Safe For A Woman Who Will Be Alone Half The Month?

[LivinLOS]

Are foreigners eligible to own a gun here and if so, under what circumstances, etc?

Legally its complex (I think you can own one in your name only if left at the range).. But its very easy for the GF to own one and you keep it at home, I was even told the other day of a farang who had a gun license issued in his company name which was a total new one for me. Theres also the proper way and the Thai way, speaking with a Thai I know who regularly carries one and is close friends with the Kathu range owners he told me that he would take me to the police chief, vouch for me, and get the 'OK' to have one at home without a license. Make of that what you will.

I dont want a gun at home, despite my GF pressuring me to get one. I am going to get her some mace cans to keep in the bedroom tho, good non lethal protection that a woman can have.

[LivinLOS]

Ohh I should add.. The friend that had his wife kidnapped and drugged etc.. He then got a gun, fully legal in the missus name, licensed etc.. With part of the process one of the police came round and said "OK now you have a legal gun at home, go out and get a second unregistered gun, then if you shoot anyone just leave the other gun by the person you shot and you wont get in trouble" !!

That was the advice of the police officer himself !!

[katabeachbum]

Ohh I should add.. The friend that had his wife kidnapped and drugged etc.. He then got a gun, fully legal in the missus name, licensed etc.. With part of the process one of the police came round and said "OK now you have a legal gun at home, go out and get a second unregistered gun, then if you shoot anyone just leave the other gun by the person you shot and you wont get in trouble" !!

That was the advice of the police officer himself !!

I have recieved similar advice from several police/army/judges and jangwat sources, but its sufficient with a kitchen knife without my fingerprints

[katabeachbum]

Legally its complex (I think you can own one in your name only if left at the range).. But its very easy for the GF to own one and you keep it at home, I was even told the other day of a farang who had a gun license issued in his company name which was a total new one for me. Theres also the proper way and the Thai way, speaking with a Thai I know who regularly carries one and is close friends with the Kathu range owners he told me that he would take me to the police chief, vouch for me, and get the 'OK' to have one at home without a license. Make of that what you will.

I dont want a gun at home, despite my GF pressuring me to get one. I am going to get her some mace cans to keep in the bedroom tho, good non lethal protection that a woman can have.

rather than turning this thread to a gun thread, have a look at Hua Hin forum informative thread about guns 4-6 months back

[thefalang]

Ohh I should add.. The friend that had his wife kidnapped and drugged etc.. He then got a gun, fully legal in the missus name, licensed etc.. With part of the process one of the police came round and said "OK now you have a legal gun at home, go out and get a second unregistered gun, then if you shoot anyone just leave the other gun by the person you shot and you wont get in trouble" !!

That was the advice of the police officer himself !!

"License in his missus name"... So it is quite easy for a Thai to purchase and own a gun, but not necessarily have the authority to carry it in public on their person? It seems like a relatively high percentage of Thai males do own and "carry" guns.

I have always heard that foreigner's cannot be personally own a gun.

[PaulHamon]

From my experience your LIFE reflects the kind of people you spend your time with whether it be personally or professionally.

[Yamantaka]

Don't quiet agree with you here, if you have 2 houses and one has alarm and you can see the flasher, sign and the siren/camera and the other don't have anything, which one do you think they will choose?? Also you can turn the alarm on when you sleep, and then you at least will know if they try to enter your house.

Sadly, you are thinking like an alarm salesperson and not like a criminal, which is the mistake most homeowners make. Putting in a visible alarm system of any kind announces to the seasoned criminal that you have something worth stealing and they will find ways around it. The druggie types don't care if you have an alarm or not as they will be in your house as soon as the alarm goes off knowing that the police, if they come at all, will not be there in time to stop them from robbing you and possibly doing you bodily harm. Only a totally integrated protective program can keep men, women and children safe in their own homes.

[chiang mai]

In a huge gated community like L & H one advantage is the number of securityguards. At the gates and patroling on bicycles. If any incident occurs, you just blow the whistle and no need to wait for police 30 minutes. 3 guards show up within 3 minutes.

Another advantage is that all the houses are similar, not one sticking out as the rich farang to be burglared.

I chose to live like this for 2 years while developing properties, which is a rather risky business. At the same time I upgraded my private security with one more lisenced gun and a rottweiler. I now live in a mixed and more exciting community without guards. Some neighbors have been burglared, I have not. Just like back home.

