How Much Are Bar Fines in Pattaya?
Published: September 12, 2021 - Reading time: 6 minutes
» Updated: October 16, 2024
If you’re planning to take a lady from a bar in Pattaya and spend time with her, you’ll need to pay a fee known as a “bar fine” to the establishment where she works.
In Pattaya, standard beer bars typically charge between 500 THB and 1,500 THB for bar fines. Beer bars in quieter, non-tourist areas may charge as little as 300 THB. Go-go bars, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive, with bar fines ranging from 1,500 to 2,500+ THB, especially for popular ladies in high-end venues.
The cost of a bar fine varies depending on the type of establishment and sometimes the time of night (for instance, some bars reduce their bar fines after midnight). Go-go bars almost always charge more than beer bars.
What are bar fines?
Bar fines are payments made to the bar, allowing a customer to take a staff member with them. The lady in question typically receives a portion of this fee (usually around one-third). The bar fine itself does not cover any compensation for the lady; you’ll need to agree on a separate payment with her directly.
These fines also provide a certain level of ‘protection’ for customers, as the lady can be traced back to the bar if any issues arise, such as theft or misconduct. Knowing that they are accountable, most ladies will avoid any inappropriate behaviour.
Are bar fines negotiable?
Generally, bar fines are not negotiable. You’ll be expected to pay whatever amount the bar’s mamasan or cashier asks for. However, if you plan to pay a bar fine for multiple days or weeks, some bars may offer a discount—though this is entirely at their discretion. Not all bars provide ‘bulk discounts,’ especially if the lady is popular or the bar is short-staffed.
When paying bar fines for extended periods, the bigger concern often isn’t the cost but the potential of becoming emotionally involved. Many men fall for the ladies and become entangled in a ‘bar girl scam,’ where the lady continues to work at the bar despite supposedly being in a relationship with a previous customer.
Why do bars charge bar fines?
When a lady leaves the bar with a customer, she’s no longer attracting patrons or having drinks purchased for her. With one less staff member, the bar loses revenue. Bar fines are essentially compensation for this loss.
Falling in love with a Pattaya bar girl
Every year, thousands of foreign men visit Pattaya and fall in love with bar girls. If you spend significant time with one particular lady, you may find yourself in a similar situation.
Although some relationships between bar girls and foreigners work out, these are rare. For every success story, there are numerous cautionary tales.
Men who fall for bar girls often say, “She’s different!” or “She’s not like the others!”. When emotions take over, it’s easy to lose perspective.
Whether she works in a beer bar, go-go bar, gentleman’s club, or massage parlour, bar girls are typically in these jobs to support themselves and their families. Many have children from previous relationships and also need to care for their parents. The minimum wage in Thailand is quite low, often insufficient to support a family.
Without a university degree, it’s difficult to find a well-paying job in Thailand, leading many women to bar work to earn enough money. If you enter a relationship with a bar girl, you may need to send money regularly to support her and her family, which can lead to issues.
Stories of “bar girl scams” in Pattaya are common. Many men fall in love with these ladies and send them money, believing the lady will stop working or has returned to her family village. In reality, many bar girls continue to accept bar fines and leave with customers while still receiving financial support from a foreign boyfriend.
A common scam involves a lady maintaining multiple relationships with different foreign men, each thinking they’re the only one. This can allow some bar girls to earn substantial amounts of money.
You might be reading this and thinking, “That could never happen to me” or “She’s really different”… but this mindset is what leads many men to fall victim to bar girl scams. In reality, most bar girls are quite similar in their motivations.
If you do find yourself in a relationship with a bar girl and want to know if she’s truly loyal, we can help uncover the truth.
We often conduct investigations into bar girls working in Pattaya to verify their loyalty to their foreign boyfriends. Most are not faithful and continue to leave with customers while their boyfriends are abroad. These investigations can save clients significant amounts of money, as well as emotional pain and heartache.
Learn more about bar girl investigations.
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How Much Does It Cost to Support a Thai Girlfriend?
Published: November 30, 2020 - Reading time: 5 minutes
» Updated: October 16, 2024
Wondering how much it costs to support a Thai girlfriend? The answer varies depending on her lifestyle and financial needs. Financial support for a Thai girlfriend can range from 10,000 – 50,000 THB per month, with some men sending even more. According to a survey conducted by Kasikorn Research Centre, Thai household debt in 2023 was at an all-time high, affecting many Thai families and influencing the amount of financial assistance some girlfriends request.
