A word of warning..robbed at gunpoint

[realfunster]

Just thought I would share this, as I have never had a close friend experience this in my nearly 10 years in Bangers.

I had an ex-colleague visit me this evening, he lived in Bangkok for a couple of years previously.

Whilst we were having our general catch-up chat, he told me he got mugged at gun-point on Thanon Narathiwat (Sathorn) 2 days ago.

He left Tawan Daeng and whilst walking back up Narathiwat to his room in Sathorn at about 1 am (he is a fitness freak) two guys on a bike pulled over and waved a gun in his face...

They made off with about 1,500 baht and (amusingly..?) refused to rob his cheap, newly purchased 1-2-call phone.

Just a heads up to everyone...keep 'em peeled !

[saakura]

Whether he is a fitness freak or not, he should not very careful when walking back from a bar at 1am, anywhere in the world.

[realfunster]

Whether he is a fitness freak or not, he should not very careful when walking back from a bar at 1am, anywhere in the world.

True enough but the first time I have heard of this happening to a friend in my time here, maybe we all need to be a bit more careful !

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

why? is one am late? i wanst aware it was.

[mad mary]

why? is one am late? i wanst aware it was.

Are you pished?

[realfunster]

why? is one am late? i wanst aware it was.

Are you pished?

I is

But it is late on a Saturday !

[richard_smith237]

Thanks for the heads up...

I'm made highly aware of how dangerous Thailand (Bangkok) can be on a regular basis when out drinking with Thai friends.

When the end of the night comes and its time to take taxi one of them will always escort me so that I'm not on the side of the street in the early hours flagging down a cab on my own... This act of kindness in itself constantly reminds me that there are dangers out there.

Recommendation: Always take a cab when travelling anywhere after 9-10pm-ish... especially in areas which may not have many people around.

Thailand appears safe and for the most part it is, confrontational crime against foreigners is relatively low, I think thats one of the reasons many people like it here. However, scratch the surface and there is an undercurrent of opportunism, cheating and crime... the Thai's all know this, its part of society, however, we as Foreigners are not so privy to the darker sides of Thai culture.

[realfunster]

Thanks for the heads up...

I'm made highly aware of how dangerous Thailand (Bangkok) can be on a regular basis when out drinking with Thai friends.

When the end of the night comes and its time to take taxi one of them will always escort me so that I'm not on the side of the street in the early hours flagging down a cab on my own... This act of kindness in itself constantly reminds me that there are dangers out there.

Recommendation: Always take a cab when travelling anywhere after 9-10pm-ish... especially in areas which may not have many people around.

Thailand appears safe and for the most part it is, confrontational crime against foreigners is relatively low, I think thats one of the reasons many people like it here. However, scratch the surface and there is an undercurrent of opportunism, cheating and crime... the Thai's all know this, its part of society, however, we as Foreigners are not so privy to the darker sides of Thai culture.

Good advice Richard. I generally feel safe in busier areas (perhaps unjustly..) but we should definitely be very careful when wandering around quieter areas.

[adweb00]

I agree with what's been said i won't say to much however same thing happened to a person im aware of. However he was carrying a much bigger one than what was pulled on him. Long story short scared these to idiots so much they dropped there bike and took off on foot ha ha ha. Once home he called the police informed them where to find bike etc etc Could of turned out much much worse thankfully it didn't

[realfunster]

I agree with what's been said i won't say to much however same thing happened to a person im aware of. However he was carrying a much bigger one than what was pulled on him. Long story short scared these to idiots so much they dropped there bike and took off on foot ha ha ha. Once home he called the police informed them where to find bike etc etc Could of turned out much much worse thankfully it didn't

Happy it ended well.

Reminds me of Crocodile Dundee- "you call that a knife ?"

[David48]

Thanks for the reminder.

I walk the streets all hours of the night (no pun intended) and never really worry about it when I'm in the City.

I do split my money between my wallet and another pocket ... just in case.

Thankfully, no issues to date. Boys on a Bike with a gun ... <deleted>

Glad it worked out without harm ...

.

[mad mary]

Thanks for the reminder.

I walk the streets all hours of the night (no pun intended) and never really worry about it when I'm in the City.

I do split my money between my wallet and another pocket ... just in case.

Thankfully, no issues to date. Boys on a Bike with a gun ... <deleted>

Glad it worked out without harm ...

.

That's useful info if I wanted to rob you!!

I Thai guy jumped in the back of a taxi I was on on beach rd pattaya ,I was the only other passenger on board ,he fiddled in his pocket as if he was looking for a blade or weapon, I asked if he was ok & he replied "you too big farang,no scare ,i go now"Happy days 10baht only!!!

[Curt1591]

Although 1am may not be "late", it's plenty late for clowns to get tanked up with a good set of beer muscles.

[mca]

Thailand appears safe and for the most part it is, confrontational crime against foreigners is relatively low, I think thats one of the reasons many people like it here. However, scratch the surface and there is an undercurrent of opportunism, cheating and crime... the Thai's all know this, its part of society, however, we as Foreigners are not so privy to the darker sides of Thai culture.

I agree as I think we get lulled into a false sense of security which could turn round and bite you on the arse if you get too complacent. My wife, not a person given to flights of fancy, always admonishes me when I get a bit hot hearted while driving as she says you never know who's got weapon. I recall this story from last year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Man-behind-shooting-of-MPs-son-surrenders-30189559.html

[isawasnake]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKqDCFcIck

[monkeycountry]

Thailand appears safe and for the most part it is, confrontational crime against foreigners is relatively low, I think thats one of the reasons many people like it here. However, scratch the surface and there is an undercurrent of opportunism, cheating and crime... the Thai's all know this, its part of society, however, we as Foreigners are not so privy to the darker sides of Thai culture.

I agree as I think we get lulled into a false sense of security which could turn round and bite you on the arse if you get too complacent. My wife, not a person given to flights of fancy, always admonishes me when I get a bit hot hearted while driving as she says you never know who's got weapon. I recall this story from last year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Man-behind-shooting-of-MPs-son-surrenders-30189559.html

Interesting story, but could not find any follow up - surprise.

Would be interesting to know if the bullets in the construction guys car matched those in the MP son's car. Ie. the same gun shot both cars?

[Arkady]

Thailand appears safe and for the most part it is, confrontational crime against foreigners is relatively low, I think thats one of the reasons many people like it here. However, scratch the surface and there is an undercurrent of opportunism, cheating and crime... the Thai's all know this, its part of society, however, we as Foreigners are not so privy to the darker sides of Thai culture.

I agree as I think we get lulled into a false sense of security which could turn round and bite you on the arse if you get too complacent. My wife, not a person given to flights of fancy, always admonishes me when I get a bit hot hearted while driving as she says you never know who's got weapon. I recall this story from last year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Man-behind-shooting-of-MPs-son-surrenders-30189559.html

Interesting story, but could not find any follow up - surprise.

Would be interesting to know if the bullets in the construction guys car matched those in the MP son's car. Ie. the same gun shot both cars?

The contractor gave himself up and was charged with murder. As usual no follow from Thailand's investigative journalists.

[davetrout]

careful