Did I ever tell you about the time I got Robbed in Bangkok?
I’ll bet that headline grabbed your attention! The sad part is – it’s true. I did get robbed by a Thai prostitute on the streets of Bangkok, but it’s not how it sounds (geez, get your head out of the gutter!).
Now, before I tell you the story, let me first state that Thailand is a safe country. You don’t need to worry about getting robbed, just stay away from prostitutes at 3:00AM and you should be fine!
This story begins back in 2004, when we visited Thailand for the very first time. In fact, it was our first trip to the Asian continent, so you can imagine our sensory overload.
We did what most young backpackers do when they first visit Bangkok’s popular Khao San Road – drink excessively until the early hours of morning!
After filling ourselves with delicious street food and several cold Chang Beers, we began our slow walk back to the hostel. On the way, Nicole decided to stop in the closest 7-11 convenience store to pick up some calling cards.
The plan for the following day was to meet up with friends from Nicole’s student exchange program in Penang, Malaysia. To do so, we needed to purchase new calling cards so that we could inform them where the hostel was located. A seemingly uncomplicated task that turned out to be quite the ordeal.
While Nicole went inside the store, I decided to wait outside. Within seconds I was approached by a hungry prostitute for some “lovely good times”.
It was my own fault. I clearly looked intoxicated and was easy pickings, not something one should do in public (especially in a foreign country).
When the offer for “lovey, lovey” was refused, the prostitute decided to heat up the request and headed south, to the “no fly zone”. Startled by the clear lack of personal boundaries, I pushed her (or him?) away and politely declined once again.
The alcohol slowed down my internal processor. I was clearly confused – did that really just happen?!
I pushed her away and cautiously said, “not interested, move along”. She finally got the hint and walked away, turning back every few steps to see if I had miraculously changed my mind. No chance.
I actually thought the incident was quite comical. In fact, I recall opening the door to the air-conditioned 7-11 and yelling to Nicole, “you’re never going to believe this, a prostitute just grabbed my <insert slang term for male organ>!”
The store clerks didn’t care for my colourful commentary.
This is the EXACT store where the incident occurred (about 10 feet to the right).
We revisited Bangkok in 2009 and took this picture to capture the memory
What I failed to realize was that the “junk grabbing” was just a diversion for the crafty pickpocket to reach into my back pocket and grab my wallet.
Mission accomplished!
I didn’t realize that I had been robbed until the following morning, when it came time to check out of the hostel. I reached for my wallet and then it hit me. My mind raced to put the pieces back together. After we ripped apart our bags and searched every corner of the hostel room, we realized what had happened. Then panic set in.
“What if she got into my bank account?!”
“What if my credit card has been compromised?!”
A quick inventory revealed that I didn’t actually lose much. Fortunately, I make it habit to split up my important items. That night, I only carried my bank card, drivers license and about $75 cash, all items that can be easily replaced.
We spent the better part of the day trying to call my Canadian bank (back in 2004 it wasn’t as easy to make international phone calls). When we finally connected with someone, we were informed that several attempts had been made on my account before the card was automatically cancelled.
No damage was done, the thief was unsuccessful in breaking into my bank account. But I can only image what happened to my drivers license!
At the time, I was super pissed off because we were on a tight budget. But, I’ve been telling this story for years now, so I think it was well worth the lost $75!
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Have you ever been robbed while overseas?
Share your story in the comments section below – we’d love to hear about it!
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Cameron and Nicole Wears are Canadian married couple and newbie parents living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. A passion for travel and outdoor adventure has taken them to over 50 countries on 6 continents in the past 7 years. Consider following us via 
Really? So that’s the story you told Nicole? She wasn’t with you, you were drunk, hanging out with a prostitute, you admit your junk was fondled, and lost $75. And you expect me to believe this happened because your wallet was stolen?
Dude, Nicole must love you because I am not believing this one at all!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Where in the world am I?
Haha… well played Jeremy!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Um, I agree with Jeremy!!! Too funny!
jade recently posted..Better Daily Photos with Instagram
LOL! Oh Jeremy you took the words right out of my mouth! What a crazy story!
Aaron @ Aaron’s Worldwide Adventures recently posted..Is There a Pilot Onboard?
So sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident! Every time we travel, we make sure to only carry just the few essential items just like you did. Good to know the damage was not too much in your case!
