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.

Published: September 30, 2020 - Reading time: 6 minutes
» Updated: October 15, 2024

Pattaya Exposed: Is Your Thai Girlfriend Cheating on You?

Pattaya, a vibrant coastal city in Thailand, is renowned for its stunning beaches and lively nightlife. However, it is also infamous for its sex tourism industry, raising concerns for many foreigners seeking relationships with local women. The question often arises: Is your Thai girlfriend cheating on you?

Understanding Pattaya's Unique Dynamics

Relationships in Pattaya can be complicated, particularly due to the city's notorious sex industry. A significant number of women in Pattaya engage in sex work, which leads to trust issues among those who pursue romantic relationships with them. Estimates suggest that there are between 150,000 and 300,000 sex workers in Thailand, with many of them operating in Pattaya【Wikipedia】.

As the world’s largest red-light district, the likelihood that your Thai girlfriend may cheat on you while living in Pattaya is thought to be significantly higher than in other areas of Thailand and most other parts of the world. Many of the women may not actively work in prostitution during their day-to-day job but often engage in freelance work at night in popular venues such as nightclubs, beer bars, and karaoke bars.

The Statistics Behind Prostitution in Pattaya

The sex trade in Thailand generates around $6.4 billion annually, contributing to approximately 10% of the country's GDP【Wikipedia】. This economic dependency further complicates the dynamics of relationships formed in this area. Many men who meet women in Pattaya often leave believing their girlfriend is being faithful, but the reality can be quite different.

As a leading firm of private detectives in the city, we have previously seen cases where ladies work 'normal jobs' in Pattaya also drink and 'freelance' with guys at popular bars and clubs; allowing them to earn extra cash in the nightlife scene while still working respectable jobs in the daytime.

The Role of Bar Girls in Pattaya

Bar girls in Pattaya operate under a different set of rules compared to typical service staff in Western countries. They earn a small salary and supplement their income through commissions on drinks purchased by customers and tips. Each time a customer takes a lady out of the bar, a “bar fine” is required, which the bar receives as compensation. This system leads to many bar girls forming emotional attachments with customers, complicating their relationships with foreign partners. Read our 'guide to bar girls' blog post for more information on this subject.

Our experience has shown that many bar girls claim they only work in bars, yet this is rarely the complete truth. Many continue to engage with customers outside their work hours. Other ladies may claim to work “normal jobs” (such as in a restaurant or convenience store), while they actually work in a bar. If a lady is lying about her occupation, then she will typically send many photos of herself wearing 'work uniform' and posing in her workplace. In reality, it's easy to take a few selfies while visiting your friend at the local convenience store and posing in the friend's uniform. Finding the truth of the situation while you are not in the same country can be difficult, and it's easy to get fooled.

If your girlfriend works at a bar in Pattaya, or if she is lying about where she works, then hiring a private investigator may be the only way to uncover the truth about her activities.

Red Flags and Relationship Dynamics

It is crucial to remain vigilant and observe signs of dishonesty or infidelity. Common red flags may include:

• Changes in Behaviour: Sudden shifts in routine or increased secrecy about their phone.
• Financial Inconsistencies: Unexpected expenses or lack of transparency regarding finances.
• Frequent Absences: Regular unavailability during evenings or weekends without a valid explanation.

We Can Help

At PattayaPI, we offer free, no-obligation quotes for all investigative services. All contact with us is strictly private and confidential. If you have concerns about your Thai girlfriend’s fidelity, we can conduct personal surveillance, background checks, and even social media investigations to help you uncover the truth.

Conclusion

While many women in Pattaya are sincere in their relationships, the backdrop of the sex industry complicates trust. Understanding these dynamics and being aware of potential signs of infidelity can help you navigate your relationship more effectively.

Related articles

• Guide to Thai Bar Girls: What Tourists Need to Know
• Are Thai Girlfriends Expensive?
• Finding Love in a Pattaya Bar: John's Bar Girl Story
• Thai Bar Girl as your Girlfriend, Can it Work?

Published: September 28, 2020 - Reading time: 3 minutes
» Updated: June 17, 2024

If you require a private investigator in Hua Hin then we can help. We have been working in the Hua Hin area of Thailand for over 20 years and are experienced in all form of private investigations, including infidelity (cheating partner) investigations, finding people in Hua Hin (missing people investigations), corporate due diligence, background checks, and more.

Whatever your need to start an investigation, feel free to get in touch with us for a free quote. All contact with us is strictly private and confidential.

Local detectives in Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a popular coastal resort on the Gulf of Thailand. Once a quiet fishing village, Hua Hin now caters to tourists and expats alike with a wide range of adult entertainment venues, including beer bars, girly bars, a go-go bars, discos, massage parlours, night clubs, gentleman’s clubs and more.

