Pattaya-Revealed.com - View Single Post - A-Z of Thai Scams Part-1

InCider · 03-20-2011, 03:44 PM

A-Z of Thai Scams And Financial Annoyances Part-2

Sponsorship
Perhaps the most peculiar of all scams is sponsorship.
Upon his return to Farangland the love sick 'sponsor' begins sending money to the Thai girl he has just met on holiday. Motives vary but the usual suspects seem to be that the farang hopes that the money will enable the girl to have sufficient money not to have to work the bar and perhaps return home to her rural village where there will be no farang to tempt her to stray.
Firstly, the idea that you can pay a girl to restrict her emotional and sexual life is morally repugnant. That said, life has its ways and you can be sure that money from abroad has no way of fettering these girls.
I have had the pleasure during 3 recent trips of observing the career of two young sisters from Isaan. Arriving in Patong a mere 18 months ago they began by working in a bar off Bangla. Pretty and personable they are not short of admirers and currently have around 6 men each who regularly send them money from abroad. The only significant alteration to their behaviour has been that the money frees them from bar work and enables them to work as freelancers in Patong's discos where of course they meet other farangs. They do this every night. When I ask why the sponsors send money they shrug shoulders in incomprehension. One then states that she thinks it may be to keep her from working but then says 'it's never enough', and she is right.
These girls were brought to Patong by their mother who was clearly aware that their beauty was a great asset. Thailand's great peasant population retains the extended family system which has its strengths and weaknesses. If granny is poor and sick then the whole family must help out. Children are made exceedingly aware of the 'debt' to their parents for bringing them up and their responsibility to poorer family members. The family has a large percentage claim on whatever money the girl brings in. Therefore however much a sponsor sends, it is 'never enough' to stop working as the families needs rise accordingly.
I stated earlier that I thought that this was the most peculiar of all scams as the farang usually enters it voluntarily and willingly. The girls I mentioned are young and still a little romantic and currently see the farang as friends sending money. More hardened girls will actively cultivate sponsors and escalate demands for money with invented woes of family illnesses etc (the 'sick buffalo' scenario).

Sin Soht
Sin Soht is a dowry, usually cash and gold given to the brides family on the occasion of their virgin daughter's first wedding. However, some unscrupulous families have attempted to extend the tradition to encompass farang suitors of worn out bar girls.
Do not pay sin soht unless;
1. You are Thai
2. It's her first marriage and she is a virgin
I personally have no medieval hang ups about brides being virgins, I am merely outlining what sin soht is supposed to be about. Messing about flirting with 40+ year old hotel girls, they thought it was hilariously funny when I suggested I pay sin soht to marry them.

Tipping
Tipping is a farang, particularly US American practice, that has no part in Thai culture. However quick to see the opportunity for extra baht some bars may try the old trick of giving change in multiples of 1 baht coins. Put them in your pocket without hesitation, they come in useful paying for the toilet.

Tuk tuks
Transport in Patong is under the iron grip of a nasty cartel popularly known as the 'tuk tuk mafia'. Prices are rigged artificially high, visitors to Pattaya or Bangkok will be shocked to learn that a 5 minute tuk tuk ride costs a minimum of 200 baht. There are no baht buses circling the city, about 10 years ago there was an attempt to start one and the driver was dragged from his cab and beaten mercilessly in front of shocked passengers. Taxi drivers not part of the cartel face the same treatment if they dare collect or receive fares on what the gang regards is their territory.
Motor cycle taxi operators have recently begun operating in a similar way.
This set up leads to a distinctly shady cohort of drivers. Passengers commonly report drunken drivers, drivers who try to charge even more than the agreed fare, with menaces.
Since visitors to Patong are likely to have a high level of negative contact with these vermin you might think that the authorities would take some action against them. However, the high fares charged by the tuk tuks can buy a lot of influence...

