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How do you deal with extortionists?
For anyone who's been in Pattaya for a while, I'm sure we've all had to deal with someone trying to extort us for some reason or another. Usually it's under the threat of getting the shit kicked out of you, if not killed. For me at least, it's usually for absolutely no reason whatsoever, except that I'm white.
It's only happened to me a few times now. One time we hid like cowards, but that was kind of justified, as Kim was getting death threats many times a day due to jealousy. Then the other times it's just some dick who says I owe him money. I won't have the slightest clue who the guy is, but he'll tell me I owe him some small amount like 500 or 1000 baht, or else he'll box me. Thankfully during those times, I've always known someone who likes me, who also knows that person, so will talk to them for me.
So it's never actually caused a problem yet, but I'm sure eventually my luck's going to run out. How do you guys deal with that? And of course, any good stories to share? I'm sure lots of you guys have many of them. :-)
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by Dickhead
You serious? This kind of shiz is common in Pattaya? How lovely.
Ohhh, that's just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on for pages, and pages, just like I'm sure many people on this board could too.
This is one fucked up city, that's for sure.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Really depends on the type of people you choose to hang out with. I've lived and worked here for 7 years, never been threatened with violence in order to hand over cash or anything else ....
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
cdnMatt Wrote:
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For anyone who's been in Pattaya for a while, I'm sure we've all had to deal with someone trying to extort us for some reason or another
Beg yes...but extort, never have had this pleasure and have spent 4 months each year in PTY for 10 years. What am I doing wrong???
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
It's never happened to me either, is this happening in Sunee Matt?
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
I've lieved here for 11 years have never run into or known anyone who has encountered this. I'm not suggesting it hasn't happened but I'm trying to figure out what's unique about your associations with Thai guys and that of all the people I know. To those who are reading this thread and not living in Thailand, be assured Pattaya is as safe a city as any. Note, I said "as safe a city as any" and not that it is some kind of heavenly haven free from crime, but to give the impression that visitors put themselves at high risk by enjoying Pattaya is just not true.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Never happened to me either.Could it be anything to do with the way you throw money at Kim? Seems like people there are thinking you are a soft touch. Try taking that plunger off you forehead.[attachment=0:gfpse138]imagesCA06JMWO.jpg[/attachment:gfpse138]
In the nicest possible way of course.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
him if he saw my later Id give him soNot bery well.
I was waking up after the bars closed.This went on for almost a week and I was getting very randy.As I was walking around Sunee this guy aproached me and offered cheap sex.This guy looked like the north vietnamese spy in the movie Good morning vietnam ,the 1987 movie featuring Robin Williams.In the movie his name was Phun duk Toe and he was really cute.His eyes had that kinda red yaba look but at this point I over looked this and decided I would take him up on his offer.
The sex wasnt bad,not great either,but I was satisfied just having someone to spend some time with.The next night he told me he left his neckless at my place,which was true.Another round of sex and the returning of his belongings and he was gone.Temporarily.
On subsequent nights I would see him and he would follow me around and just sit across from whatever bar I went to and wait for me,wanting to go to a short time room as I told him he wasnt allowed where I was staying.This guy was bad news.One day I gave a boi who I knew 100 baht for food and my stalker saw this. He insisted on money also.I walked almost to the end of soi 17 trying to get rid of him to no avail.Then he started yelling and pulled this threatening muay thai move on me. :violent1: IThe last thing I wanted was to get into a fight with this guy,in another country,so I told me money.
Then it never stopped.Every time he saw me ,the same thing,insisting on money and not leaving me alone until he got it.It was easier just giving into him than fighting him.One day he asked for 300 baht because he was going to Bangkok to see his mother,ha.I gave it to him in hopes it was true.Believe it or not I never saw him again.But one of his minions in the plaza took over for him,only asking for 20 baht,lol,what a bargain.I was so relieved not to see the first hoologan anymore.
So this is my little story of extortion in Pattaya.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by homintern
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Originally Posted by Oogleman
Homi would make us all live in Bkk
You are, I fear, missing the point. I'd follow the fine example of the Chinese leaders before the Beijing Games as far as undesirables go. I think it was Marsilius who pointed out that the original purpose of a concentration camp was to concentrate particular groups of people in one place. As Pattaya is already home to much of the riff-raff and white trash of Thailand, it would be a simple matter to do a sweep of the Thonglor area of Sukhumvit, and Soi Naam Duplis off Rama IV and pick up most of the rest. I've already drafted orders to put Chao Na (or SuneeBoi as he was briefly known) in charge of the Shitsville Concentration Camp
Extortion? Don't belittle our awe-inspiring tourist attractions. Fortunately, there are still Thais in the Shitsville Concentration Camp. The commander never turned up for work. That explains everything and every-ting.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
as I said in my earlier post, it's WHO you choose to hang out with, nothing to do with it being Pattaya.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
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Originally Posted by Dickhead
You serious? This kind of shiz is common in Pattaya? How lovely.