What it costs to help your girlfriend depends on her specific circumstances. Many Thai women hold university degrees and have careers, making them self-sufficient. However, if your girlfriend works in a beer bar, go-go club, or other entertainment venues, there's a chance she may continue seeing clients while receiving money from you. It's vital to be aware of the "Thai girlfriend scam," a common pitfall where women have multiple foreign boyfriends sending them money.
Understanding Her Lifestyle
If your Thai girlfriend lives a high-end lifestyle, rent for a decent property can easily exceed 10,000 – 50,000 THB per month, which will add to the amount she may ask for. Meanwhile, those working lower-wage jobs might require less support, but even small amounts can significantly improve their living conditions in Thailand.
Investing in Her Future
Instead of merely supplementing a low-wage salary, consider helping her invest in her future. Whether through higher education or starting a business, the costs in Thailand are often much lower than in Western countries. For example, you could help her attend university, where tuition fees are affordable compared to the West, or start a small business with a modest investment.
Building a house on her land could cost around 1,000,000 THB, far less than in many other countries. By investing in her future, you could improve her financial stability and create a more sustainable partnership.
Debt and Financial Transparency
Debt is a major concern in Thailand. According to the Bank of Thailand, household debt was around 90% of the GDP in 2022, with many Thai women affected. It’s essential to ask about her financial state early in the relationship, as "saving face" is an important cultural value in Thailand. Your girlfriend may be reluctant to admit if she’s in debt, or if her family is facing financial difficulties, until you’ve been in the relationship for some time.
Does She Have Children?
Many Thai women working in tourist hotspots like Bangkok or Pattaya have children from previous relationships. Thai culture around child support is different from Western norms, and it’s not uncommon for Thai fathers to avoid paying support, leaving the mother to handle everything. As a result, many women work in bars or similar establishments to provide for their children and parents.
Is She Honest With You?
If you’re sending money to your Thai girlfriend, it's crucial to ensure she’s not seeing other men. The "Thai girlfriend scam" often involves multiple foreign men unknowingly supporting the same woman, who might be dishonest about her personal life. Unfortunately, this type of romance scam is widespread in areas like Pattaya, where women seek financial support from tourists. Catching a professional scammer is difficult without proper help.
Meet Her Family
To assess the seriousness of your relationship, meeting her family is a key step. Thai women are expected to support their parents, and once you’re in a committed relationship, that responsibility often extends to you. Meeting her parents also shows that you’re serious about the relationship and helps establish transparency.
Need Help Investigating?
If you're unsure whether your Thai girlfriend is being honest, we can help. Our agents work across Thailand to provide background checks and ensure that your relationship is built on trust. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
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Giving Money to Your Thai Girlfriend and Her Family
Published: November 27, 2020 - Reading time: 7 minutes
» Updated: October 15, 2024
Thai women and money are sensitive topics for many foreigners and are often misunderstood by those unfamiliar with Thai culture or life in Thailand. This article provides guidance to help you understand the cultural expectations and avoid common pitfalls when supporting a Thai girlfriend financially.
Understanding Thai Culture and Financial Responsibilities
In traditional Thai culture, a husband is expected to support his wife and her family, including parents and children. Thai men carry the same obligations, and this is not an attempt to exploit foreigners. It’s simply how Thai relationships work. In contrast, the man’s own parents are usually cared for by his sisters, as women are traditionally responsible for looking after their parents in old age.
If you enter a serious relationship with a Thai woman, especially from a rural or less affluent background, you’ll likely be expected to help support her family. This might involve providing regular financial assistance. Thai people see this as a natural part of family duty, not a demand for charity.
Getting to Know Your Thai Girlfriend’s Family
Meeting your Thai girlfriend’s family is an important step in understanding their financial situation. If her family is financially stable, you may not be expected to contribute. However, if she comes from a poorer background, especially rural farming communities in Northern Thailand, you might be asked to help out more.
We recommend visiting her family’s home to see their living conditions and understand their way of life. This gives you an opportunity to ask her parents about their expectations and assess their financial situation. While there are stories of Thai families taking advantage of foreigners, most are reasonable and won’t make unreasonable demands.
How Much Money Should I Give My Thai Girlfriend?
