Published: July 12, 2023 - Reading time: 8 minutes
» Updated: October 16, 2024

PattayaPI is a leading private detective agency based in Pattaya, Thailand. We can assist with all your investigative needs in Pattaya city, Jomtien, Chon Buri province, and even nearby islands such as Rayong, Koh Chang, Koh Lan, Koh Samet, and more. But what are some reasons you might need a private investigator in Pattaya? Let's explore in this article.

1. Cheating partner investigations

Pattaya, Thailand, is world-renowned for its vibrant nightlife scenes and is often referred to as 'the Ibiza of Asia.' However, beneath the surface of the city’s nightlife lies a darker side. ABC News estimated that around 50,000 sex workers were active in Pattaya before tourism was halted by COVID-19 [source].

With such a large number of nightlife workers packed into a small city, issues of infidelity can easily arise, particularly when alcohol and other substances are involved.

If someone is involved in the sex industry, they will likely never admit it to their partners. If your partner lives in or frequently visits Pattaya, a professional private investigator can help uncover the truth by investigating their lifestyle and activities. Infidelity connected to the sex industry is a common feature of cheating partner investigations that we conduct.

My girlfriend lives in Pattaya

Pattaya is notorious for its nightlife and red-light districts. If your girlfriend lives in Pattaya, it's natural to be concerned about her activities in such an environment.

Many foreign men become romantically involved with bar girls, who often claim: "I never leave the bar with customers! I only make money through tips and lady drinks!" However, we frequently find that these women still accept 'bar fines' and leave with customers despite their claims to the contrary.

Learn more about Bar Girl Investigations.

If you’re in a long-distance relationship with someone in Pattaya whom you’ve never met in person, she might claim to work at a restaurant or a convenience store but could actually be involved in the nightlife industry. Most men think "this could never happen to me", but our experience shows that this assumption often leads to heartache. If a woman is working in the sex industry, she may fabricate a very convincing story to hide it. Discovering the truth from afar without hiring a private investigator to check can be nearly impossible.

Even women with 'normal jobs' in Pattaya have opportunities to earn from the nightlife scene, particularly by visiting 'freelancer-friendly' bars and clubs, where they can meet foreign clients. If you suspect infidelity, we can conduct surveillance to verify your partner's activities and lifestyle in Pattaya.

Honeypot investigations (decoy service)

Many of our clients find themselves involved in romantic relationships with women who work in Pattaya's nightlife scene. Often, they turn to us to check their partner's fidelity through a honeypot investigation (decoy service). In these cases, we use a decoy to test whether the partner is faithful. This service is particularly useful when a woman claims to work a 'normal job' but may actually be involved in Pattaya's bar scene or nightlife industry.

If you're not physically present in Thailand with your girlfriend, it can be hard to know the truth without professional help. We can conduct discreet surveillance to determine your partner's true lifestyle and activities while you're away.

My boyfriend or husband is visiting Pattaya

If your boyfriend or husband is visiting Pattaya, you might be worried about his activities while he's there. Frequently described as "the sex tourism capital of the world," Pattaya tempts many foreign men to indulge in its red-light districts during their visit.

Whether he's visiting alone or with friends, your boyfriend or husband may adopt the mindset that "what happens in Pattaya stays in Pattaya." With cheap sexual services available throughout the city, this notion often holds unless his partner hires a private investigator to uncover the truth.

We offer free quotes for all work. Feel free to get in touch with one of our experienced team members for more information and a free quote.

2. Background check investigations

Background checks are crucial in many situations. If you're in a relationship with a Thai person, for example, we can perform a premarital background check to verify their situation and circumstances. This can protect you from romance scams and help confirm your partner's credibility before marriage.

According to ThaiPBS, if you're in a relationship with a Thai lady that is currently married, then under Thai law you could be sued by her husband. We recommend performing a background check on Thai girlfriends for this reason, or at least checking her marriage/divorce history.

We also perform pre-hire checks for employers and corporate background checks. Whatever the situation, background checks help mitigate financial risks. Contact us for more information and a free quote on our background check services.

3. Business investigations

Doing business in Thailand, as with any country, requires due diligence. For foreigners especially, conducting thorough investigations before signing contracts or investing is essential. At PattayaPI, we have extensive experience with business investigations, due diligence, process serving, corporate surveillance, and more. Get in touch for advice and a free consultation.

