Having experienced been burgled ourselves, very shortly after moving into our new home. I can identify with others how it feels. My husband, daughter and myself moved into our three bed roomed house with all the usual excitement one feels. Shortly afterwards my husband was called away to work leaving us two alone. We had work being carried out, such as new fences.

   We had always lived on Compounds in the Middle East; in Thailand they are called Villages. I was not totally happy with the security of this house, but, I felt we must try to live as normally as possible and be in the community. The worst did happen, the burglary! We awoke to find that my handbag and all its contents were gone; stupidly I had put everything into it, money, credit cards, driving licence and jewellery. I just cried it was awful. I felt as if I had been raped, as they entered our house whilst we were asleep and went past my bedroom door to go into my daughters room, to steal items such as jewellery, cd’s, DVD player and mobile phone, believe it or not, but also her red make up bag. This I thought was strange, I remembered thinking it may have been a girl or a lady boy that was involved. I hope they got good use out of it all, it was good quality! A lovely red bag, I would recognise it again… so be aware if you have it!  

Another nieghbour close by was also burgled, he drove away from his house only to return and find people in his house trying to break open his safe, his pregnant wife put up a defence and was hit, luckily later, at the hospital, all was well with her, but not her husband, as he made chase in his car after the culprit, who was on a motorbike, he was killed in the chase.  

   The case went to court, I could not understand why, afterwards I understood, as the nieghbour gave chase to the motor bike, and compensation may have to be paid to the family of the culprit. The law is strange at times, if you’re the one being attacked and burgled, should you not have compensation paid to you? Nothing much was said about the case, it went quiet.

   I do not know at times what people should do, to be safe, we have a right to be safe. Everyone has worked hard to have certain things, does it mean we do not buy anything as we will be worried about the safety of our homes and ourselves.

   Do we engage in High Technology as that I have seen in South Africa? People live with such high security that it actually looks like Fort Knox.  Houses have Safety built from within the centre of the house out to the perimeter wall. Electric fencing, cameras and guard dogs. Security  Guards if needs be, with the security being advertised, especially if it is TV camera technology with security guards arriving at the scene once  the alarm has been sounded. If a Chubb safe has been made the safe is never made where the person lives and the address is rarely given, as the homeowners will go and collect it themselves. This is the extent of how serious safety is taken.       

   Here in Thailand I think, noise and bright lighting seem to be the best defence, also if you have installed grills at all windows and doors. Good strong padlocks of course, I am not always convinced that a security guard is the answer, listening to some reports there have been incidences of  behind the scene payments taking place, if one lives on a compound. This alerting the criminals to the fact, which house may be empty? Of course there are good and bad security people everywhere. I had thought of electric fencing, recently I visited a village and found this type of security in use. I think it would be sensible to check first if you would need some kind of liability notice, to state you would be exempt if anyone was caught climbing or tampering with your installed fence. And ask about proper permissions, of the guidelines exactly around the fence, does it need to have a permit to be in use. Of course on the funny side you can have surveillance cameras installed, but you would need to monitor your computer screens continually. The good old fashion guard dog is the best, again you have to be aware these could be let out or poisoned, presently we do have a dog, but it does live inside the house, I felt this would be safer all around. A friend of mine did alert me to the fact if desperate measures are taken, criminals have been known to put a type of gas in through your AC, and so be a aware!

   I do not intend to make people alarmed or anxious, only to be aware and think of all the possibilities, if you live in a condo then it is probably very safe for you all. There are people and security about for you all to rely upon. 

It is strange to think and feel you have to be vigilant all the time, but it is just that folks! “You do” even in the street… in this case don’t wear it or flaunt it… hide it!

   Please don’t put a fight, When  we were burgled, my daughter said to me, that it was a good thing I was a sleep and her with me, as it could have been worse, I may have tried to fight!.. I know items are sentimental, but think of your safety and stay alive and unhurt. Live to enjoy another day, you’re here in sunny Thailand, the land of smiles!  Here’s another thought…some may say, wear your money in your chastity belt; I guess it’s worth a try!! Have a great day.                              

 Scams by Ranting Rosie

It is crazy at the moment, I read on the computer and the inbox mail, of the hundreds of scams that exist. It is impossible at times to know if they are real; some products are so good in order for the information to be put across to sell it to you and then your sneered! “Hook line and sinker ”

But, we have to be so aware. There are the ones: You have been left monies by a named person, who you have never even met… it then goes on to say if you impart with your account details all this fantastic money will go into your account. “Yes Right!

I don’t think so, you would be daft to be duped into thinking you have won the Lotto or the Euro Lotto, because they have selected your email out of thousands of emails.

Honestly! “Do they think most of the public are that stupid? Come on wake up! Also here in Pattaya there are many people trying to sell you items that are great, even on a minor scale.

The DVD sellers in the main are good, but you have no way of checking, ok it is only one hundred baht… just under two pounds and the DVD’s are copies, but that’s not the point when you sit to watch it and it is duff. Great! A ruined evening sat in front of the TV with a bottle of wine is lost and really annoying!

On the larger scale here in Pattaya, are the Jet Ski people on the beach. They are getting away with blue murder! No one seems to be doing anything about it. Tourist complain at being asked to sign a contract by the jet ski owner, but does he allow the tourist to see the jet ski out of the water and take pictures of it, and then sign the contract. The Tourist Police have no powers; they can only keep the peace. Can City Hall do as Phuket has done too solve this problem? As now there is not a problem there at all. The tourists do feel intimidated and feel as if the local authority are not on their side. It is said, the Jet Ski owners are asking for large sums of money, Perhaps sign posts should be put up “Beware of the Scammers” along the beach front to protect unsuspecting people. What do you think?