Under the influence (driving)
Police in Phuket have been issued with breathalysers and it can be a nice little money earner. After arrest the drunken farang is faced with spending two nights in the monkey house before going to court and being fined typically 2,700 baht. He is also threatened with a visit to the immigration police.
The police demand 20k to avoid court. However they have been known to accept 5k.
The simplest solution to this problem is not to drink and drive. However, due to Patong's transport nightmare (see 'Tuk Tuk's and their drunken drivers) options for the nighttime reveller are limited to the choice of drunk driving, or be driven home by a drunk, or walking home and be run over by a drunk. <I don't consider this one a scam at all. Drunk drivers deserve what they get - Stick>

Vehicle damage
Farang hires Jet ski. Farang returns Jet ski. Jet ski owner 'notices' scratch on Jet ski which farang has caused and demands a ridiculous (£1500 in one account) amount of compensation. Farang refuses and protest innocence. Threatening crowd gathers. Police take no interest as it's a 'private matter'. Increasingly scared farang capitulates and pays a healthy slice of what is effectively protection money. This scam is very common and jet skis should be avoided like the plague.
Patong's gouging tuk tuk prices and lack of baht buses mean that many farang hire scooters. Indeed it's a great way to see the island. Some (albeit a small minority) of scooter owners will try the scam outlined above so always check over the bike and perhaps take photos. Do not leave your passport with them as 'security', it can be held ransom against payment for 'damages'.

Wife's name (business or property)
Thai laws mean that it is difficult for farangs to own a house or business premises without going through shaky and untested quasi legal channels. No problem, thinks the farang, I can put the house or business in the 'wife's name'. Three things can result;
a. She was a gold digger, and he is quickly out on his ear penniless as the assets are all in her name.
b. She comes under great pressure from the extended family to sell up as they all have pressing financial needs. She may like him or even love him but family comes first.
c. Like many relationships the love fades, but instead of a half half split, the farang end up potless.
The solution ?? rent.

X rated shows (touts)
Formerly in busy hotspots like Bangla, touts would approach farang with promises of hot shows at reasonable prices. Escorted to dingy holes the farang would watch a couple of girls shuffle aimlessly, get bored, try to leave, and then be presented with a massive bill. The 100 baht drinks for example have suddenly become 500. The appearance of male bruisers at this point encourages the mark to pay up.
Bangla Road now has a new twist. Off Bangla is Soi Seadragon which hosts 5 or 6 gogos. The drinks are 120 baht. What the tout will do is escort the farang to the bar where the drink now becomes 500 baht. The difference in price is pocketed by the tout.
Up to two dozen of these parasites can now be seen on Bangla in any one night.
Now you may think this makes no economic sense as the enraged farang will not return after such extortion causing the loss of repeat trade and a bad rep.
The truth is that the gogo owners did not recruit the touts, the touts imposed themselves on the gogos. Businesses attempting to avoid paying the touts have had property damage and death threats.
And the most amazing thing is that the touts proudly display licenses from the local municipality!

Yah Bah
Yah Bah is a type of amphetamine (speed) which comes in tablet form and is usually smoked. Penalties for possession are harsh. There have been cases where drug dealers have sold drugs to farang then immediately tipped off the police. The drug dealer earns tolerance from the cops and a potential pay out if the farang manages to stump up the hefty bribe money.
Some of the Patong Beach Road tuktuk cartel are now bold enough to openly push drugs to strangers, which implies at least some tolerance to their behaviour from the police.
Similarly you don't want to hang around with a Thai girl with a habit. If provoked, revenge could take the form of the above.

Zoo. Phuket zoo
Privately owned Phuket zoo costs 80 baht to enter. This price is displayed only in Thai using Thai script, despite Thais using Arabic i.e. 0-9 numerals in their markets, on TV etc. Farangs are expected to pay 5x that amount ?? 400 baht. Excuses given are that 'no one complains so everyone is happy' (from the zoo owners) to 'discrimination happens all over the world' from TAT.
If everyone is happy then why conceal the dual pricing levels?
You might think from reading all this that Thailand (LOS) stands for land of scams rather than land of smiles. The truth is that the vast majority of visitors have a great time without encountering any problems.
Indeed many of the scams here are present in other countries, and some, like timeshare touting, have been directly imported in by farang 'businessmen'.
One 'golden rule' is remembering that Thai people are generally warm and friendly, but also reserved and polite. It therefore follows that a Thai stranger who approaches you is usually after one thing, your money.
The information here is to enable you to make better choices rather than scare you away. It is not a set of rules that you must obey, just my take on things. Forewarned is forearmed in the choices you want to make.
If you want to buy a timeshare, pay sin soht, buy lady drinks, be overcharged or pay dual pricing then it is your money and up to you how you spend it. Up to you.