4. Missing people investigations

PattayaPI has a long-established history of successfully locating missing people in Pattaya. However, our services extend across Thailand.

Missing person cases can be both challenging and rewarding. Each case is unique, and our approach is tailored to the circumstances and information provided. If you require help with a missing person case, please provide as much information as possible to help us understand your situation.

Published: December 31, 2021 - Reading time: 9 minutes
» Updated: June 15, 2024

Are you looking for a girlfriend in Pattaya, or are you already dating a Thai girl that lives in Pattaya? Women from around Thailand travel to Pattaya for work and to meet foreign boyfriends. It has been said that there is nowhere in the world quite the same as Pattaya, for several different reasons.

Although this article focuses on ladies that work in Pattaya, it can also apply if your girlfriend lives in Phuket, Bangkok, Koh Samui, or any ‘tourist destination’ in Thailand which has a popular nightlife scene.

This article aims to shed light on some of the more common Thai girlfriend scams which we see in Pattaya and at other popular destinations in Thailand. You may read this article thinking that it could never happen to you, many guys that fall victim to scams harbour this sort of mentality. 

Being aware of common tricks and learning to ask questions can go a long way. If you believe that you are being scammed then a private detective can often help to find answers for you.

Bar girl scams in Pattaya

If your girlfriend is working at a bar in Pattaya then the odds that she will cheat on you and service other clients are extremely high. Many ladies will tell their boyfriends that they ‘never leave the bar with customers’, and in many cases their boyfriends actually believe this.

Most bar girls are great at concealing their activities from their boyfriends, after all, it’s their job. Whether a bar girl calls you from the toilet of her customer’s hotel room to explain that she is ‘tired and going to bed’, or her ‘battery died’ and she wasn’t able to contact you for several hours… If your girlfriend works at a bar then don’t expect to find out if she is with other men unless you are actually in Thailand. 

It can be easy to fool your partner, even if you are speaking to them through the internet every day. How would you ever find out unless you are in Thailand seeing what is going on with your own eyes?

Bar girls are aware that their profession makes them unappealing to some foreigners, which is why they often conceal their work when searching for boyfriends through internet dating sites and apps.

If the lady is openly working in a bar (beer bar, or go-go bar, massage parlour, etc), then she will simply claim not to see any other customers. The reality of the situation is usually different.

We have seen many cases where our clients believed that their girlfriend had a ‘normal job’ in Pattaya however they were actually working full time at a bar. Other ladies may have regular jobs but ‘freelance’ at one of the many nightclubs or beer bars in Pattaya during the evenings and night time.

Internet dating a girl that lives in Pattaya

Many ladies that use internet dating will continue to meet with men until they have found a truly ‘serious relationship’ and a man that is able to support them adequately. If you have never met your Thai girlfriend in real life, or if you are not supporting her financially (and she is in a bad position financially), then the odds of this happening will be considerably higher.

In Thai culture, many do not recognize a relationship as legitimate until a wedding has taken place. If you are not married to your Thai girlfriend and she perceives that your relationship with her is not serious, then she might continue to date other guys until a serious enough relationship materialises.

Another factor with internet dating is that you do not truly know the history and activities of your partner. For example, in one case we were asked to investigate a Thai lady that was attending university. It turned out that she was working at a bar in Pattaya.

In another case a lady that was internet dating a foreign man told him that she worked full time at a coffee shop. It turned out that she was not working at the coffee shop and instead worked at a bar... She used photos of herself wearing a barista uniform on social media to make the lie convincing.

Once a guy has fallen in love with a lady that he met through internet dating, he will be less likely to question the truthfulness of anything she says, telling lies can become extremely easy. 

Multiple boyfriend scams

The so-called multiple boyfriend scam is one of the oldest tricks in the book. For ladies that are working in bars, or any establishment where they meet foreigners on a regular basis, forging relationships and finding boyfriends can be easier than you might think. 

If a lady is young and good looking (or even if she’s not!) it can often be easy for a beautiful woman to find half a dozen foreigners that are eager to be with her - the internet can help to make finding customers even easier.

Every man will believe that he is the only guy in her life. Perhaps some of these men will send her an ‘allowance’ every month, some others might only buy her gifts occasionally or help out with money sometimes… Others may just fly over to Thailand and spend a lot of money on her during their vacations here.

