In the last 3 weeks, 2 of my experienced friends have been robbed of their wallets when sitting next to a chubby Thai lady. Both had velcro sealed pockets. Best keep your hands on the wallets like I do. Please be careful.

Buy one of those wallets that either have a belt loop, or a chain.

I,ve got a pocket stitched into my undies specially for my money-if you see a guy with a huge grin on the songtaew its me and someone,s trying to get at it

Baht buses. Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em.

Chubby Thai lady, eh?

That really narrows it down.

Was she working alone?

Was she or her mates carrying super large handbags?

If she's working alone, I'm impressed.

The baht bus was crowded on both occasions, and yes, the lady did have a large bag.

That's a good red flag to keep in mind -- the large bag(s).

I could be wrong and maybe the OP can verify, but I'm guessing the velcro sealed pockets were in the "cargo" type shorts/trousers that have 38 pockets and the one with the wallet in it was at the bottom. Velcro and zips on those type of pockets are useless. The pants are normally loose and baggy and you can't feel anybody having a fiddle with the fasteners.

They're an open invitation for a pick pocket and the feeling of "security" the wearer has because they have sealed pockets makes it that much easier for the thief.

I cant believe I have seen the same gang of 5 for years. One ladyboy, 2 fat, one young gal, one other and maybe a baby. Sometime a moto bike is involved.

It has happen several times when leaving a shopping center. Central Fest Shopping, Royal Garden, are pick up points. The ladyboy gets on with me in an empty songtaw and sits down same side as me but far down. Then the bus pulls down the road and more of the gang gets on. The lady boy slides up next to me. I then look around and these faces look familiar. Then I look down and a Big pancake shape purse is overlapping lady boy lap and my lap. The lady boy has a hand on top of purse while the opposite hand comes underneath the purse and attempts entry. I have had my zipper undone twice before I figured it out. Lucky for me they havent succeeded.

They dont recognize me but I do recognize them. I can see how it could get rough when the pick is made and then handed off once then off to the motor bike. They can tell when I have woken up. I should just ring the bell and get off quietly but it hasent gone that way yet. There is always some tension there like I am about to get attacked.

Sometime there is a distraction going on like a baby problem, nuts that require spitting out shells or lots of shopping bags.

Once I got off to pay and then told the driver "pu ying ha kimoy" "5 lady thieves" and then the driver starts looking. The last time the driver drives 50 meters down and stops near moto taxi drivers. He then throws all the gals off the bus.

The gang is afraid the driver will stop and prevent them from getting off while he calls the police. They always exit the bus quickly when the driver becomes aware.

I had never heard of A person being pick pocketed on a songthew before.I wouldn't have that problem.I sit on my wallet.

I had never heard of A person being pick pocketed on a songthew before.I wouldn't have that problem.I sit on my wallet.

Yeah it happened to me. I knew they did it but they passed it off to one of the bag ladies. I posted all about it. It was only a change purse so no biggie.

I had never heard of A person being pick pocketed on a songthew before.I wouldn't have that problem.I sit on my wallet.

Yeah it happened to me. I knew they did it but they passed it off to one of the bag ladies. I posted all about it. It was only a change purse so no biggie.

Jing

What bad luck you seem to have on the baht busses in Patts-I,m there again next month and I,ll bring along my pet ferret as a gift,he,s as sharp as a razor when danger lurks,pickpockets and unfriendly songtaew drivers beware

A friend of mine in England used to sew a couple of fish hooks inside his jacket wallet pocket he was always careful to retrieve his wallet but much to his amusement his wife got caught up on them once

It's not just ladyboys. We were on a privately rented baht bus when a couple of farang women got on. The driver stopped and made them get out. We were kinda shocked as we had room and didn't really mind. He told my wife they've been having problems with these gals. Getting all cozy with guys and lifting their wallets in the process.

Try using this tactic.

When I get on a baht bus or whenever in crowds generally, I put my wallet in the front pocket of my shorts then twist the pocket through 180 degrees.

Oh, and always place wallet with the opening facing down.

In my humble 5 baht opinion, when one is riding on these baht buses and one passes a motorcycle shop, one should get off the baht bus, buy a motorbike and never look back. Then you can be one of us folk complaining about these baht buses being prick drivers.

PS: This is not meant to offend anyone who does use them as I understand.

Edited December 23, 201312 yr by Gone

In my humble 5 baht opinion, when one is riding on these baht buses and one passes a motorcycle shop, one should get off the baht bus, buy a motorbike and never look back. Then you can be one of us folk complaining about these baht buses being prick drivers.

Yeah, then be sure your WILL is up to date ...

Just keepin' it REAL.

Edited December 23, 201312 yr by Jingthing

A friend of mine in England used to sew a couple of fish hooks inside his jacket wallet pocket he was always careful to retrieve his wallet but much to his amusement his wife got caught up on them once

Probably not a good idea. England is so PC now that he would probably be arrested for daring to injure the poor disadvataged criminal .

mixing up with the peasants is always asking for trouble

mixing up with the peasants is always asking for trouble

But so much more fun than hanging with arrogant snobs ...