Batam News Thread

[guruking]

Originally Posted by newyorker88

Regarding the bridge from Bintan to Batam, havent heard anything also. But what I heard is that the casinos may be shifted to the island of barelang. Dono which island, 2 or 3rd one. But I heard that a permit has been granted.
Some big shot in jakarta owns it.

Mandarin shifting the casino to behind, where the hotel 81 used to be. Kana bought over by mandrain.

Any more news?

Mandarin's casino is shifting to Melia....

[unicornboy]

Originally Posted by Montbank

Can't agree with you on that one..

Everywhere is not safe if you don't look after yourself properly.

Only agree with you partially. We often heard of unpleasant events or crimes at Batam. But over at the other 3 islands, crime quite rare.

I have the habit of going to the wartel late nite (Hotel rates bloody expensive) @2300-2330 at Balai, Batu or even TP and there were no stares or unpleasant happening. I dont feel uneasiness. But I cant said the same for Batam. Try walking alone along the streets at Batam...preferably nite time? You will know what I mean.

[Batam Man]

Originally Posted by Pest

A car accident happened two nights ago at the new Food court at Top 1,near Astro.It ended nearly in a fight....the two drivers were...Singaporean !!

NEWS, another car accident (minor)

Fewer more nites ago before your 2 nites ago, a SinKarPoLian expat (driving without a license) reversed his car from a parking lot and stupidly hitting another car parking just next to it. At first it was a very soft bump, but that guy didn't "feel it" and kept reversing his car even faster and end up the bumper of that parked car almost got ripped off. Heard it cost S$1k+ to replace the bumper (with parking sensor type)

[l3atu]

Izzit ? Create a poll and you will see the votes as follows :-

Most unsafe Riau islands :-

1) Tg.Pinang
2) Tg.Balai
3) Batam
4) Tg.Batu

So far to my knowledge up to date, a lot of cheongsters rated Tg.Pinang as the most unsafe riau island...I dun understand why would you quote Batam as the most unsafe ? Just becoz of a few petty crimes lately ? TP got more petty crimes....only not reported.

[Batam Man]

Originally Posted by Pest

Near a Bintang bottle.....

And beside the PEST

[Batam Man]

Originally Posted by Ratcool69

where are you usually at Bro

I DON'T cheong in Btm, most I'll go to a pub for beer n pool after office. Some may say it's boring.
Anyway you are WellCum to join me if you want

[unicornboy]

Originally Posted by l3atu

Izzit ? Create a poll and you will see the votes as follows :-

Most unsafe Riau islands :-

1) Tg.Pinang
2) Tg.Balai
3) Batam
4) Tg.Batu

So far to my knowledge up to date, a lot of cheongsters rated Tg.Pinang as the most unsafe riau island...I dun understand why would you quote Batam as the most unsafe ? Just becoz of a few petty crimes lately ? TP got more petty crimes....only not reported.

If its not reported how are we to know? Its subjective. I would rate 1st Batam ..2nd TP. You rated Batam as 3rd place. Well, I dont know how you rated it. But its thru my own experience..thats why I felt that Batam is the most unsafe place to cheong. But to put Batam 3rd and Balai 2nd place, I beg to differ. My opinion and view are meant for the benefits of those new cheongstars...to remind them to be cautious of the locals there. They dont have to agree with me. Hopefully cheongstars can share their own unpleasant experience over at this thread.

[l3atu]

Originally Posted by unicornboy

If its not reported how are we to know? Its subjective. I would rate 1st Batam ..2nd TP. You rated Batam as 3rd place. Well, I dont know how you rated it. But its thru my own experience..thats why I felt that Batam is the most unsafe place to cheong. But to put Batam 3rd and Balai 2nd place, I beg to differ. My opinion and view are meant for the benefits of those new cheongstars...to remind them to be cautious of the locals there. They dont have to agree with me. Hopefully cheongstars can share their own unpleasant experience over at this thread.

I too gain my info from experiences and I also heard from many cheongsters. FYI bro, I was robbed on my maiden trip to Riau (TP).
Newbies would definitely appreciate your advice. But to be honest, as long as you got the word 'newbie' written all over your face, it won't be safe on any foreign land unless you do your homework = digging up all important info on where you are planning to visit (Also not foolproof).

To avoid any misunderstanding, I'm not tryin to flame u or wat, but you just can't gauge simply by ur own experiences. I've known some who got into worse situations but prefer not to speak their mind. By askin you to create a poll instead of judging Batam based on your own experiences, you can get a better / clearer picture (Also, you can avoid any flame wars with Batam lovers).

Maybe we can share more over a cup of kopi ?