We have even seen cases where a lady will have an older guy (or guys) sending her money, while she is living with a much younger foreign man that is perhaps easier on the eyes but in a worse position financially.

This type of scam is usually run in a very ‘long haul’ type of way… A lady will not start asking you for money right off the bat. She is more likely to speak with you regularly for several months or even years; eventually she may need help with money, and by this point your feelings for her will be strong enough that you don’t question what you are being told. 

Fake identity scams

Fake identity scams are romance scams whereby the scam artist will steal another person’s identity. They will typically scrape photos from a victim’s social media pages and then use those photos claiming the victim to be themselves.

Fake identity scams have erupted globally alongside the growth of internet dating, and we often see romance scams which involve fake identities.

If you are speaking to a person over the internet and have never met them in real life then how can you ever really be sure who you are speaking to? We have seen many cases where our clients found it hard to believe that they have been scammed. Without seeking help, they may have spent more months or even years believing themselves to be in a relationship with a person that does not really exist. 

The perpetrators of fake identity scams are often not based in Thailand – you may find yourself speaking to a random person in an unknown country. You may think that something like this could never happen to you, but the unfortunate reality is that it does happen to many victims each year.

If you have any doubts about the identity of your partner then feel free to get in touch with us, we can help to verify their story and make sure that everything is as it should be.

We can help

PattayaPI are a leading detective agency based in Pattaya and covering most areas of Thailand.

If you suspect that your partner could be scamming or cheating on you then feel free to get in touch with one of our experienced team members – we offer free quotes for all work and all contact with us is strictly private & confidential. Please include as much information as possible with your inquiry so that we are able to understand your case and offer a quote if we are able to help.

Visit the PattayaPI Homepage for more information.

Published: December 15, 2021 - Reading time: 10 minutes
» Updated: June 15, 2024

If you are getting married to a Thai lady, then there are likely to be many differences between your wife's culture and your own culture which you will gradually become aware of throughout the course of your relationship. We have put together the following list which touches on some of these differences, and things to consider before getting married to a Thai lady.

Disclaimer: Not all Thai women are the same and many are very different to each other! This article aims to highlight some of the more common cultural differences that are encountered in relationships between Thai ladies and foreign men, it does not by any means represent all of these relationships nor represent all Thai women.

1. Many Thai ladies have ‘traditional values’

Over time attitudes in Thailand are gradually shifting, especially with influence from Western cultures. However, Thai ladies have often been described as having what Westerns would term as ‘traditional family values’. It has been said that the concept of feminism is not well-known in Thailand, and that many ladies are happy to cook and clean their family homes – more so than some Western ladies. Although it must be said, this type of attitude does go both ways, and if you are expecting your Thai wife to wait on you hand and foot then she will likely expect you to provide for her and her family financially.

2. You will never be as important as her family

Family bonds are very strong and important for most Thai people. No matter how devoted your Thai wife is to you, she is likely to always prioritize her family over you, especially her mother and father.

If her parents are ever in trouble or in a dire need of money for example, then the obligation will typically fall upon their daughter, and ultimately yourself if you are married to her.

This is not necessarily a bad point so long as you build a good relationship with your partner’s family. Many foreigners develop a close bond between themselves and the family of their Thai wife – they will ultimately become part of your family.

3. Thai women love spicy food

Most Thai women love spicy food. As a foreigner, you might find that your wife likes to eat foods which you find ‘weird and wonderful’. Many traditional Thai dishes which are consumed in Isan and other parts of Thailand are far different from the type of foods which you might find served up in a Thai restaurant located in Europe, America, or any Western country… We’re talking about heavy servings of fish sauce, raw crab dishes, papaya salad, fermented meats, and many others. 

This may seem like an obvious point, however, if you are planning for your Thai wife to live with you in your home country, then finding food that she likes to eat can be a challenge. Of course, all Thai people are different and many Thais are able to eat Western foods – however, many Thai ladies can struggle to adjust when it comes to eating foreign foods which have less spice and flavour.