Much of our work involves such venues; we can help to investigate foreign men that are visiting Hua Hin, we can also investigate Thai ladies and bar girls as part of our infidelity investigation services. Whereas other agencies may send surveillance teams to Hua Hin from Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand, we believe that local experience and knowledge are key in our line of work, which is why we rely on local agents that have been based in Hua Hin for a number of years.

We feel that this gives us a tactical advantage that can only help us during investigations and secure our clients the highest likelihoods of success.

Choosing to hire a private detective

For some people, choosing to hire a private detective can be a tough decision. We are on hand to answer any questions that you might have before, during and after the investigation and are able to provide you with real time updates through instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp.

Clients that have engaged us and received evidence of their partner committing acts of infidelity, are typically very glad to have instructed us to start an investigation on their behalf. Images which show a husband or wife committing acts of infidelity can be used in subsequent divorce proceedings. For other clients the results of an investigation will bring peace of mind that their partner is not committing acts of infidelity/adultery. We are also able to investigate businesses in Hua Hin as part of our corporate intelligence and due diligence services.

Information we will need

The more information that we receive prior to a surveillance investigation starting the better. For our surveillance service we will need information such as: Photos of the subject (where available), a description of the subject, details about any vehicles used by the subject (where known), or their preferred mode of transport, their address, any address the subject is likely to visit, information about any distinctive features (tattoos, piercings, or dyed hair for example). Small details can help us to confirm the identity of a subject quickly and efficiently.

Start an investigation

We offer free quotes for all work. Please feel free to get in touch with one of our experienced team members and let us know that you require our services in Hua Hin, we will do our best to help and we provide free, no pressure quotations for all work. Please rest assured that all contact with our agency is strictly private and confidential.

Published: September 27, 2020 - Reading time: 4 minutes
» Updated: June 17, 2024

If you require a private investigator on Koh Chang then we can help. We have been completing private investigations on Koh Chang for over 20 years and are able to help our clients with a wide range of different services... Including our surveillance services, missing people searches, business due diligence, and more.

Koh Chang is one of the largest islands in the gulf of Thailand. Koh Chang is popular for its nightlife scene and the island contains many beer bars, “girly bars”, gentleman’s clubs, a go-go bars, discos, night clubs, and more. For many visitors to the island the temptations of the sex industry can prove irresistible.

We have seen many cases where people find themselves thousands of miles away from their partners and decide to indulge themselves in Thailand’s famous night life scene. Whilst many people might never commit acts of infidelity while living with their partners at home; often people visiting Thailand can find themselves far removed from their partner and their relationship.

Please feel free to contact us for a free quote. All contact with us is private and confidential. While we focus on infidelity related investigations, we aim to help our corporate clients with investigative services for businesses.

As an agency we have seen this happening countless times over the years. Our aim is to capture high quality images that can be used as undeniable evidence that infidelity has taken place. The amount of time needed to gather evidence of infidelity varies depending on the circumstances in each case. Our job is to accept instructions from our clients; we can work conduct surveillance for as long (or as little!) as needed.

Hiring a private investigator

We recognise that choosing to hire a private investigator can be a difficult decision for some of our clients. However, when infidelity is found and documented by us, our clients seldom regret choosing to start an investigation. Evidence of infidelity is often used in subsequent divorce proceedings.

We aim to keep our clients informed through every step of the process, often providing live updates through WhatsApp, Telegram, or other instant messaging applications.

In other cases our clients may not wish to be burdened with live surveillance updates, and in this case we can simply work and provide a written reports detailing the events which unfolded during surveillance, with any images that were gathered included along with our report, delivered via e-mail. Please let us know if you would like to receive live updates, or an investigation report when getting in touch with us.

Accepting the results of an investigation

For many of our clients it can be difficult to deal with the results of an investigation. In many cases the subject of the investigation will be caught committing acts of infidelity; these acts of infidelity are often witnessed by us over several days or weeks, and can often involve multiple different partners, especially if the subject is involved with the sex industry.

Some of our clients can find it shocking to be confronted with the truth about their partner’s activities on Koh Chang. We believe that it’s better to be aware of, and understand, your partner’s activities in Thailand. The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases when it comes to the sex industry is something that you should be aware of if your partner is witnessed committing acts of infidelity.

How to proceed

Please feel free to get in touch with us and we will offer you a free quote. Please remember to include any information that could help us to understand your requirements when getting in touch with us; we will need to know the location where you require us to work and any details relating to the subject, their movements, mode of transportation, etcetera. Please be assured that all contact with us is private and confidential. We will endeavour to handle your case discreetly and in total confidence.