I'm sorry but your statement shows just how little you know or understand about L & H and I don't care how long you have lived there! Residents in some soi's in L & H are clearly more well off than in other sois's, some soi's are very run down and contain a much higher percentage of seemingly lower income Thai's whilst the newer soi's are much better kept and their residents apparently more well heeled - the value of the property in these soi's also reflects those factors.

As for security: the perimeter of L & H is no barrier whatsoever to an intruder who wants to enter sight unseen and if you don't believe that, just take a drive around the northern border where there is no discernible border between L & H and the adjacent land. L & H seems to have recognised this by adding a second area, a compound within a compound that surrounds the lake!

I also challenge you or anyone else, no matter how powerful their lungs, to stand anywhere within L & H, more than three hundred meters from a guard post and blow a whilst for as long as they wish - the chances are that your neighbours will come out and tell you to stop making a noise long before any security people show up and I think if you are truthful you will know and admit that.

I realize that it's not good press for existing property owners in L & H to let it be known that there are crime problems there, just like everywhere else in Phuket, but please, let's have the real picture here shall we.

[katabeachbum]

I'm sorry but your statement shows just how little you know or understand about L & H and I don't care how long you have lived there! Residents in some soi's in L & H are clearly more well off than in other sois's, some soi's are very run down and contain a much higher percentage of seemingly lower income Thai's whilst the newer soi's are much better kept and their residents apparently more well heeled - the value of the property in these soi's also reflects those factors.

As for security: the perimeter of L & H is no barrier whatsoever to an intruder who wants to enter sight unseen and if you don't believe that, just take a drive around the northern border where there is no discernible border between L & H and the adjacent land. L & H seems to have recognised this by adding a second area, a compound within a compound that surrounds the lake!

I also challenge you or anyone else, no matter how powerful their lungs, to stand anywhere within L & H, more than three hundred meters from a guard post and blow a whilst for as long as they wish - the chances are that your neighbours will come out and tell you to stop making a noise long before any security people show up and I think if you are truthful you will know and admit that.

I realize that it's not good press for existing property owners in L & H to let it be known that there are crime problems there, just like everywhere else in Phuket, but please, let's have the real picture here shall we.

Chiang Mai from Patong, I can see you have very limited knowledge about L & H Phuket. Its divided into several villages, usually one village has only one or two house designs, and therfor one house does not stick out as faranghome to be burglared.

Low income thais in L & H? Properties from 3 -12 mill baht does not normally have low income thai residents.

The village I own a property in does not have more than 300 meters to any of the guard posts, and they do show up in 3 minutes. They also escort unwelcome guests out, with or without police assitance, in a few minutes. Thats what a private guarded estate is all about. I do admit being truthfull here, despite your lack of knowledge.

As some villages get older, initial 5 years of commonfees are blown and some owners refuse to pay, security could be stepped down in this village. As in every estate, some areas within the estate are better and safer.

Entering L & H unseen in a vehicle? Watch the cameras, recording stored for 2 weeks.

I m not living in L & H any more. Have just been sharing my experince of a very safe, but for me rather boring, way of living in Phuket.

According to local Police, L & H is the safest place to live in this district with less crime than average. Thats basicly what this thread is about.

[thefalang]

Chiang Mai from Patong, I can see you have very limited knowledge about L & H Phuket. Its divided into several villages, usually one village has only one or two house designs, and therfor one house does not stick out as faranghome to be burglared.

Low income thais in L & H? Properties from 3 -12 mill baht does not normally have low income thai residents.

The village I own a property in does not have more than 300 meters to any of the guard posts, and they do show up in 3 minutes. They also escort unwelcome guests out, with or without police assitance, in a few minutes. Thats what a private guarded estate is all about. I do admit being truthfull here, despite your lack of knowledge.

As some villages get older, initial 5 years of commonfees are blown and some owners refuse to pay, security could be stepped down in this village. As in every estate, some areas within the estate are better and safer.

Entering L & H unseen in a vehicle? Watch the cameras, recording stored for 2 weeks.

I m not living in L & H any more. Have just been sharing my experince of a very safe, but for me rather boring, way of living in Phuket.

According to local Police, L & H is the safest place to live in this district with less crime than average. Thats basicly what this thread is about.

I don't dispute what you have posted but please don't reference and/or quote the local police, they don't have a clue!