4. Thai women don’t care as much about your looks and age

This point is another generalization which does not apply to all Thai women. However, on the whole, if you are coming from a Western culture then you may notice that women in Thailand are not always as superficial as many ladies back in the West. Whether you are balding, overweight, or elderly, many Thai women are willing to forego your superficial downfalls if you are what they describe as ‘jai dee’. Jai dee basically translates to ‘good heart’.

For a lot of Thai ladies, the most important characteristic of their foreign partner is to have a ‘good heart’ – meaning that they are kind and good natured. If a Thai lady falls in love with you then she may be willing to overlook your superficial traits.

5. Thai women like having children

Family is very important to most Thai people, as we touched on in point 2. Family units tend to operate quite differently in Thai culture compared to the West. For example, many Thais see their children as a kind of retirement policy… When they grow old their children are often expected to help out their parents financially.

As a result of the Thai attitude towards family, many ladies are keen to have several children, even if their husband is getting on in age. It is not uncommon to see 60+ year old foreign men in Thailand with infant children.

6. Thai women enjoy nature

Many Thai ladies enjoy nature, spending time in nature, and growing their own food or working on the land. This point is especially true if your partner comes from a rural farming area (especially the provinces of Isaan in north-east Thailand) – this applies to many of the ladies that form relationships with foreigners.

7. Thai ladies are loyal to their partners

This is another point which is highly subjective! If you met your Thai girlfriend in a bar, nightclub, or in any other ‘adult entertainment zone’, then this point may not apply to your partner. Similarly, if you have met a Thai lady through internet dating and only speak to her through the internet, then it is very hard to judge whether or not this point applies. Many of our clients that meet women through the internet wind up falling victim to romance scams.

When a Thai lady has gotten to know you, and has spent a significant amount of time together with you (this means real life contact – not talking over the internet), then you will gradually start to form a serious relationship…

Once you have established a serious relationship (this usually culminates in getting married), Thai women tend to be very loyal and dedicated to their partners. Most Thai ladies view marriage as a strong commitment and will stick together with their partners ‘through thick and thin’. It is not uncommon to find foreign men that have been married to their Thai wives for many decades in some cases.

8. Thai wives control the money

If a Thai lady takes the roll of a homemaker, then she will be responsible for buying food for the family, and purchasing everyday items such as clothes, cleaning supplies, and any other household consumables.

If a lady is responsible for purchasing everything for her family, then it only makes sense that she would have control over the money. Whether this means opening a joint bank account or giving your wife an ‘allowance’ to take care of the home (or your share of it), allowing your wife to control most of the family’s money is a concept which is prevalent in many Eastern countries such as Thailand.

9. Learning the Thai language can help

Being able to communicate properly with your Thai girlfriend or wife is very important. If your partner’s English skills aren’t great, then most major cities in Thailand have a number of different language schools which can help your partner to hone and perfect her English-speaking abilities. Language schools are cheap and prevalent in most areas of Thailand.

If your partner is not located in a major city then online learning is another option which can be cheap or free in many cases.

However, you shouldn’t place the full burden of learning another language onto your partner! Learning to speak some Thai can go a long way and shows that you are willing to make an effort to accommodate your Thai wife, her in-laws will likely appreciate it too.

10. Cleanliness is important to Thai women

Cleanliness is very important in Thai culture. In a hot climate such as Thailand, showering multiple times every day is needed in order to cool off and prevent the smell of body odour. Most Thai people take pride in keeping their homes spotlessly clean, sweeping the floor of their home every day is a must for many Thai people.

Thai women in general do not like dirty people. If you are dating or getting married to a Thai lady then take good care of your personal hygiene and the cleanliness of your home.

Check your Thai girlfriend before getting married

Are you making the right decision to marry your Thai girlfriend or even continue in a relationship with her? Our detectives can help to check your Thai girlfriend before you get married to her. Running a pre-marital background check on your Thai partner can be a wise decision and help you to avoid making costly mistakes.

If you are interested in using our services to check your Thai girlfriend then please contact one of our experienced team members for a free quote. Please include as much information as possible with your inquiry and we will do our best to offer advice on how best we can help. All contact with us is strictly private and confidential.

Related articles

• 11 signs that your Thai girlfriend is using you for money
• How to tell if a Thai girl is good
• A Thai wife horror story
• Are Thai girlfriends expensive?

