Bang!

Sounds like gunfire echo through the department store as Jean finishes paying for some groceries. People start screaming, getting down low, and behind things. I see everyone looking toward the store entry and my eyes follow. I see nothing.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three more sounds like gunshots ring out. At first I thought someone dropped something or a construction worker was making the noise. After making my way over to a small sales booth not to far from the entry (in case I needed something to duck behind), I could make out where the sound was coming from. A small man in motorcycle clothing was squatting on top of the counter of a small jewelry store tucked into a corner near the door. He was smashing the glass displays with a hammer and grabbing the gold chains inside. Yes, a robbery!

“What a privilege,” I thought.. “An opportunity to witness a real robbery. How often does that happen?”

Bang! Bang! Two more times the guy smashes the glass displays and stuffs away more gold chains as we all watch.

Security? Of course! The local door guard, who makes sure you don’t steal anything from the store when you leave, is nowhere to be found. Don’t blame the guy though. They are not allowed to carry weapons. The jewelry store employees are huddled like a mound on the floor at the other end of the glass display. The getaway vehicle? Motor scooter, of course. Those scooters can be fast. Especially, if you just robbed a place.

All this takes about one minute. I pull my cell phone out, push the camera button and proceed to take a picture of my forehead. Ok, so both my Thai and my picture taking need a little more practice.

(Later we find out this experience was not so unique after all. Some Thai friends told us this happens quite often. Bad economy you know. Starving people, etc. Guards can’t carry guns so I guess the police rely on the stupidity of the robbers. If you can believe the local store gossip, the police caught the guy an hour later. In case you asked yourself, “Why gold chains instead of diamonds?” We’re told they’re easier to pawn. Also, the gold chains here are 99% real gold; none of that silly silver stuff for hardener.)

Well, the robbery is over so I go back and pick Jean up off the floor. I take a look around to see everyone else’s reaction and can hardly hear myself think. This was better than the movies! Nobody was leaving. Why leave when you can stay and rehash the events with family, friends, neighbors and strangers? Since I still don’t speak Thai, I didn’t stay. But I did enjoy telling all my white friends about it!!

Gary