Less than an hour ago, someone took a pot-shot at my hotel window. I heard a pop outside, then (probably a delay as long as a second) a ball bearing came through the top of my window, throwing shards of glass over the floor. It wasn't high velocity, but enough to make a hole.

I've just moved, and tomorrow I'll head for the relative safety of touristic Krabi town. Although I don't feel too threatened by the situation. Probably high jinks, or someone just doesn't like farang. I've been here three nights, and haven't had any altercations with the natives. On the contrary, everyone seemed friendly, but a little curious that I was staying here, when most tourists just visit the elephants or the temple, and leave.

Up to now, it seemed like such a peaceful place. (But it has been raining virtually non-stop). I had previously planned to stay a week or two, and climb the Wat Tham Sua mountain on days when the weather permitted.

I'd expect this from a touristic hell-hole like Pattaya, but really surprised it happened here. Only about 100m or so from the buddhist temple.

I didn't report it to the police. From what I've gathered about Thai police - I don't trust them. Besides, it might reflect badly on the hotel owners, who seem like genuine nice people.

I was staying in Tawantai Hotel, opposite the elephant farm (The window overlooked the elephants), just outside Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave).

Maybe they have been training the ellies to shoot ?

Was you wearing a red shirt by any chance, or a red T shirt.

if you didnt report to the police , did the owners, ? , who will pay for the window? , you i presume?

anyway, double bolt your doors and welcome to the ghetto

Maybe they have been training the ellies to shoot ?

Or hoped to bag a jumbo-BBQ, but couldn't even hit something, the size of an elephant ?

Dont get too paranoid, probably someone obviously playing around with a bb gun............

i would suggest someone was out shooting birds or something and your window git unlucky. or some other such simple explanation, i find it really hard to believe your window was shot.

Did you hear a shot? if no how do you know it wans't a rock or sling shot ball bearing?

Edited October 6, 201114 yr by nocturn

I don't know how big the Hotel is but I think it very unlikely that your Room window - much less you - was a deliberate target.

More than likely someone just playing with a BB gun or had a little too much to drink and feeling feisty.

Patrick

I think you're taking it too personally. How many people over there know you, or what room you were in?

On the other hand the owner of the hotel may have some enemies.

Or, as been said before, some lads clowning around with a BB gun.

As the only farang staying in the area, no doubt I stuck out like a sore thumb. Maybe they saw me earlier, looking out, wondering if the rain would ever stop.

Yes, it was a BB-gun. I wish I'd kept the ball-bearing as a souvenir. This morning I looked at my 5th floor window from the street. Definitely not accidentally aiming at anything else. Deliberate. Probably more of a prank than malicious - but I wasn't taking the chance.

I spoke to a respectable looking elderly Thai man going into the hotel. He'd heard about the incident (the whole village probably knows). He didn't speak much English, but he gestured towards the direction of fire, and he said "No good". I don't think he was talking about the elephants. Maybe he was referring to a particular group of youths. Maybe Thailand has a problem with "Chavs", the same as we do in the UK.

It was a pity to leave. Otherwise peaceful, rural, quaint and friendly. One particular nearby understated local-style restaurant had a really talented chef. My good intentions to walk up the 1277 steps up the mountain every day (weather permitting) have been sadly abandoned. I did this hike a few months ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

( Does anyone else know anywhere I can stay in Thailand with safe hikes (and no guide) on my doorstep? )

One casualty of the incident was my iPod Touch. Coincidently on the day Steve Jobs died. In my haste to pack and leave the room, I packed my bottle of shampoo with stopper loose, and it soaked a few things.

I'm in Krabi town now.

Edited October 6, 201114 yr by inasia

Not too many hitmen use BB guns. You should be alright.

Not too many hitmen use BB guns. You should be alright.

I do, they are good for shooting those dangerous cockroaches and grasshoppers.

Kids with BB guns and sling shots are an every day normal occurance. Kids do stupid things... like shooting at windows. Just be glad that you don't have to pay for it.

Life is an adventure. Enjoy the ride. You just have to take the bad with the good. The ups and downs are a normal set of circumstances. I'd hate to live in a world where everything went smoothly all the time. That is one of the reasons I leave Canada each winter. Canadians tend to never want to leave their mother's tit, and expect everything to be taken care of for them.

we used to take potshots at golfers putting from about 150 yds when we were kids, even hit a couple.

Op…I don’t think it was personal, you were just in the wrongplace at the wrong time, or were you standing in the window, (in the buff) Youknow it’s rude to point at anyone in Thailand. You may have just pissed someoneoff!

This is a no brainer.

1 shot + your room number + the day of the month = a winning lotto ticket

... but he gestured towards the direction of fire, and he said "No good" ...

I think he was probably commenting on the weather

Simon

Op…I don’t think it was personal, you were just in the wrongplace at the wrong time, or were you standing in the window, (in the buff) Youknow it’s rude to point at anyone in Thailand. You may have just pissed someoneoff!

I like elephants - but not in THAT way. I wasn't flashing from my window.

I don't take it personally as such - just a general distain for foreigners that I've been feeling since exploring the south of the country. (I used to stick mostly to Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok). We're tolerated in touristic places - because it's good business.

I don't take it personally as such - just a general distain for foreigners that I've been feeling since exploring the south of the country. (I used to stick mostly to Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok). We're tolerated in touristic places - because it's good business.

Don't be so sensitive. Why would you actually CARE what others think of you? If you've done nothing wrong then that is THEIR problem, not yours. Pick one of the most evil persons who has ever lived on earth; would you care what that person thought of you? It is the same thing.

Besides that, it is a bunch of paranoid nonsense. The great majority of Thais are remarkably tolerant of the farangs stumbling around in their midst.