Wearing Gold - Dangerous or Not?

[Pilotman]

Mrs P, like most Thai ladies, is very proud of her gold collection .  In normal circumstances, if we are going out 'dressed for the occasion', she wears a couple of gold rings, perhaps a necklace and perhaps a bracelet.  Now, its all locked away securely and she says that it is far too dangerous now to be seen in public wearing anything valuable. Over reaction or just sensible?  Has there been a noticeable increase in gold thefts off individuals that are wearing it?  I haven't seen any reports to that effect.  As I'm not a dick, I don't wear any jewellery, bar a silver wedding ring. 

Edited August 2, 2020 by Pilotman

[tomazbodner]

I remember the time when economy wasn't good, a while ago, and iPhones were very highly valued. A girl on the phone late in the evening had her hand in which she was holding the phone chopped off in Soi Mahadthai in eastern Bangkok after refusing to hand it over.

 

Even in better times, you could read in Pattaya news of snatch thieves ripping gold necklaces off victims under blanket of darkness basically daily. If she's seen displaying an American Rapper style golden chain around her neck, she could expect to be followed and your house broken into.

 

It's just not worth flashing wealth with so many people desperate, and some turning to crime.

 

 

[lopburi3]

Very sensible.  People are getting poorer by the day and the temptation/needs are increasing.  Good news is what tends to be reported (and crazy drivers with video).  But today we had a bridge jump and a death from a bag snatch reported - expect 99% of thefts do not make the news. 

[Crossy]

I agree with the above sentiments. 

 

Madam won't wear her gold (even her usual small stuff) when we go shopping, in the past she wouldn't think twice.

[KhaoNiaw]

My partner stopped wearing her gold for everyday wear about 5 years ago. If you listen to the JS100 radio station, there are quite often reports of bag or gold snatches from women heading to work quite early before too many people are around, even at bus stops. I haven't really heard that the situation has got any worse recently though.   

[worgeordie]

Gold is now an investment, not for wearing out and about,

My wife puts a couple of pieces on when going to a funeral,

she loves going to funerals, she will even go to a person's in

the Village she has met only a couple of times !!

regards Worgeordie    P.S. would you think it would be safe

                                      going out with a bundle of 1000's Bhats around your neck.

Edited August 2, 2020 by worgeordie

[bkk6060]

I know Pilotman you are now a big fan of Pattaya.

So, just avoid walking with her on and around the LB at Beach Road and she should be fine.

 

????

[RichardColeman]

My wife has no gold, her money is in land and long may her mindset continue

[OneMoreFarang]

Problem a) Someone sees her with the gold and (tries) to get it right away - dangerous!

Problem b) Someone sees her with the gold and decides to follow her and know where she (and you) live and steal it later.

 

Both are bad situations.

Too much gold was already a problem in normal economic times, i.e. last year. Now it's for sure a bigger problem.

Put is in a safe and leave it there!

[OneMoreFarang]

Just in general: Let's not forget that even 5m000B is a lot of money for lots of people - especially now.

And gold is almost like cash in Thailand.

[Keyser Soze666]

2 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Actually I would say that the point is valid as a warning to others and could save a persons life as well as property - times are getting tough for a lot of people and we should all be aware of that and act accordingly.

Don't flash gold around and don't drive motorbikes, just 2 things I have learnt on here this weekend..seriously, the advice/warnings on here are just so immeasurable..thank you TVF. 

[spidermike007]

Many accurate sentiments on this thread. Times are tough now. Alot of hardship. Many thefts are acts of desperation. The Thai people are generally not predisposed to this kind of thing. Not like in the PI or Cambodia. But, why not exercise some discretion? Why create the temptation? 

[garygooner]

One of the first things I noticed when I came here years ago was how Thais love to show off their gold. Hate that attitude. 

Good idea not to show now however. 

[Keyser Soze666]

Just now, spidermike007 said:

Many accurate sentiments on this thread. Times are tough now. Alot of hardship. Many thefts are acts of desperation. The Thai people are generally not predisposed to this kind of thing. Not like in the PI or Cambodia. But, why not exercise some discretion? Why create the temptation? 

Absolutely!! Great advice right there!!

[Keyser Soze666]

How long before the next poster says times are now tough??

 

A) Within 2 mins

B) Within 5 mins

C) Within 15 mins

D) At exactly 14:.17hrs

E) Don't know

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, Pilotman said:

Over reaction or just sensible?

Sensible, my wife also has a good collection and will wear her gold on rare occasions when we are out, otherwise it's in the safe. Her investment has proven to increase 100% tax free over the past decade as well. 

 

We recall years ago in Pattaya when we had just arrived, checked into the hotel and went out to grab a bite to eat. We started walking along and all of a sudden saw this elderly farang stumble on the other side of the road, I thought the motorbike hit him, I turned to my wife to say, did that bike just hit him, and I saw that she was quickly removing her gold, I didn't understand what was going on, so I crossed over and said to the guy are you ok mate, he was holding his neck under his chin and said the motorbike grabbed his necklace, I could see that there was a pillion tucked in and down on the back. Fortunately the farang wasn't hurt, although he was minus his gold chain, another time a mate of mine had his necklace taken off of him when he was flirting with a ladyboy, apparently the ladyboy who was giving him a shoulder massage smacked him on his back hard when finished, at the same time taking his necklace, he didn't notice at the time because of the smack on the back.

 

I am like you, no gold except for the wedding finger. My ego is big enough ????

