Money Snatch in Sunee Plaza

[Guest lvdkeyes]

In SF I was waiting to make a left turn and there was a woman sitting in the median with a sign that read," Please Help, Homeless, sick and hungry." A short time later she turned the sign over and it read, "Please help, Homeless, hungry and pregnant." Whatever works, I guess.

[Guest]

I remember seeing some desperate looking crippled immigrant in Frankfurt, sat on the pavement with crutches.

 

Fifteen minutes later, she flew past me in the supermarket, not needing the crutches any more. No doubt some suckers actually paid for her evening meal.

[Guest Astrrro]

If you give money to most "pretend" beggars you are only out your money.

 

Much worse to give money a street urchin and then be on his hit list forever.

[Guest njjim]

This morning returning from my morning beach walk around 7:30, I was walking down Soi VC Hotel (just before Little Mango). I spotted one of the street boys in an alley off to left and he started to approach me. I shook my head no and held up my hand indicating no. I continued walking and after I had passed him, he ran up behind me and hit me in the back. I wasn't hurt but just shocked and surprised. I turned around to make sure he wasn't going to hit me again, and he was just standing there acting like he wanted to fight. Well, I just turned around and continued my walk home.

So beware. These boys are getting bolder and more aggressive. I have never had a problem before and usually just avoiding them is enough, but apparently not any more. And there is really nothing I could do, except hope that this isn't becoming a regular occurrence in Sunee.

[Guest fountainhall]

there is really nothing I could do, except hope that this isn't becoming a regular occurrence in Sunee

 

Let's also hope they do not become like the urchins in some major European cities who roam in gangs of seemingly innocent children.

 

A favourite trick is for a group of smiling children to come towards you. Once close, a large piece of cardboard appears which they then place horizontally at the level of your waist. This is so you cannot see what is being done by little hands which swiftly whisk away anything in your pockets. I once fell for this some time ago in Rome. I knew about the trick but thought I had taken reasonable measures to prevent money being stolen by putting in all in my sock. As the urchins descended, instead of just crossing to the other side of the road, I continued walking toward them. Out came the cardboard, and then I suddenly remembered I had a ten dollar note in a right pocket. When I felt a hand in that pocket, I grabbed the little arm and pulled it upwards. Of course, another urchin had whisked the note away, whereupon they all rushed off laughing at another gullible tourist. You live and learn!