Installing a Thai Safe

[PeteC]

Or better still put it somewhere obvious and leave it locked and empty and hide you belongings elsewhere.

That's quite a good idea to keep it full of a few trinkets etc. with the real valuables well hidden elsewhere.

Also not a bad idea to throw a table cloth over it and put a lamp on it. At least it won't smack the thief in the face the minute he enters the room. I've mentioned before that I've been told by many Thais that thieves stay away from a child's room, so a good place to hide things. Of course, the thieves know by now that people are recommending this. Pete

[STEVE G]

Maybe a video on where to hide things where they are unlikely to be found for the people who were crap at hide and seek as kids

My partner is good at hiding things so well that even she can't find them.
When I was back in December we found the ownership documents for one of the motorbikes six months after having gone through all the hassle of making a new one when it was merely skilfully hidden.

[Roel]

Well let me quote from the Professional Burglary Handbook (just reading it out of general interest of course) FAQ section.

Q: What are the most obvious places where people hide their valuables at home?
A: In the children's bedroom and in the freezer.

Q: I ran into a big irremovable safe, now what?
A: You are both lucky and unlucky. Lucky because the big safe most likely means that you are only inches away from a big loot. Unlucky because it can take a while before the owners get home so they can open it for you.

Here is some good and quite entertaining advice from a former burglar:
http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/02/05/the- ... a-burglar/

[Rider]

One or two good blows with a sledge hammer from outside to dislodge and that will be gone in seconds. A few more and it will be pulled out through the wall in not much longer without any need to enter the building. Pair of snips handy for speed.

Keep it hidden from window view. Do not tell ANYONE where it is and what is in it apart from your trusted insurance company of course Tie it with rebar and epoxy into a column or beam and put a sturdy steel brace on it that blocks opening the door without the key that opens the padlock. All easily made good when removed and you move on. Couple of kilos extra baggage at most. Cheap and noisy portable alarms also easily available. All said, if they want it there is always a way.

Crazy 88

Sledgehammer attack is out, as I've installed it backing onto an inaccessable wall, not one that's directly on the outside.

All the doomy talk about wall-removal is like cheap posting, noise, noise and more noise is a thief's worst enemy.
I will tell you now something about where I am.
The thieves here are nearly ALL opportunists and from people I've spoken with the only tools they use are what they find in the house or garden to get access, so I'm not losing any sleep on this.
I think a lot of you need to take off the 'professional thief' rambling and leave that back in the west where you get them.
Here in Thailand they isn't a real 'pro' class of thieves like back home.

Crazy, you've confused me on the rebar, brace and wall buzz mate.
You got any pictures to demonstrate what you are on about?

[Rider]

The safe is crap. I have dealt with two houses that have been burgled and both had a safe similar ( same make -look). First one was pulled from the wall and stolen. The second was prised open with items from the cutlery drawer.
I my opinion if this is the only safe you can afford then secure it and hide it.
Or better still put it somewhere obvious and leave it locked and empty and hide you belongings elsewhere.

Tend to agree though a video on how to drill a hole If they can't do that then they probably do not ( or should not ) own a drill
For the DIY challenged try silicone - no drills - no video
Maybe a video on where to hide things where they are unlikely to be found for the people who were crap at hide and seek as kids

Well I think you are wrong to write it off.
The same make of safe resisted attack at my mates house and they smashed in the keypad and battered it with a blunt instrument, no joy, his stuff was secure. Good as gold

You obviously did not watch the video, as there was more to it than 'drilling a hole'
People need to be educated and NOT brainwashed into thinking that they should pay a handyman good money when they ARE the handyman if they pulled their finger out and get educated and mindwise

Errrm, making a video about hiding things?
Isn't that defeating the object when thieves would see that and then know where to look??!

EDIT: A dog can be bribed with treats in seconds, worse still I've known them be poisoned out of spite using meat wrapped around rat poison. Not something you want to see or have to deal with let me tell you...

[Rider]

Ok, safe's concealed when I'm away with non-descript furnishings.

[STEVE G]

Yes, I think in most parts of the world the thiefs that rob normal houses are generally just opportunists and often teenagers who don't come in with a sledge hammer to start knocking walls down.
Obviously they're no good for a rented house but if you've got your own I think those floor safes that you can concrete into the floor are a good idea and you can hide it under furniture or a rug for added security.

[poosmate]

The same make of safe resisted attack at my mates house and they smashed in the keypad and battered it with a blunt instrument, no joy, his stuff was secure. Good as gold

For stupid burglars who do not realise how to open a door it is excellent.
For a clued up one who levers the flimsy side away with a screwdriver or a steel bending bar (available in all good building sites).............gold is as good as his.
Why fix something with a plastic plug to a soft air dried brick wall. I would not thank you for such shit advise.

I can see that that you only have crap tools and incorrect fixings but why use these to try to teach others?

Saving money by fitting a cheap safe badly? Bit like the cheap crash helmet............. If you only fill it with low value stuff

[Rider]

Shit advice eh?

Firstly if you think that the safe can be levered open with a screwdriver you are a serious moron, that won't do fck all.

Rawplugs aren't perfect but they do the job and it's not meant against pro's.
If you have or don't have a safe the stuff is there's. UNLESS you are present when the shit hits the fan.

So the safe isn't fitted badly, just your bs post that fits pretty badly into this thread

[Johan]

I bought a safe 2 years ago, 160 kg, you can't move it even if it's not fixed on the floor.

[lindosfan1]

Johan said

I bought a safe 2 years ago, 160 kg, you can't move it even if it's not fixed on the floor.

How did you get it there then. Equivalant of 3 bags of cement, four men could easily shift that

[poosmate]

Another video for you as you do not believe the screwdriver will prise it open it........try



or



Obviously pros

[STEVE G]

I think the point of basic security measures are that they make the opportunist go somewhere that is easier.
If you live in a town of thousands of houses and have nothing to make you a specific target for thiefs, you're just trying to deter them, not stop a determined attack.
For example, bars on the window can be overcome by entering through the roof and a dog can be poisoned but surely it's easier for the thief to just find a house without bars or a dog.
Obviously it's a different equation if you own something of exceptional value.

[Johan]

Johan said

I bought a safe 2 years ago, 160 kg, you can't move it even if it's not fixed on the floor.

How did you get it there then. Equivalant of 3 bags of cement, four men could easily shift that

Delivered directly to my home, they had something to move it with wheels, but alone and without equipment you can't take it. They also said in the shop it would need a couple of hours with equipment to open it, enough time for the police to come at home if you have an alarm.

My safe wasn't too expensive also, less than 25 000 bahts if i can remember well.

[Rider]

Another video for you as you do not believe the screwdriver will prise it open it........try



or



Obviously pros

Nope, obviously using broken safes and mugs like you believe it hook line and sinker.

Nice try mr pooh