That’s the call you never want to make when you are travelling overseas. A friend of mine who has just returned to Bali via Bangkok had exactly that happen to him 48 hours ago.
He was staying in a cheap hotel in downtown Bangkok, sitting outside with some locals enjoying the Thai street food. One of the girls asked to try his soup and then said “Here you can have
some of mine,” tipping some into his bowl. He remembers going to his room and sleeping, then feeling drowsy the next morning. It wasn’t till he got to the airport he realized money, jewelry,
CD’s, electronic goods etc. had been taken. He’s lucky he still has his ticket and passport. You often hear this kind of thing in Bangkok and Manila. One Aussie told me how he accepted a drink of orange juice in Manila and awoke in a hospital bed, after being found with his legs sticking out of a paddy field.
What does this have to do with Bali? Well fortunately we don’t have this problem though Indonesians have told me that on long distance buses people play this kind of game, robbing the sleeping person of their bags. Idul Fitri is the time to watch out as the thieves expect people to be carrying extra cash and goods.
Definitely a wake up call to be careful when travelling. If Thailand puts you off, come to Bali where its safer.
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@ david, agree 100%
Didn’t hear about your friend’s situation. Here’s my point. Bangkok and Manila are famous for drugging people, you hear stories all the time. In Bali, yours is th first I’ve heard. If it was going on all over the place we’d know about it. The 66 scene is somewhat different from everyday life.
Thanks for the update.
Yes it’s very rare, although I have a friend who was rolled in in Dhana Pura so months back…he was very drunk. But it’s not nearly as common as BKK (then again BKK is rather more sophisticated in all its tourist scams)
Uptown Chickens or Downtown Chickens
Whatever your preferred delicacy
Watch out for the chicen farmers
Don’t have these problems in Bali? Hardly true! A friend of mine and long time Jakarta resident relocated here in Nov, and while visiting rbeforhand to scout places to rent he got drugged and woke up a day later with laptop, passport,c. cards, money, and his sense of personal security stolen. His entire biz was done on that laptop and with his cards cleaned out the event set him back big time in terms of stress and effort. Beware of who your with when doing the 66 night life.