Ohhh, that's just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on for pages, and pages,
just like I'm sure many people on this board could too. This is one fucked up city, that's for sure.
Nothing like this has ever happened to me in Hua Hin, over 3 years of living here.
I don't recall anyone who lives in Pattaya having described experiences such as you relate (either on the Board, or in person)... and I'm absolutely certain they would if it had of happened.
I agree with you that Pattaya can probably be described as somewhat fucked up ~ you can thank the sex tourist industry for that ~ but I think you hang out with a lot of the wrong dudes ... never a great idea in a fucked up city.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
For anyone who's been in Pattaya for a while, I'm sure we've all had to deal with someone trying to extort us for some reason or another. Usually it's under the threat of getting the shit kicked out of you, if not killed. For me at least, it's usually for absolutely no reason whatsoever, except that I'm white.
It's only happened to me a few times now. One time we hid like cowards, but that was kind of justified, as Kim was getting death threats many times a day due to jealousy. Then the other times it's just some dick who says I owe him money. I won't have the slightest clue who the guy is, but he'll tell me I owe him some small amount like 500 or 1000 baht, or else he'll box me. Thankfully during those times, I've always known someone who likes me, who also knows that person, so will talk to them for me.
So it's never actually caused a problem yet, but I'm sure eventually my luck's going to run out. How do you guys deal with that? And of course, any good stories to share? I'm sure lots of you guys have many of them. :-)
OP sounds like you should be more careful where and with whom you associate!
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
For anyone who's been in Pattaya for a while, I'm sure we've all had to deal with someone trying to extort us for some reason or another. Usually it's under the threat of getting the shit kicked out of you, if not killed. For me at least, it's usually for absolutely no reason whatsoever, except that I'm white.
I just finished discussing this with a few friends of mine Matt, two of whom have lived within blocks of Sunee Plaza for 15 years now. Nothing even remotely similar to what you have described has ever happened to any us.
It seems you are revealing more about yourself than what you project onto the Thai people or society.
You should begin to seriously question what it is in you that is provoking such extreme reactions in others. Don't look to your boyfriend for solutions to your dilemma since that could very well lead you even further astray.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
After visiting Pattaya up to three times annually for the past 17 years, I can also say that nothing like this has ever happened to me. I have to agree that it sounds like there is something about the original poster's manner of interacting with people - or his inability to see early warning signs of trouble - that is provoking such situations.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
This is one fucked up city, that's for sure.
It is more likely that you are one fucked up person.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
I've always known someone who likes me, who also knows that person, so will talk to them for me.
Sounds like a set up to me by someone who likes you and knows that person. When that someone gets you out of the situation do you give him anything? !!!!!!
Like a blackmail, if you pay once they always come back for more.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Ok, so no stories or advice at all, and instead just a bunch of cut-downs. Who would have thought, eh? No, I don't think I do anything to provoke it at all. Ok, with Kim's death threats, that was somewhat understandable. That was just his ex-roommate being jealous because Kim had a good falang, and he didn't, and was stuck working as a go-go boy. His reasoning for being pissed off was idiotic, but at least understandable.
As for the others, I have no idea. For example, one time I was sitting at the Thai whiskey stall just as your entering Sunee, on the left hand side of the street. I frequent it quite a bit now, because I know everyone there, the owner likes me, the dogs like me, etc. It's great! One time I was just sitting there, and some guy comes up, and asks for money for food. I tell him no, I don't have any, and he tells me later I better give him 500 baht or else. Really, that kinda thing doesn't happen to you guys?
I see that type of shit all the time. Most of the time it doesn't affect me, because I'm falang, but every once in a while it'll come my way.
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Originally Posted by allieb
Sounds like a set up to me by someone who likes you and knows that person. When that someone gets you out of the situation do you give him anything? !!!!!!
No, no... believe it or not, there are actually people out there who like me, and think I'm a good guy. Actually what it is, is the fact that everyone knows I love one person, only him, and will never cheat on him. That actually goes over really well with everyone. :-) And no, I haven't given them anything. For example, with the last person, she has a husband, two kids, good job, etc. She doesn't want or need anything from me.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
I can only think that you are more friendly in demeanour, more relaxed in disposition, and possibly have your guard up a little less, than some of those other posters who have not had this experience.