[katabeachbum]

I don't dispute what you have posted but please don't reference and/or quote the local police, they don't have a clue!

they make their monthly reports to BKK and Suratani (south police headoffice, but moving to Phuket) on reported crimes. BKK makes statistics. Satistics are available and readable. Doesn mean average BIB have a clue.

Its no brainer a gated private community with patrolling guards and recording cameras has lower crime stats than other areas.

[HDRIDER]

Sadly, you are thinking like an alarm salesperson and not like a criminal, which is the mistake most homeowners make. Putting in a visible alarm system of any kind announces to the seasoned criminal that you have something worth stealing and they will find ways around it. The druggie types don't care if you have an alarm or not as they will be in your house as soon as the alarm goes off knowing that the police, if they come at all, will not be there in time to stop them from robbing you and possibly doing you bodily harm. Only a totally integrated protective program can keep men, women and children safe in their own homes.

Well i am not an alarm sales man, it was hard to give out the money but i think it was worth it, not have a break in yet, but a few people around me have, and i still dont agree with you

[gvallee2]

Buy a Bankeao or whatever the name is for the thai husky type dog. Most badass thais are scared of those little babies. If you dont plan on staying forever, just send the dog to me after, the more the merrier.

[rawaireddragon]

"Very calm situation" ...

Fine, you tell that to my friend who almost was raped several months ago, the many friends who have been burglarized & traumatized and the Japanese man who was "torched" in his car the other day.

Phuket is not a "ghetto" but exhibits many crime statistics that resemble that of a ghetto.

I feel you are too biased to comment on this issue fairly due to your "economic" situation. I suspect that many posts dispelling the crime situation in these forums are in the same category.

I feel that since I pay tax and social security for 20 staff I am more qualified than you...how can you sit in you a/c condo and pass judgement on someone you dont know?............

Please pass my sadness to your friend who was nearly raped.....

and the ghetto quote was from your post.........

And instead of you hiding behind your PC come and have a chat face to face...ask around and you know where to find us....debate is beter over a cold beer........

[chiang mai]

Chiang Mai from Patong, I can see you have very limited knowledge about L & H Phuket. Its divided into several villages, usually one village has only one or two house designs, and therfor one house does not stick out as faranghome to be burglared.

Low income thais in L & H? Properties from 3 -12 mill baht does not normally have low income thai residents.

The village I own a property in does not have more than 300 meters to any of the guard posts, and they do show up in 3 minutes. They also escort unwelcome guests out, with or without police assitance, in a few minutes. Thats what a private guarded estate is all about. I do admit being truthfull here, despite your lack of knowledge.

As some villages get older, initial 5 years of commonfees are blown and some owners refuse to pay, security could be stepped down in this village. As in every estate, some areas within the estate are better and safer.

Entering L & H unseen in a vehicle? Watch the cameras, recording stored for 2 weeks.

I m not living in L & H any more. Have just been sharing my experince of a very safe, but for me rather boring, way of living in Phuket.

According to local Police, L & H is the safest place to live in this district with less crime than average. Thats basicly what this thread is about.

Right, we're getting closer to the real world here:

Firstly, I've been involved in the purchase of two properties in L & H over the past few years plus we have good friends who live there whom we have visited almost weekly thus I do know a reasonable amount about L & H. Having said those things I have never actually lived there.

I have no doubt that your house is the distance from a security checkpoint that you say it is, however, that is not quite the same thing you said before in that no house is more than 300 meters from a checkpoint, that is simply not true, as you well appreciate.

Some houses in L & H are fifteen years old and the soi's containing the older houses are not particularly attractive, some of the properties on such soi's sell for between 3 and 5 million and as far as I can tell, are owned/tenanted by working class local people. Where those villages border onto newer properties the contrast can be quite stark.

It seems we can't agree on the extent to which crime is or is not a problem at L & H, I think it is but you think there is a high levels of security and that crime is not an issue. I think it would therefore be sensible for anyone considering living there to inspect the situation themselves paying particular attention to:

The one (or three) eighteen year old security guards in place at each entrance, based on which is used;

the ease with which a non-resident can gain access to the park by simply giving the name of a particular village or saying, the sales office is their destination;

the condition of all areas of the park, not just the newer ones;

the building work to increase perimeter wall height and perhaps asking why that is necessary;

discussions with local residents in the club house (perhaps) on the subject of crime at L & H.

And then readers can make their own informed decisions rather than listening to me say it is and you saying it isn't!