The amount you give your Thai girlfriend largely depends on her personal and family circumstances. If she is well-educated and financially independent, she may not need regular support. However, many foreigners do provide their girlfriends with a monthly allowance, typically between 10,000 to 50,000 THB.
If your girlfriend is supporting her parents or children, her financial needs will naturally be higher. Some foreigners have even reported giving upwards of 100,000 THB per month, though this is less common. Before giving money, consider her lifestyle, expenses, and the number of people she supports.
Be cautious if your Thai girlfriend works in bars, nightclubs, massage parlours, or similar venues. Unfortunately, it’s common for women in these professions to continue seeing other men while receiving money from you.
Debt and Financial Pressures in Thailand
Household debt is a major issue in Thailand, with many families owing large sums of money. According to recent statistics, household debt accounted for 83.8% of Thailand's GDP in June 2020. If your Thai girlfriend’s family has debts—such as vehicle loans, mortgages, or personal loans—it’s important to know this early on.
Unfortunately, your girlfriend may not be upfront about her family’s financial difficulties. Due to the Thai concept of “saving face,” she might fear you’ll leave if she reveals her family’s debts. Some women may use other excuses, like a family member’s illness, to explain their need for money. We can perform a background check to learn more about her circumstances.
The Risk of Scams: Fake University Students and Bar Girls
It’s not uncommon for Thai women to lie about their job or educational background. Some may claim to be university students when they are actually working in bars or other entertainment venues. They might even show you photos taken at a university to make their story more convincing.
We’ve seen cases where women pretend to work in respectable jobs while continuing to sleep with other men for money. These are often professional scammers who juggle multiple foreign boyfriends. If you suspect something is wrong, consider hiring a private investigator to check her background and employment status.
Protecting Yourself Financially: How to Avoid Being Scammed
Before you invest large amounts of money in your relationship, it’s important to verify your Thai girlfriend’s claims. Just as you would perform due diligence before entering a business deal, you should do the same when considering significant financial commitments in a relationship.
At PattayaPI, we offer various services to help you protect yourself. From background checks to personal surveillance, we can help ensure your relationship is based on honesty.
Refusing to Support Your Thai Girlfriend’s Family
If you don’t want to financially support your girlfriend’s family, be aware that this could strain your relationship. It’s a deeply ingrained cultural expectation for Thai women, especially those from poorer backgrounds, to receive financial help from their partner.
While some foreigners set boundaries, like refusing to help their girlfriend’s parents, this may lead to the breakdown of the relationship. If you’re not willing to help support her family, it may be better to avoid dating women from impoverished backgrounds in Thailand altogether.
Helping Your Thai Girlfriend Become Financially Independent
Rather than providing direct financial support indefinitely, some foreigners choose to help their Thai girlfriends become self-sufficient. This might involve paying for her education, helping her start a business, or investing in a farm or livestock. In many cases, even a relatively small investment can make a significant difference in Thailand.
Conclusion: Protect Your Heart and Wallet
Relationships with Thai women, especially those involving financial support, can be complex. It’s important to understand cultural expectations and make informed decisions. If you’re concerned about being scammed or taken advantage of, consider a background check or private investigation to verify your girlfriend’s story. Contact us today for professional advice and services.
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Paying a dowry or sin sod in Thailand
Published: November 25, 2020 - Reading time: 8 minutes
» Updated: June 15, 2024
If you are involved in a relationship with a Thai lady, then it’s only a matter of time before the topic of dowries comes up. A sin sod or dowry is typically paid to the parents of a Thai lady on her wedding day. The practice of paying a dowry to the parents of a bride was once prevalent in Western countries up until several hundred years ago. In Thailand however, paying a stack of cash to your bride’s parents is still very common and seen as a tradition that must be upheld by many Thais.
A dowry, or “sin sod” typically includes a pile of cash, usually accompanied by Thai gold jewellery. It is not uncommon for other things to be included in a dowry, such as the deeds to a property or a car. Dowries are usually displayed at the wedding for all guests to take a look at, and showing off the money is usually a big part of the wedding ceremony itself. If a dowry is very small or non-existent then the bride’s family may lose face in their community, which has been described as a fate worse than death for many Thai people.
Do I have to pay a dowry?
