Growing up in Manchester, with all it's violence, crime and fighting, I feel that Udon is 1000 times safer.

Plus I don't go out much at night.

I feel very safe here; certainly safer than Bangkok.

I'm not sure I will feel the same after I poison the local dogs, but there you go...

Most crimes are petty and opportunistic crimes and as a result of leaving something expensive lying around (say perhaps in the garden, or a window open in the night times).

The kind of house ransacking that goes on in our home countries is relatively rare here and of the very few people I know who have had something stolen from their house - mostly was things like phones and cash and was a result of leaving an 'open opportunity' for the thief.

I am wondering how many forum members have been burgled ?and of those how many were major house ransacks? where the whole house gets trashed and turned upside down - everything of value is taken - TV, computer etc etc .....


lets see how many respond..........

agree, most thefts are just opportunist, and usually everything fits in pockets or a bag, and they're done. most are inside job, or a recent maintenance or delivery person. as far as vans and pick ups cruising the neighborhoods and cleaning you out, don't think it happens often.

me, no losses yet. had that big arse wall before, and now, secure gating, few windows. very safe.

just need someone to water the damn plants when away for more than a month, more cactus.

Happened before we moved out here in paddyland but a German neighbor's dogs were poisoned and his house was burgled while he slept. Cleaned out from what I heard, secondhand information. Other neighbors think it was an inside job.

Personally, never been burgled. Suspicious night-time "visitors" a couple of months ago. Doorbell rang at 12:30 am while we were sleeping. Walked out into the yard and yelled, "Who is it?". Wife followed me and began having a loud conversation with at least a couple of Thai guys. She said they sounded drunk so I told her to tell them to go away or I was calling the police. They kept yakking so I went inside and released our two dogs (kept them inside during a cold spell) and the dogs began to bark aggressively. Heard the motorcycle outside the wall take off. Maybe just a couple of lost drunks, I dunno, but dogs stay outside every night now earning their kibble. Removed the doorbell the next morning. Neighbors advised that we shouldn't open the gates if we don't know who it is out there.

Senior Rambos? Wait a minute. Rambo is now 60 years old! My weapon of choice is the Toyota remote with the Panic button. Ever hear one go off? Will wake the dead and the neighbors. Damn, forgot to use it the night we had visitors. Paranoia? Yeah, maybe a little of that, too. Doesn't hurt to have some sort of plan though.

Paul wrote:Most crimes are petty and opportunistic crimes and as a result of leaving something expensive lying around (say perhaps in the garden, or a window open in the night times).

The kind of house ransacking that goes on in our home countries is relatively rare here and of the very few people I know who have had something stolen from their house - mostly was things like phones and cash and was a result of leaving an 'open opportunity' for the thief.

I am wondering how many forum members have been burgled ?and of those how many were major house ransacks? where the whole house gets trashed and turned upside down - everything of value is taken - TV, computer etc etc .....


lets see how many respond..........

Well I have been burglared and it cost me 80-100K baht!But I assume complete responsibility as I didn't check a unused doors locks after workman had been in and out of the house for 3 consecutive days.He was in and out in probably one minute as soon as we turned the lights out downstairs and while we were still awake.We mage it easy and desirous to them by our relaxed habits of leaving valuables,keys and purses in plain site.We lost the wifes purse,all her gold,my gold ring ,watches ,3 cell phones,cash and our keys to the house and cars!

No - Crime, quality of healthcare, road safety, food safety, insecurity over immigration policy. I don't feel safe.

polehawk wrote:Happened before we moved out here in paddyland but a German neighbor's dogs were poisoned and his house was burgled while he slept. Cleaned out from what I heard, secondhand information. Other neighbors think it was an inside job.

Personally, never been burgled. Suspicious night-time "visitors" a couple of months ago. Doorbell rang at 12:30 am while we were sleeping. Walked out into the yard and yelled, "Who is it?". Wife followed me and began having a loud conversation with at least a couple of Thai guys. She said they sounded drunk so I told her to tell them to go away or I was calling the police. They kept yakking so I went inside and released our two dogs (kept them inside during a cold spell) and the dogs began to bark aggressively. Heard the motorcycle outside the wall take off. Maybe just a couple of lost drunks, I dunno, but dogs stay outside every night now earning their kibble. Removed the doorbell the next morning. Neighbors advised that we shouldn't open the gates if we don't know who it is out there.

Senior Rambos? Wait a minute. Rambo is now 60 years old! My weapon of choice is the Toyota remote with the Panic button. Ever hear one go off? Will wake the dead and the neighbors. Damn, forgot to use it the night we had visitors. Paranoia? Yeah, maybe a little of that, too. Doesn't hurt to have some sort of plan though.

No offense PH, but dogs outside mean Poison, dogs inside mean second line of defence

Think I'd rather take my chances with the burglars than let our two dogs run loose inside the house, Aard.

Hope no burglars are reading this but, truth be told, our Thai Ridgie patrols front, back and sides of the house, close to her sleeping cage with open-door. A good watchdog so whenever she barks I get up to check. The pit bull will bark all night long for any reason so she gets locked in her cage after about 10 pm. We're still working on correcting her behavior. Where's the Dog Whisperer? Both cages are in an enclosed and screened area next to our bedroom. Usually, when the ridgeback starts barking I let the pit bull out. Thankfully, it doesn't happen that often.

Well, in UK, have been burgled about 5 times in 35 years; probably pretty typical. 3 minor losses, 2 ransackings. Threatened with a gun once. I now take the Mortiboy approach - never have anything worth stealing! The wife's gold is all gone in the last ransack; my Mum lost all the antique jewellery about 12 years ago; nothing valuable left now. In the UK, footballers get there houses done regularly, because everyone knows they have way to much money. Kids with the latest mobile phones soon 'loose' them. Keep a fast car anywhere near a big town or city, you better keep it locked up really well.

So, now i only have to lock my car up to stop the contents being stolen - no self respecting car thief would be seen dead in my car. TV is only 19" crt - no one steals that. Computers are old and cheap with one exception. Watches are for telling the time, not boasting. My phone is B/W. Rarely carry cash. The only thing i worry about is the debit card! ( where the wealth really is).

So maybe burglary slight problem in Thailand, but maybe no worse than UK. Most old people will not open there doors at night in UK, either.

Violent attacks, other than after an argument? how common in Udon?

This probably doesn't qualify as a response to the question, "Do you feel secure in Udon?", but while sitting in the ultra-clean bathroom in the back section of the first floor of Robinson's, it suddenly occurred to me that the gleaming white walls were completely free of graffiti. Best of all, there weren't any footprints on the toilet seat!

WEAPON'S.People tend to forget if you produce any weapon espeically a gun you must be fully prepaired to use it,you cross a line which usually result's in death or serious injury.Pool cues,bb bats,batons are for scare and repell,gun or knife if not prepaired to go limit could get you killed.Think carefully everybody

I installed alarm system last month,with ir passives plus 4 cameras with night vision cctv with dvr 250g memory. Let everyone see what i was doing made loads of noise tested the klaxon several times, sam rot drivers watched me do it and had a natter about it.
IMO visible deterrent does make a difference, the whole lot under £300 and worth it.

Wow, when I asked the question about security alarms, I didn't expect to see one this complicated. Hopefully, there are others more economical available?

How much is your security worth ? How much did your fridge or tv cost or flight, how much to replace the items ?