Wearing Expensive Jewelry - Safety

[jumusman]

This question might be a little out there but it's something I really want expats opinion on. I have been considering treating myself and buying a nice Breitling watch for a while now and want to know how concerned or cautious I need to be about wearing it in public.

Let me explain where I am coming from, I moved here 3 months ago from Pattaya where I know things are allot different, gangs of ladyboys driving up and down Beach and 2nd road just looking for people they can nab jewelry from, people having their pockets picked. There was no way I was going to wear an expensive watch anywhere in that town. I know sometimes it has to do with a person looking like an easy target. Trust me I have seen some people in Pattaya with gold necklaces and bracelets stumbling down the street so drunk they don't even know what their name is. Some people ask for it allot more than others!

I feel allot more comfortable here in Hua Hin, I don't think it's going to be a problem and I am not the kind of person to be walking around the bar area drunk as a skunk at 3.30am in the morning (Ok maybe 1am at the latest!) but I want to get peoples opinion and how they rate Hua Hin in terms of pickpockets and crime and areas that are more seedy than others.

I have only heard one bad story here from someone in a bar telling me that thieves will sometimes wait by the rail station late at night with a wire laying across the street waiting for someone on a bike to come by, they pull up the wire, knock them off the bike and take everything. Story kind of scared me a little but maybe this was a one off thing...

[dtaai-maai]

If you wear expensive jewellery anywhere in the world you're showing off, and in most places you're asking for trouble.
My advice is find another way to treat yourself.
But surely the answer to your question is really pretty obvious, isn't it?

[SunandFun]

A Breitling Watch would probably not be a problem or draw attention. A Rolex would. If the watch is "conservative and stylish" it will look like many other watches and not draw attention. If it is GOLD and big, maybe. Average people do not know what a Breiting is or how much it cost. I bought an Omega Seamaster Divers Watch 10 years ago before moving to India instead of a Rolex for the same reasons. It cost about the same as the Rolex at that time. No problems in any developing country I have so far visited and stayed. That said, If you get rolled over they will take whatever watch you have, even a Timex. They probably did not target the watch, just you, based on where you were, time and opportunity. If you are really concerned, insure it. It is worth the peace of mind and if you did get rolled, you will not worry about parting with it, which could save your life by not resisting. All IMO.

[jumusman]

If you wear expensive jewellery anywhere in the world you're showing off, and in most places you're asking for trouble.
My advice is find another way to treat yourself.
But surely the answer to your question is really pretty obvious, isn't it?

Thanks for the input but the answer is not obvious, that's why I asked the question in the first place. So would you say the same thing for an expensive car or motorcycle or house are they showing off also? I would never ask this question if I was back in the U.S because I wouldn't think twice about wearing an expensive watch, not a problem.

I was hoping to get the opinion of some expats that have spent some time here and/or people's knowledge of the crime level in Hua Hin.

[jumusman]

Thanks SunandFun,

Your post makes allot of sense, it's true about the size or gawdyness (if that's the word) of some watches, the Breitling I am looking at is quite large. It would definitely be insured and most of the time it is better to part with it than being forced to and suffer even worse consequences.

[STEVE G]

I've worn expensive watches in Thailand and other parts of SE Asia with no problem at all and I think the main reason is probably that most of the people wearing watches in Thailand in the street are wearing fakes that are not worth robbing. It's of course a completely different story with wearing gold which will attract trouble.

[Pedro C]

I cannot prove my opinion with official statistics but it is my gut feeling that Hua Hin is pretty safe as far as person crimes are concerned. However, there are criminals here as well as stupid farang drunks who stagger through dark areas of the night making themselves obvious prospects for a mugging. Experienced travelers and other people with an average IQ would know where not to go and what not to do. If you get mugged they will take everything as swiftly as possible. Whether you wear a Breitling, Omega, Rolex or Swatch makes no difference. The answer is "be wise in the night". In Hua Hin and all other places of the world.

[johnnyk]

When I'm in Thailand I don't care what time it is except when its beer o'clock.

