Safety on Hua Hin Roads

[Juergen]

Yesterday, on FEB 15th 12, me and my friend were driving with two Motorbikes on the Road to Wat Huay Monkol, when another Motorbike with two man was passing us with high speed. After 1 km this motorbike stood on the side of the road and one man, with a huge wooden stick jumped on the street, trying to beat my friend from his motorbike.

My friend fell down with the motorbike, but he after a short fight he could get the weapon, the stick. I used my motorbike as a weapon to keep the robber in his place, away from my friend, when I started rolling at him with speed. Because they recognized very soon, that this attempt of farang-robbery has failed, they fled on their motorbike.

Everyone should take care. When someone is seeing a situation with a motorbike on the side of the road and one or two persons beside, better turn and get away from a dangerous meeting with street robbers.

[PeteC]

Yes, good advice to turn around and hightail it out of there. You and your friend were lucky that they didn't pull a gun, knife or machete when you both started to fight back. In my mind there is always the question if events like this are really attempted robbery, or a case of Farang bashing. There are plenty of Thais here who don't like us, and with a few drinks under their belt the urge to release pent up anger may manifest itself. Just a thought.

I'm glad for both of you that it turned out like it did. Pete

[Takiap]

Yes Pete, it is disturbing news, and it seems to be happening more frequently these days. Let's just hope it doesn't spiral out of control, or to a point where word gets out that life is dangerous here for tourists/expats.

No doubt we'll have a few PC advocates making excuses for such behavior (no jobs, poverty, etc), but in reality............................

[chelsea]

Seems a very similar thing that happened to another English guy in Hua Hin before Christmas

[Juergen]

We didn´t expect really, that there will be any interest on the side of the police to investigate in this case. But we have been to the police station on the day after, to report about that. An this ist what they did:
- asked for the name and age of my friend
- the time, when it happens
- look at the wounds and asked for a certificate from the hospital
What they n o t asked for:
- how the robbers looked, not even the race (Thai, Farang, black African)
- how they were dressed
- what motorbike they had
- what direction they came and fled
- description of the stick
- and they did not even ask my name, as a witness, that has taken part in this

No one needs education from a police-academy to ask this questions. It seems so very simple, you only need to watch crime in TV to know, what is necessary to investigate. But, OK, we are in Thailand, and it is our wish to be here.
Thanks, and take care - Juergen

[advocate]

This is the fourth incident involving attacks with a weapon on foreigners riding motorbikes in Hua Hin that I have heard of. All within the last 18 months, and 3 of the attacks within the last 4 months. I also know 2 of the riders personally, which leads me to believe that this type of attack is not uncommon.

In addition, I also heard that a Thai man on a motorbike was attacked and killed on the Canal Road in the last 4 months.

[margaretcarnes]

This is the fourth incident involving attacks with a weapon on foreigners riding motorbikes in Hua Hin that I have heard of. All within the last 18 months, and 3 of the attacks within the last 4 months. I also know 2 of the riders personally, which leads me to believe that this type of attack is not uncommon.

In addition, I also heard that a Thai man on a motorbike was attacked and killed on the Canal Road in the last 4 months.

There was a spate of these types of attacks 6 or 7 years ago (although I'm sure they must have carried on in between times)
But before they seemed to be more of the drive by and grab handbag type of crime. None the less dangerous of course - I remember that one Dutch lady I used to know suffered that type of robbery on Petkasem in daylight, and not far out of town.
Dick was also followed and attacked badly on his doorstep one night, as many will remember.
Now it does sound more like pure hatred or resentment of farang - or Thais high on drugs etc - or both. I don't condone any of these crimes, nor would I try to excuse them on the grounds of poverty. It's not the type of crime we see in the UK for example, where poor people here can't afford motorbikes anyway. In Thailand most of them have a m/c whether they can afford it or not. The really destitute are probably pretty harmless compared to the yaba fuelled terrorists on 2 wheels.
But until vehicle registrations are properly accounted for, enforced, and logged on a central computer system I'm afraid there seems to be little chance of any kind of law enforcement. (As in the current case with Sarge for example.) And even then the MIB have to want to follow up leads rather than fall asleep in their little huts.

[advocate]

All of the falang attacks that I hear of have been with sticks or tree limbs. If stopped by police the Thais could simply claim the wood is to repair their home or firewood, etc. Beware of any Thais carrying makeshift weapons on the road, especially if there is a pillion rider. If they stop ahead of you, if possible, turn off or go back the way you came. Do not attempt to pass them, as this gives them the perfect opportunity for them to club you off your motorbike.

[usual suspect]

Slightly off-topic, but many,many times I hear that this year/'high season' when things go wrong for tourists and ex-pats alike here, when they go to the police..'Tourist' or MIB.. the story is the same.. the police see it as a chore rather than a duty to deal with your case/incident/trauma. The Tourist police may as well not exsist!
They are only open in 'office hours', only course of action is to assist the filling-out of mandatory claim forms to meet the needs of insurance claims.
When was the last time you saw a Tourist police officer on patrol around HH?? (that Q. stumped all the people in our present company the other night) 'To serve and protect'.. 5-5-5!!

[mafiamind]

I just realized that I currently live in the area where a lot of this is taking place. I have heard that Canal Rd. is not the best place to be due to robberies, but I was clueless to the fact that they would try to attack you on a motorbike. Thanks for the information, and I hope that these people are brought to justice.

[advocate]

The 2 fellows I know were attacked on the Canal Rd. Paul Ayling was attacked on soi 6, just off the Canal Rd.
So, counting the Thai man, that is 4 attacks on or near this area that I know of. There may be more.

[Nereus]

The 2 fellows I know were attacked on the Canal Rd. Paul Ayling was attacked on soi 6, just off the Canal Rd.So, counting the Thai man, that is 4 attacks on or near this area that I know of. There may be more.

Actual, where Paul was attacked is not Soi 6, it is Soi 4, and a long way from the Canal Road where there is a lot of traffic, especially motorbikes.

[advocate]

I live a few hundred meters from Paul and this is soi 6, about 2 km from the intersection at the bridge onto Canal Road.

[advocate]

Unless of course I am completely mistaken as to where I live and soi 6 somehow turns into/becomes soi 4? In any event, you turn onto soi 6 to get here. This area is also known as Bor Fai.

[Nereus]

Unless of course I am completely mistaken as to where I live and soi 6 somehow turns into/becomes soi 4? In any event, you turn onto soi 6 to get here. This area is also known as Bor Fai.

Yes, the area is known as Bor Fai. If you bother to slow down and take a look you might learn something.

Cross the bridge is indeed Soi 6, which continues West towards the hills. Stop and look up in the branches of the trees outside of what I believe is now some sort of real estate office, and you will see one of the standard Hua Hin street signs, which clearly has Soi 4 written on it.