The Thai Freelancer Who Became A Wife
It was after a three-year relationship breakup in the UK with a British woman that I was encouraged by some friends to go on holiday to Thailand as a way of forgetting my bitter breakup and experience the delights of the city of Pattaya.
Upon arriving in Pattaya in the winter of 2017 with a couple of my friends for a 4-week holiday, they showed me how things worked in Pattaya and especially everything about the nightlife. Being my first time in Thailand, I was warned by my friends to not fall in love with a bar girl, especially in Pattaya.
The First Night On Walking Street
On my first night, I was taken to the bright lights of Walking Street and ended up in a notorious freelancer bar where the women outnumber the men, it must be at least 3 to 1. I was let loose in what I can only describe as a shop full of sweets, not deciding which one to pick first. Having never experienced women staring at you and giving you the come-on so readily was really a strange experience.
However, one of my friends came to my rescue and suggested I look around and just pick the prettiest one in the bar. Taking his suggestion and after scanning around, I decided to approach what I can only describe as the most beautiful, slim, dark-skinned girl. A typical Asian-looking woman with long dark hair that covered her face and with the most gorgeous smile and full set of perfect white teeth, with a diamond in her tooth that shone brightly as she smiled.
After a few drinks and dancing, she came with me to my hotel room for some more drinks. Her English wasn’t great, but it was okay, and we used Google Translate for the difficult words. We got on really well.
Waking up in the morning to find this beautiful, exotic woman lying next to me was like I had gone to heaven and woke up with an angel next to me. I know that sounds corny, but I was older than her, so I felt lucky. Anyway, I compensated her for her time. We said our goodbyes and she left with a smile on her face.
The Second Week In Pattaya
For the following week or so, we were out every night drinking and partying. Being older, I had to admit to myself that I could not keep up at this pace and would have to slow it down a bit. So, I thought the second week I would try to meet a woman that I could stay longer with and maybe do a few tourist trips, as I still had 3 weeks left of my holiday.
One of my new Thai friends introduced me to a nice-looking woman, a pretty girl who would take me out each day on the back of her motorcycle, and we enjoyed the local sights such as temples and beaches, and we ate lots of nice meals together. I felt a little uncomfortable when out and about with this girl as I was quite a bit older than her, which I guess is normal for Pattaya, but was strange for me.
Reuniting With The Freelancer
At the start of my third week, I decided to meet up with my friends and revisit the freelancer bar on Walking Street that I had visited on my first night. As soon as we arrived, I noticed the drop-dead gorgeous lady that I had met and taken back to my hotel on the first night in Pattaya. After an hour or so, I noticed she had not coupled up with anyone, and I watched as she seemed to ignore the attentions of other men who approached her.
I approached her and apologized for the last time we had met for getting so drunk. She laughed and said it was okay. We then started to chat again and got on just great, dancing and drinking. We ended up back at my hotel room for more drinks once again.
I got on so much better with this girl than the girl who had been picking me up on her scooter each day. So I decided to come clean and tell her that I was not going to meet the other girl again as I much preferred the company of this girl. I asked this gorgeous girl if she would like to remain with me for the rest of my holiday. And of course, I would compensate her for her time.
I soon realized that this girl was after as much as she could get out of me when I asked her, “Do you even like me?” She said, “No, I only like your money.” I asked her to leave. She kept turning up at my hotel and knocking on my door. Did she think that I was some kind of idiot? Well, I’m not.
In my short time in Pattaya, I had learned from friends how the bar girls generally take you for what they can get. One friend told me how he was with his girlfriend for over 2 years and was planning to get married after giving her 20,000 baht to set up home, she had disappeared. Another friend told me how his girlfriend managed to get £5,000 out of him before she also disappeared. I thought I was not going to get caught out like this. Famous last words, right?
