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Udon Star Hotal in Udon Thani - Beware of thieves!!!

immi

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Just a warning for anyone thinking to stay in Udon Thani:

Stayed @ Udon Star (not listed on Travelfish) for 5 days and generally really liked the place.
Until we had 3000 THB stolen out of the in-room safe (cash got most likely fished out using a hook through the gap at the bottom of the safe)!!!
We immediately reported the incident to the owner. His reaction was friendly at first and he promised to get back to us the next day. However he did not and left for Bangkok without any further action! No word of refund or other assistance.
He obviously does not care about the safety of his establishment.

#1 Posted: 21/4/2011 - 12:34
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

immi
What can he do? He can shake down the maid and see if she'll fess up. If it wasn't her, or she says it wasn't, he's got about as much evidence as you've got. He should have contacted you before he left to ask "what can I do?" But realistically there isn't much he can do.

#2 Posted: 21/4/2011 - 14:14

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Victory in Pattani
caseyprich

som tam seller
Posts: 672
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No word of refund or other assistance.

I've never known a SE Asian accommodation that offered to be responsible for valuables - usually they have a sign that says they will not be responsible - even if they offer a safe. Chances are the owner left because he saw this situation was going to be trouble and didn't want to deal with it - seriously.

However, I hope it hasn't hit your budget too hard, and that you don't have anymore trouble on your trip.

#3 Posted: 21/4/2011 - 14:23
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

And you have to remember, anyone can come to him and say they had cash ripped off in an effort to get the owner to hand over money or give them a discount on the bill. How does he know you lost money? Because you told him? You can see his problem I'm sure.

Like Casey, hope it didn't dent your budget too much.

#4 Posted: 21/4/2011 - 15:00

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Victory in Pattani
SBE

mahout
Posts: 1735
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Chances are the owner left because he saw this situation was going to be trouble and didn't want to deal with it - seriously.

Agree, it's a face thing OP.

#5 Posted: 21/4/2011 - 15:00
busylizzy

under-employed
Posts: 1470
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"(cash got most likely fished out using a hook through the gap at the bottom of the safe)!!!"

Was the cash loose in the bottom of the safe? Maybe this is a lesson for everyone else - make sure your cash is inside something big and bulky.

Personally, I have never relied on the safes. I much prefer to carry cash on me - and rely on my backpack padlocks for netbook and other stuff that I leave in the room. I know that the padlocks aren't foolproof either, but I still prefer them. And I never leave stuff lying around in the room that indicates I have something of value (chargers, cables, etc).

#6 Posted: 21/4/2011 - 16:26

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As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

[color=rgb(54, 54, 54)]"Personally, I have never relied on the safes. I much prefer to carry cash on me"

You were reading my mind Liz.
[/color]

#7 Posted: 21/4/2011 - 20:41

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Victory in Pattani
immi

longtail driver
Posts: 5

I agree with all of you that we have been a little bit careless. Safes always give you a false sense of security.
We did not seriously expect a refund, but we would expect the management to assist us with reporting the incident to the (tourist-)police just to show the people working there that incicents like these will be handled with the necessary importance.
That the management did not do this shows that they obviously don't care. They might be afraid to involve the police for various reasons, but it would certainly send a message to the dishonest staff.

#8 Posted: 27/4/2011 - 12:40