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-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.
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
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Reader Comments:
Jay Mark(Sep 27, 2018) like what they always say.. Land of Smiles... glad to hear all went well...
Jim
Thai Plum Village
(Sep 27, 2018) Hurt Locker!! Me...and my twisted twisted sense of humour...excellent film...look out for a copy.
Rowie
(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 Que
(Sep 27, 2018) God is always protecting you and meeting all your needs, Gigit!
Nizah Bagares
(Sep 27, 2018) Ahhhh what an adventure!!! Stay safe git!
Korina Cordero
(Sep 27, 2018) Good thing it all worked out, 'git. Stay safe!
Jom Daclan
(Sep 27, 2018) Quite an adventure. Glad things worked out, with the help of some good people.
Lora 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
(Sep 27, 2018) Jeeez nightmare indeed! Glad it all worked out
Heart 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 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
(Sep 27, 2018) Be safe Gigit
Lindsay
Aerial Yoga Teacher @ The BodyHoliday
(Sep 27, 2018) Whoa!!! What a harrowing experience!! Glad you were able to recover it all!!!
Dyosa Antonio
(Sep 27, 2018) Good thing it was all sorted out Gigit, stay safe!
Huong
(Sep 27, 2018) God bless you Gigit
Darla Rattanaporn
(Sep 27, 2018) How do you do?
Jackie
(Sep 27, 2018) Glad things turned out well for you, Git! Stay safe!
Helen Prieto
(Sep 27, 2018) Git, di ako natuloy. Leaving for KL instead tomorrow. Babalik ka ba dito?
Joanna
(Sep 27, 2018) hay naku. i'm just glad you got your stuff back. what a nightmare.
Lovorn
Theosophical Society in the Philippines
(Sep 27, 2018) Really!? Tatak pinoy! What's next? Selling the bathroom while you're still taking shower?
Saffiya
Power of Laugh
(Sep 27, 2018) Whaaaatttt????
Rachel
(Sep 27, 2018) What a nightmare! Thank God everything turned out okay.
Medalaine Pelegrin
(Sep 27, 2018) good to know the story had a happy ending. take good care Git. Safe travels as always.
Greg
Peoplescape Of Rishikesh
(Sep 27, 2018) Super intense, but it all works out!
Tom
The Meditator who Cried Foul!
(Sep 27, 2018) What the fuck?!
Dulce
(Sep 27, 2018) Omg! What a story! U however have good angels
Puje Villarta
(Sep 27, 2018) Good thing you got your stuff back in time. Keep safe!
Tristan Luczon
(Sep 27, 2018) Lupit mo pa din magkuwento Gigit!=) Kahit wala ako sa scene navvisualize ko mga pangyayari.=)
Next stop:: 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye
Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider
- Bangkok in Pictures Mar 17-21, 2021
- Bangkok for Passport Renewal Mar 17-21, 2021
- Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
- 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
- Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
- Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
- Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
- Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
- Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
- Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
- Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
- Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
- Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
- Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
- Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
- Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
- Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
- A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
- 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
- Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
- Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
- Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
- Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
- Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
- Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
- Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
- Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
- Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
- Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
- Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
- Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
- Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
- Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train Sep 9, 2018
- Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
- Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club Sep 8, 2018
- Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 7, 2018
- Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 Sep 6, 2018
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- Gentle Flow Yoga with Nuch at Now's Fitness, Bangkok Sep 4, 2018
- A Yogi Lost in a Modern Gym - Now's Fitness Sep 3, 2018
- Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018
- Outside Looking In Aug 29, 2018
- Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018
- 15 Days in Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
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- Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018
- Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok July 23, 2018
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- Fork on the Road: Abundance or Poverty by Choice? July 16, 2018
- Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
- Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok July 11, 2018
- Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct 20, 2014
- Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
- Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
- Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
- A First Timer in Bangkok December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006
Bangkok Map
Bangkok, Thailand
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai
RESTAURANT
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai
SPA / WELLNESS
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)
GYM| YOGA
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
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)
- take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
- 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.
- 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
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