Metal window grates.

[phinick]

I know I'm using the wrong description, but I don't know the correct for the metal covers over windows to prevent burglaries.

I've been having a new house built in a Sisaket village, and it's a couple of weeks from completion.

Some of the neighbors and my wife tell me that if I don't get these ugly things installed, it is almost sure that someone will break in.

The problem is that I'm very happy with how the house is looking, and I think this would take away from the appearance.

I suppose it's a matter of risk vs beauty, and I'm trying to weigh the issues, and wondering if someone who has these is pleased with his decision.

I might add that nobody has a friend or relative in that business.

[Crossy]

We don't have them and except at night (even sometimes at night) all the doors and windows are open, but it's all down to location, location, location (we're in a northern BKK village).

If the neighbours are suggesting there could be issues (and they have them) I would go with the flow at least on the downstairs windows, one wouldn't want to invite the bad guys into what seems a less secure home.

That said several friends who have the monstrosities installed have been done over with the burglars entering via the roof, you can't win

If you do fit them please ensure they can be easily opened from the inside, they are good at keeping people in as well as out you don't want to close off your only escape route in the event of a fire.

[IMHO]

In the village, the best protection you'll have is dogs

They function as a theft deterrent, burglar alarm, doorbell, and help to keep out the drunken riff-raff, snakes, rats etc

[IMHO]

That said several friends who have the monstrosities installed have been done over with the burglars entering via the roof, you can't win

Right - if you go over the top on this kind of thing, you're literally advertising that you have something worth to steal inside... catch-22

The OP might be best served by keeping his cash and valuables in the bank - then making it known that's where they are. It will take the locals a little while for that to sink in (because it's not normal for village folk to 'store' things in banks, and they expect all rich people to have piles of undeclarable cash at home), but eventually it will, and the word will get around.

When asked if you're worried about someone breaking in, just say "no because all my money is in the bank"

If other houses around have window bars, follow their example though.

Edited June 1, 2015 by IMHO

[cooked]

A colleague told me that he has an electric fence! No iron bars, and he is the only guy in the neighbourhood that hasn't been broken into.

I myself would go for steel or wooden shutters which can be securely fastened from the inside. Our iron bars (there before I arrived on the scene) are fixed inside the window frames.

Dogs? Thieves have been known to poison them so you have to think about that. We have 13 between us and nothing canget near at night.

[IMHO]

A colleague told me that he has an electric fence! No iron bars, and he is the only guy in the neighbourhood that hasn't been broken into.

I myself would go for steel or wooden shutters which can be securely fastened from the inside. Our iron bars (there before I arrived on the scene) are fixed inside the window frames.

Dogs? Thieves have been known to poison them so you have to think about that. We have 13 between us and nothing canget near at night.

Our dogs are gourmet eaters, and very well fed. No way would they be remotely interested in someone else's skanky food

[lostoday]

If a construction company with bulldozers wants to break into your house they will get in but how common is that? If a crook has enough money to buy a bulldozer or major equipment to cut into a home through the roof or cement blocks chances are they are not going to need to steal. I have dogs, steel bars and motion sensors. For the majority of crimes of opportunities I'm protected. Below is my photo with my bars.

[IMHO]

If a construction company with bulldozers wants to break into your house they will get in but how common is that? If a crook has enough money to buy a bulldozer or major equipment to cut into a home through the roof or cement blocks chances are they are not going to need to steal. I have dogs, steel bars and motion sensors. For the majority of crimes of opportunities I'm protected. Below is my photo with my bars.

Bulldozers aren't required - if they aren't scared of making noise, a sledgehammer will do

Hence why the best advice is, spread the word there's nothing worth stealing

[Anthony5]

We don't have them and except at night (even sometimes at night) all the doors and windows are open, but it's all down to location, location, location (we're in a northern BKK village).

If the neighbours are suggesting there could be issues (and they have them) I would go with the flow at least on the downstairs windows, one wouldn't want to invite the bad guys into what seems a less secure home.

That said several friends who have the monstrosities installed have been done over with the burglars entering via the roof, you can't win

If you do fit them please ensure they can be easily opened from the inside, they are good at keeping people in as well as out you don't want to close off your only escape route in the event of a fire.

Do you still keep those hungry crocodiles in the moat surrounding your property?

[lostoday]

If a construction company with bulldozers wants to break into your house they will get in but how common is that? If a crook has enough money to buy a bulldozer or major equipment to cut into a home through the roof or cement blocks chances are they are not going to need to steal. I have dogs, steel bars and motion sensors. For the majority of crimes of opportunities I'm protected. Below is my photo with my bars.

Bulldozers aren't required - if they aren't scared of making noise, a sledgehammer will do

Hence why the best advice is, spread the word there's nothing worth stealing

1. I'm a Farang everybody knows (or thinks they know) I have money. 2. Of course they are scared of making noise. 3. My motion detector calls me if triggered and I or my representatives are there in a minute and we are armed.

Edited June 2, 2015 by lostoday