It's like the guys getting stopped by Indian tailors who treat strangers as if they are their long lost friends. Some passers by feel it is rude to completely cut them, and stop at least to explain that they don't want a suit, whereas others treat the open hand as if it belonged to a man with the plague. I started in the first category and graduated over time into the latter category.
Or it's like the drunk or the loonie on a train, who is talking to himself. Every one is worried that he is going to approach them, and start on their defence mechanisms of being very very interested in their book or newspaper, to suddenly losing consciousness in a deep sleep, or being completely fascinated by the countryside passing outside the window. Anything rather than catch the eye of the drunk! Yet the drunk in some almost primeval and subconscious way judges which of his fellow passengers is a good target.
It sounds like the same thing is happening to you. It's not a bad thing to be judged open and approachable. There is a small downside that you have described, but that is not a large price to pay. As I have read your posts, I understand someone relatively new to Thailand, treating Thai people with respect whatever their profession or past, enjoying his experience of Thailand and determined to do right by friends and boyfriend.
This will give you a different demeanour to someone who has developed a thicker skin and sharper defence mechanism, built up over time, or someone who may have never been quite as open to new experiences as you were and are.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Good post, Brad. I don't know that the downside is quite that small - especially when a chancer starts pestering his victim on a regular basis - but overall you strike a very sympathetic tone and if you have nudged the OP into being a bit firmer when the occasion demands it then so much the better.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
What a nut town...
But yeah... you sound like a nice guy... and sometimes that attracts some undesirable intentions.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by Koh Samui Luv
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
This is one fucked up city, that's for sure.
It is more likely that you are one fucked up person.
-Agree entirely with the above comment by Koh Samui Luv.
Message to cdnmatt :
1. Your posts suggest you are way out of your depth in a place like Pattaya especially Sunee Plaza;
2. you obviously lack experience, and,
3.you give out signals to others that you are vulnerable and that you want to be loved which is intrepreted by Thais that you are someone easily exploitable and that you are basically gullible and a mug.
My advice:
Do something about your shortcomings,before something bad happens or is done to you.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Wow Brad, thank you very much. That was a very commendable post, to say the least. You actually have me pinned down to a T.
Thank you! Great read.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by CoffeeBreak
1. Your posts suggest you are way out of your depth in a place like Pattaya especially Sunee Plaza
Hardly. I just don't stick to the typical tourist stuff.
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Originally Posted by CoffeeBreak
2. you obviously lack experience
Hardly. I've been around the world enough.
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Originally Posted by CoffeeBreak
3.you give out signals to others that you are vulnerable and that you want to be loved which is intrepreted by Thais that you are someone easily exploitable and that you are basically gullible and a mug.
Sure, i'll admit to that. That comes with advantages as well. Aside from attracting the losers in society, you also attract the good hearted individuals as well. Why do you think there's people willing to speak on my behalf, for no reason except that they know it's the right thing to do?
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Originally Posted by CoffeeBreak
Do something about your shortcomings,before something bad happens or is done to you.
Don't worry, I can take care of myself. If worst ever comes to worst, I know enough Thais know to be comfortable with my own security. Well, unless the BIB decides to fuck with me. Then I'm screwed, but that's the same with everyone on the board.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
Ok, so no stories or advice at all, and instead just a bunch of cut-downs.
What do you expect us to do, come and hold your hand? What are we supposed to do, be your shrink?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
I don't think I do anything to provoke it at all.
Yeah sure, you are telling us how often this happens to you and you, of course, have nothing at all to do with it.
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
Ok, with Kim's death threats, that was somewhat understandable.
Oh sure, the death threats are understandable. Just another everyday kind of thing, huh?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
As for the others, I have no idea.
Duh! Double Duh!
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
the owner likes me, the dogs like me, etc.
Maybe time to ask the dogs for advice?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
Really, that kinda thing doesn't happen to you guys?
Most of us have already told you NO. Really no! That doesn't happen to us.
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
I see that type of shit all the time.
Time to find another country where this shit doesn't happen to you all the time Matt.
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
No, no... believe it or not, there are actually people out there who like me, and think I'm a good guy.
Sure there are Matt. Sure there are. If you say so.
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
For example, with the last person, she has a husband, two kids, good job, etc.
The last person??? Is this yet another extortionist? A death threat sender, or a person you swore eternal love to and who you never cheated on?
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
I have lived in South Pattaya for 6 years. Once I had my pocket picked on a baht bus. I walk all over the place late at night and I have never been threatened. Some dogs have scared me, but not many. I guess I've been lucky... or smart.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Hi Matt,
Stand back and have a look at the people you hang with..