There is a lot of information and advice posted on the internet regarding dowries and whether or not they should be required under certain circumstances. For example, many internet users claim that if a lady has previously been married or has children, then no dowry should be paid to her family. While this might be true for some families, I have personally attended several weddings between two Thai people, where the lady has children from a previous marriage, and at these weddings a dowry was displayed and handed to the bride’s family. It’s important to realize that there are no set rules when it comes to paying a dowry, and what is acceptable will vary in each case. Printing off information that you have read on an internet forum or website and confronting the parents of your fiancé with that is unlikely to go down well in most cases.
With that said, if the parents of your girlfriend are comfortable financially and not in need of money, they might be willing to forego the dowry payment altogether. If your girlfriend comes from a poor farming village in Isan then they are more likely to need the cash. Remember, there are no set rules for paying a dowry and whether or not you have to pay will be a matter between yourself, your bride, and her parents.
How much should I pay?
The average dowry payment in Thailand is typically anywhere between 300,000 – 500,000 THB cash, along with some gold and potentially other assets. If the lady comes from a ‘high-so’ family then it is not uncommon for huge dowries to be paid, which can be several million baht or even more.
Again, what is acceptable will depend on the parents in each case, and you should sit down with your girlfriend and her family to negotiate a figure that you both find agreeable. As a general rule of thumb, the younger a lady is, the more money her parents might ask. If she is university educated this could also push up their asking price… If her parents have financed her education themselves then they will typically look to recoup that money through a sin sod or dowry payment when the lady is married.
Can I get the money back if we divorce or split up?
No! Once paid a dowry cannot be refunded. The money is considered a gift and you will have no entitlement or claim whatsoever if you later split up or divorce your wife. Indeed, there are many stories of Thai ladies that have received a large payment on their wedding day, and then split up with their partner immediately afterwards. It would be wise to consider whether or not your partner is trustworthy before handing over a dowry, as recovering the money can be extremely difficult or impossible in most cases.
Do I need to marry my Thai girlfriend?
In Western countries it is not uncommon for couples to live with each other for years, or decades in some cases, without legally marrying each other or having a wedding ceremony. Many people in the West have children together without tying the knot, and this is seen as acceptable in many cultures. In Thailand however, many Thais still believe that a relationship is not official until the knot has been tied.
If you have children with your Thai girlfriend then your name will not feature on the birth certificate unless you are legally married at the time of your partner giving birth. This can create issues down the line with regard to foreign citizenship, child custody, and many other situations.
Legally marrying your Thai girlfriend can also make it easier for you to live in Thailand long term by means of a marriage visa, or if you are planning to bring your girlfriend to live with you in another country then documenting your relationship by means of marriage can help to bolster the claim that you are in a legitimate relationship… Although we must stress, marrying your girlfriend so that either of you can get a visa is probably not the best idea in the world.
Many Thai people have lavish wedding ceremonies and pay huge dowries to the bride’s family, but they do not follow this up by legally marrying each other. You might choose to take the same path, or skip the ceremonial part completely and go straight to the paper work. What works for you might not work for someone else and the best course of action should be decided between yourself and your partner.
How will the dowry be spent?
Remember old adage “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, give him a fishing rod and he will eat for life” can be applied when it comes to paying a dowry to the parents of your bride. After you have handed over the cash, it becomes their property and you have no right to dictate how that money is spent… So it would be wise to discuss plans before handing over the cash and try to ensure that it is spent wisely. If the money is being used as a down payment on a car or truck, then you need to question who will be making the monthly repayments on that vehicle.
If her parents are not able to keep up with the payments then the responsibility may fall to their daughter, and ultimately to yourself. If your girlfriend comes from a rural farming village, then the dowry could be used to purchase a tractor, or other equipment, which could allow her family to earn money and become more self-reliant. Perhaps they could use the capital to setup a shop or another business. Ultimately, it would be a wise decision to ensure that the money is being spent in a way that can continue to benefit the family, and that it is not wasted on material objects.
Before paying a dowry
If you are planning to hand over wads of non-refundable cash to marry your Thai girlfriend, then it would be wise to perform your own due diligence beforehand. We can help to check your Thai girlfriend by running a background check, by keeping an eye on her through surveillance, or through several other different means. If you were investing money into a business deal then it would be wise to perform your own checks beforehand to ensure that you are making a good decision… We think that the same should apply if you are intending to marry your Thai girlfriend and pay a sin sod or dowry to her parents. Ultimately the best path to check your girlfriend will depend on the circumstances in each case.
Please feel free to contact one of our experienced team members outlining your situation and we will do our best to offer the most effective solution in your case.
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