Nothing new or to worry about, happens all the time. Nobody really cares to do anything. If you work for some NGO or big company, they don't think that there is is any crime here. I know a couple of western security guys here, who have tried to help companies with security and everyone wants free advice. Good luck, it will only get worse before it gets better here.

Yep, happens everywhere - invest in more razor wire - they don't like blood.

Sorry to hear about the burglary. As someone who was robbed at gunpoint on the streets of BKK1 around a year ago, I know these things aren't fun.
A friend who I shared your posting with requested I ask a few questions:
-- Have any of these incidents been reported to the police? (Yes, I know the police are a joke and potentially even accomplices.)
-- If so, was there any effort to get fingerprints -- either off the lighter/penlight or at your house? (Yes, I know about the limited resources, abilities and technology of the police.)
-- Did your upper windows/doors have bars? (I assume so.)
-- Do you know how they gained entry? (For example, did they saw through the bars, break locks, etc.?)
-- From what you've learned through your conversations, is there a particular time of night that these guys operate?
Thanks.

Shock,horror.
I cant believe that khmers conspire to rip off wealthy people in BKK.
Get real you people.
You are rich and they are poor.
You have no idea about security.
You dont know what khmers are capable of.
Fingerprints-ha,ha,ha.
The police are not on your side.
I have always believed that they franchsise the burglars.
Why wouldnt you?
They are poor and you are rich.
I live on the outskirts of town amongst the khmers and we all look out for each other.
Our cars are always parked in the street and are never touched,one would never park a car in the street in BKK.
Just accept that you are strangers here and always will be,just be prepared a to pay a little tax to the burglars and their sponsors.
The police.
There is advice available re security but i doubt that you people would be willing to pay.

Rule # 1 - expect to be robbed/burgled in Cambodia

Rule # 2 - expect it again if you don't take drastic action.

If your razor wire was pulled aside then muck-fe you haven't installed it properly. Get some professional help. And get some big dogs.

Last resort - which perhaps should have been first resort - move into a secure environment. But then how secure is secure!!!! Perhaps go 5-star!!

I'm building in Kompong Som and the unoccupied Khmer house opposite has been burgled three times in the past three weeks - make that four tonight as I write. We advised the owner on getting home at 8. I know I'm a target too. So, I'm doing everything possible to reduce the risk. So should you - there's no limit. Is this that much different to living in Sydney, for example?

Get real!!!!

You can always hire Mr Smith & Mr Wesson or get some big swords and hack them to death. They dont mind killing each other, can you even imagine the headlines if an Expat were to kill a Bong? Wow what a message that would send, it would be something like "I am mad as hell and wont ake this anymore" to paraphrase.

Hi Yula: thanks for the heads up in the neighborhood. I do live in a secure building but double checking doors and other entries worth a bit of extra effort. I lived in Manhattan for many years and I can honestly say, its no better or worse here than in NYC -- in fact, its a bit better here as far as personal safety and security.

5th floor... thinking it must be safe up here and most likely that the windows / doors were not locked.

BKK is NOT the safest area in the city, in fact it is, in my opinion, one of the unsafest for expats, especially after the sun goes down.

Yula thanks for posting this one.
I am curious,
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
Do you have a security guard?
Is the guard a privately employed guard or working for a security company
Can you give approximate times of the break in?
How are they gaining access? Breaking locks on doors or through windows?
Have you reported it to the local police / sangkat / embassy?

Some will say that it is useless reporting it, however if reports are made then there are records and the sooner or later it will pile and up someone will have to do something

Does anyone else have questions on this so that measures can be taken to "limit" others getting caught in the same way.

muck-fe = that's the only thing i learned from all the posts following the initial post.

as far security is concerned, you war-story-guys probably know it all and have your own connections to be safe.
so what?
your situation doesn't compare to ours. then it is easy for you to parade about us being rich and silly about safety and stingy about paying for security.

but it doesn't help a bit to criticze us like that altogether, and such statements don't help, in general.
i really don't see the point of coming here and stating over and over that we are stupid barangs and that we should get a gun to shoot the "bongs" like you call them.

crime is crime is crime. blaming the victims or targets of crime is low.

i am fed up with the self righteousness i read on these forums coming from some around here (and often the same), about us, silly barangs, knowing nothing and being stingy.

catherine,

happy to be aware of such events (thank you to the initial poster for the warning, that is very useful, as for the rest of the posts = lots of rubbish if you ask me, including my own post, i admit, in the eye of some).