 

To answer your question, I have only heard that gold shop robberies are on the up, no individual robberies, probably a lot of people selling up for two reasons, the first, they need the money due to the Covid situation impacting on their livelihoods, and two, the price is at record levels, me having advise the Mrs to sell when it hits 30,000 and to buy in a few years when it drops, but up to she.

[lopburi3]

5 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

How long before the next poster says times are now tough??

 

A) Within 2 mins

B) Within 5 mins

C) Within 15 mins

D) At exactly 14:.17hrs

E) Don't know

B

Edited August 2, 2020 by lopburi3

[Keyser Soze666]

2 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

B

Well done!

 

Btw, if you didn't know...times are tough!

[Keyser Soze666]

5 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

they need the money due to the Covid situation impacting on their livelihoods, 

Yes that's right..times are tough!

[pineapple01]

Going to be a lot of disappointed thieves if Big C is anything to go by. The plated junk outlets sell more than the Gold Shops whenever i sit watching.

[Nurseynutcase]

As I don't like yellow gold I have only silver and some white gold which I wear daily.  Lost my white gold and diamond bracelet some months ago and a bar girl found it.  I don't think that many people over here understand about white gold.  I was very lucky to get it back and the girl received what I thought was an appropriate reward which she felt was too much.

[Tropicalevo]

It is a sensible precaution not to wear gold anywhere.

Wifey was mugged 3 times back in her home town of Birmingham UK back in the 1980's.

Moved to Asia, safaris in Africa (photos only), never wore gold and was never mugged again.

Edited August 2, 2020 by Tropicalevo

[Dumbastheycome]

This problem seems to surface and subside every few years but certainly now when unemployment is such a real issue it would  be asking  for trouble. My wife never wore her gold on the street or in public places when we lived in BKK. Over the years I have read of many instances where necklaces have been ripped off necks both on the street and  off motorcyclists  waiting at traffic lights.

[Dumbastheycome]

52 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Sensible, my wife also has a good collection and will wear her gold on rare occasions when we are out, otherwise it's in the safe. Her investment has proven to increase 100% tax free over the past decade as well. 

 

We recall years ago in Pattaya when we had just arrived, checked into the hotel and went out to grab a bite to eat. We started walking along and all of a sudden saw this elderly farang stumble on the other side of the road, I thought the motorbike hit him, I turned to my wife to say, did that bike just hit him, and I saw that she was quickly removing her gold, I didn't understand what was going on, so I crossed over and said to the guy are you ok mate, he was holding his neck under his chin and said the motorbike grabbed his necklace, I could see that there was a pillion tucked in and down on the back. Fortunately the farang wasn't hurt, although he was minus his gold chain, another time a mate of mine had his necklace taken off of him when he was flirting with a ladyboy, apparently the ladyboy who was giving him a shoulder massage smacked him on his back hard when finished, at the same time taking his necklace, he didn't notice at the time because of the smack on the back.

 

I am like you, no gold except for the wedding finger. My ego is big enough ????

 

To answer your question, I have only heard that gold shop robberies are on the up, no individual robberies, probably a lot of people selling up for two reasons, the first, they need the money due to the Covid situation impacting on their livelihoods, and two, the price is at record levels, me having advise the Mrs to sell when it hits 30,000 and to buy in a few years when it drops, but up to she.

And here I am  telling my wife  NOT to sell just yet ! Not for sake of greed. It's just that I know  she will fritter the  cash away and I'll be out of pocket  buying more  even if the price goes  down ! lol

[mike787]

not dangerous at all....

[nausea]

Just wear a big sign over your head saying "Mug me".

[4MyEgo]

7 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

And here I am  telling my wife  NOT to sell just yet ! Not for sake of greed. It's just that I know  she will fritter the  cash away and I'll be out of pocket  buying more  even if the price goes  down ! lol

You have put conditions down, i.e. money goes into my account, and out of my account when you want to buy again, she's happy with that, and so I am I, no money out of my pockets...lol

[holy cow cm]

Depends on how big the necklace is and how covered up her shirt shows it. Open no collar shirt then dangerous as is like advertising. Mine wears a couple of small chains with some smaller type gold buddha on them.. One chain is from the USA (wrong color) and the other from here. But you wouldn't notice it as she dresses discretely. Rings not a problem. Yesterday mine had her 2 big diamond rings and sparkly nice sized diamond bracelet on when we went out. No big deal for CM. Pattaya watch out.

[Dumbastheycome]

8 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

You have put conditions down, i.e. money goes into my account, and out of my account when you want to buy again, she's happy with that, and so I am I, no money out of my pockets...lol

I made it  easier than that. I just said any  gold I buy her anytime from now  will only be gold bars.

555

[dabhand]

Facing rough times obviously has an impact but so too being in rough areas and not being careful enough.

 

I can vouch for the rough area issue as had a nasty experience in Sungei Golok back in the mid 90's. Being a border town it was (still is) renowned for it's somewhat lawless state. Working in Kelantan at the time my wife and young son would come down from Bangkok, stay a week or so with me then head back home with a night in Golok before catching the early morning flight from Narathiwat.

 

Anyway, one trip (last one as it turned out) we had been out for a meal and the wife had worn a bit of bling. The upshot was, on returning, a knock on the hotel room door, a broken 'security' chain and three local hoods with gun / machete / knife piling into the room. Not pleasant and, luckily, no injuries.

 

Hotel security were a waste of space, as were the management. Local police not interested beyond the preparation of the report. Expensive lesson but no need to remind my wife now about keeping a low profile. So, one positive from the incident.