999 bus service (BEWARE)

[billsamui]

I recently took the overnight bus from Samui to Bangkok (mo chit) with the usual bad driving and bad roads. I had my small backpack on the bus with me with the important things inside. We stopped for food and the toilet at about 9pm then on to Bangkok, just before arrival I checked my bag to discover my macbook had taken a walk. I phoned my friend (Thai) to ask for help and passed the phone to the driver and one of the other staff, to say they didn't want to know would be an understatement and they became quite aggressive. By now I was now the only person on the bus and it was clear I wasn't going to get any help so I reluctantly got of to look for the police, as I did I saw my other bag on the floor which I checked and it was still locked. The bus then took off and my attempts to stop it failed. No police in sight. I took the registration and bus no. and contacted the company, they are looking into it !. I look forward to the reply.

Now I have a confession to make I stupidly left my bag on the bus when I went for the toilet break (yes I know what your thinking) Iv'e done the trip many times and always taken my bag with me. I am posting this as a WARNING to all not to be as complacent as I was to my cost.

PS. I'm sure the thief wasn't a fellow passenger

[craigt3365]

These thefts, and other scams, have been widely reported about for many years. Sorry you got stung. Hope you get your other bag back. Thanks for the info! !

[stevenl]

These thefts, and other scams, have been widely reported about for many years. Sorry you got stung. Hope you get your other bag back. Thanks for the info! !

Yes, but for the tourist buses, not for the much more Thai style services like 999 VIP.

Despite the OP's assertion it could easily have been a fellow passenger, or somebody else totally not involved with the bus whatsoever.

Whoever took it used the opportunity created by the OP by leaving his hand luggage in the bus. Never a smart move, no matter where and with whom you travel.

[KittenKong]

I remember umpteen years ago in my backpacking days that the commonest scam was putting your backpack on the roof and then immediately handing it down to someone whilst you were getting on the bus. Needless to say you never saw it again and by the time you realised it was missing you were many hours drive away from it.

"Friendly" people giving you drugged drinks on-board was also quite common: you had a great sleep on the bus and woke up with all your belongings missing.

Of course Thailand does not have a world monopoly on this.