Thiefs in Hua Hin

[PeteC]

I think a lot of these break-ins are being carried out by opportunist, transient, layabout builders. Most sois in Hua Hin have several houses under construction or renovation and hence the pack of Issan builders. We have a number of them in our soi and you can just see them nosing into other peoples houses during their 4 hour lunch break. Doesn't make one feel very secure having to leave the house for a couple of days.

Needless to say the gun turrets, electric fences, halogen spots and randomly placed Claymores have been implemented.

I think you're spot on Buksi. In addition on this side of the ditch, there is a noticable increase the month before traditional New Years, and the month before Songkran. Explanation seems to be those you mention above need the cash to go home over these periods. My new area here in Rayong had three the week before Songkran and nothing before that except around Christmas. Actually went into the house behind me when the folks were asleep upstairs. Pete

[Nereus]

. My new area here in Rayong ......
Pete

Where you been Pete? Good to see you back with your sensible posts.

[huahindolly]

We live on Soi 88. One day, the front gate was open about a meter, my husband was gone for a quick beer run, and I was in the pool. The next day, I couldn't find my purse anywhere. It *appears* that somebody came in the gate, walked about 15 meters to the door, came in the house, and stole my purse off the dining room table. That's pretty nervy. We reported it to the police, but don't expect anything from them.

Even worse than that, we were robbed of millions of baht by a developer who contracted to build us a house, started the buildings, refuses to finish and refuses to give us our money back. Say what? This is robbery, pure and simple, just like the thief that entered our house and stole my purse.

HHD

[STEVE G]

HHD wrote:

...my husband was gone for a quick beer run, and I was in the pool. The next day, I couldn't find my purse anywhere.

HHD, did you check to see if your husband came back with a suspiciously large quantity of beer?

[SuperTonic]

we were robbed of millions of baht by a developer who contracted to build us a house, started the buildings, refuses to finish and refuses to give us our money back

Frankly they're the biggest problem in Hua Hin, bigger than any problem of a few thieves. These property developers really are going to destroy the place we all love so much if they're allowed to continue as they are. Some right nasty buggers among them too. It needs sorting out, though I'm buggered if I know where you start.

[Wanderlust]

SuperTonic,
Although some of the developers are a big problem, the real problem lies with the Thai authorities and how they get and hang on to power, and as most now know, it is all about money. The crooked developers have ingratiated themselves with the right people and until the political system changes so that there are independent investigators and enforcers of the law then nothing can be done by anyone. I'm sure there are plenty of honest Thais who are as sick of the corruption as we are, but they are equally powerless, and it would be a big risk to take on the people in power or their cronies. The people in power actually do get away with murder here...

[The understudy]

The understudy does Wanderlust!!!

Plus too many poeple @ once wanna climb up the prosperity latter here in Thailand this leads to greed Corruption on the highest levles. SAD SAD!

[SuperTonic]

The understudy does Wanderlust!!!

Plus too many poeple @ once wanna climb up the prosperity latter here in Thailand this leads to greed Corruption on the highest levles. SAD SAD!

Silly really when there's just no need. You don't really need a lot here, it's possible to be very comfortable with a small amount of money, more so if you adapt to the local environment. Why build these big penis-extension massive houses (such as the monstrosities at Palm Hills) when a simple 3 bed townhouse is more than enough for most people's real needs. It's just bullshit really.

[sandman67]

and

maybe Im just a HH newbie but really....are these rouge developers so bloody scary? Nobody is really "untouchable".

I'm sure if you put your mind to it someone could turn up the heat on them a little.....

[Super Joe]

Nobody is really "untouchable"

unfortunately in a country rife with corruption, i think some people are

if the local officials responsible for prosecuting people are 'friends' with them, then what can you do ?
if we try going above local officials heads i dont think we'll get very far
even if youre in the right, thais wont allow mr farang to get one over on them
we have to accpet that, its a clause on our visa's


but to put it in perspective, there's only 2 'untouchables' i know of (dont even bother asking), 1 is not developing anymore, so only leaves 1
yes, i know its 2 too many
.

