Stolen phone from Udon

[Shiver]

This is more of a warning than a complaining post.

I was walking home in Udon City tonight and 3 teen/20's kids on a bike stopped me. They wanted a cigarette so I get them three, one each, then they wanted to know the time (they could see the phone in my pocket), so I showed them. He tried to take it from me but I said no, and put it back in my pocket. As I got nearer home they appeared again and were (allegedly, but not really) out of gasoline, and at that point I thought "uh oh". One wanted to use my phone to call someone, and started rummaging in my pocket. It just so happened that I'd been to the ATM and had a bit of cash in that pocket, so I stopped him again.

I weighed up the situation and decided that I couldn't fight them all, and even if I could the problem wouldn't go away, so I said words to the effect that I wanted this phone back and keep it short. My Thai isn't all that, but I could interpret that he was (pretending) to ask someone for help. To try to minimise damage I gave one of them 40 baht for gasohol as a damage control attempt. The guy (who had my phone) started climbing walls as if he was looking for a signal or something, so to make conversation I said this is city centre you have full signal. They just said he was 'ting tong'. Then the bike (amazingly) started working again and they sped off, and the guy with my phone ran like a scared man. I gave him the thumbs up and a smile as if to say 'well done' as they disappeared around the corner. Better that than to have them at my place which wasn't that far away. Once home I immediately got on a tracking site that I'd already set up (in this case wheresmydroid), but it proved fruitless, saying last known location was in 2013. I tried getting live photos from the phone then locking it, wiping it, etc - none of it worked.

The phone isn't worth that much, and they didn't get any significant money (even though I had a chunk in the same pocket as the phone - this is a rare occasion that I carry much more than a few beers worth, but ... things that make you go hmmm...coincidence?). I wasn't threatened in any way, and have no physical harm at all. Actually I feel sorry for them as I could help them to be much better, but in this instance they probably feel like the winner. I could identify the main culprit in a line up, but feel no animosity. My main beef is that I don't have my list of contacts which has built up over many years (yeah I should have backed it up). Just hoping I can get my main DTAC number back as I've had it since day 1 here.

Anyhow, just thought it worth mentioning - don't carry a lot of valuables at night, and a cheap Nokia is probably a good move too. I was wearing ripped jeans and a 5 year old t-shirt, and certainly didn't look like money.

[soihok]

Are you going to report this to the cops?

[Shiver]

There's the question. I wonder about the repercussions, since I always walk alone at night (I want to walk, and not be in fear that makes me take taxis everywhere). If it had been 30 seconds earlier I would have been by the bus station where the TukTuk drivers know my face, or earlier than that there are plenty that know me and this wouldn't have happened. If I had a photo I'd probably answer yes, that I would report it. Where it happened there are no cameras, and I couldn't get a picture (since I didn't have my phone). I don't want to get stabbed for something that is a tolerable loss.

I just thought I'd put it out there for others to be aware. This is the first time in 9 years that I've had any hassle at all from the locals, and in all likelihood I won't be taking any measures other than to make sure I don't repeat the same mistake. I'm sure I'll get a lot of negative comments on here along the lines of "if you tolerate this, then...", but TiT, and I have no evidence.

[Issangeorge]

If you had an android, are you sure your contacts aren't on Google Contacts, or what ever their backup web site is called, I think it happens automatically.

[Tywais]

If you had an android, are you sure your contacts aren't on Google Contacts, or what ever their backup web site is called, I think it happens automatically.

Also, if the GPS is on Google will store where the phone has been assuming they turn the WiFi on or data on.

https://maps.google.com/locationhistory/b/0

[kamalabob2]

Tywais: That is a very interesting feature of Google Android phones I did not ever consider. Thank you for posting that helpful link.

[lostinisaan]

Op, I'd go to the cops. Stealing a phone is considered a crime and if you let them continue their hobby, they might do it again and again.