Look,as far as I know razor wire is often useless.
It has to be wired to a fence or part of the building.
I have a pair of $60 crescent nippers that we use to tie wire ties to reinforcing in australia.
I am pretty sure that my nips will cut through the wire that secures the razor wire and the razor wire itself.
I also have a couple of pairs of small bolt cutters,they will certainly cut through razor wire.
i have been meaning to try the nips and the bolt cutters on razor wire.
Tomorrow I will go to mao tse tung and go to a razor wire supplier and test my theories.
If i am right them razor wire is useless,it is all an illusion.
The guards are useless and no doubt in league with the thieves,as are the police.
Many of you people will spend a lot if money on rent,srevants,eating and drinking and nothing on security.
I know where priorities lie.
I can look at a building and at doors and locks and see the weaknesses easily,you can not.
Many of you earn western salaries in the third world,unlike others of us.
You should pay for your short comings,it may save your life.
I will let you know if my simple tools make your security useless after tomorrow-for free!

US Embassy issues a warning regarding the break ins, good on them to take a pro active role. (Even if it is to cover their ass, if something were to happen to a US citizen and they failed to issue the warning.)

Now ML, you dont need any wire cutters for razor wire, you just need a blanket or something to throw over the razor wire so that you can get over it.

Then;

Change the locks from whatever is on the house to your own, especially if a padlock is involved. Do not use anything Cambodian bought unless its a Master lock and you bought it yourself.

Place bars on the windows, preferably between the widow and screen frame or at the next best on the inside of the house.

Anymore will cost you a $$$$ day rate

Precautions:
1. The burglars wait a short while after you have gone to bed to look for ways to get in. Go outside and check if light can be seen through bedroom curtains. If so, have opaque ones made.

2. Your upper floors may be being watched from high-rise construction sites. Make sure roof floor doors are padlocked.

3. Check the neighboring houses. Burglars can get access to your place from an adjacent property. Ask neighbors to secure their areas.

4. When installing razor wire, use two or three tiers. Just one roll can be easily folded aside using padded gloves. Add jingle bells in places. They won't blow in the wind but can be heard if the wire is being cut.

5. Pay attention to barking dogs. If a neighbor’s dog barks all night, either the property is empty or they are negligent owners. Either way, the dog ceases to be useful as a deterrent or an alarm. Ask them to check their property when their dogs bark and not to leave them unattended.

6. If you own a cat or dog, be aware of changes in their behavior. If an intruder is nearby, your pet may whine or hide under a chair or bed. They may act anxious in other ways for a few days leading up to and after a threat. When their behavior returns to normal, you can be fairly sure that the threat has passed.

7. Discourage children from screaming when playing outside or near your home, particularly after sundown. Teach them that screaming is for emergencies.

8. To aid in stealthy climbing, our burglar wasn’t carrying a weapon, wire-cutters or a bag. We can’t assume this will always be the case. On his second try, I got the impression that he was armed.

When the police finally answered the phone after several calls, their response was, "We are sleeping. Call again in the morning." This was at 1:30 am.

Thanks to those of you who provided helpful comments.
Let's stay safe.