Jit Stops Asking For Extra Money
Nevertheless, my Thai girlfriend, named Jit, soon stopped asking me for extra money when I told her I did not have much money left. Jit still stayed with me for the duration of my holiday, which lasted for 4 weeks. During the two weeks with her, I must admit it was the best time of my life, partying, dancing, eating out, and visiting local tourist sites. This lady made me feel and act young again.
At the end of the 4-week holiday, I got to know her reasonably well, and I thought we became close. I said I would like to keep in touch when I got home and perhaps help her out, even though I knew she was working, if you get my meaning.
Arriving back home to the UK, I kept in touch with Jit via messenger and we talked online live stream almost every day. Jit said she missed me and asked when I could come and see her again. Considering it was now winter 2018 in the UK and it was freezing, I made the decision to go back to Pattaya at the end of the month and meet up with Jit again, but only if she considered going back home to her village to wait for me.
Jit’s home was in Khon Kaen in the north of Thailand, in Isan province. As long as I paid for her journey and gave her a little money to live on, she agreed to wait for me. Being skeptical, I really thought she wouldn’t accept my offer. Talking to Jit almost every day while she was at home in her village took away any doubts and worries that she was working back in Pattaya.
The Second Trip To Thailand
Arriving at Bangkok in mid-February 2017, I had arranged for her to meet me at my gate exit. I waited for 3 hours at our arranged meeting point and thought I’d been stood up, only for Jit to arrive holding a huge bunch of flowers and the biggest smile I had ever seen. Jit told me that she had been waiting at the wrong place. Perhaps this was because of our language barrier. So I gave her the benefit of the doubt.
The following three months went so quickly, and we enjoyed each other’s company. I had no intentions of falling in love. I just wanted a holiday girlfriend, as I had just reached my retirement age of 65. I have been married twice and, after fathering a couple of children, I felt that I had done my bit for humanity.
During this holiday, we had a fantastic time in Pattaya. We also traveled north and visited Jit’s parents in her village. Meeting her family and friends, it became very clear to me why some girls would want to head to the bright lights of Pattaya to earn a decent living. Her family are dirt poor and have very little. I truly felt sorry for them. Their only income comes from long hours of toil working in the paddy fields.
Perhaps it was just because of this that I decided to rescue this beautiful lady from a life of freelancing in Pattaya. I was met by many skeptical friends who all said Jit would take me for my money and I was just one of many others who sent her money as soon as I was back in the UK. All I knew was that I was very lucky to find such a caring Thai woman who was so beautiful that men turned their heads as she walked by.
Bringing Her To The UK
Again, arriving back home to the UK, we kept in touch on a daily basis. I would speak to Jit using a live stream podcast. That way, I knew she did not go back to her old life. It was difficult for a while, but I persuaded Jit to come to the UK on a tourist visa just to see if perhaps one day she may like to come and live with me.
After a few complications trying to sort things out, which I couldn’t in the end, I used a company based in Thailand to help sort out the visa. It cost me about £500, but was worth every penny. The main problem I faced when Jit arrived in the UK was customs at the airport, as an overzealous customs officer would not believe her reason for visiting the UK and thought the worst, I am guessing mainly because of her lack of English. After a 3-hour delay, they finally let her into the country.
The next 4 months were again perhaps the next best time of my life. I showed Jit the lifestyle of the Western world to the envy of my jealous friends. The funniest moment being one day after a snowfall, we would walk in the park and she found it amusing that she could throw snowballs at strangers as they walked past and they wouldn’t say a word, they just smiled. Jit said she saw this in a movie. I had to explain we don’t normally do things like this in real life.
The Pregnancy And Birth
It was during her stay that my gorgeous Thai girlfriend became pregnant, telling me that it was the best thing to ever happen to her in her life. She wanted a daughter so badly, one day her daughter would look after her in her old age, just as she had done for her parents for so many years. I suppose it’s a tradition that we in the Western world can’t appreciate.