[gvallee2]

Also for 10 000baht a month which is chump change especialy for an airline pilot, you could hire a young guy from one of the local muy thai gyms. He could stay overnight, for that good of a salary and some beers im sure he'll stand on your porch and beat the living hel_l out of any wanna be robber/rapists

[katabeachbum]

Also for 10 000baht a month which is chump change especialy for an airline pilot, you could hire a young guy from one of the local muy thai gyms. He could stay overnight, for that good of a salary and some beers im sure he'll stand on your porch and beat the living hel_l out of any wanna be robber/rapists

10 000 baht a month there are honest BIB available sleeping armed in your house from 2200 to 0600 hours. Back in 2003/2004 i hired one for a year. Realestate conflict caused the need for protection.

[katabeachbum]

Right, we're getting closer to the real world here:

Firstly, I've been involved in the purchase of two properties in L & H over the past few years plus we have good friends who live there whom we have visited almost weekly thus I do know a reasonable amount about L & H. Having said those things I have never actually lived there.

I have no doubt that your house is the distance from a security checkpoint that you say it is, however, that is not quite the same thing you said before in that no house is more than 300 meters from a checkpoint, that is simply not true, as you well appreciate.

Some houses in L & H are fifteen years old and the soi's containing the older houses are not particularly attractive, some of the properties on such soi's sell for between 3 and 5 million and as far as I can tell, are owned/tenanted by working class local people. Where those villages border onto newer properties the contrast can be quite stark.

It seems we can't agree on the extent to which crime is or is not a problem at L & H, I think it is but you think there is a high levels of security and that crime is not an issue. I think it would therefore be sensible for anyone considering living there to inspect the situation themselves paying particular attention to:

The one (or three) eighteen year old security guards in place at each entrance, based on which is used;

the ease with which a non-resident can gain access to the park by simply giving the name of a particular village or saying, the sales office is their destination;

the condition of all areas of the park, not just the newer ones;

the building work to increase perimeter wall height and perhaps asking why that is necessary;

discussions with local residents in the club house (perhaps) on the subject of crime at L & H.

And then readers can make their own informed decisions rather than listening to me say it is and you saying it isn't!

Chiang Mai from patong, if you had read my post you would have seen crime (according to police stats) is an issue in L & H as everywhere else. Its just much safer in a gated community with patrolling guards and recording cameras.

Farang are allowed access to the park to visit. Theyr picture is recorded for 14 days as they enter and drive around the park. Thais must leave id card when entering, and can pick it up when exiting.

I m glad you have changed the "low income thai" residents (thais having salary less than 15k a month and thus no need to declare taxes) , to "low income locals" residing the 3-5 million baht houses. I still call it (as thai government does) middle class (with incomes from 15-70k month, thus declaring taxes).

Some of the security guards are 18 some are 45. They alternate who are at the gates and who are patrolling on bicycles.

Whats your opinion of L & H Chiang Mai and Bkk? Are they unsafe too?

[chiang mai]

Chiang Mai from patong, if you had read my post you would have seen crime (according to police stats) is an issue in L & H as everywhere else. Its just much safer in a gated community with patrolling guards and recording cameras.

Farang are allowed access to the park to visit. Theyr picture is recorded for 14 days as they enter and drive around the park. Thais must leave id card when entering, and can pick it up when exiting.

I m glad you have changed the "low income thai" residents (thais having salary less than 15k a month and thus no need to declare taxes) , to "low income locals" residing the 3-5 million baht houses. I still call it (as thai government does) middle class (with incomes from 15-70k month, thus declaring taxes).

Some of the security guards are 18 some are 45. They alternate who are at the gates and who are patrolling on bicycles.

Whats your opinion of L & H Chiang Mai and Bkk? Are they unsafe too?

I have no experience of L & H in BKK and only anecdotal evidence regarding crime in CM. Thai friends in CM tell me that burglaries are on the increase there and it was strongly suggested to me that farangs should weight their buying preferences towards condominiums rather than houses, for that reason. But let's be clear, I don't believe for one moment that burglaries are something peculiar to L & H, they are an increasing fact of life in Thailand (and elsewhere) in the present financial and social environment. The only point I make regarding L & H Phuket via my comments in this thread thus far are that whilst it does have a level of security that is arguably better than many other communities, in my book, that alone does not reduce the risk to a single female to an acceptable level - L & H does suffer from crime although how far above or below any other island remains an unknown because there are no stats on such things - I can therefore only judge that level based on the things I see and hear directly.

