Types of Farangs To Avoid In Pattaya

I’ve been coming to Pattaya on and off for many years now. It’s really got everything a man like me could want: beaches, food, cheap living, nightlife, and something to do 24 hours a day. But the longer you stay here, the more you start noticing certain types of foreigners that make you shake your head.

Some are just clueless, some are downright dangerous, and a few will ruin your night or your life if you’re not careful.

I’ve seen it all. The loudmouths at the bar, the ones who fall in love on night one, the scammers pretending to be your best mate they’re everywhere. And if you spend enough time here, you learn pretty quickly who to stay away from.

So before you get too comfortable in Pattaya, here’s my personal list of the types of farangs you should absolutely avoid. Trust me, learning the hard way is expensive.

The Cheap Charlie

These guys whether they have money or not are the cheapest of the cheap. They will haggle over everything and anything.

If a beer costs baht less in the bar over the road from them, they will go there rather than paying baht more to drink in a better bar.

They won’t tip. Girls will be very, very lucky to get a lady drink out of them, but they will still expect the girl to sit and talk to them as if she should do it for free.

It’s a misconception that these Cheap Charlies are broke. Normally, they are well off and have plenty of cash to have fun with they just don’t like spending.

You’ll notice it’s the people that are not well off that spoil the bargirls, tip, and have a good time.

Being a Cheap Charlie is not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s nice to have a bit of fun now and again. These girls don’t go to the bar for the fun of it it’s their job.

The Barfine Bandit

Now these guys are in Pattaya for one reason and one reason only we all know what that is.

A lot of the time, they don’t drink. They will go to a bar, see a girl they like, and then figure out their barfine plan.

And no, their plan is not to do what normal people do and pay the barfine there and then they want to avoid paying at all.

What they normally do is speak to the girl, find out what time she finishes, and ask if she hasn’t been barfined, can he meet her after she finishes work?

This is just a way to save on the barfine money. It’s a pretty dull tactic in my eyes, but hey, it works.

A lot of bar owners and mamasans know about this, and if they catch you doing it, there’s a chance you’ll be barred from the bar and the girl will be in trouble too.

But if you’re there on a short trip, you aren’t really going to care about being barred, and I doubt for one minute you’ll care about what happens to the girl.

If you ever have time, walk down Soi 6 when the bars are closing it’s pretty amusing to see all the men standing outside looking for that cheap night.

The Drunken Loudmouth

Now, these types of farangs I just completely avoid them. I’m way too old to deal with people like this.

Don’t get me wrong, we all love a drink well, most of us do anyway but some people just can’t handle their beer and become loud and aggressive.

You will normally find these types of people around Walking Street, walking with their shirt off like they own the place, and they end up mouthing off and fighting with other tourists.

It’s funny when they mouth off to the Thai bouncers without knowing how Thai people deal with drunk, aggressive farangs.

Put it this way it wouldn’t be a one-on-one. The farang will be outnumbered by Thais who had nothing to do with the altercation.

My advice for this one especially if you’re traveling solo and meeting new people every day if you notice they become loud and rude after a few drinks, just drink up and leave for a new bar.

There’s no need to get dragged into the trouble they cause. The last thing you want is either getting absolutely pummeled by a lot of Thai bouncers or, even worse, thrown in jail.

The Overstayer

If you’re in Pattaya for a long time, you will more than likely meet a couple of these guys during your stay.

These are the guys who come to this amazing city, fall in love with it, and instead of going home and planning their next trip properly, they just decide to stay even if it means breaking the law.

Most of the time, these guys are broke or have some shady illegal job like a bar manager.

I try to avoid these people not because they’re necessarily bad people, but sooner or later, the money will run out, and they’ll start asking to borrow money or, even worse, try to scam people.

If these people are desperate to stay in Thailand that they break the law doing so, then they’re desperate enough to try and scam you.

The “I Hate Thailand But I Won’t Leave” Complainer

Where to begin with these guys? Nonstop complaining about Thai people, culture, the food, the cost of everything, the weather… But guess what? They still refuse to go home.

You’ll spot these guys almost daily if you hang around Pattaya long enough usually sitting at the same bar stool every afternoon, cheap beer in hand, grumbling about everything. Thai people don’t drive properly. Thai girls are scammers. Thai food is rubbish. The weather’s too hot. The visa rules are unfair. The police are corrupt. It’s nonstop negativity. They hate the culture, hate the language, hate the government… yet for some reason, they’re still here.

You’d think if they hated it so much, they’d just pack up and leave. But they’re not going anywhere. Because deep down, they’re addicted to the one thing keeping them here the nightlife and the women.