It was heartbreaking knowing my beautiful Thai girlfriend was going back to her own country, even though I tried to persuade her to stay in the UK, explaining that our child would have a better life here away from the poverty of her village. But she felt a duty to her parents to go back and have our child in her own country.
During the next 8 months, we kept in touch as usual, and I watched her blossom with her pregnancy. I needed to go back into employment so that I could save enough money to go back for the birth of our child. Anyway, soon the 8 months were over. I was on the first plane back to Thailand to be present at the birth.
Our Daughter Was Born
After a long night of labor in November 2019, our daughter was born. I must say that after having experienced hospitals in the UK and in Thailand, I know which gave a better personal service. Sorry to say, but we could learn a lot from the Thais.
Shortly after the birth, we decided to get married. Traveling to Bangkok to the British embassy on my own from the north was an experience, and that was just to apply for the marriage certificate. Upon my return, we got married in the local temple in Khon Kaen. It was a quiet affair with just myself, Jit, and our baby present. After just a couple of forms to sign and producing our IDs, that was it. We were married.
It was now January 2020, and sadly my 3-month visa was about to expire and I had to return to the UK, having only experienced the joy of our baby daughter for less than a month. I was planning to go back later in the year to see Jit and our daughter, but the dreaded pandemic struck, and due to travel restrictions, I was trapped in the UK. Watching our baby grow from afar is devastating. We talk every day, and I can see the bond between mother and daughter grow. My biggest regret is not being there for them both.
It is now June 2021, and I hope to return when the restrictions have ended. Hopefully by the end of the year I will be with them again. Our daughter will be 2 years old by the time I get back to Thailand.
The reason why I shared my story is to show that not all bar girls or freelancers are out to get what they can, and that there are some genuine women who would clearly love to meet their knight in shining armor. Given the time and patience, love can conquer all barriers. In the meantime, there is a wedding party to organize.
What Not To Do In Pattaya
I was going through a divorce and so desperately needed some R&R. I had been to Pattaya once before with a previous Thai girlfriend I met in Australia. That Thai girlfriend and I split up, or so I thought. More on this later. So I thought to myself divorce nearly done, Thai girlfriend gone, time to go to Pattaya and have a good time.
A nine-hour flight from Sydney, Australia, and here I was in Bangkok. First mistake didn’t get a pink or yellow and green taxi to Pattaya downstairs on the first floor. I was approached by a number of touts but managed to ward them off as they asked for 3,000 baht for the trip. Luckily for me, a Pattaya regular took pity on me and said, “Get a taxi downstairs.” To which the tout replied, “Okay, I will take you to Pattaya for 2,000 baht.” I confirmed again with him that was all I would pay, 2,000 baht, and he agreed.
We then walked to the multi-story car park. I knew something wasn’t right, but my fears were relieved somewhat when a gleaming new minivan pulled up being driven by a beautiful Thai girl who could speak perfect English. Another warning sign missed. I should have run there and then.
I got in the van and thought things were looking up. I couldn’t believe my luck. Then a few minutes later, her mobile started ringing and her English changed to Thai. All of a sudden, I’m being told, “Pattaya a long way. You need to change car.” The van then starts heading down all these side streets into a grubby part of town. Oh no, I thought. How could I have been so naive? Now I’m going to get robbed and wake up with one less kidney.
The Taxi Scam Gets Worse
Then the van pulled into a car park full of dodgy looking cars driven by equally dodgy looking characters. I was told to get out of the van and go into a clapped-out old Volvo with some Indian guy. I protested but was quickly surrounded by a lot of these characters, and I thought I had better shut up now.
Then the Thai cutie says, “You have to pay 800 extra.” “No I don’t. The guy told me 2,000 baht. Call him and check,” I replied. She apparently calls him and then says, “No, he said you have to pay 2,800 baht.” I protest again as I realize I’m being ripped off. And then she says, “You have to pay 800 or I have to pay him 800.” Stupid me. Completely naive again. Feels sorry for the girl, so I pay the 800. What an idiot.
