Nom’s room in Bangkok has been burgled. He says it is the most upsetting thing to ever happen to him. Given the number of health and other problems he’s had that’s quite a claim. The burglar found his wallet which was hidden in a shoe. The Police later found the empty wallet in a nearby dumpster and returned it.
He also lost a digital camera I gave him before one of our visits to Cambodia some years ago. It had long been made obsolete by his mobile phone so not so serious. They also left his large screen television which I assume was too big to get away with. He hasn’t finished checking what else has been taken and has visited the Police several times.
Other people’s rooms in the block were burgled at the same time. The block stands on the edge of the Chao Praya River right in the centre of Bangkok. He has a small balcony with a view of the river.
Montree wrote: ↑Thu Feb 12, 2026 10:29 pm
He says it is the most upsetting thing to ever happen to him.
I'm sorry he was victimized like that. I can fully understand why he is so upset. I hope the burglar will be caught and receive the punishment he deserves, not only prison time, but also obligated to make full restitution. Since multiple people were burglarized, maybe the police will actually make a serious effort to track down the criminal. I hope so.
I've always thought some Thai door locks look very very poor. I'm referring to the type where you push a button on the inside.
In addition to the basic looking lock, obviously it would be possible to push the latch back with anything in the gap. Then it is a single point lock.
My house has multi point locking, with an anti-snap, anti bump Euro cylinder. Of course they could get in through a window, but most criminals use the door.
Jun wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 11:25 am
How did he get in?
His door and lock were fairly new as the whole block had recently been refurbished. There was no damage so whoever got in either had a key or picked the lock. Given that other rooms were also burgled in the same way I’m very suspicious that it was the work of one of the builders who installed the new doors.
I will have a better idea of what happened in a few days.
Montree wrote: ↑Fri Feb 13, 2026 4:18 pmHis door and lock were fairly new as the whole block had recently been refurbished. There was no damage so whoever got in either had a key or picked the lock. Given that other rooms were also burgled in the same way I’m very suspicious that it was the work of one of the builders who installed the new doors.
Sounds like replacing and upgrading the lock is a priority.
I'm quite careful with such things.
A few years back, I ordered keyed alike anti-snap and anti-bump Euro cylinders online.
Just to ensure the retailer had no record linking the key serial number to my house, I had a friend order them, for delivery to a different address. Then I found the serial numbers were on the keys, so I ground those off.
The kind of locks and door construction seen in some Thai apartments do not seem at all secure to me.
The Police caught the burglar. Apparently they never had much doubt who it was. Sadly all Nom got back was an empty wallet and a lot of official paperwork.
