Bag snatching bikers

[justanotheroldhippy]

The other day a bag was snatched from the shoulder of an English tourist... only been on Samui a short time too... not nice. Thing that makes this a bit different was that the girl was a passenger on the bike with her bag kept on her left side (normally the safest side), however, it seems that the 2 young Thai boys following them waited for an opportunity to whizz up the inside and grab the bag. Fortunately the bag had a fairly thin strap, which broke easily as it was grabbed, and therefore didn't result in the girl either falling off the bike, or the 'driver' losing balance and crashing. So it seems that carrying your bag on the left-hand side now makes you just as vulnerable to having it snatchedas if it was on the right-hand side. The incident happened in Maenam - between soi 7 and soi 6. The 2 Thai boys were riding a white (or light coloured) bike... probably a pocket racer of some kind, as it apparently accelerated off at quite a speed. It was not a Wave-type or Click/Scoopy-type of scooter anyway. 'Bum-bags' seem the best option... or putting the bag under the seat if possible. Be aware, and keep your eyes open for 2 scallywags on a light-coloured 4 stroke bike!

[Boater]

I remember a post a while back stating the area had CCTV ?

[justanotheroldhippy]

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I remember a post a while back stating the area had CCTV ?

Indeed it has... unfortunately the incident wasn't reported immediately to the police apparently- only some 2 hours later. The young lady kept a memory stick in her bag with all of her bank details/passwords on it, and decided (rightly) to get back to her resort to contact her bank. The police will check the cctv to see if they can get more details of the snatchers though.

[evadgib]

The CCTV database goes back quite a while therefore the footage should still be retrievable, providing she knows the date, appx time & location. It is located on the bottom floor of the Ampur in Naton (the place with all the flags 200m after Immigration heading towards Lamai on the right. Take a Thai speaker!).

HTH

Edited October 19, 2014 by evadgib

[PoorSucker]

The CCTV database goes back quite a while therefore the footage should still be retrievable, providing she knows the date, appx time & location. It is located on the bottom floor of the Ampur in Naton (the place with all the flags 200m after Immigration heading towards Lamai on the right. Take a Thai speaker!).

HTH

You mean the Tessaban, the Amphur is located where the one way starts in Nathon coming from north.

[evadgib]

The CCTV database goes back quite a while therefore the footage should still be retrievable, providing she knows the date, appx time & location. It is located on the bottom floor of the Ampur in Naton (the place with all the flags 200m after Immigration heading towards Lamai on the right. Take a Thai speaker!).

HTH

You mean the Tessaban, the Amphur is located where the one way starts in Nathon coming from north.

Thats the one:)

Edited October 19, 2014 by evadgib

[Gonsalviz]

Been happening in Malaysia for a few decades. Wondering if they picked it up from there.

[wayned]

When I came to stay in Thailand in 1997 Chaweng Beach road was like a dirt motocross track, especially fun in rainy season. The purse snatchers on bikes were there then, most likely have trained their offspring, a family business!

[samuijimmy]

It would be better for any one to use a fanny pack, or a purse with a heavy strap.... it would then be more difficult to snatch... unfortunate for sure...

That's a long stretch between Soi 6 and 7 ..... obviously they were walking on the side of the road with no footpath...

There are CCTV cameras at Santaburi Resort.... but I have not noticed other cameras on that stretch possible at Samui Ice factory(?) .... generally speaking it is a very quiet neighbourhood without many if any problems...

I know cos it is my "neck of the woods"!

[A1Str8]

Bag snatchers are cute. I always wait for them to try to snatch something so i can squeeze the life out of them.

[Neilly]

Happened down here (Laem Sor) two nights ago to a Thai lady so I was told by the misses last night

[ParadiseLost]

Most of the Thai girls wear a light coat or windcheater over their bag when riding bike.

I learned this upon asking why they wear a coat/jacket in such hot weather.

Edited October 27, 2014 by ParadiseLost

[Tropicalevo]

Most of the Thai girls wear a light coat or windcheater over their bag when riding bike.

I learned this upon asking why they wear a coat/jacket in such hot weather.

It also helps to stop their skin from darkening. (All that money on whitening cream!)

[Rooo]

Saw a girl the other day, with her bag sitting on the seat behind her on the bike. When I pointed it out to her, she just smiled & repositioned it behind her again.

[Lex Talionis]

The young lady kept a memory stick in her bag with all of her bank details/passwords on it, and decided (rightly) to get back to her resort to contact her bank.

Btw, they do make memory sticks that are password-protected. You can buy them online or at Pantip. Just a thought for the future.