[unicornboy]

Originally Posted by l3atu

I too gain my info from experiences and I also heard from many cheongsters. FYI bro, I was robbed on my maiden trip to Riau (TP).
Newbies would definitely appreciate your advice. But to be honest, as long as you got the word 'newbie' written all over your face, it won't be safe on any foreign land unless you do your homework = digging up all important info on where you are planning to visit (Also not foolproof).

To avoid any misunderstanding, I'm not tryin to flame u or wat, but you just can't gauge simply by ur own experiences. I've known some who got into worse situations but prefer not to speak their mind. By askin you to create a poll instead of judging Batam based on your own experiences, you can get a better / clearer picture (Also, you can avoid any flame wars with Batam lovers).

Maybe we can share more over a cup of kopi ?

Bro, I suppose we are in the same "boat". I was robbed too in Sekupang. Thats why we share different view/opinion on the location. There were a handful of bad encounters at B Ampar too but I think its better to keep it to myself less I frighten all the newbies and spoilt their mood.. Btw Batam is still a nice place to cheong.

No problem....one day we can meet at Batam, Balai or even TP.

Cheers!

[Montbank]

Originally Posted by unicornboy

I have the habit of going to the wartel late nite (Hotel rates bloody expensive) @2300-2330 at Balai, Batu or even TP and there were no stares or unpleasant happening. I dont feel uneasiness. But I cant said the same for Batam. Try walking alone along the streets at Batam...preferably nite time? You will know what I mean.

A matter of safe or not safe is how you protect yourself and how you are being taken advantage of..

Walking at night in the street, I can say even SG there is a chance of being robbed loh..

I mean, this is common sense, you can walk in Batam also, at night time, but if in quite crowded places, and you don't look newbish.. people won't even be bothered with you.. if you are saying walking alone in the streets night time.. good luck, you will need it cuz you are not protecting yourself...

[Montbank]

Originally Posted by unicornboy

Bro, I suppose we are in the same "boat". I was robbed too in Sekupang. Thats why we share different view/opinion on the location. There were a handful of bad encounters at B Ampar too but I think its better to keep it to myself less I frighten all the newbies and spoilt their mood.. Btw Batam is still a nice place to cheong.
Cheers!

B Ampar is history already, so what's the point of mentioning it now. Looking at Batam Centre now, I wouldn't say it's 100% safe even though, but it's safe enough, as long as you know what you are doing.

Even in Balai, there are cases of cab drivers trying to push you onto cabs reminding me of a case l3atu was talking about, and that's in broad daylight. TP, reminds me of B Ampar though less vigorous, esp at the port but certainly worse off than Batam Centre now.

Besides, if you are going out of your own comfort zone, you have to take extra caution. That's a definite. Be alert, and know what you are doing. Be respectful without being fearful. I think that's common sense to have if you are going to anywhere outside SG, even places you don't know in SG.

My 2 cts..

[DNAT]

Originally Posted by l3atu

Izzit ? Create a poll and you will see the votes as follows :-

Most unsafe Riau islands :-

1) Tg.Pinang
2) Tg.Balai
3) Batam
4) Tg.Batu

So far to my knowledge up to date, a lot of cheongsters rated Tg.Pinang as the most unsafe riau island...I dun understand why would you quote Batam as the most unsafe ? Just becoz of a few petty crimes lately ? TP got more petty crimes....only not reported.

to me... Tg Pinang is the most unsafe ..

[newyorker88]

Originally Posted by guruking

Mandarin's casino is shifting to Melia....

Hmmm... I think so.... Not too sure yet, but there are many more casinos to go to....

[l3atu]

Originally Posted by Montbank

Be respectful without being fearful.

Yup. Thats the way !

[lawry]

Originally Posted by unicornboy

I was robbed too in Sekupang.

Maybe what u should do is to find a feng sui master and read ur palm or calculate ur life? maybe just for u only batam feng sui is good.... batam is the first place i get my FOC bonk gal while walking along the street and met a gal outside a disco during the afternoon time (she is talking to her friend who is working in that pub..).. I gotten a FL in a disco.. she brought me to a jackpot shop (never bring me to a weird place and rob me).. we played jackpot (actually win money!!).. and after that gone back hotel.. bonk.. sleep till the next day(no one came knocking at my door and demand payment for bonking his wife).. i never ganna a single shit..
maybe i heng!!..

Originally Posted by unicornboy

No problem....one day we can meet at Batam, Balai or even TP.

tats the thing i hate about.. when someone POST "ONE DAY, WE CAN MEET" meaning.. they are not sincere to met up..

knn, we singaporean.. why cant meet at jurong,clementi,cityhall,geylang,holland,chua chu kang,eunos,bedok,changi,toa payoh,ang mo kio,yishun,woodlands seng kang, serangoon.. why must put batam, balai?

sincere to met. put time put place..