If these people are deglazing windows to get at catches then they are not mugs.
No bars on windows equals no security.
There are many building projects going on in BKK and the workers are often the thieves.
They are able to observe the neighbours and their habits,they know how buildings are put together and they are often fit and strong.
i saw a worker on the new place building a few months ago shinny up a PVC downpipe just as he would a coconut palm-it was incredible.
Especially as the downpipe had only one bracket securing it to the wall!
After the hamptons was burgled within weeks of completion they had to install razor wire on top of their beautiful wall.
I saw how the thieves had gained entry,climbed up the fence onto the top of the generator from which they could access the abuttment that runs all around the building at floor level.
This is like an extension of the floor slab that protrudes about 400mm,just perfect for thieves to access every apartment!
Even I could work my way around the building easily-brilliant khmer design again.
A very burglar friendly building that one,why the US embassy security signed off on it is a mystery to me.
I only use australian locks,any locks bought in this country are completely useless.
For many years in australia we have had steel boxes encasing padlocks,they are only accessible from below by key.
A bit awkward but it means that bolt cutters cannot be used on the lock.
Anyone considering leasing an apartment should really be much more aware of the dangers of burglary-unless the building has completely sheer sides with no downpipes then bars on the windows are a must.
I would love to hear of a barang dispensing some fatal justice to a khmer burglar,it would certainly make them think twice in the future.
As it is now you soft barangs in BKK are easy meat-sorry.
I always have believed that all khmers are in the union,they are all shop stewards.
Those motos and tuk tuks on the corner or outside your building are always watching and very aware of your habits,what you carry around and whether you are a drinker or just naieve.
I have no doubt that the transport providers,the building workers and the police are all in the same union-us v them.

Yula, 10 points for alerting all to the burglaries in BKK.

I think, however, that a few people miss the point of the posts. That is, that no matter where you live, security is a part of life - just like flying!!

There are tiers of physical security precautions that you can take in a domestic situation. Look at it as a series of barriers.

1. The area where you decide to live - if you live in Cambodia, you must research the neighbourhoods, even streets - if there's an aikadom living nearby, then chances are it'll be safer. I lived south of Toul Tom Pong for a while in a wonderful street that luckily had such aikadoms with dogs and 24hr security, and the only problem was rats.

2. Having decided on an area, look at the landlord closely - do they live on the ground floor or within control of access to the building?

3. What is the perimeter security? How many access points are there to your apartment? How high are fences, are there surrounding trees (don't trees look great?)? Buildings closeby or adjacent? How strong are padlocks on the gates? What are the arrangements for night-time entry? is there razor wire?

OK - a note about razor wire - yep it can be defeated - but only by those seriously bent on making your robbery!!! That discounts about 90% + of the frikkers. And if you install it professionally and have good locks they have to go back over the fence - make it difficult!! Make them bleed!!! Seriously, Khmers are scared of blood!!

What lights are there - 24hr lights on the gates, fences?

4. Now to your personal physical security: Assuming you're not part of a 5-star complex:

Windows/grills - check the quality of the steel - thin = bad, is it screwed into the window surround or embedded within it? Shake it!

Doors/locks - Check the quality of the locks - refer ML above! Can you padlock from within and outside also? Quality of padlock - spend $10 or more not frikn $2.

Curtains - can they see into your apartment? Keep everything hidden.

Do you travel the same route when shopping etc - vary your itinerary

5. What about your inner secutity?

Who has access? Can you trust implicitly your maid/cleaner/cook? Think about it. Khmers naturally talk about everything and might innocently let out information about you. THEY TALK TALK TALK about the barang

Watch the tuk tuk you just got home. Trusted or freelance? Look out for a Warhorse (ha ha apology Warhorse)

LIGHTS - have lights available all the time

BIG STICKS - ditto

DOGS - the bigger the better (only feed them in the morning!! - unless they've fed overnight!!)

How/where do you lock up your laptop and other valuables?

Khmers want to steal easy-to-steal items that can be onsold easily. AND BARANGS WILL ALWAYS BE TARGETS!!!!!

Yula. I'm not ridiculing you or others. You have to understand, however, that life here in Cambodia, attracts risks, but not so much more than other major cities.

I haven't covered everything here. Others will add no doubt.

I definitely agree that bars on windows and overseas padlocks are the way to go.

Personally I would like to find a nice serviced apartment but security never seems good enough, the guards are only there to help park cars.

The comments about everyone watching and talking about you is very true and this is why you have to hold your head high in public. Always be polite to your neighbours but make sure people can see that you are not a soft touch.

I normally use the same tuk tuk drivers and never had any problem. They certainly know my routines but also know that I have good house security and that I don't put up with any crap.

At the end of the day they are just doing a job and not my friend. I pay a good fare and never have much conversation with them but still treat them with dignity and give them repeat business.

A Khmer neighbour just got robbed recently while they were away. Thieves got inside the yard but could not get into the house. They used long sticks with rat glue on the end to pick up valuables inside through the windows - watches and some jewelery.

