Good and Legal weapon for Defending Oneself in Thailand?

[waynethor]

In one of the threads about the British couple who were murdered on Koh Tao, a side-discussion was going on about carrying a knife for self-defense, and it was pointed out that apart from probably being a bad idea in general, it's illegal. I'm sure we'd all agree that if a foreigner killed a Thai in self defense, there's still a good chance the foreigner will face a long jail term for using a weapon like a knife.

What can we carry for self-defense? I suppose pepper spray might be one of the best bets as it can't actually kill a person but is probably effective in rendering an attacker helpless, but I don't want to carry a can of it around in my pocket.

[bkkgooner]

I have lived here for seven years and not once in that time have I been close to having any sort of physical altercation with a Thai.

How about just using some common sense and your two legs to run away if the shit hits the fan?

[tifino]

hmmm - the fine demarcation line between Offensive and Defensive...

ymmv

[Costas2008]

OP, read the numerous threads on TVF how to treat dogs when they attack you.

Never show fear, but always show your opponents that he will have a hard time with you.

98% will turn away.

For the other 2% find a stick a stone or any other object and try to attack first.

If all these doesn't work......make sure you have a good hospital insurance.

Good Luck.

[waynethor]

I have lived here for seven years and not once in that time have I been close to having any sort of physical altercation with a Thai.

How about just using some common sense and your two legs to run away if the shit hits the fan?

Well, I knew it wouldn't take long for this kind of reply, but 1st post?

Thanks for stating the VERY obvious! Of course avoiding the situation is best.

I guess I should have made it REALLY clear that the question is about what to use when we are in a situation where we are being physically threatened or assaulted without the opportunity to run. Geez do I really have to say that when its SO obvious?

[Gsxrnz]

I keep a loaded crossbow in my bedroom in case I have an intruder, and a slingshot to scare away cats that get overly noisy when procreating in my back yard.

p.s. I'm an animal lover, so I fire little water balloons at the cats. Even a near miss tends to dissuade their ardour satisfactorily.

EDIT: I see many blokes don't go anywhere without their 2-piece pool cue in a case/bag. I guess that could be considered a useful weapon that won't get you arrested for carrying it around.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Gsxrnz

[waynethor]

OP, read the numerous threads on TVF how to treat dogs when they attack you.

Never show fear, but always show your opponents that he will have a hard time with you.

98% will turn away.

For the other 2% find a stick a stone or any other object and try to attack first.

If all these doesn't work......make sure you have a good hospital insurance.

Good Luck.

Oh dear! I hope your not comparing Thai people to dogs. But thanks for that advice. When I have a question about what to do when dog attacks I'l take your advice about reading those posts. Now, let's get back on topic and talk about human attacks.

[Morakot]

[ATF]

Your best form of defense is don't put yourself in potentially harmful situations, like staying out drinking in the early hours.

Even if you have a gun or a knife taking it off you when you are drunk or under the influence of drugs is going to be easy.

Most sensible expats that have been here a while don't stay out late and don't drink alone and are respectful to Thais and ignorant drunk foreigners who are looking for a fight.

[geronimo]

I have a flick knife in the car but wouldn't use it unless I had no choice.

[Thongkorn]

I never put myself in position to be assaulted. Just use your head be polite and respectful , then you get the same in return.

[daoyai]

I always carry a half full large Chang bottle, never fails to intimidate.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Som Tam pestle.

If anyone wants to know why you carry it, it's cos your gf loves som tam.

Using a knife takes skill and training.

Swinging a club, just needs the club.

Edited September 17, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[waynethor]

Dear Mods,

If one more person insists on saying that you just shouldn't get yourself in any type of potentially dangerous situation, please close this thread. Perhaps it's my fault for not making it REALLY REALLY clear in my OP that we're talking about an unavoidable situation. Do I really have to say that? Isn't it the most obvious thing imaginable?

Thanks to those who actually made a suggestion, sincere or not. But Gsxrnc brings up a good question about defending oneself in a nighttime home invasion situation. He keeps a crossbow at hand, which is probably better than the meat tenderizer I keep beside the bed. I now suspect that people will reply by saying "just don't let anybody break into your home."

