TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Slice of Life

Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018

Calling the Bangkok Police

Location: Empo Hostel, On Nut neighborhood, Bangkok, Thailand

Unscrupulous Hostel Owner
The unscrupulous owner of the hostel I was in, was frantically selling everything in the hostel before the other owner showed up. In the process, she sold the locker with my laptop and passport inside. I was supposed to leave Thailand the following day! My visa was expiring in 2 days. Without my passport, I cannot leave, I will forfeit my flight and my hostel booking in Yangon! There was too much at stake. I called the Bangkok police in helping me get back my stuff.

Backgrounder
Right at the onset when I checked-in, the hostel was plagued by ownership problems. A Thai lady is the "current owner" who has been trying to sell the hostel cheap to various potential buyers. Then one day, an angry Indian guy with his wife showed up (the Thai lady wasn't there) and claimed ownership. Things were discussed with the sitting manager. Accordingly, the Indian owner leased the property to the Thai lady with split percentages on the profit - but no profit was ever reported even though money was being made. The Indian guy claimed that he will close the hostel. With this development, the Thai lady started disposing everything in the hotel and asked everyone to move out by Sept. 24.

All that wasn't my business and I wasn't affected by any of it. But I woke up one morning and found the locker with my laptop and passport missing. Apparently, the Thai owner frantically sold it knowing fully well there was content on one of lockers. She didn't care - she was that unscrupulous. When I found out, she said she didn't know who bought it and then left the hostel saying she was late for her class. I told her in no uncertain terms I will call the police to straighten her out and file charges if necessary. I snapped her picture and we both left - she for her class and me for the police.

7-Eleven7-Eleven
I went to 7-Eleven to find out where the nearest police station was. It was still in Phra Kanong. The supervisor instructed Billy, one of the staff, to ride me on his motorcycle to the police station. Wow! Billy stayed with me the entire time translating to the police what happened.

On another incident, when I had to buy a Thai sim card to facilitate all the messages I had to send due to the laptop incident, another Seven Eleven branch helped me out. Despite the lines, the staff helped me with the right sim, the right plan and even installed the sim and configured my settings until everything was set right. Wow! I have to salute the staff of 7-Eleven.

At The Police Station
A young policeman and police woman helped me out. We all went back to the hostel where they questioned the cleaning lady who was there - the Thai owner was not there and wasn't answering the phone calls either. But she already knew the police were involved. I went back with the police to the precinct to get a police report. I needed the police report for 2 reasons:

a) to present to immigration because without my passport, I cannot leave the country on my visa expiry which was in 2 days!
b) I need the police report in case I have to file charges against the Thai owner.

Calling the Bangkok Police
the police questioning the cleaning lady

The Buyer was Traced
With the police involved, the Thai owner knew she couldn't just brush me off. Not surprisingly, she was able to trace the buyer. She instructed the cleaning lady to accompany me to where the buyer was located. I went back to the hostel to join the cleaning lady. We took the cab and went to Bang Kapi where the buyer was waiting for us. He was a good man and meant well. He knew there was something in the locker but didn't know what it was and bought the locker in good faith. The locker was still locked because I had the keys. I got my laptop and passport back...whew!!! The total taxi meter was a tad short of B300 - it was that far.

Sociopath
When I saw the Thai lady that evening, she acted as if nothing happened. No apologies, no nothing. She was a complete psycho-path (sees others as objects she can use for her own benefit without feeling any moral qualms - no conscience whatsoever). It's scary to think she's still walking around in a free society when she should be locked-up or interned. Since I got my stuff, there was no need to press charges. All I wanted was to leave that hostel and be in time for my flight the following day.

Ending Thoughts
I cannot imagine what might have happened to me in Bangkok if I didn't recover my laptop and passport. I would have to go to the Philippine embassy for a new passport, go to plead my case with Thai immigration, lose my flight and hostel payment, etc. It would have been a nightmare - just because an unscrupulous hostel owner wanted to make the most money before the Indian owner takes over.

Before, I couldn't say enough how wonderful the Thai people are - their warmth and generosity exceeded expectations. How does this incident change that? No, it doesn't change my position one bit. In every culture and society, there is always that .001% who will prey and scam you. The overwhelming majority of Thais are good people and I continue to admire and respect them. The wonderful people who helped me hurdle this challenge were all Thais and that's exactly my point.

Deep gratitude to the wonderful staff of 7-Eleven, the cleaning lady and the responsive Phra Khanong police!

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider



Facebook Users

Reader Comments:

Jay MarkJay Mark
(Sep 27, 2018) like what they always say.. Land of Smiles... glad to hear all went well...

Jim WardJim Philippines
Thai Plum Village
(Sep 27, 2018) Hurt Locker!! Me...and my twisted twisted sense of humour...excellent film...look out for a copy.

Rowie LucianoRowie Philippines
(Sep 27, 2018) Oh my God, G, I am glad things turned out well! I was reading this and my bp shot up for you. Naku. But goodness in people prevailed. There is hope

Jun QueJun Que Philippines
(Sep 27, 2018) God is always protecting you and meeting all your needs, Gigit!

Nizah BagaresNizah Bagares
(Sep 27, 2018) Ahhhh what an adventure!!! Stay safe git!

Korina CorderoKorina Cordero
(Sep 27, 2018) Good thing it all worked out, 'git. Stay safe!

Jom DaclanJom Daclan Philippines
(Sep 27, 2018) Quite an adventure. Glad things worked out, with the help of some good people.

Lora Frances LorenteLora Frances Lorente
200-RYT | 500-RYT
(Sep 27, 2018) Omgeeeee.... good to know you still came across good people and that everything worked out in the end.

