Pickpockets On The Bts

[BKKGuitar]

Was reminded to keep my "situational awareness" at a high level yesterday when a wad of bills was skillfully removed from my trouser pocket. BTS, between Phrom Pong and Nana, packed train, relaxed for a moment and there you have it. Stay sharp, peops!

This was my second time being robbed in Bangkok. First time: my very first night in Bangkok, 1998, dazed after that awful flight, wandering along Sukhumwit and a katoey approached, grabbed my b@lls and--while i was politely declining a fascinating offer--removed my cash from pocket. Ninja skill, i tell you!

Anyone else been robbed/pickpocketed? I lived in New York and feel Bangkok is a LOT safer, by the way...

[Nordlys]

My Thai brother-in-law got his wallet pickpocketed a few years ago on BTS just after he withdrew his entire month's salary from ATM (approx. 10,000 Baht) on pay day.

[lopburi3]

My Thai brother-in-law got his wallet pickpocketed a few years ago on BTS just after he withdrew his entire month's salary from ATM (approx. 10,000 Baht) on pay day.

Not that it couldn't be true: but the same story was told my maid's sister by her husband, but we know the real story was he spent the money on ladies of the night.

[dantilley]

My Thai brother-in-law got his wallet pickpocketed a few years ago on BTS just after he withdrew his entire month's salary from ATM (approx. 10,000 Baht) on pay day.

A side issue, but why on earth did he withdraw his entire month's salary in one go?!

[Nordlys]

I don't know. But quite a few of Thai employees in my company working at that wages seem to do the same thing every month. Just because they live on low income doesn't mean they are frugal, I guess. A lot of my company employees spend 1/3 their income on cell phone bills and often they have mobile phones that costs more than their monthly pay check + loan on cars, etc. so go figure.

[jdinasia]

to the Op ... what ever happened to using a wallet?

[dantilley]

I don't know. But quite a few of Thai employees in my company working at that wages seem to do the same thing every month. Just because they live on low income doesn't mean they are frugal, I guess. A lot of my company employees spend 1/3 their income on cell phone bills and often they have mobile phones that costs more than their monthly pay check + loan on cars, etc. so go figure.

Yeah, well it's true to say that a lot of Thai people aren't the most sensible people in the world when it comes to money management!

[BKKGuitar]

to the Op ... what ever happened to using a wallet?

Dude that's my system: have a wallet with the BIG 1,000B bills. If anyone tries to take that I hope they had a good breakfast Then change goes in the front pocket and sometimes grows to "wad" dimensions. Is that acceptable?

[Spit the Dog]

Was reminded to keep my "situational awareness" at a high level yesterday when a wad of bills was skillfully removed from my trouser pocket. BTS, between Phrom Pong and Nana, packed train, relaxed for a moment and there you have it. Stay sharp, peops!

This was my second time being robbed in Bangkok. First time: my very first night in Bangkok, 1998, dazed after that awful flight, wandering along Sukhumwit and a katoey approached, grabbed my b@lls and--while i was politely declining a fascinating offer--removed my cash from pocket. Ninja skill, i tell you!

Anyone else been robbed/pickpocketed? I lived in New York and feel Bangkok is a LOT safer, by the way...

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

Thankfully, I have never been pickpocketed in Bangkok. On a couple of occassions in Sukhumvit road, I have been approached by ladyboys trying the old grab your nuts and dip your pocket at the same time routine. I have caught on to their trick and any time a ladyboy approaches me I am prepared with my hands ready to protect my pockets and family jewels.

In my opinion, the most common type of robbery throughout Thailand, appears to be bag snatching. This usually involves a couple of youths on a motorbike snatching a handbag from their unsuspecting target before speeding off in the distance with their goods.

[jdinasia]

old old saying ... "fool me once shame on you ... fool me twice shame on me"

[Jack Jones]

I always make sure I walk around the BTS and MRT with my hands in my pockets, just in case. I know the stretch where you get harrassed by the lady boys and am usually pretty adept at avoiding any contact. I've managed to stay out of trouble up to now, just keep your wits about you like you would in any major city.

[Gazza]

I've known a couple of girls who've been victims of pickpockets. Both occassions they were trying/fighting to get onto a bus to get a seat.

Also I've witnessed pickpockets in action twice at Victory monument. Again, the victims were fighting along with a crowd of others to get onto a bus.

The PP's just dipped their hands into a shoulder bag while everyone is pushing and jostling and then they were off to the otherside of the bus and jumped onto another one that was pulling away.

[britmaveric]

Crowded areas, always be weary. (on guard at all times)

[camerata]

Years ago I had my shoulder bag razored open by a Thai guy on a regular bus along Sukhumvit. It seemed suspicious that he bumped into my back when the bus hadn't braked hard, so I moved away from him. I didn't see the slashed bag until I got home, but all I had in the bag was English teaching books which would have been difficult to remove even if he'd wanted them.

[BKKGuitar]

Years ago I had my shoulder bag razored open by a Thai guy on a regular bus along Sukhumvit. It seemed suspicious that he bumped into my back when the bus hadn't braked hard, so I moved away from him. I didn't see the slashed bag until I got home, but all I had in the bag was English teaching books which would have been difficult to remove even if he'd wanted them.

Yeah, I used to work in Italy, and razoring the bottom of the bag was a common thing. Teams of gypsies worked the tourist areas in Rome and were amazing at stealing. Even small children were trained to steal and scam...

[britmaveric]

Years ago I had my shoulder bag razored open by a Thai guy on a regular bus along Sukhumvit. It seemed suspicious that he bumped into my back when the bus hadn't braked hard, so I moved away from him. I didn't see the slashed bag until I got home, but all I had in the bag was English teaching books which would have been difficult to remove even if he'd wanted them.

Yeah, I used to work in Italy, and razoring the bottom of the bag was a common thing. Teams of gypsies worked the tourist areas in Rome and were amazing at stealing. Even small children were trained to steal and scam...

Weary of Rome - kept my distance from gypsies, children, and ready to smack anyone who dare try.