03-20-2011, 03:44 PM	#2
InCider Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 716 Shouts: 3 Thanks: 1,818 Rep Power:	A-Z of Thai Scams And Financial Annoyances Part-2 Sponsorship Perhaps the most peculiar of all scams is sponsorship. Upon his return to Farangland the love sick 'sponsor' begins sending money to the Thai girl he has just met on holiday. Motives vary but the usual suspects seem to be that the farang hopes that the money will enable the girl to have sufficient money not to have to work the bar and perhaps return home to her rural village where there will be no farang to tempt her to stray. Firstly, the idea that you can pay a girl to restrict her emotional and sexual life is morally repugnant. That said, life has its ways and you can be sure that money from abroad has no way of fettering these girls. I have had the pleasure during 3 recent trips of observing the career of two young sisters from Isaan. Arriving in Patong a mere 18 months ago they began by working in a bar off Bangla. Pretty and personable they are not short of admirers and currently have around 6 men each who regularly send them money from abroad. The only significant alteration to their behaviour has been that the money frees them from bar work and enables them to work as freelancers in Patong's discos where of course they meet other farangs. They do this every night. When I ask why the sponsors send money they shrug shoulders in incomprehension. One then states that she thinks it may be to keep her from working but then says 'it's never enough', and she is right. These girls were brought to Patong by their mother who was clearly aware that their beauty was a great asset. Thailand's great peasant population retains the extended family system which has its strengths and weaknesses. If granny is poor and sick then the whole family must help out. Children are made exceedingly aware of the 'debt' to their parents for bringing them up and their responsibility to poorer family members. The family has a large percentage claim on whatever money the girl brings in. Therefore however much a sponsor sends, it is 'never enough' to stop working as the families needs rise accordingly. I stated earlier that I thought that this was the most peculiar of all scams as the farang usually enters it voluntarily and willingly. The girls I mentioned are young and still a little romantic and currently see the farang as friends sending money. More hardened girls will actively cultivate sponsors and escalate demands for money with invented woes of family illnesses etc (the 'sick buffalo' scenario). Sin Soht Sin Soht is a dowry, usually cash and gold given to the brides family on the occasion of their virgin daughter's first wedding. However, some unscrupulous families have attempted to extend the tradition to encompass farang suitors of worn out bar girls. Do not pay sin soht unless; 1. You are Thai 2. It's her first marriage and she is a virgin I personally have no medieval hang ups about brides being virgins, I am merely outlining what sin soht is supposed to be about. Messing about flirting with 40+ year old hotel girls, they thought it was hilariously funny when I suggested I pay sin soht to marry them. Tipping Tipping is a farang, particularly US American practice, that has no part in Thai culture. However quick to see the opportunity for extra baht some bars may try the old trick of giving change in multiples of 1 baht coins. Put them in your pocket without hesitation, they come in useful paying for the toilet. Tuk tuks Transport in Patong is under the iron grip of a nasty cartel popularly known as the 'tuk tuk mafia'. Prices are rigged artificially high, visitors to Pattaya or Bangkok will be shocked to learn that a 5 minute tuk tuk ride costs a minimum of 200 baht. There are no baht buses circling the city, about 10 years ago there was an attempt to start one and the driver was dragged from his cab and beaten mercilessly in front of shocked passengers. Taxi drivers not part of the cartel face the same treatment if they dare collect or receive fares on what the gang regards is their territory. Motor cycle taxi operators have recently begun operating in a similar way. This set up leads to a distinctly shady cohort of drivers. Passengers commonly report drunken drivers, drivers who try to charge even more than the agreed fare, with menaces. Since visitors to Patong are likely to have a high level of negative contact with these vermin you might think that the authorities would take some action against them. However, the high fares charged by the tuk tuks can buy a lot of influence... Under the influence (driving) Police in Phuket have been issued with breathalysers and it can be a nice little money earner. After arrest the drunken farang is faced with spending two nights in the monkey house before going to court and being fined typically 2,700 baht. He is also threatened with a visit to the immigration police. The police demand 20k to avoid court. However they have been known to accept 5k. The simplest solution to this problem is not to drink and drive. However, due to Patong's transport