Security Locks

[kurgen]

Does any one know where I can get some decent locks for my doors.

I noticed yesterday that some nice member of the community has stress tested my existing locks with a screwdriver free of charge.

Don't tell me to go and see the locksmith on Suksabai Villas (he used to be on Theprasit) because he's as much use as a chocolate tea pot.

Any advice appreciated

[Jai Dee]

You could call Andre of Master Safety Enterprises... he's a specialist in security systems and would know where to get some quality locks.

He's currently installing a security system in my new home.

PM me if you want his number.

[Digger]

You could also try Home Pro on Pattaya Klang - they have a huge selection of locks for all types of doors including some fangled israeli system that costs a shed load of money but looks very good. They also have full range of Yale locks from the UK, which are a fraction of the price but probably more than adequate to keep out an opportunist thief and more than a couple of steps up from the normal Thai locks.

[kurgen]

but no locks produced especially for alluminium patio doors , unfortunatly.

[lopburi3]

If you are lucky and have sliding glass doors on the inside the best is just a cheap broomstick cut to fit the bottom track to prevent door being opened without removing it.

[Jai Dee]

Actually kurgen... I just remembered something... (apart from the PM we exchanged earlier)... lampard10 mentioned something a couple of months ago about an Aussi company setting up in Isaan that specialise in aluminium doors, windows etc... it may be worth PM'ing him to get some feedback... he knows the guys and maybe they have the gear to suit your application.

Worth a shot mate.

[bino]

If you are lucky and have sliding glass doors on the inside the best is just a cheap broomstick cut to fit the bottom track to prevent door being opened without removing it.

This is an excellent "low tech" solution!

If your sliding glass is on the outside however, you have a huge security problem in that it is super easy to lift the entire door off the track.

[Simbo]

These patio doors are so easy to get through. I had extra security doors fitted inside. They make them to measure. 9k about 6 months ago.

[lopburi3]

If you are lucky and have sliding glass doors on the inside the best is just a cheap broomstick cut to fit the bottom track to prevent door being opened without removing it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is an excellent "low tech" solution!

If your sliding glass is on the outside however, you have a huge security problem in that it is super easy to lift the entire door off the track.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not if you put a filler between top of door and frame - such as stick on plastic wire cover (the back part) or aluminum strip while the doors are open. When shut they no longer have space at top to remove from track. If you need to remove doors just remove spacer first (but doors have to be open to access). Same system works on windows. For lock you may be able to find display case type lock to install on inside to keep doors from being pulled apart or probably better dead bolts into floor/frame.

[wrestler7902002]

Hello everyone:

I live in Jomtien on 1st floor of very popular condo building. Many businesses on first floor, but also some farang and Thai residents as well.

I called Andre from Master Safety Enterprises to see what he could do to add some sort of secuity alarm system. I am not fearful of being robbed because condo has very good secuity and normally a security guard in rear of building watching motorbikes all the time. Andre is member of Pattaya City Expats Club (discount to members).

Andre pointed out how easilly it would be for someone to get into condo from glass sliding doors and windows. He just put a screwdriver under the glass sliding door from the outside and lifted the entire glass door from its track and in two seconds could be inside the condo. Same with windows. There was too much space between the top of glass doors and the metal framing.

Why is it in Thailand that most of the balcony glass sliding doors as well as all windows are installed the opposite way than in America? The Thai builders or remodelers think that it is easier to install this way, but security wise, this bites bigtime! In America, I put a wooden bar from the inside of the glass patio doors and no one can enter from the outside. But in Thailand, the glass doors are installed in wrong pattern. I can put a wooden bar on outside only to have it removed by robber.

I asked Thai friend (rectangular) about 3 inch in length and 1/16 of inch thickness. Get as many as you need to fill the space atop the glass sliding doors. Bolt them into the metal frames at top using screws. Leave about 1/16 inch of space for doors to move.

You'll be pleasantly surprised as how effective this is. No more picking up the balcony glass doors anymore. Physically impossible to lift doors or even windows anymore.

Also, most of the balcony sliding doors comes in pairs. When closing the doors, both glass doors close. The locks that come with sliding doors are flimsy at best. What I did was again go to Home Pro at Carrefour on Central Road. Buy some 6 inch nails (I bought fancy bronze type nail-type). Where the doors meet, they normally overlap. I drilled a hole straight through the metal part of where the doors meet. Make sure not to drill the hole all the way to the outside so that the thief would not be able to push nail back inwards. Also make sure not to drill at glass or it'll break. There is normally a couple of inches of metal framing so this shouldn't be a problem. Just be careful at first and drill slowly.

This definitely works. Robber can't pull apart glass balcony doors no matter what. You can also do for your windows. Cost probably less than 200 baht per window or glass sliding door. Best money I ever spent in Pattaya.

Now the only way of getting into condo would be to physically crash or crack the glass doors and windows. I haven't figured on how to solve this potential problem yet....but I will.

Houses are robbed a lot more than condos in Thailand. But I figure that if anyone wants to get into a condo or especially a house, they'll find a way, even if the condo is on the 18th floor. Most Thai robbers are very smart and persistant hard workers---will come in through the roof if they have to.

Edited September 10, 2005 by wrestler7902002

[bino]

Why is it in Thailand that most of the balcony glass sliding doors as well as all windows are installed the opposite way than in America?

Par for the course in the Land of Smiles!

A little off topic, but it has been my experience here that if something doesn't work as it should, to try the opposite.

In my last apartment, they had put the blue knob on the hot tap, and the red knob on the cold tap in the shower. I'd called the landlord / maintenance complaining about the lack of hot water before I figured it out.

Edited September 10, 2005 by bino

[Jai Dee]

Rarely in Thailand are windows broken to gain entry to a house... normally a door or window is forced, then the intruders remove their shoes before entering...

Good locks and an alarm system is a good investment.

[astral]

You could call Andre of Master Safety Enterprises... he's a specialist in security systems and would know where to get some quality locks.

He's currently installing a security system in my new home.

PM me if you want his number.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

From what I have seen the sliding doors are so flimsily made that a good lock will

be a waste of money.

You need a metal door outside.

[Jai Dee]

From what I have seen the sliding doors are so flimsily made that a good lock will

be a waste of money.

You need a metal door outside.

Or a good heavy wooden framed door fitted with safety glass, suspended from a metal track (not sitting on one) that is covered and not able to be tampered with...