Hi All,
It comes down to safety. Not posturing. Ok, if you live on your own on a few hundred rai with the wife and kiddies I can understand the Fort Apache approach. Go and get the Claymores and electric wire. No, actually I can't. And I cannot for the life of me undestand being labeled somekind of lily-livered liberal for making your bedroom the citadel of safety and letting the DVD go with the burgalars. You have to make a stand? Someone has to stand up to these people? OMG! A caped crusader! Its FALANGMAN to the rescue!!!!!!!!!!!
The cost of a new DVD? 3000 Baht. The cost of surgery? The psychological damage of being wounded in the middle of the night? I can only assume those that recommend the John Wayne approach re: securing the family home have a good supply of firearms (and of course have a license too) and are adept at thier use, have a fabulous relationship with the BIB and a lawyer on call. And have never had the joy or waking up and staggering to the bathroom semi-comatose to unwittingly interupt a burglar with a machete.
Its not that the burgalar is small and strong but awake and scared and armed and will have no compunction about swinging that machete should you stand between him and the open window.
the most realistic approach I have seen here to date it to chip in for the security. 1500 baht a month per house is small potatoes. (Apologies to Dan Quaile, never could spell.) Buglary is not for rocket scientists: they are too busy hacking your acounts and recording the keystrokes on your internet banking. So remove the temptation with lighting and guards.
Lastly, shoot a Thai in Thailand and I doubt the result will be as clearcut as you would like to think. There will be family pressure and societal pressure bought to bear. Come on! A Thai runs his BMW into you on a scooter: whose to blame? Remember where you are, and stop fantasizing.
And if you really want to shoot intruders and live in a seige move to a compound in Montana. They welcome fellow paranoids.
MORE BREAK INS MOUNTAIN VILL
.... And another thing:
I would like to hear more about the electric fence. Whether it is non-lethal, and what happens to Fido if he cocks his leg or the new maid decides its a nifty clothesline. I would like to know about the liability of the owner in the eyes of the law, and what precautions are required. I don't actually want one but am a keen student of security and the law. Enlighten me!
foxy.
I would like to hear more about the electric fence. Whether it is non-lethal, and what happens to Fido if he cocks his leg or the new maid decides its a nifty clothesline. I would like to know about the liability of the owner in the eyes of the law, and what precautions are required. I don't actually want one but am a keen student of security and the law. Enlighten me!
foxy.
-
scotian007
- Novice
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:59 am
MV
I would still like to hear more from Residents of Mountain Vill in getting together to get some security guards - anyone else?
Vital Spark wrote
miked: You say the law is on our side if someone breaks into our property. I don't think so. Especially here. It doesn't even apply in the UK. Remember the old recluse in Norfolk who got put in jail for shooting a burglar as he was leaving his house?
sorry but your wrong. the law here is completely different regarding burglars. the law is on your side. check it out i am correct.
the man your talking about is Tony Martin and was jailed because he refused to offer remorse for his actions. for that same reason he was refused parole in total he was jailed for six years.
i think i would rather have him as a neighbour than some of you.
miked
miked: You say the law is on our side if someone breaks into our property. I don't think so. Especially here. It doesn't even apply in the UK. Remember the old recluse in Norfolk who got put in jail for shooting a burglar as he was leaving his house?
sorry but your wrong. the law here is completely different regarding burglars. the law is on your side. check it out i am correct.
the man your talking about is Tony Martin and was jailed because he refused to offer remorse for his actions. for that same reason he was refused parole in total he was jailed for six years.
i think i would rather have him as a neighbour than some of you.
miked
Hi miked,
Do you really think because the law states that you are within your rights to use reasonable force (and I am only assuming it is reasonable force here, although overwhelming force is the more sensible option) that you, the falang, will automatically be exonorated for shooting a thai intruder? You dont think the option of squeezing you for a few (or many) baht might register in the consience of some who might attend the crime scene? Especially if you are full of bombast and generally western anger when they arrive?
Do you really believe that this country rewards righeousness and innocence anymore than other countries? Or do you think you would be better served in the long run buying a new DVD and living to fight another day?
As for good neighbors: it seems in previous posts to this thread you suggest a posse be raised and us good deputies ride down the mean streets of Hua Hin sorting out the riff raff who might choose to rob or molest us. Really? Cut one they all bleed. Asia is Asia, and you cannot fight one, you fight them all, and rightly so in my humble opinion. I am not sure where you originate from, but imagine a bunch of thai vigilantes in your home town back west and how you would feel and react. Why expect a culture thousands of years old to conform to your ideals of public justice?
I also note your avatar "welcome to the land of scams". I sense a deep mistrust of your chosen abode Miked....
Do you really think because the law states that you are within your rights to use reasonable force (and I am only assuming it is reasonable force here, although overwhelming force is the more sensible option) that you, the falang, will automatically be exonorated for shooting a thai intruder? You dont think the option of squeezing you for a few (or many) baht might register in the consience of some who might attend the crime scene? Especially if you are full of bombast and generally western anger when they arrive?