Shirlene from Idelish.com recently posted..{India} Juleh, the Magic Word in Leh
Indeed, by separating our important items, we diverted a potential disaster!
At least you got a good story out of it.
Bad travels usually make the most exciting stories.
Odysseus Drifts recently posted..Are You Afraid to Travel?
It’s so true! The last thing you want to have happen on a trip is to have a bad experience. But its the bad experiences that you typically remember most. How many days of leisure sun bathing get lost?
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
I think you was very lucky and didn’t lost much.
Vi recently posted..How to add more photos to the existing album on Facebook
Yeah, it would not have been fun to have lost our credit cards and passports – that’s for sure!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Drinking Beer Around the World – Part Nine
Thai prostitutes *shaking fist*. Thankfully that was all that you lost, good work splitting up cards before you went out for a night on the town, great travel tip!
It worked well on that occassion. We’ve made it a practice to always split up our important stuff when we go out for a “night on the town”!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Sorry someone steal from you in Thailand. Hope you still like the country and see that most people here are honest
We love Thailand and would never let such an isolated incident impact our perception of Thai people. It’s one of our favourite countries on the planet!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Your title hooked me! What a crazy experience– I’m glad she only got $75 and didn’t do more damage with your credit card.
Leslie recently posted..Top 5 honeymoon destinations for adventurous travelers (video)
Me too!
Yeah, I thought that title would turn some heads. I’ve been meaning to publish this post for months, just haven’t found the time
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: The Romantic Seine in Paris
Believe it or not, a very similar thing happened to me in the French Quarter of New Orleans some years ago, although the woman just “grabbed” me there (didn’t proposition me or anything), and I realized afterwards that I’d been pickpocketed. Fortunately for me, she’d taken a wallet I carried that was actually just for business cards, and had missed my actual wallet. But definitely, the late hour and state of intoxication had definitely made me a target!
Glen recently posted..Tales from the Extraterrestrial Highway
That sounds like a close call. Very lucky she only got your business cards! Great story too.
TravelingCanucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
LOL, that’s a funny story. I’m all too familiar with misfortunes/mishaps on the infamous Khao San. I’ve got a story for you both – likely a future blog post:
Back in 2008 I was chumming around with a British mate in Bangkok & we hit a disco well past midnight after drinking at Gulliver´s on Khao San. Once in the club, he noticed a young lad totally smitten with a lady that was ´just a little too pretty´ and a bit heavy in the Adam´s apple region. I told him not to say anything, but he insisted on spilling the beans. The next thing we know, a group of lady boys surrounded us and threatened to beat the crap out of us. They went outside to get some ´real men´ to come join along in the action. We bolted through the back exit and hopped on a tuk-tuk telling the driver to put some pedal to the metal, all the while watching from the rear as a hoard of angry Thai´s chased us from behind.
Wow, that sounds scary! Good thing the tuk tuk was fast enough to get you out in time.
TravelingCanucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Well narrated. Glad you only lost $75 and not your dignity and all other things that come with the territory…
Charu recently posted..The 7 Link Blog Project: Remembering My Previous Blog Posts
Absolutely!
TravelingCanucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Indeed… it could have been much worse
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: Simplicity on the Croatian Riviera
Yes, that was an attention-grabbing headline. And yes, I have been robbed while traveling. In fact, it was the first day of my current long-term trip through Latin America in Quito. Fell for a trick that I already knew about (brain clicked 2 seconds too late), and my backpack was stolen in the street. Luckily, I had been warned how dangerous Quito is and had nothing of value in it. That led to my whole crazy story about zipping through the streets of Quito on the back of a police motorcycle looking for the thief. Let’s just say my parents were not thrilled that my first blog post upon arriving in Quito was about being robbed.
Wow! We heard very similar stories about Quito. But we were very careful and never went out at night. For us, it was a stop over to get to the Galapagos.
TravelingCanucks recently posted..The Time I got Robbed by a Thai Prostitute in Bangkok
I was just yesterday on the Khao San Road to get myself an international press card & diver licencse. I thought from the first moment, that something is wrong… Is that really me in the photo? No, it’s not! It’s your driving license photo! LOL
Lucky you that the damage wasn’t too big. Afterwards an experience to talk about.