There are thousands of places you could be at night, why choose Sunee? You have a BF so unless you are looking for a third.......
Ignore the assholes here too, but then you know that!!! that's the reason for less than 100 posts from me in 5 years as a member
If you need to be in the centre of town so be it, but if you want to be around Pattaya, try the Jomtien area, I can recommend a few nice condos if you need.
It does seem that you may have unintentionaly drawn attention to yourself and remember Thai guys talk, so if one finds you an easy touch it soon spreads!
Anyhow good luck and feel free to PM if you need to.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by Irish1972
if you want to be around Pattaya, try the Jomtien area, I can recommend a few nice condos if you need.
Did you read Matt's comment where he said "I was sitting at the Thai whiskey stall just as your entering Sunee, on the left hand side of the street. I frequent it quite a bit now, because I know everyone there, the owner likes me, the dogs like me, etc. It's great!"
"Irish 1972" do you think people who frequent the Thai whiskey stall just as you enter Sunee quite a bit and say "It's great!" are going to be very happy with the utterly boring old queens that hang around Jomtien?
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by Dickhead
The BIB only fuck with people who are guilty of something....
:rolling: :rolling: :rolling: 1st prize for naivety :rolling: :rolling: :rolling:
I'm sure Hitler said something similar in reference to the activities of the SS.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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"I was sitting at the Thai whiskey stall just as your entering Sunee, on the left hand side of the street. I frequent it quite a bit now, because I know everyone there, the owner likes me, the dogs like me, etc. It's great!"
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It does seem that you may have unintentionaly drawn attention to yourself and remember Thai guys talk, so if one finds you an easy touch it soon spreads!
and 2 + 2 = ......... :idea:
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by Dickhead
The BIB only fuck with people who are guilty of something. At least, that is true in 99.999% of cases I have ever heard of.
Then you clearly haven't been reading this board where, over the years, many cases have been mentioned where entirely innocent people have been creatively leant on by the BIB for a cash contribution.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
Ok, so no stories or advice at all,
Hey,what about mine?I wrote a story.I gave the guy an "in" by having sex with him,so my bad.I was thinking with the wrong head I guess.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
If you associate with riff raff, expect problems.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by goji
If you associate with riff raff, expect problems.
The voice of experience.
:rolling: :rolling: :rolling:
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
I have been visiting pattaya for 6 weeks a year for the last 9 years
Have never had any threats or extortions either
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdnmatt
For anyone who's been in Pattaya for a while, I'm sure we've all had to deal with someone trying to extort us for some reason or another. Usually it's under the threat of getting the shit kicked out of you, if not killed. For me at least, it's usually for absolutely no reason whatsoever, except that I'm white.
Matt,
I've lived in and around Pattaya for 17 years and came here on holiday for a few years before that. Like everyone else who has replied here with their actual experience of living here, which you dismiss out of hand, I have never had any of the experiences you mention nor do I know anyone who has - I do know a few peope who have been mugged, hwever, as I would expect to in any city/town of a similar size and rocket's experence is both different and credible. The idea that it is simply because you are "white", in a city where any violent crime against whites is given far more attention than similar incidents limited to locals simply demonstrates quite how out of touch you are with things here (and possibly generally).
I would not disagree with BL's description of Pattaya as a "nut town", and it certainly has more than its fair share of Thai and farang scum, but it is simply not as you have painted it in general. If things are as bad as you say then, as others have said, you need to have a long, hard and careful look at all those you associate with and to ask yourself what and who could be causing this - do you really know them as well as you think you do? My own feeling is that you don't and that you are simply taking your problems with you from one place to another, which will solve nothing.
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Originally Posted by cdnmatt
Don't worry, I can take care of myself. If worst ever comes to worst, I know enough Thais know to be comfortable with my own security. Well, unless the BIB decides to fuck with me. Then I'm screwed, but that's the same with everyone on the board.
Matt,
no offence but you sound as if you are totally out of your depth and have no idea of your own limitations, mental or physical, and even less idea of the sort of people you are mixing with. I have no doubt that although I am twice your age and it is a long time since I had to "take care of myself" that I am far more capable of doing so than you. Despite that, I would never imagine that I can "take care of myself" here in the sort of situations you describe, drunk or sober - while one person can take on a group in the movies it simply does not happen like that in real life. Even if you held the world 100m sprint record (you don't - you're "white", remember) which would give you the best way out, no-one can outrun a bullet.