[STEVE G]

In defense of the Issan builders who often get blamed for break-ins, I know an awful lot of them also got cheated by property developers. They were being offered insufficient amounts to build houses on contracts which often went unpaid, which is why so many of them are still hanging around when there's no work.

[Hobiecat]

Back to the OP. I have not personally be broken into YET! I'm wondering how many people that have not been broken into have steel bars on there windows and doors and for the people that have been broken into do not have steel bars on there windows and doors. Curious if they really prove as a detourent when thiefs approach a house or if they jut bend or cut them to get in.

[DawnHRD]

Back to the OP. I have not personally be broken into YET! I'm wondering how many people that have not been broken into have steel bars on there windows and doors and for the people that have been broken into do not have steel bars on there windows and doors. Curious if they really prove as a detourent when thiefs approach a house or if they jut bend or cut them to get in.

I have steel bars. They got unscrewed/jemmied from the frame at the bottom & bent up. No deterrent at all.

[huahindolly]

and

maybe Im just a HH newbie but really....are these rouge developers so bloody scary? Nobody is really "untouchable".

I'm sure if you put your mind to it someone could turn up the heat on them a little.....

We have been trying for 2 years to turn up the heat on this Greek salad. We've seen the Vice Mayor 4 times. He called the salad into discuss why he billed for work not done the refuses to refund. The salad never answers the question. Says, "Sue me. It will take years and cost you a lot of money. I have time."

We negotiated a settlement brokered by the former PKK chief of police. The salad later claimed he has no money to buy back the property.

We saw the District Chief, gave him our contract, billing and payment information. He said he would take the matter to the governor of PKK. We never heard back from him.

We had a conciliation meeting brokered by Khun Tuck's Consumer Protection Agency for foreigners cheated by Hua Hin businessmen. Khun Tuck said he believed a 50% settlement for the amount in dispute was "fair." The salad refused to refund "even one baht.!" Again we heard, "There is nothing I can do if he refuses to accept my proposal. You will have to go to court."

I am of the opinion that if someone wants me to sue them, they know something I don't about the legal process here and it is probably not in my best interest to do what they want me to do.

We have asked these officials why they don't enforce the local law of requiring a building permit. This former developer never produced archetict's and engineer's plans, and never secured a building permit for many of the derelict homes on his project. Yes, we are not alone. There is a German and an Englishman who were also separated from millions of baht. We have tried to interest these parties in a combined effort to establish fraud and we are, quite frankly, puzzleled at the European attitude of "go it alone." Each has their own lawyer and is fighting their own case.

We had our story in both the Nation and The Bangkok Post. The salad told the reporter it wasn't his deal, it was his partner's deal. But only his name is on the contracts and invoices.

It does appear that some farang developers are untouchable locally. We have been told by Thai friends that we have to somehow cultivate some authority in the national government, who will "feel our pain" and put pressure on the local officials to enforce the law. Easier said than done. If any of you out there know or have access to a person of influence in Bangkok and the national government, military or police force, we will be happy to offer some consideration to those able to help us get a refund of our money.

HHD

[sandman67]

HHD

my heart goes out to you angel....I think I know about the git you are talking about.

Seems from reading here and listening in town theres Mr Salad, some Dutch guy and a Brit (who used to be the salad's partner?) in town that are the three that are behind a majority of the rip offs.

There is that consumer rights champion senator lady (represents BKK) .....have you thought of having a meeting with her set up? Dont know how far you would get but its a chance....I think her lot represent all Thailand not just BKK. Maybe a senator on side will move wheels.

In a place where corruption runs so deep Im not surprised these swine exist, but similarly in a place where the law goes mainly unenforced and the police are pretty amateur in the way they investigate crimes, I'm just surprised they are still walking about.

Like the snakes that dont run away I guess they must have some pretty heavy "protection" I guess.....