Patong Robbery

[Soupdragon]

Sorry my first posting here is a negative one but this is very close to home. I heard a disturbing story in a bar last night. An expat friend of mine got robbed at gunpoint in Patong a few nights ago. It happened in a small soi next to the 7-11 near Montes Restaurant. The road was busy so he pulled his truck into the soi to park and went into the 7-11 . Back at his car he got a tap on the shoulder and when he turned around a Thai man put a gun in his face. The guy involved is no shrinking violet but on this occasion did the right thing and handed over his gold jewellery and the cash from his pockets. The Thai man escaped on a motorbike driven by an accomplice, the bike had no number plate so ID was not possible. Not sure at what time this happened just that it was after dark but not silly o’clock in the morning. This is the latest in a string of violent crimes but this time was carried out very close to a busy road right in the heart of Patong. The message is clear, if you have got it DON’T flaunt it as it appears he was singled out for the gold he was clearly displaying.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by Soupdragon;

Sorry my first posting here is a negative one but this is very close to home. I heard a disturbing story in a bar last night. An expat friend of mine got robbed at gunpoint in Patong a few nights ago. It happened in a small soi next to the 7-11 near Montes Restaurant. The road was busy so he pulled his truck into the soi to park and went into the 7-11 . Back at his car he got a tap on the shoulder and when he turned around a Thai man put a gun in his face. The guy involved is no shrinking violet but on this occasion did the right thing and handed over his gold jewellery and the cash from his pockets. The Thai man escaped on a motorbike driven by an accomplice, the bike had no number plate so ID was not possible. Not sure at what time this happened just that it was after dark but not silly o’clock in the morning. This is the latest in a string of violent crimes but this time was carried out very close to a busy road right in the heart of Patong. The message is clear, if you have got it DON’T flaunt it as it appears he was singled out for the gold he was clearly displaying.

It's such a shame, as the safety and lack of these sorts of incidents is what we have always like so much about Patong in years past. This is the 2nd such incident I have heard of in Patong in the past six months or so. That is not many, but it just changes the enjoyment and feeling that you have when you are there, if you feel you have got to be always looking over your shoulder, like in the seamy neighborhoods of American cities, such as the Tenderloin district in San Francisco. It is not something I even think about in a good neighborhood here. Which makes me feel like Patong is turning into a bad neighborhood.

[Nicke]

Ead never wear gold for this reason, except for some occassions. 6-7 years ago the owner's wife of the bar next to mine got robbed, raped and killed while wearing gold on her way back to Chalong where she lived.

[IRISH JONNY]

guns for robbing...whats next?????????
lets be carefull out there...........

[Dodger]

This is always difficult to discuss on here. It immediately makes JB state that he thinks patong is becoming a bad neighbourhood (not picking on you JB just using as an example).

I am not trivialising this incidence but its one we have heard of in Patong. There are 5 or 6 things we have heard of done by bike gangs. House breakins appear on here etc.

But I think because it is a fairly safe area that it stands out and we talk about it. Maybe my area of England was a bad area, don't think so, but there were such events every day or so.

I think it important we highlight it, discuss it and figure out advice to pass on to people here, such as only taking out required money etc. But we musn't get carried away and inflate the problem until it is stopping people enjoying their holiday.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by Dodger

This is always difficult to discuss on here. It immediately makes JB state that he thinks patong is becoming a bad neighbourhood (not picking on you JB just using as an example).

I am not trivialising this incidence but its one we have heard of in Patong. There are 5 or 6 things we have heard of done by bike gangs. House breakins appear on here etc.

But I think because it is a fairly safe area that it stands out and we talk about it. Maybe my area of England was a bad area, don't think so, but there were such events every day or so.

I think it important we highlight it, discuss it and figure out advice to pass on to people here, such as only taking out required money etc. But we musn't get carried away and inflate the problem until it is stopping people enjoying their holiday.