Laura PearceLaura United Kingdom
(Sep 27, 2018) Jeeez nightmare indeed! Glad it all worked out

Heart JanelleHeart Janelle
(Sep 27, 2018) Whoah!! Things haven't gone to well on the flight side lately but good it has worked out again ..you have Karma on your side Git! Keep safe always!!

Allen Maitri EnriqueAllen Maitri Enrique
(Sep 27, 2018) omg! i always bring my documents in my daypack, if i'm i transit--and staying at sketchy hostels. also, ganyan din yung mga pinoy small business owners--psychopath because of our nonconfrontational culture (cos they cant admit that they make mistakes or even claim responsibility for the damage and inconvenience)

Jingle Gela RafolsJingle
(Sep 27, 2018) Be safe Gigit

Lindsay Nova CalvertLindsay USA
Aerial Yoga Teacher @ The BodyHoliday
(Sep 27, 2018) Whoa!!! What a harrowing experience!! Glad you were able to recover it all!!!

Dyosa AntonioDyosa Antonio
(Sep 27, 2018) Good thing it was all sorted out Gigit, stay safe!

Pham Thanh HuongHuong Vietnam
(Sep 27, 2018) God bless you Gigit

Darla RattanapornDarla Rattanaporn
(Sep 27, 2018) How do you do?

Jackie SanchezJackie
(Sep 27, 2018) Glad things turned out well for you, Git! Stay safe!

Helen PrietoHelen Prieto
(Sep 27, 2018) Git, di ako natuloy. Leaving for KL instead tomorrow. Babalik ka ba dito?

Joanna Co LizaresJoanna Philippines
(Sep 27, 2018) hay naku. i'm just glad you got your stuff back. what a nightmare.

Lovorn AngLovorn Philippines
Theosophical Society in the Philippines
(Sep 27, 2018) Really!? Tatak pinoy! What's next? Selling the bathroom while you're still taking shower?

Saffiya ArnousSaffiya France
Power of Laugh
(Sep 27, 2018) Whaaaatttt????

Rachel ConsingRachel Philippines
(Sep 27, 2018) What a nightmare! Thank God everything turned out okay.

Medalaine PelegrinMedalaine Pelegrin
(Sep 27, 2018) good to know the story had a happy ending. take good care Git. Safe travels as always.

Greg GoldsteinGreg USA
Peoplescape Of Rishikesh
(Sep 27, 2018) Super intense, but it all works out!

Tom MiniusTom USA
The Meditator who Cried Foul!
(Sep 27, 2018) What the fuck?!

Dulce CapadociaDulce USA
(Sep 27, 2018) Omg! What a story! U however have good angels

Puje VillartaPuje Villarta
(Sep 27, 2018) Good thing you got your stuff back in time. Keep safe!

Tristan LuczonTristan Luczon
(Sep 27, 2018) Lupit mo pa din magkuwento Gigit!=) Kahit wala ako sa scene navvisualize ko mga pangyayari.=)

Leave a comment?

Next stop:: 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye

Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider
  1. Bangkok in Pictures Mar 17-21, 2021
  2. Bangkok for Passport Renewal Mar 17-21, 2021
  3. Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
  4. 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
  5. Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  6. Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  7. Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
  8. Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
  9. Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
  10. Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
  11. Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
  12. Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
  13. Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
  14. Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
  15. Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
  16. Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
  17. Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
  18. A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
  19. 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
  20. Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
  21. Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
  22. Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
  23. Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
  24. Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
  25. Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
  26. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  27. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  28. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  29. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  30. Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
  31. Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  32. Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
  33. Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train Sep 9, 2018
  34. Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  35. Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club Sep 8, 2018
  36. Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 7, 2018
  37. Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 Sep 6, 2018
  38. Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness Sep 5, 2018
  39. Gentle Flow Yoga with Nuch at Now's Fitness, Bangkok Sep 4, 2018
  40. A Yogi Lost in a Modern Gym - Now's Fitness Sep 3, 2018
  41. Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018
  42. Outside Looking In Aug 29, 2018
  43. Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018
  44. 15 Days in Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  45. Peoplescape: Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  46. Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018
  47. Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok July 23, 2018
  48. Rope Skipping, 4mins Full-on July 22, 2018
  49. Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market July 17, 2018
  50. Fork on the Road: Abundance or Poverty by Choice? July 16, 2018
  51. Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
  52. Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok July 11, 2018
  53. Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct 20, 2014
  54. Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
  55. Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
  56. Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
  57. A First Timer in Bangkok December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006

Bangkok Map
Google Map

Bangkok, Thailand

hotels in Bangkok HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

restaurant in Bangkok RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

spa and wellness in Bangkok SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

gyms on On Nut, Bangkok GYM| gyms on On Nut, Bangkok YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250


Useful Information

Bangkok Cost Index

as of Sep 4, 2018: US$1 = Baht 32 = Php 53

  • Bht 60 sm, 90 big one mug draft beer
  • Bht 13 1.5 liter drinking water
  • Bht 220 one hour massage
  • Bht 60-80 muesli breakfast
  • Bht 60-80 tom yum soup in modest eatery
  • Bht 25-30 coffee
  • Bht 30-50 pad thai
  • Bht 350 Adventure Hostel lodging
  • Bht 20-30/load laundry, coin operated machine
  • Bht 7 bus ride
Transport Maps of Bangkok
  1. Chao Phraya Express, MRT, BTS, Khlong boats, Airport Link
  2. Bus Routes: 1-14
  3. Bus Routes: 15-30
  4. Bus Routes: 32-49
  5. Bus Routes: 50-70
  6. Bus Routes: 71-88
  7. Bus Routes: 501-516
  8. individual bus routes
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station

For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)

(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)

  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
  2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
  3. daily train schedule:
    • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
    • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
    • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
    • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
    • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck

Currency Converter
Currency Converter


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