Melvin recently posted..Off the Tourist Radar in the Bolognese Hills
Haha. Everytime were back we can’t help but look at the drivers licenses to see
TravelingCanucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: The Romantic Seine in Paris
Sneaky bastard (or was it a, uh “female”?)! I haven’t been robbed overseas but John has a few times and it’s never pleasant. Can you find comfort in the colourful?
At least this experience wasn’t bad…it could have been a whole lot worse!
TravelingCanucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
You definitely got a great story from it. I’m always amazed at how sly and quick pickpockets can work, maybe because I can’t imagine ever being able to pull something like that off. After living in San Francisco, I became a fan of the chain wallet–more so because I tended to lose my wallet on the bus, than for picket pockets. So now on our travels, I carry a passport-style wallet that has a slim neck strap and I attach it through my belt loop as a bit of extra protection from thieves.
Yeah, it’s actually quite impressive how crafty these pickpockets can be!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Funny story, and I love the first comment, Jeremy.
Yeah, that Jeremy can be a bit of a trouble maker
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
It feels bad to enjoy your loss but I did enjoy reading your rehashing of the “I Was Robbed” story! I too enjoyed Jeremy’s response
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..A Scenic Village In Switzerland
Thanks Debbie! We are glad that we can laugh about it now
Great lesson in splitting up your personal possessions! I keep thinking I’m too smart to get pickpocketed, but I know that is totally naive. Just a second of distraction seems like that’s all they need.
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Two quotes that inspire me in life and in travel
Yeah, pickpockets can be crafty! Fortunately this was the only incident we’ve had on our travels. We try to say vigilant, but as you say, it only takes a second
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: Simplicity on the Croatian Riviera
Those tricksy prostitutes! Lucky that you weren’t carrying all the important stuff with you at the time (and that she/he sucked at guessing PIN numbers). But, knowing that everything ended fine, I’d say this story is definitely worth $75!
Amanda recently posted..Photo Essay: A Colorful Kapiti Sunset
Yes, indeed! It was a very good thing we split up our important items – could have been MUCH worse
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Drinking Beer Around the World – Part Nine
So yours was the drivers license I saw for sale on the streets of Bangkok. Didnt know they were real!
Jeremy recently posted..Being At Home in an International Grocery Store
Hah – probably!! I can only imagine how many copies were made – yikes!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Rule number 1: Never ever keep your wallet in your back pocket. Not in Thailand, not in anywhere.
Rule numer 2: if a Thai prostitute starts to harrass you, tell her you are waiting for your THAI wife. That usually keeps them away since they are always afraid of their own kind.
Thai Blabber recently posted..Working on the blog
Great tips – especially #2!
I’ll add a #3 – don’t walk around the streets of Bangkok drunk with a big target on your chest!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: Simplicity on the Croatian Riviera
I’ve never been robbed abroad just almost scammed. The prostitute sure had quick hands.
grace recently posted..Up in a Hot Air Balloon
Yes she did!
I think it comes with the trade?
I love how you realize the loss of the money was worth the years of telling the story. It’s all a good story to tell in the end- and this is a funny one.
Thanks Caz! Yes, it’s nice to laugh at it now (although it wasn’t funny at the time)
Haha hilarious. Totally worth $75.
Agreed
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Never trust a hooker with loose hands. That’s what my dad used to say…
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..Biking Ayutthaya, Thailand
Haha… wise advice!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize’s Caribbean Hideaway
Wow…wild story! Glad you only lost $75…sounds like things could have been worse. Phew!
Lisa @chickybus recently posted..Trippy Travel Photo #11: Guess what…guess where!
Indeed – it probably could have been worse. I imagine there are some very interesting stories from Bangkok that involve losing much more than a few bucks
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Drinking Beer Around the World – Part Nine
The things that happen in Thailand! Thankfully I haven’t been robbed, yet (knock on wood), but I have been scammed… in Thailand! It was the famous Tuk Tuk/Jewelry scam that got about $450 from me… sigh. It’s really impressive how elaborate that scam network is, even using tourist-looking people to fool you and lure you in. At first I was really embarrassed about it, now I just laugh at the story. By the way, I haven’t written a post about it, yet!