I agree with you Bernie, to a point. This type of incident is now being reported with alarming regularity. I, as a holidaymaker with family can gloss over the incidents outside of Patong, but when we hear of guns being used, its no longer something to push aside.
Another post by Loop mentions LB thieves on San Sabai at night, the very Soi I am staying in next year. Now I have to tell my wife and 16yr old to be very careful going up Sabai after dark if I am still on the lash in Bangla.
And what about me? Steamed up, and no youngster anymore, I too will have to watch out for myself too. If Denver can get rolled, then anyone can.
Its no longer a trivial matter, and needs serious discussion about warning visitors to be very aware of the problems.

[Soupdragon]

Couldn't agree more with Dawsey's comments. I in no way wanted to suggest that Patong is not a safe place to holiday. In my years here I have witnessed or heard about many incidents. In some cases there was a genuine victim who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, this can happen anywhere, but in many cases I consider that the "victim" broke the rules. The question is what are the rules and are they changing.

[DREW]

Originally Posted by Nicke

Ead never wear gold for this reason, except for some occassions. 6-7 years ago the owner's wife of the bar next to mine got robbed, raped and killed while wearing gold on her way back to Chalong where she lived.

I must admit that I no longer wear my gold chain and Buddha when I am in Phuket for this reason. It is just too 'attractive' to anyone looking to rip of a Farang when he has a few drinks in him.

Its a shame but you just have to be practical and hope that if someone is going to rob someone then all you can do is try to ensure that you are not a target.

It's the same with cash, I always try to spread that around different pockets.

That said, I still feel safer in Patong than I do in the UK at night.

Regards

Drew

[marc26]

Originally Posted by Dodger

This is always difficult to discuss on here. It immediately makes JB state that he thinks patong is becoming a bad neighbourhood (not picking on you JB just using as an example).

I am not trivialising this incidence but its one we have heard of in Patong. There are 5 or 6 things we have heard of done by bike gangs. House breakins appear on here etc.

But I think because it is a fairly safe area that it stands out and we talk about it. Maybe my area of England was a bad area, don't think so, but there were such events every day or so.

I think it important we highlight it, discuss it and figure out advice to pass on to people here, such as only taking out required money etc. But we musn't get carried away and inflate the problem until it is stopping people enjoying their holiday.

i agree with you Dodg, that Patong and Phuket are a lot safer than most places
hell I am off to Central America!!
but we also seem to say that Patong and Phuket are very safe going off the past 5-6 years that we have all been going there, but in this last year it does seem to have grown progressively worse in criminal incidents

[Dodger]

Yeah, I cannot get my head round what is happening this year. One, I think well maybe it is because we are reporting incidences more on here and if they are the total of main events on an island of this population, maybe its not really a very high incident rate.

Then I think, wait a minute, how many expats are posting on here 20?? don't know but of this number alone, Crusty & Denver have been mugged, a couple of bm's have had their houses broken into, then I think as a number of the expat bm's that is now a large percentage.

I'm certain if the incidences that have occurred on chalong/patong road recently, this armed robbery, details of other shootings, I accept these are mainly thai on thai, then I think it could well put a number of people off holidaying here. Build that up with a little more media frenzy and the tourist market could be severly hurt.

The most important factor by reporting them and discussing these incidences is that it gives you a wake up call. Can put you a little more on your guard and realise, that yes this can happen to you here.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by Dodger

The most important factor by reporting them and discussing these incidences is that it gives you a wake up call. Can put you a little more on your guard and realise, that yes this can happen to you here.

and that is what kind of sucks!
i am heading to Central America, knowing full well of the safety issues there and will take the precaution needed

what is the "big news" about these Phuket incidents is that it is in a place i never really worried about any sort of safety precautions. so that kind of stinks that you have to worry about it now

but i think it is just a situation where you have to remember to have your wits about you and shoudlnt effect tourism too much, if at all

[Denver]

I wasn't mugged. I was pick-pocketed. Two different things.

