house, so she'll have to use poison mushrooms instead as we have no balconies LOL! We are naive though and don't think anyone would actually want to harm us in any way as not much happens in Canada as a whole in regards to violent crime. I did tell my wife this by the way, that I would never ever in my wildest dreams try and keep her away from her family. but she does not seem to get it. Either she is just obsessivly possesive or something else that I don't quite understand at the moment.

[Sabum]

Geriatrickid, I dont see things like you at all. Isaan more dangerous than Pattaya? Why would that be the case? Ok, Isaan hookers living with their husbands in Isaan.... or Isaan hookers living with their husbands in the pit of hel_l... hmmm which is worse. Pattaya by far in my opinion. Just being Isaan or a hooker doesnt make them bad, but Pattaya.... sorry to Pattaya people but it DOES attract the scum of the country. Pattaya is going to have more of the kind of people that would murder, so will have more murders ie. cases of wives killing husbands. Im not disagreeing with you that there might be more unstable men there and the suicide rate is higher, but the case of wives murdering husbands must surely be higher there too.

Dude: There is no excuse for her behaviour and you should have strong enough boundaries to stop her from behaving badly when your family visits. However.... it is possible that she has a secret reason and is actually maybe doing something honorable? Slight chance but maybe look into it. Maybe your brother has agressively hit on her and she doesnt want to tell you as it would hurt you? But cant help herself from disliking him and acting so. Just a wild guess in the dark in her defence.

[dude123]

Dude: There is no excuse for her behaviour and you should have strong enough boundaries to stop her from behaving badly when your family visits. However.... it is possible that she has a secret reason and is actually maybe doing something honorable? Slight chance but maybe look into it. Maybe your brother has agressively hit on her and she doesnt want to tell you as it would hurt you? But cant help herself from disliking him and acting so. Just a wild guess in the dark in her defence.

I was strong enough as she got even upset if I would talk to him and then I just flipped and said she may as well forget that, as it will never happen, but I can't just force her to be polite and decent if she does not want to be. No, he never made any advances to her ever and she would be the first to tell me that anyway as she holds back on nothing. I forgot to mention that she gets "voices" in her head. I knew that before we married and she was upfront at the beginning about that, so I could never hold that against her and is one of the reasons I feel sorry for her. In case anyone's thinking, she is not a bar girl, but she did come from a very abusive family and I just think it left scars that will never fully heal. Because my brother and I are close, I guess she perceives this as a threat in some way, but I have never given her any reason to feel unwanted and she even says I have a big heart, so I don't get it anymore. Maybe that is just the way it is, that I will never fully understand why she is behaving that way.

MaximumSecurity: 114th place says a few things! Sad to hear that really. A few of you have mentioned never to make a thai lose face. Only once in 4 years did I jokingly have her lose face, but in the most gentlest of ways as she was accusing me again of something I never did, so I showed her straight up why she was wrong as once in awhile I have to defend myself, and it was almost a Dr. Jeckl Mr. Hyde transformation. I never knew a sweet little lady could go balistic like that, so I can just imagine how some Thai man can go nuts if they lose face.

Edited July 6, 2008 by dude123

[Acomes2Siam]

Hmm...

Why would she want to isolate you from your family?

Maybe she is afraid he or others will try to talk 'some sense into you' with regard to her? (no disrespect, I am just trying to imagine what fears she could have if you talked more to them).

She perhaps feels that she 'can handle the situation' as long as it is you alone - and would not like the situation complicated by having others around whose oppinions you value.

What happens IF at some point in time 'you' decide to 'jump' from some building?

Well, in Canada the police will post too many questions and all in all she is too unfamiliar with the whole system to be able to 'play her cards well' in that system. Allthough, the remedy for the worst case scenario has been implemented, it is still far more safe to make the 'jump' in Thailand. What is the worst case scenario? It is that someone finds out she or someone related to her made you jump. What is the "implemented worst-case scenario remedy"? An temporarily insanity plea! "you honour, my client has been hearing voices in her head for years. This is NOT something she fabricated for this occasion - even the victims family knows this!! Please, your honour!".

I can tell that Sabum is seriously concerned for you - as am I. I have read many stories about marriges and relationships, but I cannot remember a story that made my spine chill as much as yours. It isn't because it is very obvious or in any way proven that she has any bad intentions. It just still sends shivers through my spine - and I usually have a very good sense of these things. I have lived in many continents for many years and have never even once been robbed, mugged or had anything stolen from me. Several times, I have had a bad feeling (in reality it is more reasoning than feeling, but that is a technicality) and have smoothly changed my course, not called back or what it may have been. If I was in your shoes, I would take an extremely hard look at your situation and I would be reluctant to move to Thailand with this woman. Perhaps move to Thailand to enjoy life, but I would be .... scared .. (yes, really..) to move there with her. Remember, none of us on the site has enough information to conclude anything conclusively. However, please be careful.

PS. Finally, let me tell you what I would do IF I decided to stay with her despite the surreal behaviour. I would make sure that she and her family would not benefit AT ALL if something happened to me. And I would make very sure that her and her family knew this. I would testament everything I own to my brother or whomever (I would then most probably make a deal with him (unbeknownst to her) to take care of her financially in case something happened). I would at any time make sure that her calculation of her lifestyle would result in her having a better lifestyle as long as I am alive than if I was not. That way she has a motivation to keep me here. However, if I really felt the need to think so pragmatically about a relationship, I certainly hope I would rather break it off.

Edited July 6, 2008 by Acomes2Siam