[mesquite]

Don't carry a weapon. Carry a brain.

You should be able to avoid or talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying.

If you truly need to carry a weapon, hire someone to do it for you.

A man carries a brain.

A grunt carries a weapon.

Men hire grunts to protect them.

Edited September 17, 2014 by mesquite

[ATF]

Dear Mods,

If one more person insists on saying that you just shouldn't get yourself in any type of potentially dangerous situation, please close this thread. Perhaps it's my fault for not making it REALLY REALLY clear in my OP that we're talking about an unavoidable situation. Do I really have to say that? Isn't it the most obvious thing imaginable?

Thanks to those who actually made a suggestion, sincere or not. But Gsxrnc brings up a good question about defending oneself in a nighttime home invasion situation. He keeps a crossbow at hand, which is probably better than the meat tenderizer I keep beside the bed. I now suspect that people will reply by saying "just don't let anybody break into your home."

Well you are the one who was afraid of getting into trouble for using a knife and you didn't want to carry pepper spray around with you. So what do you want? A bodyguard?

If you want to protect your home get a gun or several but learn how to use them properly.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Thanks to those who actually made a suggestion, sincere or not. But Gsxrnc brings up a good question about defending oneself in a nighttime home invasion situation. He keeps a crossbow at hand, which is probably better than the meat tenderizer I keep beside the bed. I now suspect that people will reply by saying "just don't let anybody break into your home."

I keep my girlfriend in the bedroom at night for defense.

If they are scary & violent enough to get past her, I would just stand back and let them take whatever they wanted.

Edited September 17, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[h90]

OP, read the numerous threads on TVF how to treat dogs when they attack you.

Never show fear, but always show your opponents that he will have a hard time with you.

98% will turn away.

For the other 2% find a stick a stone or any other object and try to attack first.

If all these doesn't work......make sure you have a good hospital insurance.

Good Luck.

Thai dogs are cowards, focus their eyes and they will be afraid.....(Don't try it with a German Shepard or Rottweiler), but on the other side they work well as pack....while 1-2 get your attention others circle around you and try to get your from behind.

We had a dangerous pack in the street, they made problems with everyone....My mother came to visit....had some lovely dog food with her. Since when they saw her they protected her, even when she was without food.

One elderly woman walking with 10 dogs around her which don't let anyone come close to her

[wprime]

A nice, heavy maglight should suffice. You know, for shining light on the baddies.

[uptheos]

I have a flick knife in the car but wouldn't use it unless I had no choice.

So, if you were attacked you'd run to your car??

[waynethor]

Dear Mods,

If one more person insists on saying that you just shouldn't get yourself in any type of potentially dangerous situation, please close this thread. Perhaps it's my fault for not making it REALLY REALLY clear in my OP that we're talking about an unavoidable situation. Do I really have to say that? Isn't it the most obvious thing imaginable?

Thanks to those who actually made a suggestion, sincere or not. But Gsxrnc brings up a good question about defending oneself in a nighttime home invasion situation. He keeps a crossbow at hand, which is probably better than the meat tenderizer I keep beside the bed. I now suspect that people will reply by saying "just don't let anybody break into your home."

Well you are the one who was afraid of getting into trouble for using a knife and you didn't want to carry pepper spray around with you. So what do you want? A bodyguard?

If you want to protect your home get a gun or several but learn how to use them properly.

No, no, no!!!

I thought I made it clear in the OP that it was something being discussed in another thread and I figured it would be worthy of discussion in a thread of its own. The only thing I want is people's opinions or methods, simply for the sake of discussion.

But I've learned never to initiate a topic for discussion here again, so I suppose it was worthwhile. 555

[jobin]

I often carry a 9 iron, and an 8 iron, and a 6 iron...in a bag on my shoulder. Have never been accosted.

[ATF]

No, no, no!!!

I thought I made it clear in the OP that it was something being discussed in another thread and I figured it would be worthy of discussion in a thread of its own. The only thing I want is people's opinions or methods, simply for the sake of discussion.