It’s the only part of Thailand they actually like, and even that they complain about. You’ll hear them say, “The girls used to be better years ago” or “Back in the day, this place was paradise.” Basically, nothing’s ever good enough for them anymore.

These guys are usually older pushing 60 or 70 and they carry this bitter energy that can really drag people down. You go out for a drink hoping for a good night, and next thing you know, you’re stuck listening to a two-hour rant about how Thailand’s gone downhill.

Smile, nod, and move on. There’s no point getting into debates with someone who’s clearly miserable but too stubborn to leave.

Just avoid these complainers they are old, bitter farang men anyway. No point in socializing with them.

The Fake Millionaire

Now this one’s a classic the so-called “big shot” who shows up in Pattaya acting like he owns half the city.

You’ve probably seen guys like this back home too, but trust me, they’re just as common if not worse out here.

The Fake Millionaire loves to talk. He’ll tell you about his multiple businesses, his property portfolio, how he’s got girls in three countries, and how he could retire tomorrow if he wanted to. He’s always “waiting on a big deal” or “just here for a short break before flying to Dubai.”

But look a little closer, and you’ll start seeing the cracks. That Rolex? Looks a bit too shiny and ticks like a clock from 7-Eleven. He’ll talk about money all day long, but somehow never buys a round. Stays in a guesthouse you wouldn’t even let your dog sleep in. Doesn’t pay bar fines, doesn’t tip, always “forgot his wallet”… Everything about him screams high roller… until it’s time to actually spend.

These types don’t just lie to you they lie to themselves. A lot of them are living day to day, broke, running from something back home, or just caught up in some weird fantasy life they’ve built. Some might be con artists, some might just be compulsive liars, but either way, they’re not worth your time.

My advice for everyone you meet in Pattaya: they come up with all sorts of lies about their life. Just let it go in one ear and out the other.

The “I’ve Lived Here for 20 Years” Farang

You’ve definitely come across this guy before either in person or, more likely, in the comment section of a Facebook group or YouTube video.

He’s the self-proclaimed Thailand expert who can’t go ten minutes without reminding everyone, “I’ve lived in Thailand for 20 years.” Like somehow that automatically makes him an expert on everything culture, language, politics, food, you name it.

He treats it like a badge of honor, even if all he’s really done for two decades is sit in the same bar with the same beer, talking to the same three people every night.

Most of the time, these guys aren’t even on proper visas. They’re border runners or long-stay tourists hopping from one loophole to the next, but they’ll still try to lecture you like they’re Thai citizens.

You’ll hear them trash other farangs for “not understanding Thailand,” meanwhile they can barely speak five words of Thai themselves.

The only culture they seem to know is the bar scene what lady drinks cost, which girls are new this week, and how much they miss the good old days when Pattaya was “real.”

It’s cringe, honestly. They act like they’ve earned some higher status because they’ve stayed here longer. And they love to comment online, especially if you’re making content. You’ll see them drop the “I’ve been here 20 years” line as if that shuts down every argument.

Literally ignore these guys they are not worth any of your time, neither are their bargirl wives.

The Fugitive Farang

Now this one’s not just sketchy it can actually be dangerous. Every now and then in Pattaya, you’ll run into a guy who’s just a little too mysterious. He doesn’t like having his photo taken, won’t tell you much about his past, and every time you ask where he’s from or what he used to do, the story changes. One week he’s ex-military, next week he’s “retired from business,” and somehow he never has any friends who’ve known him longer than six months. That’s your red flag right there.

These are the guys who might be running from something. Could be debt, divorce, child support… or sometimes, much worse. Thailand and Pattaya especially has always been a magnet for people trying to disappear. It’s cheap, easy to blend in, and no one asks too many questions. But once in a while, you get someone who’s not just hiding from a boring life they’re hiding from the law. Real fugitives, wanted men, guys with fake names and fake passports. It happens more than you’d think.

You don’t want to get too close to these types. You never really know what kind of trouble they’re bringing with them. Maybe they’re harmless and just embarrassed about their past… or maybe they’ve got some very serious problems following them. Either way, when someone in Pattaya is vague about their background and always seems a bit paranoid, it’s best to keep your distance.

The Scammer Farang

You’ll find these guys scattered all over Pattaya and they’re not always easy to spot at first.

They might look sharp, talk smooth, and act like they’ve got it all figured out. They’ll tell you they’re into crypto, real estate, import-export, or some “exclusive investment opportunity.”

But when you dig a little deeper, things stop adding up. The stories change. The details get vague. And before you know it, you realize you’re talking to a full-blown scammer.