nightmare (see 'Tuk Tuk's and their drunken drivers) options for the nighttime reveller are limited to the choice of drunk driving, or be driven home by a drunk, or walking home and be run over by a drunk. <I don't consider this one a scam at all. Drunk drivers deserve what they get - Stick> Vehicle damage Farang hires Jet ski. Farang returns Jet ski. Jet ski owner 'notices' scratch on Jet ski which farang has caused and demands a ridiculous (£1500 in one account) amount of compensation. Farang refuses and protest innocence. Threatening crowd gathers. Police take no interest as it's a 'private matter'. Increasingly scared farang capitulates and pays a healthy slice of what is effectively protection money. This scam is very common and jet skis should be avoided like the plague. Patong's gouging tuk tuk prices and lack of baht buses mean that many farang hire scooters. Indeed it's a great way to see the island. Some (albeit a small minority) of scooter owners will try the scam outlined above so always check over the bike and perhaps take photos. Do not leave your passport with them as 'security', it can be held ransom against payment for 'damages'. Wife's name (business or property) Thai laws mean that it is difficult for farangs to own a house or business premises without going through shaky and untested quasi legal channels. No problem, thinks the farang, I can put the house or business in the 'wife's name'. Three things can result; a. She was a gold digger, and he is quickly out on his ear penniless as the assets are all in her name. b. She comes under great pressure from the extended family to sell up as they all have pressing financial needs. She may like him or even love him but family comes first. c. Like many relationships the love fades, but instead of a half half split, the farang end up potless. The solution ?? rent. X rated shows (touts) Formerly in busy hotspots like Bangla, touts would approach farang with promises of hot shows at reasonable prices. Escorted to dingy holes the farang would watch a couple of girls shuffle aimlessly, get bored, try to leave, and then be presented with a massive bill. The 100 baht drinks for example have suddenly become 500. The appearance of male bruisers at this point encourages the mark to pay up. Bangla Road now has a new twist. Off Bangla is Soi Seadragon which hosts 5 or 6 gogos. The drinks are 120 baht. What the tout will do is escort the farang to the bar where the drink now becomes 500 baht. The difference in price is pocketed by the tout. Up to two dozen of these parasites can now be seen on Bangla in any one night. Now you may think this makes no economic sense as the enraged farang will not return after such extortion causing the loss of repeat trade and a bad rep. The truth is that the gogo owners did not recruit the touts, the touts imposed themselves on the gogos. Businesses attempting to avoid paying the touts have had property damage and death threats. And the most amazing thing is that the touts proudly display licenses from the local municipality! Yah Bah Yah Bah is a type of amphetamine (speed) which comes in tablet form and is usually smoked. Penalties for possession are harsh. There have been cases where drug dealers have sold drugs to farang then immediately tipped off the police. The drug dealer earns tolerance from the cops and a potential pay out if the farang manages to stump up the hefty bribe money. Some of the Patong Beach Road tuktuk cartel are now bold enough to openly push drugs to strangers, which implies at least some tolerance to their behaviour from the police. Similarly you don't want to hang around with a Thai girl with a habit. If provoked, revenge could take the form of the above. Zoo. Phuket zoo Privately owned Phuket zoo costs 80 baht to enter. This price is displayed only in Thai using Thai script, despite Thais using Arabic i.e. 0-9 numerals in their markets, on TV etc. Farangs are expected to pay 5x that amount ?? 400 baht. Excuses given are that 'no one complains so everyone is happy' (from the zoo owners) to 'discrimination happens all over the world' from TAT. If everyone is happy then why conceal the dual pricing levels? You might think from reading all this that Thailand (LOS) stands for land of scams rather than land of smiles. The truth is that the vast majority of visitors have a great time without encountering any problems. Indeed many of the scams here are present in other countries, and some, like timeshare touting, have been directly imported in by farang 'businessmen'. One 'golden rule' is remembering that Thai people are generally warm and friendly, but also reserved and polite. It therefore follows that a Thai stranger who approaches you is usually after one thing, your money. The information here is to enable you to make better choices rather than scare you away. It is not a set of rules that you must obey, just my take on things. Forewarned is forearmed in the choices you want to make. If you want to buy a timeshare, pay sin soht, buy lady drinks, be overcharged or pay dual pricing then it is your money and up to you how you spend it. Up to you.