I doubt very much if you do know "enough Thais ... to be comfortable with your own security". If you do, then you are mixing in very dangerous circles indeed; if, on the other hand, you imagine that the dogs and Thais who "like" you because you buy them drinks and pass the time of day with them would or even could help you in the situations you describe then you need to wake up to reality and, as I suspected when I first replied to you some months ago, you really do need a nanny to take care of you.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
I remember the guy that used to work the Yellow Chairs got into a tangle last year defending his DVD patch or something like that, the next day he was stabbed to death with one of the spikes from the umbrellas.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
I always walk around with a baseball bat. When anyone try's to extort money from me, I stick the bat out at arms length, twirl around very fast and who's ever head I smash, so be it. Word has gotten around that I am not to be messed with. After taking this recourse with several extortion attempts, the extortionists have decided to take on easier prey and I am now extortion free!
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
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Originally Posted by romania
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdnmatt
Don't worry, I can take care of myself. If worst ever comes to worst, I know enough Thais know to be comfortable with my own security. Well, unless the BIB decides to fuck with me. Then I'm screwed, but that's the same with everyone on the board.
Matt that is the most dangerous thought you can harbour.
As G/F implies if you get into any real difficulty which involves physical violence between you and Thais guess whose side your Thai friends will take?
Thinking for one moment that your Thai friends-especially the type of characters you appear to be hanging out with- are going to be your protectors is just down right stupid.
If you think that Thai people will always side with other Thai people regardless of circumstances, then you are not only wrong but incredibly insulting to the populace of Thailand. If you genuinely believe that, I cannot conceive why you live in this country. Presumably that means that you live in a cocoon of expats in which you, and others with the same viewpoint, only have Thais as servants and sex objects, as you apparently believe that they are incapable of genuine friendship. Are you so desparate for sex, and have so little sense of self worth?
There have been many many occasions over the years when I have been helped by Thai people when I had a problem with other Thais. Help given out of pure friendship or goodwill. The most vivid and early experience was when, during the early days of Soi Four in Bangkok, I had inadvertently given offence to the caretaker of the soi, whose son and several of the neighbourhood thugs then backed me up against a shop front. Word that I had a problem got back to the owner of one of the bars on the soi, who I had known for six months or so and considered a friend, and he appeared running down the soi whirling a sword above his head, which somewhat distracted the thugs.
As I understood later (my thai was not yet good enough to understand the conversation), he told the guys that anyone who wanted to fight me should fight him first. When they demurred he told them that I was a friend who would never have intentionally insulted the caretaker. Accordingly I apologised for any offence inadvertently given, and I never had any problem with the thugs again. The bar owner had no need to intervene, and gained no benefit. It would have been easy for him to have ignored the news that I had a problem.
I saw some of the thugs many times over the years as they moved up their individual gangster ladders around Patpong. They waved and remembered my name long after I had forgotten theirs.
The cynics on this board are so self deluded that they can't see that there is a value, if you choose it, in exposing yourself a little. They are so terrified of loss that it seems that they cannot trust a thai person. If your priority is to insulate yourself from pain, you are also insulating yourself from so much that can be wonderful.
So Matt, read the old biddies on the board, and wonder how they have reached this shuttered and cynical state of mind? I think that they followed their own advice!! Take the risks, enjoy the gains, and keep your wits about you. As to how to minimize the "extortions", or aggressions. Don't give in, don't back down, but do so in a way which allows the aggressor to keep their face.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
I have lived in Pattaya for five years and the only time I felt I was "ripped" off baht-wise was when I took a motorbike taxi from the blokes in front of Walking Street to the area of Day NIght Hotel around midnight. I was having him drop me off at some club nearby and the strange thing was---- he stopped in the middle of a dark section of the block instead of where the club was. He asked for 200 baht and I refused ;for I assumed it was 40 baht when the "leader of the pack" earlier had said 40 baht. ONce I said no, the mofia looking motorbike driver surprisingly became angry and held up his arm as if he was going to hit me... At the time, I thought it was better to pay the 200 baht; for if I ran away (I am a jogger) his cronies and he could chase me. After a few minutes, I felt like a big whimp for giving in to the bastard who probably does this trick to many of his riders late at night... As one lives in Pattaya (or any big city) you slowly learn the con jobs that the scum life will do.
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Re: How do you deal with extortionists?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marsilius
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Originally Posted by Dickhead
The BIB only fuck with people who are guilty of something. At least, that is true in 99.999% of cases I have ever heard of.
Then you clearly haven't been reading this board where, over the years, many cases have been mentioned where entirely innocent people have been creatively leant on by the BIB for a cash contribution.
Almost everything in Thailand that would be legal in the West (sex, drugs, rock'n'roll) is either illegal or borderline legal with lots of opportunities for creative interpretations of how to comply. There are lots of vested interests in keeping it that way.