[katabeachbum]

I have no experience of L & H in BKK and only anecdotal evidence regarding crime in CM. Thai friends in CM tell me that burglaries are on the increase there and it was strongly suggested to me that farangs should weight their buying preferences towards condominiums rather than houses, for that reason. But let's be clear, I don't believe for one moment that burglaries are something peculiar to L & H, they are an increasing fact of life in Thailand (and elsewhere) in the present financial and social environment. The only point I make regarding L & H Phuket via my comments in this thread thus far are that whilst it does have a level of security that is arguably better than many other communities, in my book, that alone does not reduce the risk to a single female to an acceptable level - L & H does suffer from crime although how far above or below any other island remains an unknown because there are no stats on such things - I can therefore only judge that level based on the things I see and hear directly.

rather than estimating crime levels from patong and occasional visits to L & H, you should read police stats. L & H stand out as one Moo with more Tabien Baan than average and less crime than average. IOW far less crime per capita than average.

Burglary is basicly the only crime reported in this Moo. No rapes, killings......

Could the organised security have anything to do with it?

But what you are saying, single females can not live in Phuket?

I disagree

[chiang mai]

rather than estimating crime levels from patong and occasional visits to L & H, you should read police stats. L & H stand out as one Moo with more Tabien Baan than average and less crime than average. IOW far less crime per capita than average.

Burglary is basicly the only crime reported in this Moo. No rapes, killings......

Could the organised security have anything to do with it?

But what you are saying, single females can not live in Phuket?

I disagree

You misquote, I do not suggest that single females cannot live in Phuket, I say that the risk for a lone female in Phuket is too great in my book, especially one who is new here - would I allow my partner to do so under those circumstances, knowing what I do about the the island, no I would not.

As for your crime statistics - can you post them so that we can take a look at what is being reported and compared. I'm somewhat nervous of statistics in the first place but when they are compiled here and allege to portray such a sensitive subject as crime levels, particularly crime involving foreigners, well, let's say I'm slightly sceptical but not incapable of being convinced they are complete and accurate.

[katabeachbum]

You misquote, I do not suggest that single females cannot live in Phuket, I say that the risk for a lone female in Phuket is too great in my book, especially one who is new here - would I allow my partner to do so under those circumstances, knowing what I do about the the island, no I would not.

As for your crime statistics - can you post them so that we can take a look at what is being reported and compared. I'm somewhat nervous of statistics in the first place but when they are compiled here and allege to portray such a sensitive subject as crime levels, particularly crime involving foreigners, well, let's say I'm slightly sceptical but not incapable of being convinced they are complete and accurate.

hehehehe, they are not my crime statistics as you say. Me posting police docs on internett, i doubt it.

Police make crime stats public in newspapers like Phuketgazette. In depth stats are not my job to post.

I trust crime-statistics as comparing number of police reported crimes compared to number of residents more than someone from Patong visiting a place once a week to inspect crime and then publish his findings

Chalong Policestation is on your way on your weekly trips to inspect L & H, and you can ask to see them there.

If one of my daughters aged 20 and 24 decided to live single in Phuket, I would definately suggest living in Land & House Park and use a car for transportation. Its safer than most places.

[thefalang]

hehehehe, they are not my crime statistics as you say. Me posting police docs on internett, i doubt it.

Police make crime stats public in newspapers like Phuketgazette. In depth stats are not my job to post.

I trust crime-statistics as comparing number of police reported crimes compared to number of residents more than someone from Patong visiting a place once a week to inspect crime and then publish his findings

Chalong Policestation is on your way on your weekly trips to inspect L & H, and you can ask to see them there.

I remember in the mid-80's and requesting HIV statistics from a gov't office in Bangkok. They told me it was "confidential information" and such information was not made public. Don't on count on obtaining meaningful stats from a gov't entity on a sensitive subject.

[katabeachbum]

I remember in the mid-80's and requesting HIV statistics from a gov't office in Bangkok. They told me it was "confidential information" and such information was not made public. Don't on count on obtaining meaningful stats from a gov't entity on a sensitive subject.

Agree, and if you obtain it, dont post it on internett, espesially a farang site like TV

[chiang mai]

hehehehe, they are not my crime statistics as you say. Me posting police docs on internett, i doubt it.

Police make crime stats public in newspapers like Phuketgazette. In depth stats are not my job to post.

