Gold Chain Thefts

[Gaybutton]

I don't get it. Another one for my list.

 

First, the following letter-to-the-editor appears in today's PATTAYA MAIL:

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Gold chain thieves

 

Editor;

When will something be done for the local and tourist police to show a little interest in arresting the Thai men stealing gold chains?

 

I’m back one day riding on motorcycle and one guy drives by to rip a chain off my girlfriend. The tourist police tell me to call the local police in Banglamung. I proceed to advise they speak little English and are no help. They say sorry; they can’t do anything. So what’s the point in having 300 more being trained by those who don’t care and do nothing?

 

Two months ago I had my 5 baht necklace ripped off in the same way from a bike. Calling the tourist police to explain the Banglamung police don’t speak English so I asked for a tourist police who can speak English. They insisted the local can help me.

 

I gave up at that point and asked what I can do once I catch this guy on his bike or find out where he lives. What is legal vs me tearing his head off and smashing his motorcycle? He says; just call the police. You have to give up!

 

Terry

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The part that's on my "I Don't Get It" list is why people insist on wearing gold chains, expensive jewelery, carrying large amounts of cash, or otherwise virtually advertising their vulnerability. Obviously people who read the English language media for Pattaya are well aware that this type of theft, along with pickpocketing, happens in Pattaya more times than Carter's has Liver Pills. Why do people wear them around here? I don't understand what's so important about displaying expensive chains or whatever. To impress who? It impresses the thieves, that's for sure. I don't know who else it's supposed to impress. It certainly doesn't impress me, except maybe impressing me with foolishness.

 

If you are someone who just has to wear these things, has it occurred to you that it might be at least a tad safer to keep these items hidden in your pocket until you either arrive at your destination or arrive back to your home or hotel room again? Do you really need to wear gold chains en route?

 

Sometimes the police really will make an effort to help and sometimes they won't. I agree it would be nice if you could truly rely on the police to try to help, but I think most people who read these boards are well aware that realistically you simply cannot count on it.

 

I certainly sympathize with victims of theft, but it also seems to me to be on the wrong side of stupidity to make one's self a walking advertisement to the thieves.

[Guest Asmerom]

Gold chain thieves

 

I certainly sympathize with victims of theft, but it also seems to me to be on the wrong side of stupidity to make one's self a walking advertisement to the thieves.

 

I suppose, using the same principle, you would advise young women not to wear short skirts as this would just be blatantly "asking for it ! " and have only themselves to blame if they end up in a dark alley somewhat the worse for wear.

 

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I agree. The police need to do something. The thieves are blatant because they know the chances of getting away with it are high. With the motorbike thieves usually the one who actually does the chain snatching is underage while the driver is not. The underage culprit will get a much lighter punishment.

THREE times on a baht bus I have caught women trying to pick my pocket. I have zippers on my pockets, I don't carry large sums of money or wear jewelry and I keep alert to the possibility of being a victim. It is sad that this has become necessary. It is unfortunate for tourists who are not aware of the pitfalls. When I first came to Thailand in 1995 this was not the case.

[Guest buaseng]

I'm with GB on this one. Assuming that the average tourist/expat is aware of the risk of having their gold chains snatched (and they should be, given the weekly publicity such thefts receive) it beggars belief that anyone would openly flaunt these items for the thieves to see (and steal).

I've absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for these poseurs who think they look good flashing their bling in public when, to most of the rest of us, they are just sad, pathetic show-offs.

[Gaybutton]

I suppose, using the same principle, you would advise young women not to wear short skirts

 

Then you suppose wrong. You're making a mistake by trying to say that blanket "logic" applies and if one statement applies then it stands to reason the other statement must also apply. I don't see it as the same principle at all. I don't even see a similarity between the two types of crime. Rape is a far more serious and far less common crime than snatching of people's personal belongings. I would go as far as saying rape is quite rare in Pattaya. Also, when it comes to very violent crime such as rape, the police do respond and act as quickly as they can to catch the rapist.

 

Most criminals looking for ya-ba money, or whatever they're looking for, aren't out there trying to rape women to get it, but many are out there committing these kinds of theft crimes. We read about it on almost a daily basis. It is relatively easy to avoid becoming a victim of these thefts and I don't understand why people don't take the simple steps to prevent themselves from becoming victims of it.

 

Also, from where are you getting the idea that I am implying that the victims of these thefts have only themselves to blame? I said no such thing. I blame the criminals, not the victims. But I am saying people ought to have sense enough to take simple precautions so they don't end up becoming victims.

 

If you want to wear gold chains, fine. Just hide them until you arrive at your destination. Then put on the chain. Take it off as you leave, hide it again, and stow it away when you get back to wherever you are staying. What's the hard part?

[Guest slackersam]

I agree. Flaunting easily to steal stuff in a poverty stricken nation is just stupid.