Theft/break in whilst asleep in the house

[mortified]

A friend of mine from Sweden is renting a house at Chutrikhan housing development near Wat Khao Noi temple and Avalon. They were broken into and robbed two evenings ago whilst they slept.

I took them along to the Police station in Hua Hin and was astonished to hear from the Hua Hin Police that this was the fifteenth (yes fifteen) reported break in on this development within the past 21 days or so.

It coincides with the security leaving the site allegedly after a security guard got shot and there being no security on the development at present.

The Police thought this could be an organised team operating in Hua Hin but thus far no one has been captured.

Residents in the area should make sure their belongings and homes are secure especially at night.

[Norseman]

Really bad and sad news.
Maybe it was a good thing that the Swede didn't woke up before the perpetrators left his house. God knows what could have happen then.
Do you know HOW they entered his house mortified?

[DawnHRD]

I can empathise. Did they get away with much? If there have been that many break-ins in that area recently, are the BIB's stepping up patrols of the area? Sorry, stupid question...

Norseman's right. Your friend may not feel like it now, but he's lucky he continued to sleep unharmed. Much as it hurts to lose your personal possessions & things of sentimental value, life & health is far more important.

[Jockey]

Don't want to alarm anyone, but there are quite a few break ins I've heard about recently, and worse, most of them have been woman living on their own. My advice is to be extra vigilant, put extra locks on the doors and buy a pair of size 10 mens shoes and place them at the entrance.

[barrys]

I'm also aware of people you have been burgled during their sleep on this development.

Apparently the burglars carefully remove the glass slats from the louvered windows, after which they can simply put in their hand and open a door.

I know some people who are now having steel grilles fitted over these windows.

[DawnHRD]

The steel grilles didn't work in my case. They just undid the bottom (Lord knows how) & bent them up.

[pfotoguy369]

I live in Avalon and "so far" I've felt pretty secure.

In Angels City PI they have a trick they use now. Putting either in the AC.

then robbing you while there out. We have a security guard here but I catch him asleep occasionally.

We keep everything locked down pretty tight at night.

[BaaBaa.]

then robbing you while there out. We have a security guard here but I catch him asleep occasionally.

And Thai security is normally so vigilant.

[dtaai-maai]

It coincides with the security leaving the site allegedly after a security guard got shot and there being no security on the development at present.

The security guard was shot last New Year. He was also sacked. The last couple of guards apparently got fired a few weeks ago after a resident complained that the night guard was snoozing on duty. Fair enough, though I'm not sure why both got the boot, or why they weren't replaced.

Chutikran has had a high turnover of security staff, mainly because they rarely got paid the peanuts they were due.

As an ex-resident with friends who still live there, one of whom has had two break-ins this year, I'd say this housing project is far less secure than many others, and not just because there's been no security guard recently. If there's one guy at the gate saluting smartly, he's not really achieving much in security terms. You need at least two at night, one mooching around with a torch, a large stick and a bit of nous. Which you might have to pay a bit more than 4000 baht a month for.

Nice pic, by the way, Baabaa. The armband gives the company's motto: "Always alert."

[caller]

The security guard was shot last New Year. He was also sacked.

He was sacked for being shot!

No, that can't be right?

So was it just an average shooting, or something not quite so run of the mill?

Was he shot in the line of duty bravely protecting his residents?

Please do tell more.

[dtaai-maai]

Apparently it was personal.

[miked]

The first lesson in all of this do not under any circumstances have louvered windows. They slide out for God's sake.!!
The second is to have good quality security window grills. Not ones that screw into the window frame that can be unscrewed from outside of the house with a right angled screwdriver.
The third is close and lock your windows at night.
Fourth, leave lights on outside at night, and have one or two on time switches inside your house.
Last of all fit a burglar alarm and if you live in a village why don't you all get together and arrange your own security.
Basic steps can protect you and your property.
mike

[mortified]

I believe the way they entered was through louvre windows which they slid out which is quite easy apparently to do. But I know someone who made his house very secure (windows and doors) and the buggers went onto the roof, removed roof tiles and got in that way.

I guess if they really want in then they will get in no matter what a vigilant resident might do.

I am also told there are moves afoot at the development in question by residents to set up their own security and hire and pay their own guards splitting the cost between everyone living there. Lets hope that works.

[Randy Cornhole]

I would have thought a soddin' great dog (not a pet) roaming around would be a deterrant, and some light sensors that detect movement.

[mortified]

I don't know if he was shot in the line of duty or in an unconnected incident or even if he was shot on site or elsewhere or when exactly - sorry !