Yikes, $450 is a lot of money to be scammed out of. What was the scam? I’m sure our readers would love to know!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: Simplicity on the Croatian Riviera
What a story! Why didn’t you go into the 7-11 with Nicole?! I have been robbed in Northern Ireland, but not by a prostitute ha. I think it was the owner of the hotel. I left my room for 20 seconds and they took about $100 worth of cash, no credit cards. I guess they didn’t have time.
Suzy recently posted..The Tale of The Belfast Thief: What I Learned About Travel and Theft
That’s a good question. If you ask Jeremy (see first comment above) it was because I was looking for trouble
It was a small store and there were lots of people in it at the time. It was much nicer outdoors. I was a smoker back then too, so I was probably having a smoke.
Traveling Canucks recently posted..New Service Makes Sure You Get the Best Travel Deals Online
Wow. Now that’s an attention-getting title! Good post. You always think the thief are in Europe; I wouldn’t have expected the Thai Prostitute to make a grab for it (pun intended). My ipod (with photos of family and friends) was stolen inside my hostel room by the maid. I remember how angry I was when I realized it was gone. It makes you realize to be a little bit more alert (and to remember not to plug in electronics on a separate level of a dorm room!).
Yup – the pickpockets and thieves are everywhere!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: The World’s Most Unusual City?
Worth knowing about, actually. Gotta be one of the world’s best diversions, particularly if she’s hot.
Theodora recently posted..The Road to the Lake of Farts
Hah! Indeed!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Traveling Canucks’ Best of Travel in 2011
I always use that logic… will i be telling the story over my lifetime? than well how much will that cost me a year? or per story? … it always makes it worth it
also, I can so relate to 2004 travel too. No FB, Twitter, Skype, or even blogs really, and also limited internet connections around the globe. a different world of travel. I took a year long RTW in ’04.
stay adventurous, Craig
It’s weird to think that only 7 years ago we didn’t have Twitter, FB and Skype… it was definitely frustrating to try to connect with the rest of the world. There was no email contact either, everything needed to be done by telephone…
But, nobody remembers the days that went according to plan. It’s the days that went completely sideways that are most memorable… good or bad!
Cheers Craig!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: Perfect Timing in Prague
This is a good story! Glad you didn’t get hurt.
Regarding getting robbed, I have been. More than once. None of it had happened while traveling. I guess you always have to be alert!
Natalia recently posted..Our Very Own 7 Links!! Woohooo!!
i was overseas in australia when my myspace and yahoo accounts were hacked. it really sucked. glad the prostitute didn’t cut you. they do that you know.
I am sure the 400+ British tourists murdered in Thailand each year won’t tell you its a safe place to visit.
On the other hand most of what I have seen people get upto and arrested for in Thailand they bring it upon themselves most of the time. Not arguing the toss here on the country as I live in the Philippines myself where there doesn’t seem to be any real body count documented including the suicide rates of foreigners here (as many are actually murders).On the positive side you only lost a few dollars I know of a case where a guy was beaten severly by ladyboys on a beach in Thailand because he wasn’t interested. More to the point easy pickings as he wandered onto the beach to get away from them.
We all make mistakes and one of the most common in foreign lands is being intoxicated in areas we aren’t 100% are safe. Done it myself so no high moral ground here..
Sorry for what had happen. I am really surprised with that incident. Glad that you didn’t hurt of the incident. I also experienced that before. Not really once but many times. Next time just be alert of the people around you.
Jane recently posted..LoveNuts Love Blog
We posted a link to this story in a post we did about traveling overseas for the first time. It is now become one of the most popular clicks on our site! Must have more stories about Thai hookers! Thanks Cam and Nicole.
Mike recently posted..A Room with a View
I am afraid and so sorry of what had happen for you. I know that all things have a reason and yeah! I was surprised too with that incident and glad to hear that nothing happens wrong with you. By next time just be alert and cautious about the people who surrounded you.
Monika recently posted..How To Get Rid Of Man Boobs
I was too in Thailand – and Southeast Asia – for the very first time in 2004
Asian. Sensory overload, you bet! Had a great time – glad I didn’t run into any pickpockets.
Ahhh as our parents like to say, “Every education has its tuition”. Luckily your tuition was $75 and you learned a valuable lesson. That’s not too shabby. We’re glad that everything worked out and the prostithief didn’t get to crack your bank account! If i didn’t have morals, I might just try that trick myself. Not really… but really.
At least you didn’t lose too much. Not keeping all of your ID and bank cards in the one place is a great tip.
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