In Thailand the reaction to a theft such as this one is unpredictable. Anything can happen, from the thief ending up floating in the river with bullet holes to no reaction at all. It depends on the people involved.
In one Thailand case I know someone had stolen a cheque book and tried to cash big sums at a bank. The bank called the company to ask if this was correct. The only thing that happened to this person was that he had to give back the cheque book. This crime would lead to years in a Thai prison but the company boss did not report him to the police because he was a friend.
Calling the police is not always helpful. Farang S had a Thai employee steal a sum equal to a year’s salary. Farang S reported the theft to the police. The police asked for the evidence photo. This is the photo where the thief sits behind a table with the stolen money laid out, while office staff point accusingly at him.
Farang S had no such photo. When the case came to court the thief’s family tried to negotiate a settlement where they would pay back part of the stolen money. Farang S refused. The judge ruled Not Guilty.
Maybe the receptionist in The Mansion is a relative of someone important. Maybe she had a good sob story. When I arrived in the office I had the impression that the receptionist was the one who had been done wrong and deserved sympathy, not the people she had stolen from.
The receptionist has become thin lately. She is probably full of nerves. She has lost so much weight the last few months she can hardly have eaten anything. She obviously doesn’t have what it takes for a life of crime.
When I see her it is almost like she is accusing me of something. Of course it must be my fault.
Forgive her? Sure, whatever, just get her out of my way. I am not giving any more money to her, regardless of what the “Thai culture” arrangement with her employer might be.
I had let my guard down after five years of paying rent in cash and getting a receipt later - sometimes much later. This has to change. What does it take to get a receipt? Do I have to sit on the manger’s face? I am willing to make myself a pain in the behind to get it - all while smiling and being polite, of course. If they don’t give me receipts I have to change the payment method, maybe using Chalerm’s bank account for a transfer or a cheque.
But first I have to sort out the rent I paid for January.
Tags: apartment, Bangkok, gay Thailand
April 27th, 2007 at 10:03 am
“The receptionist has become thin lately.”
Maybe she has been funding a drug habit?
I don’t think you need a receipt for January at this point. If you don’t bring it up, will they try to collect? I expect not.
April 27th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
I must agree with SameSame. The receptionist might have gotten hooked on ya ba. But that doesn’t mean that everyone should kiss and make up and that she should still be on the job. I think your suspicions, SF, that she is a family member or the owner’s mistress are right on the money. Your idea of using Chalerm’s bank account so you can write a cheque is a good one and would provide a much better paper trail in case this ever happens again. Good luck. There is nothing more frightening or frustrating than dealing with financial issues, especially when it relates to your dwelling.
April 27th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
When I first opened my account here, they asked to see my visa. At that time, I was still on 30 day walk-in, but they went ahead anyway. I know things have gotten tighter in the past two years, but have you actually tried to open an account? Try a couple of banks; you might succeed. Then you can pay online or via ATM.
April 27th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Has anyone actually said the money is missing ? Maybe the receptionist is just incompetent or lazy ? She may have banked the money correctly but just not recorded it correctly or issued receipts. When someone looked at the books they figured that you hadn’t paid the rent.
That would explain why she’s still around, albeit a little teary.
April 27th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I need a work permit to open a bank account, I hear. But some banks could be easier.
Just an error in the books? I don’t think there would be so much fuss, including the geriatric owner appearing for the first time in months, is that was the case.
April 27th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
What an extraordinary tale. Hopefully no part 5. When things work well for a long time, you get complacent. You can’t afford to there, and nor here in Oz.
April 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
If you can’t get a bankaccount in your own name, then get your B/F to open one in his name and become a co-owner of that account. Get internet access to the account and pay your bills from home. Easy and a good solution if you hate to use hours to pay your bills in the bank and if you don’t want to worry about getting receipts.
April 28th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Try K Bank at Paragon. All they needed was my passport. I got a savings account tied to a debit card, with internet banking and ‘web card’ facility.
April 28th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Farang SG, what kind of visa did you have in your passport when you did this?
April 28th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Just the normal tourist one. My work permit and logn stay visa didn’t arrive till like 3 months in my new job.
April 30th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
So, did you try opening an account?