Finally, the car starts to move. The drive to Pattaya is uneventful, except the driver takes back roads I’ve never seen before and comes into Pattaya from the back. “Where’s the beach?” I think. Then my heart starts racing again. I’m going to be robbed, another kidney, etc. So I start to freak out, remembering all the stories from Banged Up Abroad.
I tell the guy to stop the car now. He does, and luck would have it, right outside the VC Hotel, not far from Walking Street. Silly me, of course, doesn’t realize that I’m so close to the beach that I should have been able to smell the cheap perfume from there. The driver says that he will get a good price for me at the hotel. Conned again. Come in spinner.
I check into my room. Not bad. “Would sir like to upgrade for an extra 300 baht?” Yes, sir would be conned again. That probably paid for his kid’s dental work, too.
Enter The Beach Road Girl
I go for a walk and finally manage to find Beach Road. Things are improving. Walking along, minding my own business, this beautiful girl starts smiling at me. “What are you doing?” I ask. “Waiting for you,” she replies. She said, “I go with you.” “Go where?” I said stupidly, not believing my luck. “Your room. Can drink together.” After a bit more small talk, we went back to my hotel for drinks.
Once again, being so naive, I couldn’t find my way back to the hotel. After hopping on two baht buses, those pickup trucks with the two rows of seats that you hop on and off for 10 baht a trip, completely frustrated by this time, I just end up getting a taxi and end up paying 100 baht, and of course no meter. Ripped off again. But I didn’t care as I just wanted some nice female company.
No stopping at the front desk to pay a joiner fee or show her ID card. Luckily for me, this girl was legit, or would I have been in trouble again? I was later to find out that paying the joiner fee is a good investment as protection for both you and the girl. She is watched over by hotel staff in case you are some kind of nut job who wants to hurt her.
Anyway, she was great company and we ended up getting drunk together in my room. I called this girl a number of times and we met up and had fun together around the bars. My new Beach Road girlfriend asks, “How come you know some Thai?” I told her that I used to have a Thai girlfriend in Australia. “No problem,” she says. “I’d be your girlfriend now.” I thought to myself, thank you to my ex-wife for the divorce.
The Australian Thai Girlfriend Finds Out
But all good things must come to an end. And reluctantly, I had to head back to Sydney and finalize the divorce. On arrival in Sydney, my ex-Thai girlfriend calls me. “Where are you? I need to see you,” I said. “But aren’t we broken up?” “No,” she says. “Why would you think that?”
Anyway, as I still liked her, I was happy to get back with her. A few days later, she drove from where she lived in the country to my house. She surprised me when I came home from work, as she still had a key. She decided to unpack my bag from Thailand. And wouldn’t you know it, she found Beach Road girlfriend’s number. Of course, she rang it.
“Hello. Who are you?” Beach Road girlfriend says, “I am Ross’ girlfriend.” Real Thai girlfriend says, “But hasn’t he got a Thai girlfriend in Australia?” “No, that girl not good lady. I am girlfriend now,” says Beach Road girlfriend.
I had no idea this was going on till I get a call from my Beach Road girlfriend. “I just had a call from a very nice Thai lady in Australia who is going to help me be your girlfriend.” I was mortified.
I knew my Australian Thai girlfriend was incredibly jealous and I would be in for it when I got home. She yelled and screamed and made a hell of a scene. After she cooled down, she demanded to see photos of this girl. I said there weren’t any photos, but there were, but thankfully I had hidden them. Then she demanded that I get a new camera as “you cannot take photos of me with the same camera that you used for the other girl.”
A few days later, I thought I had better get those hidden photos and destroy them. I waited until my Australian Thai girlfriend had a shower. I looked and looked for the photos, but couldn’t find them. They were nowhere to be found. Girlfriend gets out of the shower and surprises me. “What are you looking for?” “Nothing,” I say sheepishly.
