Lockpicks In Thailand

[sedeflonga]

Hello,

I just shut myself out of my house today for the 3rd time (forget key inside) and had to call a locksmith who used a lockpick to open my door. I took ages and cost me 1k baht (incl travel).

Now I am looking at some websites because I want to purchase my own lockpick set. There are some simple sets for 15US$ and more advanced electric door openers. However, I am interested in a simple set which I can hide in my garage (which is full of stuff) and can't be found that easily.

My question:

1) If I order from abroad, do I get trouble with the customs?

2) Are they sold in Thailand?

I can't really imaging getting in trouble with it, but I want to know what you guys think. Please don't recommend me to put my key in my garage...

Thanks

[bkkjames]

If I locked myself out of my house 3x in one day, I wouldn't be looking for a lock picker, I would go see my nearest alzheimer specialist.

The only problem I see about order one into Thailand is the suspicion you may raise with authorities.

If you think I am having a hard time believing you - imagine the looks on their faces when you try to explain why you need one. (sorry)

[Tywais]

It would seem making a couple of spare keys and hiding them in the garage would be a simpler, cheaper route. But of course if you lock yourself out of the garage ....

[johna]

How long do you think it will take you to lose the lock pickers tools.

[sedeflonga]

If I locked myself out of my house 3x in one day, I wouldn't be looking for a lock picker, I would go see my nearest alzheimer specialist.

The only problem I see about order one into Thailand is the suspicion you may raise with authorities.

If you think I am having a hard time believing you - imagine the looks on their faces when you try to explain why you need one. (sorry)

I didnt lock myself 3 times the same day out LOL, but its the 3rd time.

[mitsubishi]

Hello,

I just shut myself out of my house today for the 3rd time (forget key inside) and had to call a locksmith who used a lockpick to open my door. I took ages and cost me 1k baht (incl travel).

Now I am looking at some websites because I want to purchase my own lockpick set. There are some simple sets for 15US$ and more advanced electric door openers. However, I am interested in a simple set which I can hide in my garage (which is full of stuff) and can't be found that easily.

My question:

1) If I order from abroad, do I get trouble with the customs?

2) Are they sold in Thailand?

I can't really imaging getting in trouble with it, but I want to know what you guys think. Please don't recommend me to put my key in my garage...

Thanks

I nearly ended up banged up on a Thai Island for carry a set (long story).

I'd advise against it, the thai authorities are wary of foreigners carrying them.

In the end I wangled out of it by claiming (rightly so) that they were in my bag while prepping to come to Thailand.

They can take a while to get used to, that said the locks in Thailand are pss poor to pick (as most of them are cheapo ones).

[Birdman]

It would seem making a couple of spare keys and hiding them in the garage would be a simpler, cheaper route. But of course if you lock yourself out of the garage ....

...hide a spare key somewhere outside or give it to someone trustful nearby.

Edited April 30, 2009 by Birdman

[Maizefarmer]

You'e be better off hiding a spare key somewhere ..... the issue with lockpicks is that they are only one half of the needed combination (... or maybe even only 1/4 of a needed combination) - the other half (or 3/4's) is the skill/ability of the person operating the lockpick - and that only comes with lots of experiance and ongoing practise i.e. a pointless exercise for the occassional or one off attempt to open a front door.

Get a spare key and hide it (or bury it) somewhere.

You can get quite good lock picking kits from locksmiths in Chinatown.

[Tim207]

You'e be better off hiding a spare key somewhere ..... the issue with lockpicks is that they are only one half of the needed combination (... or maybe even only 1/4 of a needed combination) - the other half (or 3/4's) is the skill/ability of the person operating the lockpick - and that only comes with lots of experiance and ongoing practise i.e. a pointless exercise for the occassional or one off attempt to open a front door.

Get a spare key and hide it (or bury it) somewhere.

You can get quite good lock picking kits from locksmiths in Chinatown.

I agree. Picks are useless if you don't know how to use them. I don't believe the OP's story. He just wants to play with lock picks and this is his excuse to ask about them. Nothing wrong with learning how to pick locks, it can be a useful skill, but it is not a practical plan for opening your house when you forget your key. Try a key box with a combination lock.

[zzdocxx]

I have one of these and like it. Are they available in Thailand?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores...+90401+10000003

[Maestro]

I would change my lock to a type that would not allow me to lock myself out, ie one where I need the key to lock the door both from inside and from outside.

--

Maestro

[bino]

one where I need the key to lock the door both from inside and from outside.

A lock that needs a key from the inside could be a big safety problem- if the house is on fire and you need to get out in a hurry. Murphy's law dictates that the keys will be in the burning room when that happens, or lost under the sofa in the OP's case! (jk!)

Requiring a key on the outside is an excellent idea though- such as a "deadbolt" type of lock instead of one that can be pulled closed. Better security-wise too: it is impossible to loid this type of lock.

Edited April 30, 2009 by bino

[Maestro]

A lock that needs a key from the inside could be a big safety problem...

When I lock on the inside I leave the key in the lock. When I leave, I unlock, remove key, open the door, go out, close the door, lock, put the key in my pocket. I've done that for over 30 years and have never had a problem.

--

Maestro

[sedeflonga]

You'e be better off hiding a spare key somewhere ..... the issue with lockpicks is that they are only one half of the needed combination

Get a spare key and hide it (or bury it) somewhere.

You can get quite good lock picking kits from locksmiths in Chinatown.

I agree. Picks are useless if you don't know how to use them. I don't believe the OP's story. He just wants to play with lock picks and this is his excuse to ask about them. Nothing wrong with learning how to pick locks, it can be a useful skill, but it is not a practical plan for opening your house when you forget your key. Try a key box with a combination lock.

You are obviously wrong. My story is true.

[sedeflonga]

oh and btw: I put one key in my garage

[sedeflonga]

A lock that needs a key from the inside could be a big safety problem...

When I lock on the inside I leave the key in the lock. When I leave, I unlock, remove key, open the door, go out, close the door, lock, put the key in my pocket. I've done that for over 30 years and have never had a problem.

--

Maestro

My problem was that I was running (jogging) and took the house door key away from all other keys so the key won't bang at me so hard when I run. So I took the key (not the single one) and went out of house, forgetting the single door key. Simple, isn't it?

I think this topic is resolved for me. Thanks for help and flames.

\o