Do you really believe that this country rewards righeousness and innocence anymore than other countries? Or do you think you would be better served in the long run buying a new DVD and living to fight another day?
As for good neighbors: it seems in previous posts to this thread you suggest a posse be raised and us good deputies ride down the mean streets of Hua Hin sorting out the riff raff who might choose to rob or molest us. Really? Cut one they all bleed. Asia is Asia, and you cannot fight one, you fight them all, and rightly so in my humble opinion. I am not sure where you originate from, but imagine a bunch of thai vigilantes in your home town back west and how you would feel and react. Why expect a culture thousands of years old to conform to your ideals of public justice?
I also note your avatar "welcome to the land of scams". I sense a deep mistrust of your chosen abode Miked....
As for good neighbors: it seems in previous posts to this thread you suggest a posse be raised and us good deputies ride down the mean streets of Hua Hin sorting out the riff raff who might choose to rob or molest us. Really?
not quite what i said. the problem referred to Hup Ka Pong. strangely the problem has now gone away. wonder why ??? perhaps its gone to Hua Hin. ???????
i hear "living the dream" and living in" paradise" strange dream of paradise to hide scared in your bedroom.
miked
not quite what i said. the problem referred to Hup Ka Pong. strangely the problem has now gone away. wonder why ??? perhaps its gone to Hua Hin. ???????
i hear "living the dream" and living in" paradise" strange dream of paradise to hide scared in your bedroom.
miked
It's not exactly black and white though is it, how do you suggest a frail 68 year old retiree tackles the two 25 year olds in his lounge both carrying machettes ?miked wrote:i hear "living the dream" and living in" paradise" strange dream of paradise to hide scared in your bedroom.
miked
Horses for courses.
SJ
Having read the responses since i posted about the electric fence all i can say is;
I guess at the end of the day, it's up to every individual to determine how much hassle he/she can put up with to get things fixed, and how much resistance he/she wants to put up for the potential intruder.
Yes electric supplies can get cut, yes alarms can get stuffed with foam to stop working, steel bars can get cut, etc., whatever we install is just to make the intruder think is it worth his time to break-in or not. As an old petty criminal used to say to me back home when i was a kid, a lock only keeps out an honest thief, and all forms of theft defense can be got bye if time permitted.
Some History:
Our first break-in the guy used the only window that had one hasp not fixed (tell me how he knew it), and better still all he did was try the Master bedroom door which was locked with my wife inside (she did not feel comfortable about that), and nothing was stolen, cameras, mobiles, were sitting around downstairs, but they were not touched. The only motive we could see was one of the building workers next door had said a few nasty thai words to her about being married to a foreigner and what he wanted to do to her, but we couldn't prove anything. The lack of any stolen items indicated to us that this break-in was otherwise motivated.
2nd break-in happened when my wife took a five day trip home and arrived back to find the back-door prised open, the mosquito netting cut and the door padlock professionally removed. They ransacked the house for small items, took watches, jewelry, lap top, ipods, and had a party at the house while they watched TV, etc., Next door neighbours pool attendant saw the three guys and the car (Nortaburi registration) but thought they were doing work in the house over the two days they were there. When the police arrived they advised there is nothing much they could do, and my insurance Company advised that they do not cover theft of such items on the policy (despite counter indications when taking the policy out two years ago).
Because of work commitments, I am not there full time, but my wife is there the majority of the time, and i want to ensure that she feels safe and protected (the amount of padlocks / locks to get into the house amazes me, but at end of day she feels it is needed). I'd say both burglaries were committed by people who have worked in the house at one time or another due to some of the circumstances surround their choice of entry, unfortunately proving who is a very difficult task.
I'm not saying what i have installed will keep them away/out, but it makes them think and hopefully move onto the next house. Look at the Pattaya news and see how many times a foreigner is attacked in his house when discovering people stealing things usually to his disadvantage/fatality, if i can make them think before trying and moving on, then it's not me.
I will say the neighbours around my complex have been great to my wife because of the events and they are always on the look-out nowadays, when and when she is not around. She is likewise minded and makes sure that if shes anything odd happening at their houses she informs them.
At end of the day, protect what you see is worth it, and leave the rest to the petty criminals to take, hopefully without loss of life.
I guess at the end of the day, it's up to every individual to determine how much hassle he/she can put up with to get things fixed, and how much resistance he/she wants to put up for the potential intruder.
Yes electric supplies can get cut, yes alarms can get stuffed with foam to stop working, steel bars can get cut, etc., whatever we install is just to make the intruder think is it worth his time to break-in or not. As an old petty criminal used to say to me back home when i was a kid, a lock only keeps out an honest thief, and all forms of theft defense can be got bye if time permitted.
