tbt: nearly getting robbed in bangkok, thailand

We didn’t know it yet, but in a few seconds, we’d be running. I heard quick footsteps and turned—a faceless man grabbed my friend's purse, pulling one, two…the third time, the strap broke.

I screamed HELP; my friend sprinted after him and caught up. He turned to face her and she reached for the purse. Pushing her away, she stumbled.

I tried to block his path but he dodged into the street; meeting a brush with death by pink taxi, he dropped the purse. I snatched it up. My friend was back by my side, kicking the bandit as he tried to stand. "I got it, I got it,” I said, showing her the purse.

Paused in the taxi's headlights, things moved fast and slow. I watched him jump on the back of his accomplice’s motorbike, riding off into 2am darkness.

Three days later, we left Bangkok. On the last day, I watched the sun sink into water and thought about fear.

2011, Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