I trust crime-statistics as comparing number of police reported crimes compared to number of residents more than someone from Patong visiting a place once a week to inspect crime and then publish his findings

Chalong Policestation is on your way on your weekly trips to inspect L & H, and you can ask to see them there.

If one of my daughters aged 20 and 24 decided to live single in Phuket, I would definately suggest living in Land & House Park and use a car for transportation. Its safer than most places.

Apologies that I misunderstood, I thought you had copies of something to use as a reference. However, I'd like to set aside the issue of crime stats, especially if they are produced locally, I just can't see them as being wholly reliable and/or relevant and I would guess the subject in itself might become a red herring. Look, I'm comfortable that we have different views on the subject of lone female security at L & H, or in Phuket overall, and that we would both make different decisions if charged to do so - and I can also agree with your statement that in all probability L & H is "safer than most places" on Phuket. I think the OP has by now got a fair grasp on the issues and the different viewpoints.

[HDRIDER]

Hi

So, Mildred what do you think

[Atmos]

reading the posts I'm surprised anyone ventures past their own doorstep.

I'll never live in a gated community with an off-duty policeman sleeping on the porch, surrounded by guard dogs and with shrieking alarms. We live in a primarily Thai area, land and surrounding houses all under one long-established family's ownership, a gated community without the gates if that makes sense, feel absolutely safe - def safer than in major cities I've lived overseas. Yes we lock the door when we go out, but no bars on windows/doors, no alarms, and no worries about being home alone.

I can predict the next post easily, a vindictive 'just you wait' . . .

But that's the way we are, and I hope it remains this way.

It's a good place to live.

[F1fanatic]

reading the posts I'm surprised anyone ventures past their own doorstep.

I'll never live in a gated community with an off-duty policeman sleeping on the porch, surrounded by guard dogs and with shrieking alarms. We live in a primarily Thai area, land and surrounding houses all under one long-established family's ownership, a gated community without the gates if that makes sense, feel absolutely safe - def safer than in major cities I've lived overseas. Yes we lock the door when we go out, but no bars on windows/doors, no alarms, and no worries about being home alone.

I can predict the next post easily, a vindictive 'just you wait' . . .

But that's the way we are, and I hope it remains this way.

It's a good place to live.

Forgive me for asking, but how long have you lived there?

I've been burgled once and although MOST people I know haven't, they all know someone living near them who has. Suprisingly enough, after it happened they increased their security arrangements.

In many ways Phuket is a great place to live, but to pretend that burglary is not a concern is misleading at best.

Similarly, violence is always something to bear in mind. Having heard first-hand stories, I'm always v careful to NEVER get angry, never mind the provocation. Its unlikely, but more likely here than at home. I say this as I knew precisely one person in the UK who experienced a violent attack (in nearly 50 years!), whereas I know 2 people who've been attacked for making hand gestures in road incidents in the 3 years I've been here!!

[KarenBravo]

reading the posts I'm surprised anyone ventures past their own doorstep.

I'll never live in a gated community with an off-duty policeman sleeping on the porch, surrounded by guard dogs and with shrieking alarms. We live in a primarily Thai area, land and surrounding houses all under one long-established family's ownership, a gated community without the gates if that makes sense, feel absolutely safe - def safer than in major cities I've lived overseas. Yes we lock the door when we go out, but no bars on windows/doors, no alarms, and no worries about being home alone.

I can predict the next post easily, a vindictive 'just you wait' . . .

But that's the way we are, and I hope it remains this way.

It's a good place to live.

Yes, I was/am in the same situation. Living in a safe area, not far from you. No bars on the windows, no alarms. Stayed there five years with nothing stolen, even when I left things out in the garden.

Then I woke up at 2:30 in the morning to the screams of my neice-in-law and with a masked Thai man sitting on my chest with a machete at my throat. There were six Thai strangers in my house.

After this, I ditched my complacency, put bars on the windows, got an alarm system and locked my bedroom when retiring for the night.

Nothing has happened in the following five years.

You only need one attempted burglary to get bungled to potentially lose your life, but hey, it's your life.

Edited November 28, 2009 by KarenBravo

[Yamantaka]

I have lived in Thailand for ten years, almost seven of those in Phuket and have never been burgled, robbed or attacked except for one very crazy Aussie who vandalized my boat and put the final nail in my fiscal coffin after the tsunami. Getting professional security advice can make all the difference in the world.