Ethereum Devcon Attendee Robbed at Knifepoint in Thailand
Rooch Network co-founder Haichao Zhu has reported being robbed at knifepoint by two assailants in Bangkok, just days before Ethereum’s Devcon conference. This incident adds to the growing number of security issues faced by crypto conference attendees around the world.
The robbery took place at 4:30 AM local time when Haichao was traveling alone after a late-night flight. While he fortunately did not suffer any injuries, the attackers stole his phone. As a result, Haichao warned other conference participants about the potential risks of traveling alone at night in Bangkok.
Despite this incident, Haichao emphasized that Bangkok is generally a safe and enjoyable city. However, he urged everyone to remain cautious, especially in dimly lit areas. Decrypt has reached out to Haichao for additional details on the incident.
This robbery follows a worrying trend of similar incidents during major crypto events, such as the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Brussels earlier this year. Attendees of EthCC experienced violent confrontations, with some successfully defending themselves against attackers and others sustaining injuries.
The timing of this robbery is significant as thousands of developers and industry participants are preparing to gather in Bangkok for Devcon 7, Ethereum’s premier developer conference. The event, which is scheduled for November 12-15 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, is expected to attract prominent figures including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum Foundation executive director Aya Miyaguchi.
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair