Wise up to scams, public told

Wise up to scams, public told

Motorists urged to go high-tech to halt crime

Motorists have been urged to equip their vehicles with anti-theft and GPS tracking devices after a rash of car break-ins at car parks and shopping malls.

Cars are parked outside residential buildings in Muang Thong Thani of Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district. Car thefts are reported frequently in the area. PHOTOS BY PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL

The Royal Thai Police Centre for the Suppression and Prevention of Cars and Motorcycles Theft has made a list of the top spots for auto theft over the past year. 

Parking lots at the Rom Klao public housing estate in Lat Krabang, the Klong Chan public housing estate in Bang Kapi, Sanam Luang 2 in Thawi Watthana, Muang Thong Thani condominium in Nonthaburi and Zeer Rangsit shopping mall in Pathum Thani were the top five places for auto theft.

A police officer at the centre said about 10 to 20 car theft cases were reported from each of those areas every day.

"When we receive calls from the owners of stolen cars, we ask them what happened and contact local police to help find the stolen vehicles," he said. 

He said most vehicle crimes were preventable. It can take less than 30 seconds for a thief to steal something from a car or steal the vehicle. He said owners should not leave valuables in view and motorists should install automobile anti-theft devices and GPS tracking devices to reduce the risk of their vehicles being stolen.  

The list of top five places for a car theft worries Duangjai Boonbaworn, a resident at the Klong Chan public housing apartment.

Ms Duangjai, 35, spoke of the constant fear of her car being stolen and said she makes a point of coming home early to ensure she can find a parking spot visible from her apartment.

“It’s a huge deal for me. I have a daughter and I have to pick her up from school,” she said. “I just can't afford to buy a new car if it’s stolen.”

One night she came home to find two men attempting to steal her friend’s car. She ran upstairs to call the police, but by then the car was gone.

''From that day on, I have become very cautious with my vehicle.

“The parking spots near my building fill up rapidly after 5pm. If I come home late I have to find a spot that's out of sight from where I live. That’s when I get most anxious.”

She said some buildings in the community have a 300-baht monthly security service which provides guards on patrol from 8pm to 6am — but her building does not, making it vulnerable to car thefts.

When asked if she was interested in the security package, she said she would be more than happy to pay the fee, and wanted more security cameras at parking spots. “The limited security system in the neighbourhood means it is easy for thieves to steal our cars,'' she said.

Veerapong Thepparn, 27, another community resident, said complacency among car owners was the main factor in the frequent car thefts. As a car owner he is cautious. “Cars with minimal protection are the obvious target for thieves,” he said.

“For me, and many of those who are careful, we use a three-lock system. This is difficult for thieves, even professional ones.

“Even if they can unlock it, they wouldn’t waste effort on it. They’ll go for a less protected car.”

The three-lock system is a tool which locks the steering wheel of the car, the gear stick, and the break and acceleration pedal. Three separate keys are used to unlock each one.

Mr Veerapong said one of his friends lost his car to thieves when he failed to properly lock the doors. Luck also plays a key role, he added.

“I’m certain there are many complacent car owners around here,” he said. “But unfortunately my friend was an unlucky one.”

His friend returned home late which meant all the parking spots were taken. He had to park at another apartment building next to the Sriburapa main road, where access for thieves was easy, he said.

More signs should be put up to remind residents to be cautious at all times, Mr Veerapong said.

Meanwhile, in a condominium community in Bangkok’s Muang Thong Thani, a long-term resident, who asked not to be named, said the limited number of guards and poor CCTV camera quality were the main reasons for regular car thefts.

There is a secure car park area but those spaces fill up even before sunset, leaving latecomers to park on the streets, where they are prey to thieves, he said.

“It’s full of professionals around here," he said. "They broke into my car and took the audio system, and the budget CCTV they have installed here didn’t manage to catch a thing.”

Motorcycles parked near a condo in the densely populated Nonthaburi community of Muang Thong Thani are easy targets for thieves.

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