Published: December 8, 2021 - Reading time: 7 minutes
» Updated: October 19, 2024

We’ve all heard stories of Western men falling victim to romance scams involving Thai ladies. These stories often revolve around women who scam their boyfriends for money or maintain relationships with several men at the same time. If you met your girlfriend in a place like Pattaya, or through internet dating, the chances of falling victim to a romance scam are significantly higher.

However, not all Thai women are out to scam foreign boyfriends. Many are sincere and seek genuine relationships with foreigners.

So, how can you tell a ‘good’ Thai girl from a ‘bad’ one? The truth is that it’s not always easy. However, there are some subtle clues that may help you discern your Thai girlfriend’s intentions. Below is a list of tips to guide you.

1. She does not sleep with you on the first date

Foreigners who frequent Thailand’s nightlife areas often develop a skewed perception of Thai women. Don’t let your view of Thai culture be defined by ladies working in red-light districts.

Thai culture is traditionally reserved, and a ‘good’ Thai girl is not likely to sleep with you on the first date or before getting to know you. If a Thai woman sleeps with you after your first meeting, it might be a sign that she’s not a traditional ‘good’ Thai girl.

2. She does not smoke cigarettes

Smoking is somewhat taboo for women in Thai culture. Most Thai women who smoke are likely working in red-light areas.

If your Thai girlfriend smokes, it could indicate she’s not a ‘good’ girl and may have a background in Thailand’s nightlife scene.

3. She wants you to get married

In Thailand, relationships aren’t typically considered legitimate until a couple is married. A ‘good’ Thai girl will usually want to formalise the relationship through marriage once things get serious.

However, be cautious. The groom is traditionally expected to provide a dowry (‘sin sod’) to the bride’s family, which can range from 300,000 THB to several million baht. Some women have been known to exploit this, ending the relationship soon after receiving the dowry, which is generally non-refundable.

4. She does not have tattoos

Although changing due to Western influence, tattoos on Thai women are often associated with those who have worked in the adult entertainment industry.

We’re not suggesting all women with tattoos are ‘bad’, but this is a factor worth considering when assessing your Thai girlfriend.

5. She does not ask for money

If your girlfriend frequently asks for money or expensive gifts, it’s a sign she may be more interested in your wallet than your relationship.

Some scammers are patient and won’t ask for money until they’ve built trust, often waiting for a ‘crisis’ to ask for financial help. Be cautious of the long game.

6. She does not wear revealing clothes

Thai culture is traditionally modest. Outside of nightlife areas, you’ll rarely see women wearing revealing clothing.

If your girlfriend is comfortable wearing provocative clothing in public, it might suggest she’s not a traditional ‘good’ Thai girl.

7. She makes long-term plans with you

Does your girlfriend only talk about where to eat or shop, or does she make long-term plans for your relationship? If she’s serious about you, she’ll discuss your future together, which is a positive sign.

8. She doesn’t hang out with ‘working girls’

You can tell a lot about someone by the company they keep. If your girlfriend's circle includes bar girls or dancers, you should question how she knows them. If she has respectable friends with professional careers, it’s a sign she might be a ‘good Thai girl’.

9. She drinks in moderation

Moderate drinking is acceptable in Thai culture, but heavy drinking isn’t. If your girlfriend gets drunk regularly, this should raise concerns. Drinking in moderation, however, can reflect good character.

10. She has a career

In Thailand, the minimum wage is very low, making it hard to survive without a proper career or education. A ‘good’ Thai girl usually has a career path or educational goals in place before seeking a relationship with a foreign boyfriend.

A word of caution

Never underestimate the cleverness of romance scammers. If your Thai girlfriend is trying to take advantage of you, she may know how to do so without raising suspicions. Scammers often treat it as a job, honing their skills over multiple relationships.

Spotting a scammer isn’t easy. Many of our clients didn’t suspect they were being deceived until we presented them with concrete evidence.

Check your Thai girlfriend

If you have concerns that your Thai girlfriend might be cheating or taking advantage of you, we can help. Our private investigators cover all areas of Thailand and can discreetly check on your girlfriend’s activities while you’re away. We can also perform a premarital background check to verify key details about the lady and her history. 

Related articles

• Another Thai wife horror story
• 8 reasons NOT to date or marry a Thai bar girl
• 10 things to consider before marrying a Thai lady
• Are Thai girlfriends expensive?