Like Earlier Comments get ravor wire it works they dont like it,
this happens often and in my 5yrshere so many stories can be told things are no where near like they were. We live in the Country meaning we adapt to how things are , secure your house, its not that hard . a couple of hours work and if ur still uncomfortable to as many do put in camera's they are not that expensive , this was away for u to give warning which is understandable But it happens so often your best bet is secure your house if you know anyone who is higher up let them know.

Great thread this!
Rat glue on the sticks-i like that!
I was sleeping in the ute outside the old reggae bar one night because a mate had picked up my keys by mistake and i couldnt go home.
The window was open a few inches and i awoke with a stick across my chest as the thief attempted to snare my $28 nokia off the passenger seat beside me.
The stick had a wire loop and a net of fabric but when i yelped the thief ran off.
It was 4.30 in the morning and the riverhouse was closing,there were people everywhere but being staunch union types they didnt care about the thief robbbing the barang in his vehicle!
I have a mate in perth and he claims that the best offensive weapon is a sharpened broomstick.
Dont get close enough to grapple with them,just run them through with the stick.
A stomach injury will always result in death if not treated,you bewdy.
Heard another robbery story recently.
A chap came home with a couple of hundred dollars,put the money on a table with his phone and went to the bathroom.
Came out and the money and phone as gone was gone!
He lives on an upper floor!
How good are these thieves?
If only they would use their talents for doing good!
But this is cambodia.

Nothing will change for another 50 years, until they get real law enforcement and a judicial system. It will be the land of R & R (Rape & Robbery) and not the Kingdom of Wonder. I have a mate who is a well known security specialist/consultant around town who has been here since Jan 2007. He has decided to leave Cambodia the first of part 2011, I asked him why? He said that there is no work for someone with his skill set here, he went on to say people are not interested in physical security or do they understand it or willing to pay for it. Makes sense to me and sounds like the old saying "You don't know what you don't know".

but I can't believe anyone is kidding themselves (westerners and other foreigners) that they can settle down here and live the wonderful life.

Getting married? Get her a passport, even better, citizenship in your country. The kid? Do the same, if you can.

I've lived in some shitty places, including sub-Africa, and I can read the air a bits.

This place is transient at it's worst, an extended visit at its best.

The malevolent and insane variables, somehow held at bay by a big guy with an omnipresent iron fist, won't be restrained for much longer, as the Party is likely to factionalize and the peasants given serious firepower by one of the factionalized, once the iron fist passes away, to wage their war and tear Timbuktu to pieces.

Then will be the only time I will be glad to see the lazy asses that officiate at my embassy, as I get the f**k out of dodge!

Better Call Saul

Shooting murder outside the school gate at boeung trabaik this morning about 7am.
Never seen so many rubber neckers looking at a bloody body.
Lets hope he was a burglar.

More on the burglary I reported above. It turns out that the thieves gained access to a window through razor wire which was cut by technicians servicing an aircon unit and which was not subsequently repaired properly ( probably both the wire and a/c ha ha)

Mmmm, ya gotta watchem every step!!!!!

FYI, it has been brought to my attention that there is an armed British passport holding Expat carrying a concealed firearm now on the street. Unconfirmed personally, so will check into it.

Better Call Saul seems to have called it right about the state of affairs in Cambodia being transient, you only have to look what happened after that head of Police had a helicopter accident to see how quickly things can change.

As far as embassies go most of them are here for business relations and probably would rather not spend so much time getting their citizens out of trouble but the only experience I have seen is that the British embassy does at least give a shit and will do something to help, though they have limitations.

Warhorse is correct about expat carrying guns, it is possible if you have very good connections but you need to have a license and be rich and important.

Having a gun is not the problem but if you use it then be prepared to pay big time.

But if the guy in question has an unlicensed gun then he will be likely end up arrested, imprisoned and deported.

who was it that said barangs don't want to pay for proper security. well it seems that neither do the Khmers.

Now I can't figure out if the security guards just watched the bike being stolen, whether they were asleep at the time, or whether they knew what a security camera was for? I will let you be the judge!

anyone know how to hotwire a moto?

That guy does!
And mostly one handed as well-wish he was working for me.