Child Street Hustlers in Bangkok
May 7th, 2006, 10:50 PM
#1
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Child Street Hustlers in Bangkok
Yesterday I was hustled by a couple of street kids selling flowers on soi 4. They were probably between 5 and 8. One of them bear hugged me, and I could feel the other one trying to take something. I protected my pockets, and chelked them when I got away. I thought nothing was missing, but when I later wanted to use my cell phone, it was gone.
I'm sure they spotted it first thing. The belt pouch has a magnetic closure that is easy to open. I didn't fight them as I should have, thinking they were just harmless kids. The local cop on the corner said it happens there all the time. Next time I won't worry about hurting them when they do that. The locals are brutal to them.
They probably only got a couple thousand Baht for the phone, but I'd pay many times that to get the numbers back.
I'm sure they spotted it first thing. The belt pouch has a magnetic closure that is easy to open. I didn't fight them as I should have, thinking they were just harmless kids. The local cop on the corner said it happens there all the time. Next time I won't worry about hurting them when they do that. The locals are brutal to them.
They probably only got a couple thousand Baht for the phone, but I'd pay many times that to get the numbers back.
May 8th, 2006, 03:12 AM
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Once in Rome a gypsy girl, not more than 12, came up to me and lifted her skirt exposing everything to my astonishment! At the same time a boy try to pick my wallet but a swift kick to his leg got rid of him. A couple of policemen saw everything and caught the boy, the girl got away, and slap him around a few more times.
Use enough force to get rid of the buggers but don't hurt these kids too much as you could end up in jail!
Use enough force to get rid of the buggers but don't hurt these kids too much as you could end up in jail!
May 8th, 2006, 04:22 AM
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I would strongly advise against hitting or kicking these children or anybody in Thailand for that matter, regardless of whether you are in the right or wrong. At the very least you'll get flattened and you could end up behind bars.
May 8th, 2006, 04:34 AM
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It happens. Thing is, you are having such a good time; it's all new and exciting; and you are in holiday mode.
Without being overly paranoid (BKK isn't Jo'burg after all!!) just don't be an obvious tourist.
If you must carry a cell phone (a mobile!??) - can't imagine why you should - you are on holiday aren't you - then carry it securely.
And a bumbag hanging around your waist is a sure giveaway.
Commiserations.
Without being overly paranoid (BKK isn't Jo'burg after all!!) just don't be an obvious tourist.
If you must carry a cell phone (a mobile!??) - can't imagine why you should - you are on holiday aren't you - then carry it securely.
And a bumbag hanging around your waist is a sure giveaway.
Commiserations.
May 8th, 2006, 11:51 AM
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Sorry to hear what happened to you Brad. It can happen to any of us. I remember fighting off gypsies in Rome in the late 70s and I'm quite street smart. So,are you back at the Omni or are you trying a new place? Where's your mom? She hasn't posted for a while. I'll see her in Boston in Oct. Happy Travels!
May 8th, 2006, 02:14 PM
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Sounds like you handled it well. Never give money to the kids, it just reinforces their lives on the street. If it affected you to see children doing this, please consider donating a little to a charity that works to educate children and get them off the streets.
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May 8th, 2006, 04:02 PM
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Hello guenmai! Brad's mom here... I just picked him up at OHare. He's home once again, this time for at least 4-5 months I'd guess. I've been traveling around Europe and the US as of late, still trying to read fodors every few days, but not posting much right now.
Brad was telling me about the kids. I guess he will do a better job of trying to fend them off the next time, if it happens again. He lost his phone, which the kids probably fenced to someone who sold it at MBK for a few thousand baht. He will hopefully be able to retain his phone number, which is on his business cards.
See you in October in BOS!
Carol
Brad was telling me about the kids. I guess he will do a better job of trying to fend them off the next time, if it happens again. He lost his phone, which the kids probably fenced to someone who sold it at MBK for a few thousand baht. He will hopefully be able to retain his phone number, which is on his business cards.
See you in October in BOS!
Carol
May 9th, 2006, 02:32 AM
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All is good now. My friend in Thailand filed a police report so I will be able to get a new SIM card with that number. I wanted a newer phone anyway. But I'll never retrieve all of those numbers.
I'll use more force next time, but without causing injury.
I'll use more force next time, but without causing injury.
May 9th, 2006, 09:23 AM
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Carol - Why do you say that the phone would probably end up at MBK for sale. It would more than likely end up at one of the manly shops on the street or sold directly to someone. I did not think that a mall as famous as MKB would sell stolen goods.
May 9th, 2006, 12:17 PM
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scotters
I can't prove where the phone might end up. Maybe on the street, yes. But MBK has hundreds if not thousands of used phones on the 4th floor. It would be all too easy for someone to sell or trade one in there, no questions asked. MBK is a great mall with all sorts of items. I shop there all the time. The phone I bought there happened to be a new one, but there were many used ones also. I've also bought knock-off items there too!
I can't prove where the phone might end up. Maybe on the street, yes. But MBK has hundreds if not thousands of used phones on the 4th floor. It would be all too easy for someone to sell or trade one in there, no questions asked. MBK is a great mall with all sorts of items. I shop there all the time. The phone I bought there happened to be a new one, but there were many used ones also. I've also bought knock-off items there too!
May 9th, 2006, 12:18 PM
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Scotters,
The police told me it would likely end up at MBK. It is the biggest market for 2nd hand phones in the city. The vendor would not necessarily know it was stolen.
But many vendors there do know they are selling copy watches, purses, DVDs, software, clothing, etc. And you can be sure the mall management is aware of that as well.
The police told me it would likely end up at MBK. It is the biggest market for 2nd hand phones in the city. The vendor would not necessarily know it was stolen.
But many vendors there do know they are selling copy watches, purses, DVDs, software, clothing, etc. And you can be sure the mall management is aware of that as well.
