Asia Bugle

[aussie dollar]

Be safe out there!
One topic that comes up remarkably little in LOS is the issue of security, although it is often the first question on a newcomer’s lips. Most people regard Thailand as a safe place to be, and looking back over fifteen plus years of traveling to and living here, I have had very few problems. Of course I have been in some considerably less safe places than this, and do know a thing or two about staying safe.
Sadly the most likely way of getting into trouble these days, assuming you know how to behave and avoid dark streets and katoys, is with a fellow farang. The first and only time I had a problem was at about 4 am in a bar in Lamai Beach when a German gentleman seemed to take offence to my suggestion that I thought as I had bought him, and the assorted girls on the table several rounds, it might just be his turn. Before I could mention a single World War or a single World Cup he was round the table trying to hit me with a haymaker. I saw him coming and so did must have the assorted Thai serving staff standing nearby. But they did nothing, leaving me to deal with the problem. After I had done so, the Thai’s did remove him from the premises. I was a well-known customer so I presume I got the benefit of the doubt. But when I went to leave, I received a bill for broken glasses etc. As soon as I remonstrated a policemen declared himself. When I said I was attacked, his view was that I must have said something to start the problem. I paid a reasonable amount and went back the next night, still friends with everybody. I tell this story as good example of what can happen. I have had a few other incidences which I have walked away from. As far as the Thai police are concerned, a fight between two farangs is not about right and wrong. In another incident, a drunk was revving his motorbike outside a bar to the maximum annoyance of everybody around. He would not go away so finally the bar owner did what many were tempted to do and whacked him. The result was two broken teeth. When the police did get involved they insisted that the whacker pay the a…hole on the motor bike for the cost of two teeth.
Sadly these days the number of idiots in the bars has risen, and it is almost too easy to catch the eye of a lager lout who needs little encouragement to pick a fight. I have left bars over such people.
The most stupid people to pick a fight with are the Thai waiters and or bouncers in a bar, particularly in a Thai-owned bar. Trying to not pay a bill, however justified can unleash quick retribution in the form of a bunch of guys who will not stop at a single punch. And you would be surprised how fast such an incident can go off. If arguing about a bill, keep your wits about you and if you see a build up of muscle around you, watch out. Remember to settle the matter in the bar where the presence of other customers may keep the lid on things. Also remember what to you is a little money is a lot to the people you are talking to. Often the bar rules will be that if you do not pay, somebody else has to such as your server who will probably be earning less than 200 baht for that night’s work. Disputes should be settled with a smile and if you really think you have been hard done by, pay up and go and find the Tourist police. They may, if you are very lucky, go and get your money back for you. But do not hold your breath. Paying up is cheaper and less painful than a hospital visit!
The streets in Thailand are normally safe. The biggest problem in parts of Bangkok, as well as other bar towns, is pickpockets, normally Katoys. It is easy to hustle people turning out of bars en mass. Outside Nana Plaza is a well known problem area. Pickpockets will very often work in pairs one stops you and the one behind does the business. Or that friendly grope is not after what you think, and whilst you are defending your honour, the other hand is grabbing your phone, or your wallet, or whatever. Years ago I was taught to break down my money into different pockets and I never carry a wallet. The safest place to put real money is in the front trouser pockets, under a handkerchief. This is where your hands fall naturally so you can defend those pockets if jostled, but you can not defend back, or jacket pockets.
Mugging is rare but not unknown. In the beach areas there has been an increase since the early closing crackdown simply because there were always people about at three four in the morning. Now wandering around at that time you are on your own. However, the point about splitting up your money helps here. If you have no wallet with luck they will go away with the contents of a single pocket. Most muggers do not want to wait around. But what ever you do, do not confront them unless you really know what you are doing and more importantly, have not been drinking.
The other problem may come in a bedroom with somebody you have bought in. There are date rape drugs out there which will knock the unwary out and allow the room to be cleaned out, and the thief can be long gone before you wake up. This happened to somebody I know who picked up two girls from outside the Nana Hotel and took them to a hotel with out security (no ID card check). A double whammy of wrongs! Taking a girl off the street or from a freelancer bar gives you no come back at all. But if your hotel checks and logs ID’s as most good hotels do, then there is a final line of resistance. I noticed recently in the Philippines that hotel receptions called when a girl left and would not let her go until all was confirmed as okay. I know this happens in other places.
Another problem may come over the amount the “latest friend� requires before they leave. If they argue the best rule is just to give them a bit more and stick at that and in nine cases out of ten they will sulk and then leave. But I have heard of girls going berserk and breaking up rooms and even mutilating themselves. At the slightest hint of real trouble call reception and ask for security. Then if you have to, restrain the girl until they arrive. By restrain I mean holding and not hurting her. In my experience these events are very rare and probably rarer since there has been the big crack down on drugs in the bars.
Of course all will have heard the cases of people who committed suicide by tying themselves up then shooting themselves twice in the head, or jumping out of a high apartment window with both hands tied behind their back. These incidences are almost certainly not related to everyday events. They are usually business disputes and of course in Thailand assassination is still an acknowledged business tool. In business be careful not to make a powerful person lose face. The other absolute “no no� is owing gambling money. If you owe the bookies pay up, or make a will (quickly).
Terrorism has not come North as many expected and, hanging on to wood, this does not seem to be a problem outside of the southern-most Muslim states. In any event, having lived with a few IRA campaigns in London the likelihood of being seriously affected are about the same as getting on the wrong airplane!
By far the most likely way you are going to get hurt in Thailand, and that means it will be expensive, is by getting on a motor bike!
The reality is that Thailand is considerably safer than most of the countries visitors and ex-pats come from. High profile incidents may not give that impression but perceptions can be very misleading. As I saw on the telly last night, more people die each year in donkey and mule accidents than die in air crashes!

[LivinLOS]

I normally rate the Bugle pieces but the need for this piece is pretty unwarranted and simply spreads the misconception that the area is rife with trouble..

The date rape / knockout drops angle is perhaps the only one worth a mention.. As to the rest, I have staggered around, passed out, woken up in rooms I dont recognise or remember, etc more times than I can count, never once have I lost more than the bar tab.. in fact I could count a fair few times when bar staff have rescued and held on to missing phones and other lost crap...

[aussie dollar]

Agree Never Had A Problem And Feel Safe As Stated Have Been Helped
By Thais Not Hindered
(SORRY I POSTED THIS WITHOUT READING IT FIRST WONT HAPPEN AGAIN)

[Allybabba22]

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

Agree Never Had A Problem And Feel Safe As Stated Have Been Helped
By Thais Not Hindered
(SORRY I POSTED THIS WITHOUT READING IT FIRST WONT HAPPEN AGAIN)

I thought that was a very good and informative post, I also felt very safe in Los and was never robbed or attacked by anyone and never got into any real sort of bother, But thats not to say it does not happen the world over, So I think this kind of imformation would make you a bit more aware of what can happen.