ATM at night, not safe ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

ATM at night, not safe

Replies: 28 - Last Post: 03-Aug-2006 04:25 Last Post By: Persona_Non_Grata

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Posted
21-Aug-2005 08:58
by: joyasia

Posts: 2,478
Registered: 25/01/05

ATM at night, not safe

9.30pm in Chiang Mai tonight...

I went on my bicycle to the ATM. Between Soi 7 and 9 Moonmuang a thai man on motorbike sidled up next to me asking my name, which country etc....I told him to go away. He eventually forced me to the side of the road between 2 cars and was trying to get closer. I was blocked in. From the original go away, I advanced to screaming in thai and English for help, and picked up my bicycle(don't know how I did that) and was hitting him in the legs (he was straddling his bike), and he left. I was telling some thais nearby what had happened, they said they hadn't reacted as it was dark, couldn't see him, and thought he was my farang boyfriend and we were having a fight. While we were talking I noticed him waiting in the middle of the road further down the street(now off his bike) for me. Of course I took another route home.

These streets and a few others in this area have had trouble for quite some time, bag snatching and some violence, but I thought I would be ok in the bike. Silly of me. He was probably watching me from the ATM machine.

Please be careful you guys. I'm gonna but that bottle of lemon juice tommorrow for squirting in the eyes, he was definately close enough for me to have gotten him.
Joy

Posted
21-Aug-2005 09:44
by: thaifan

Posts: 66
Registered: 03/12/03

1

He probably just fancied you ,but he could have had sinister intent.Yes better to use the ATM in Daylight.

Same Same, but different !

Posted
21-Aug-2005 09:50
by: MKintheUK

Posts: 38
Registered: 12/12/04

2

In such a threatening situation, it may be more effective to scream 'Fire!' (FAI MAI!) than 'help' (CHOOY DOOY!). People (in almost any urban area in any country) may tend to turn away from pleas for 'help' whereas 'fire' will usually fill the streets with people.

Posted
21-Aug-2005 10:02
by: joyasia

Posts: 2,478
Registered: 25/01/05

3

Thaifan, it was definately sinister.

#2, MKintheUK, I will bear the fire thing in mind. It was out in the street in the rain. I was yelling pai gai gai, (ruder than go away) my ruejak, (I don't know you) khamoey (thief), and chooay dooay.

Posted
21-Aug-2005 17:01
by: sunriseplace

Posts: 563
Registered: 06/11/04

4

Shouldn't use the ATM at nite,Joy. Thank God,you're safe!

Men who walk through airport door sideways are going to Bangkok.

Posted
21-Aug-2005 17:09
by: wowpow

Posts: 531
Registered: 11/12/02

5

Why would he frighten you before you got money out of the ATM? Mugging?

Posted
22-Aug-2005 01:16
by: joyasia

Posts: 2,478
Registered: 25/01/05

6

wowpow,
sorry my post wasn't clear, it was after withdrawing money, and, a street away, on my way home. It would have frightened me regardless, in November last year a different guy was stalking tourists late at night, and punched my friend very hard in the breast.

Thaifanatic, I stupidly though biking at night was ok,(it wasn't that late, and I knew the other attacks were around midnight) that if someone was pursuing me I would be able to get away. A lesson learned with no serious consequence, but posted this so noone else would be so silly.

I also don't normally use the ATM at night, but I had been trying to pay my monthly accommadation and my card had lost it's magnetic strip, and my spare one didn't work either. So I wanted to go to the bank to make sure I could still get money, was in a bit of a panic, though should have waited til morning.

Thanks for the caring comments though people, I am still a bit shook up.

Wow, the new moderator has cleaned up the rude posts already, thanks! That's refreshing!

Posted
22-Aug-2005 01:19
by: CrazyAl

Posts: 103
Registered: 25/05/05

7

Find a store that sells oven cleaner like Easy Off, if you can. (Does anyone use an oven in Thailand?) Wrap some pretty paper around the can so it looks like a big can of hair spray. When you are sure that someone is about to rob you or worse - spray his eyes with the oven spray. That stuff shoots about 6 feet and it is quite painful. And run like hell!

ELVIS - alive and well and living in Pattaya!

Posted
22-Aug-2005 01:23
by: yorkie_bear

Posts: 74
Registered: 14/04/02

8

Sorry to hear this happened! Hope you are OK now.

Posted
22-Aug-2005 01:30
by: Itchybollockov

Posts: 377
Registered: 12/12/02

9

Glad to hear you are OK Joy.

Again, why carry a weapon? a) it might only inflame a sittuation and b) More likely, it will give you a false sense of security.

Better take heed of the warning, avoid risks and run away from them when they do happen.

I do think screaming and making as much noise works - it draws attention, something the attacker does not want.

Posted
22-Aug-2005 01:39
by: Soi_Dog

Posts: 229
Registered: 20/11/02

10

Itchy gives good advice

The false sense of security a weapon can give can be dangerous if you are not experienced in using it and if it does not work then the situation can be out of hand.

Avoid, make noise and run like the wind

The inscription on Wood's tomb reads, simply, "He loved Thailand".

Posted
22-Aug-2005 02:33
by: joyasia

Posts: 2,478
Registered: 25/01/05

11

Itchy and Soidog,
I was making a hell of a racket, screaming my head off, and hitting him with my bicycle as hard as I could on the legs (from shoulder height), trying to overbalance him from his motorbike.

I couldn't get away, I was blocked in between the two cars, but if I had some lemonjuice to throw in his eyes I would have had a gap to get out.

In this situation I believe it would have been helpful, I had him at bay with the bicycle between us....but as all situations are different, a weapon be used against you.

Yes, you guys are right, avoidance is best. Thanks for your posts
Joy

Posted
22-Aug-2005 03:14
by: Soi_Dog

Posts: 229
Registered: 20/11/02

12

The thing is with someting as light as lemon if he grabbed you and hung on til the sting went you could be up the creek without a paddle.

Pepper spray, CS Gas or ammonia might be different ;-)))

You would still want you escape route clear before you sprayed though!

The inscription on Wood's tomb reads, simply, "He loved Thailand".

Posted
22-Aug-2005 03:32
by: joyasia

Posts: 2,478
Registered: 25/01/05

13

Soiboy,
I am going to buy some lemon stuff and put some in my own eye to see how long it lasts....what an idiot(me) The shock thing may make him hold his eyes long enough for me to run.
The escape route would be ok, if I could lift the bike from shoulder height I could jump past him????Maybe??? Better to be blocked by a blindey than a non blindey???

I bought pepper spray in Malaysia last year but gave it to my mum to keep in her car. Will be back down that way in a few months so may buy another one. Just don't want it grabbed and used on me.

Posted
22-Aug-2005 03:46
by: Soi_Dog

Posts: 229
Registered: 20/11/02

14

"Just don't want it grabbed and used on me. "

Thats the thing with any weapon but why i think pepper etc if you are going to have a weapon is the best choice- spray and run.

It was here or another site with self defence courses for women that was training them to use a knife - I think that is just totally inappropriate as if it was taken of the woman she now has no chance and a very angry guy probably with cuts to his hands.

The inscription on Wood's tomb reads, simply, "He loved Thailand".

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