[PeteC]

With Christmas coming up, here is a nifty little item for girlfriend or wife. Not too brash and discretely fashionable. Pete

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[MrPlum]

...I want to get peoples opinion and how they rate Hua Hin in terms of pickpockets and crime and areas that are more seedy than others.

I have only heard one bad story here from someone in a bar telling me that thieves will sometimes wait by the rail station late at night with a wire laying across the street waiting for someone on a bike to come by, they pull up the wire, knock them off the bike and take everything. Story kind of scared me a little but maybe this was a one off thing...

Saw it in The Great Escape but never heard of this, here.

Tourists often have a false sense of safety and abandon their street smarts, when abroad. Opportunist thieves can snatch bags from motorbikes, or mug you if you walking alone in an empty street, covered in jewellery. Some ladies might as well be carrying a sign saying 'Mug Me'.

Driving through the Chinese graveyard on Hin Lek Fai, or going over the hill, after dark, on a motorbike, for me, is a no-no. I'm home by 1030 and don't usually stay out later, so have never seen any trouble. I wouldn't use an ATM in a quiet location, if there is no-one else around. A friend I know was beaten and robbed at an ATM when drunk.

I doubt any watch would draw attention unless it was gold-plated. Wear a cheap copy of anything valuable, if you are that desperate for it to be seen. Who can tell the difference?

[Takiap]

Anyone who is afraid to wear a good watch in Thailand is in my mind, being totally paranoid. Like another poster has mentioned, if you get mugged and lose your watch, you would have lost it no matter what make it is/was.

Many Thais wear a genuine Rolex, but when people see it (including us Farang) they instinctively think it's a fake.

If you were in South Africa, then you'd be daft to wear an expensive watch, but this is Thailand, and for the most part, it's VERY safe. As for people getting knocked of their motorbikes......absolute nonsense. Whoever told you that, probably also told you all Thai wives have to send money back home for sick buffaloes.

Sure you will get criminals who prey on wealthy tourists, but for the most part they hang out in the shadier areas of a country.

[margaretcarnes]

Thanks SunandFun,

Your post makes allot of sense, it's true about the size or gawdyness (if that's the word) of some watches, the Breitling I am looking at is quite large. It would definitely be insured and most of the time it is better to part with it than being forced to and suffer even worse consequences.

To be honest I would never wear any expensive jewellery in Thailand - even if I had any! Seriously though some jewellery has sentimental value even when it might not cost a lot - and I don't have gold anyway. So with the silver that is around my neck I'm perfectly OK in HuaHin and would never think twice about any risk - because Thai thieves go for gold.
Watches - different story maybe. But watches are not always so obvious - and Breitlings aren't always gold (unlike Rolex which usually are.)
But again anything you wear on your wrist should be pretty safe. If you are going to get mugged in HuaHin - and yes it does happen in the vicinty of the station - it is likely to be an opportunist thing. The muggers will go for passports, wallets, phones, and maybe any gold jewellery or watches they are able to snatch quickly, regardless of the brand. They aren't lurking around waiting for a Breitling to wander past, and stand a better chance of getting a good haul by lurking around ATM's.
So if you want that watch - and can obviously afford it - just be aware that you need to be able to afford to lose it as well - in the unlikely event that you are mugged and pinned down for long enough for it to be taken. Because if you are living in HH your insurance might be worthless anyway.

[midlandmike]

When i go out in the evening I wear my 400b Rolex.
I only wear my 750b Rolex to formal events.

[Siani]

The fake watch buisness is so huge in Thailand that I doubt if anyone will take any notice....not unless you tell them of course The only possible give away is to tell everyone it's a real one and swim with it on Most fakes cannot be worn in the water. Swim one length of the pool and the hands float around the dial and the word "Bretling" comes jammed up in the faces of the moon
I think if it's going to be a worry for you, I would not buy it I say "flash the cash" and you are looking for trouble...not just in Thailand, but anywhere in the world

[margaretcarnes]

When i go out in the evening I wear my 400b Rolex.
I only wear my 750b Rolex to formal events.

Yeah makes you wonder if there's any point buying a decent watch anyway doesn't it? Especially if it can't be actually WORN anywhere......