Some History:
Our first break-in the guy used the only window that had one hasp not fixed (tell me how he knew it), and better still all he did was try the Master bedroom door which was locked with my wife inside (she did not feel comfortable about that), and nothing was stolen, cameras, mobiles, were sitting around downstairs, but they were not touched. The only motive we could see was one of the building workers next door had said a few nasty thai words to her about being married to a foreigner and what he wanted to do to her, but we couldn't prove anything. The lack of any stolen items indicated to us that this break-in was otherwise motivated.
2nd break-in happened when my wife took a five day trip home and arrived back to find the back-door prised open, the mosquito netting cut and the door padlock professionally removed. They ransacked the house for small items, took watches, jewelry, lap top, ipods, and had a party at the house while they watched TV, etc., Next door neighbours pool attendant saw the three guys and the car (Nortaburi registration) but thought they were doing work in the house over the two days they were there. When the police arrived they advised there is nothing much they could do, and my insurance Company advised that they do not cover theft of such items on the policy (despite counter indications when taking the policy out two years ago).
Because of work commitments, I am not there full time, but my wife is there the majority of the time, and i want to ensure that she feels safe and protected (the amount of padlocks / locks to get into the house amazes me, but at end of day she feels it is needed). I'd say both burglaries were committed by people who have worked in the house at one time or another due to some of the circumstances surround their choice of entry, unfortunately proving who is a very difficult task.
I'm not saying what i have installed will keep them away/out, but it makes them think and hopefully move onto the next house. Look at the Pattaya news and see how many times a foreigner is attacked in his house when discovering people stealing things usually to his disadvantage/fatality, if i can make them think before trying and moving on, then it's not me.
I will say the neighbours around my complex have been great to my wife because of the events and they are always on the look-out nowadays, when and when she is not around. She is likewise minded and makes sure that if shes anything odd happening at their houses she informs them.
At end of the day, protect what you see is worth it, and leave the rest to the petty criminals to take, hopefully without loss of life.
Super Joe wrote
how do you suggest a frail 68 year old retiree tackles the two 25 year olds in his lounge both carrying machettes ?
i would suggest that they are not living in paradise and are certainly not living the dream.
in Hup Ka Pong the head man was informed and involved in solving the problem, together with local Thais and a few brave farang.
miked
how do you suggest a frail 68 year old retiree tackles the two 25 year olds in his lounge both carrying machettes ?
i would suggest that they are not living in paradise and are certainly not living the dream.
in Hup Ka Pong the head man was informed and involved in solving the problem, together with local Thais and a few brave farang.
miked
No Miked, I don't live scared in my bedroom. I simply sleep soundly with the doors locked to the bedroom. Simple, effective, and although not fool proof as far as I wish to take it. Its what us expats in Vietnam learnt, and I guess that is not Thailand but the rules appear the same. As for you and your "few brave falang". Bravo Lord Jim. Asia is a better place. Good for you.miked wrote:As for good neighbors: it seems in previous posts to this thread you suggest a posse be raised and us good deputies ride down the mean streets of Hua Hin sorting out the riff raff who might choose to rob or molest us. Really?
not quite what i said. the problem referred to Hup Ka Pong. strangely the problem has now gone away. wonder why ??? perhaps its gone to Hua Hin. ???????
i hear "living the dream" and living in" paradise" strange dream of paradise to hide scared in your bedroom.
miked
Am I living my dream? yeah pretty much. then again i still find LOS the Land of Smiles rather than Land of Scams. I guess it depends on your paranoia levels on the day though doesn't it?
The point has been raised about a frail retiree defending himself. Only in the movies does joe average take on the mafia and win. Joe Average generally lacks the will to hit first and hardest, so generally comes seriously undone.
Perhaps if my background was different I would see it your way: but for the average retiree I think the advice to make the bedroom safe and have cell phone, a flash light and if all else fails, fly spray and a lighter at hand is better. Confrontation is for those trained in confrontation, and most of us lack the will to move first.
Kick in for the security guards.
Hey Guys
Here's a novel idea! How about letting each do his own thing regarding security (or anything else for that matter).
And if any people wish to share their security ideas or practices with the rest of the forum, then in theory, we all become a little wiser and well informed along the way.
We don't have to follow anyones' ideas, and we certainly don't need to rip the crap out of them along the way either!
Here's a novel idea! How about letting each do his own thing regarding security (or anything else for that matter).
And if any people wish to share their security ideas or practices with the rest of the forum, then in theory, we all become a little wiser and well informed along the way.
We don't have to follow anyones' ideas, and we certainly don't need to rip the crap out of them along the way either!
Semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
Wow! Now that is a novel idea, but I add my vote to it being a good one!Winkie wrote:Hey Guys
Here's a novel idea! How about letting each do his own thing regarding security (or anything else for that matter).
And if any people wish to share their security ideas or practices with the rest of the forum, then in theory, we all become a little wiser and well informed along the way.
We don't have to follow anyones' ideas, and we certainly don't need to rip the crap out of them along the way either!