I have been mugged in Vietnam. It isn't nice.

I have been pick-pocketed at Kings Cross railway station in London. I didn't report it to the police there either. I am insured for loss of credit cards etc. Had to buy a new ticket to Grantham which annoyed me!

My only advice is to take out what you need, some notes in a money clip....nothing else. Wear a cheapo watch if you need a watch and leave the bling in the hotel or room safe.

I was targeted because I was pissed, on my own and stood next to an ATM which he probably thought I had just used. Like that isn't going to happen in most places in the world! I might as well have had a big neon sign on my head saying 'Rob me'...................So he did!

[The Loop]

Originally Posted by Denver

I wasn't mugged. I was pick-pocketed. Two different things.

Pickpocketing is a fairly passive crime,but it has the potential to turn violent if the victim manages to get hold of the perpertraitor,anything can happen.
I am sure these people carry some sort of weapon to defend themselves in case just that happens.

Which raises the question,what should you do?

Once they get the money in their hands,its difficult to claim that it is yours,particularly if it is not in a wallet with some of your own ID in it??

I thought the whole scenario through when it happened to me.
I decided that if it happened to me again i should blame myself for dropping my gaurd.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by The Loop

Which raises the question,what should you do?

Once they get the money in their hands,its difficult to claim that it is yours,particularly if it is not in a wallet with some of your own ID in it??

I thought the whole scenario through when it happened to me.
I decided that if it happened to me again i should blame myself for dropping my gaurd.

Good Post Loop, yes, if the money is in a wallet that is sanitised such as mine was and the Police did actually do something! Proof! Zilch!

Gun I can do nothing against, you are right, knife I have had training in, obviously, I would say to anyone that if a knife was pulled on you and you have an opportunity to run, then go! If not, then hand what they ask for over!

I blame myself for what happened and have had a few wry smiles to myself since the incident. Yes, I did try to go for him because I thought I could drag him off a moving motorbike, I would have then been at an advantage stood over him with the boot.

On hindsight, he got £20....I got a £20 lesson in putting myself in a situation that can potentially lead to what it did.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by The Loop

Once they get the money in their hands,its difficult to claim that it is yours,particularly if it is not in a wallet with some of your own ID in it??

Dont really understand the thinking.. Theres no 'claiming' going on at that stage. Thats not a time to be worried about the legal 'rules' or even marquis of Queensbury rules..

[The Loop]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Dont really understand the thinking.. Theres no 'claiming' going on at that stage. Thats not a time to be worried about the legal 'rules' or even marquis of Queensbury rules..

If there was a policeman 10 metres away,you wouldn`t be able to prove it was yours. They don`t give a sh1t anyway.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by The Loop

If there was a policeman 10 metres away,you wouldn`t be able to prove it was yours. They don`t give a sh1t anyway.

There were Police about 20 metres away and bat an eyelid or react when I threw the rock at the bloke!

Probably too used to seeing me in a Day-Glo thong at four in the morning howling at the moon on all fours and thought............'It's only Denver!'

I said............'Day-Glo'

[MadNomad]

When I wasin Puerto Plata I carried a seperate wallet with some reciepts and 5 usd in 1's as a transplant in case I got jumped. This was a suggestion by a friend. As I was traveling alone it seemed like a good idea. Sadly I had to use this technique as I was jumped latenight on my way back from a club. Just a small bruise on my face and only lost the transplant wallet. All-in all I was relieved that this worked as I only had 90 usd in my real wallet and was my last 90 to spend..........Just thought I would throw that out there....
-Madnomad

[The Loop]

The original pickpocketing is done very discreetly,the victim doesn`t even see it.

If you were to grab the bastard and beat the crap outta him and physically take the money back you are sure to be more visible and attract the attention of other Thai`s or police. Not what you need!!
You then have to prove that the money was originally yours.Unless you write your name and passport number on every baht,you have no chance of proving ownership.

That`s why i said after thinking about,i would blame myself if it happened again.