Photos And Jealousy
Next day, same thing. When girlfriend hits the shower, I start looking for the photos. Sprung again. “Looking for something?” The gig was up, so I came clean. Yes, the photos. Girlfriend says, “Yes, there were photos, and I saw them. That girl is younger and prettier than me. So jealous. Photos are gone. I cut them up and put them in all different bins around the street. You will never find them.”
But it didn’t end there. She rang Beach Road girlfriend and said, “Don’t ever call my boyfriend again or I will come to Pattaya to see you.”
The moral of this story is don’t ever write down a Thai girl’s number and bring it home with you. And also don’t take photos of other Thai girls unless you have a grade 10 secure wall safe.
The good news to this story is that I got married to the Australian Thai girlfriend after my divorce was finalized, and we have been happily married now for many years. Even to this day, she occasionally says, “I still have her number and I will call her again, so watch out.”
Mike From America
This story involves a guy called Mike from America who was about 70 years old and a Vietnam War veteran.
I was fed up with the bar scene in Bangkok. I was sitting at a bar one morning about 11:00 on Sukhumvit Soi 21. This was in the morning, having a single beer, and noticed an old guy across the road sitting alone having a beer too. I went over and said hi to him and started chatting.
He was a lovely man and spoke softly. He told me he was married to a Thai lady just around the corner and she ran a laundry shop. I was excited to meet a new friend. He then went into his Vietnam War stories and was very interesting. I then noticed he had a false leg, and as he was telling me his story, I could only imagine that he lost his leg in the war. I could not get a word in as he was in full flow with the war stories.
Eventually I got a word in and asked, “So you lost the leg in the war?”
He replied, “Hell no. Last year I was out for a walk just on Sukhumvit Road and some motorbike crashed into me.” After surviving the war and getting on with life, and this happened. I could only laugh so much that he laughed too.
The Empty Chair On Soi 21
I continued to visit him most early mornings as he sat outside his wife’s shop on his favorite chair having a coffee. I would sit and chat to him, and he told me all about the girls, the fun, and that he now just likes to watch the world go by. I visited him quite a few more times, and then I had to go back to China.
I returned to Soi 21 about 3 months later and called to see him. I was sad to see the empty chair outside the shop and asked about him, only to find he had passed away.
After this and all the bad stuff that happened to me in the past, I prefer to go to Thailand and make friends with older expats and hear their stories. So many stories out there.
The Wrong Bar The Wrong Beer And The Wrong Lady
This story was about me and a few of my friends on Walking Street, Pattaya. One of my friends has very poor eyesight without his glasses. And my other friend is hilarious.
I arranged to meet them at a bar on Walking Street. I walked in about 10 00 p.m. and noticed both of them, but each at a different bar. My best friend was talking to a lady at one bar. He seemed to be getting on well with her, but she said she was busy that evening.
As he got up and walked away from the bar, he turned to wave at this young lady, then fell over a pool table which was behind him. The customers and bar girls all had a great time watching his performance. He came to sit with me, flustered, but no worse for wear.
We noticed our other friend, the one with bad eyesight, sitting at another bar. So we moved to a bar a couple of bars down from where he was sitting. After a short while, he came to sit with us and said, “Hi guys, how you doing?” Then he said to the waitress at this bar, “Where has my drink gone?”
The Missing Beer Confusion
She replied, “You haven’t bought a drink.”
He said, “I’ve been sat here for an hour and just went to the toilet. When I came back, my beer had disappeared.” Then he said to us, “That woman a few seats down didn’t waste much time chatting with another man.”
You can guess what he had done. He’d gone to the toilet, came back to the wrong bar, then complained he was being hard done by. I had to go back to the other bar and pay his bar bill. He’s a bit older than us, so no worries.
Just a short funny story from a night out in Thailand, but obviously you had to be there to see the funny side of things.