But I've learned never to initiate a topic for discussion here again, so I suppose it was worthwhile. 555

The unfortunate people you are talking about never had a chance. No one can protect themselves from such a situation - on holiday relaxing and your man gets whacked from behind. Even if the girl had a gun and was trained doubt she could have done much. That's why everyone tells you to be prepared and expect the unexpected.

It wasn't a stupid question but even the best let their guard down once in a while.

[Giddyup99]

Don't carry a weapon. Carry a brain.

You should be able to avoid or talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying.

If you truly need to carry a weapon, hire someone to do it for you.

A man carries a brain.

A grunt carries a weapon.

Men hire grunts to protect them.

" talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying."

Really?

So I'm unlucky to get involved in an altercation with a Thai (who speaks NO English) and I speak NO Thai.........PLEASE tell me how I am supposed to "talk my way out of the situation"? I would love to know.

[Zooheekock]

I have lived here for seven years and not once in that time have I been close to having any sort of physical altercation with a Thai.

I've lived here for 14 years and the only times I've come close to having a fight is when I've lost my rag because of somebody's shitty driving. Unless you are spectacularly unlucky, if you don't want to have a fight, you're just not going to have one. This really is not something you need to worry about.

[Zooheekock]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Don't carry a weapon. Carry a brain.

You should be able to avoid or talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying.

If you truly need to carry a weapon, hire someone to do it for you.

A man carries a brain.

A grunt carries a weapon.

Men hire grunts to protect them.

" talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying."

Really?

So I'm unlucky to get involved in an altercation with a Thai (who speaks NO English) and I speak NO Thai.........PLEASE tell me how I am supposed to "talk my way out of the situation"? I would love to know.

If you can't talk to him, it's pretty hard to see how you would get into an altercation in the first place.

[mesquite]

Don't carry a weapon. Carry a brain.

You should be able to avoid or talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying.

If you truly need to carry a weapon, hire someone to do it for you.

A man carries a brain.

A grunt carries a weapon.

Men hire grunts to protect them.

" talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying."

Really?

So I'm unlucky to get involved in an altercation with a Thai (who speaks NO English) and I speak NO Thai.........PLEASE tell me how I am supposed to "talk my way out of the situation"? I would love to know.

Learn to speak and understand Thai using that brain you're carrying.

[Giddyup99]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Don't carry a weapon. Carry a brain.

You should be able to avoid or talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying.

If you truly need to carry a weapon, hire someone to do it for you.

A man carries a brain.

A grunt carries a weapon.

Men hire grunts to protect them.

" talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying."

Really?

So I'm unlucky to get involved in an altercation with a Thai (who speaks NO English) and I speak NO Thai.........PLEASE tell me how I am supposed to "talk my way out of the situation"? I would love to know.

If you can't talk to him, it's pretty hard to see how you would get into an altercation in the first place.

Are you serious?

Who said the "altercation' had to be verbal?? Maybe his actions pissed me off or I did something to piss him off.

[Giddyup99]

Don't carry a weapon. Carry a brain.

You should be able to avoid or talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying.

If you truly need to carry a weapon, hire someone to do it for you.

A man carries a brain.

A grunt carries a weapon.

Men hire grunts to protect them.

" talk your way out of any situation using the brain you're carrying."

Really?

So I'm unlucky to get involved in an altercation with a Thai (who speaks NO English) and I speak NO Thai.........PLEASE tell me how I am supposed to "talk my way out of the situation"? I would love to know.

Learn to speak and understand Thai using that brain you're carrying.

Absolutely........because it's such an easy language to master.

So if someone is a tourist visiting Thailand, they should speak and understand Thai BEFORE they get here??

[chiang mai]

The fact that people raise or even consider the question suggests there's a problem, not to do with personal safety but more to do with personal confidence and attitude. Living in Detroit in the 1970's and NY in the 1980's, I never carried a weapon nor felt the need to; in London during the 1990's the same applied - why then would I even consider the question whilst living in Chiang Mai.