These guys prey on fellow farangs especially the ones who’ve just arrived and think every tourist is like them, just looking for a good time.

They’ll invite you for drinks, talk friendly, show you photos of their “projects,” and talk about how easy it is to make money in Thailand if you “know the right people.”

Then comes the pitch invest a bit of cash, help fund a new business, or wire some money to lock in a deal. And once your money’s gone? So are they.

What’s scary is, they often look like normal expats. You’d never know unless you’re paying attention.

So if something feels off trust your gut. Don’t hand over money just because someone speaks your language and seems friendly. Scammers love targeting fellow foreigners because they assume you’ll be easier to fool. Don’t give them the satisfaction.

The “I Hate Tourists” Tourist

Now here’s a special kind of clown the guy who’s literally a tourist himself but can’t stop moaning about other tourists.

You know the type. He’ll be standing in the middle of Walking Street, wearing shorts, flip-flops, and a Chang T-shirt, and still manage to complain that the place is “too full of foreigners.”

These guys love pretending they’re different from the rest. They’ll say things like, “Pattaya’s ruined now, too many newbies,” or “This place used to be better before all the tourists showed up.” Meanwhile, they’ve only been here a few weeks themselves, but they walk around acting like seasoned locals. The irony is completely lost on them.

You’ll usually catch them bad-mouthing backpackers, moaning at anyone who speaks too loud in English, or complaining online about how “farangs have no respect for Thai culture” as if they themselves weren’t just hammered at a bar the night before, singing karaoke with a bargirl on their lap. These guys are cringe.

Bottom line avoid these guys. They’re miserable, smug, and just trying to feel superior to people who are doing the exact same thing as them.

Pattaya’s a melting pot you’re going to meet all sorts here. Don’t waste your time with someone who hates everyone else just for existing.

The Delusional Romeo

You’ve seen this guy a hundred times he steps off the plane, jumps into the Pattaya nightlife, and by day two, he’s already saying, “I think I found the one.” You just know where this is going.

He meets a bar girl who calls him “terak” and tells him she’s tired of working in the bar, and boom he’s head over heels. By day three, he’s sending her money. By the weekend, he’s shopping for rings and talking about moving her into a condo.

These guys fall hard and fast. It’s painfully obvious to everyone else that it’s all one big fantasy. They ignore all the signs the generic text messages, the “sick buffalo” stories, the way she disappears for hours at a time. But Romeo doesn’t care. He’s convinced his love is different. He’s not like the other guys. She really means it with him.

It’s brutal to watch because it never ends well. Six weeks later, he finds out she’s still working, still seeing other guys, or worse she never stopped in the first place. But by then, he’s already sent thousands of baht, maybe even met her family, and convinced himself they were building a future together.

This happens more times than you’d think, and it’s easily done. Fall in love with Thailand, sure. But fall in love with someone after actually knowing them not just because she laughed at your jokes and held your hand at the bar.

The Walking Wallet Farang

The guy who’s basically got cash burning a hole in his pocket the second he walks into a go-go bar.

The Walking Wallet is easy to spot because he’s the one throwing money around like it’s Monopoly money. Drinks for everyone, bar fines, ringing the bell, and tips he’s got no problem spending big to impress the girls.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with throwing your money around and having a good time I’d probably do it if I could afford it. But the problem is, these guys get rinsed hard.

They’re like open wallets with legs, and the bar girls know exactly how to work them. They play the charm game, laugh a little louder, lean in closer, and suddenly the Walking Wallet is buying everything from fancy dinners to designer bags. Meanwhile, he’s convinced he’s the star of the show.

To the girls, it was never about him. It’s about his money. The Walking Wallet becomes an easy target for scams, fake stories, and endless requests. And the worst part is, they don’t even realize they’re being played until the cash runs dry and the girls disappear.

If you’re in Pattaya, don’t be the Walking Wallet. Know your limits, keep your guard up, and remember generosity is great, but throwing cash without thinking is just throwing yourself at the mercy of anyone with a smile and a sob story.

The Broken-Hearted Farang

This one hits close to home for a lot of guys. The Broken-Hearted Farang is usually fresh out of a rough breakup or divorce, and they come to Pattaya thinking they’ll find a fresh start or maybe even a new soulmate in a bar girl.

They’re carrying a lot of emotional baggage, and suddenly every smile, every kind word, feels like the answer to their loneliness.

The issue is, although these guys are normally streetwise and nice guys, their emotions get the better of them, and they tend to fall way too fast and way too hard.

They see what they want to see. That girl at the bar who’s sweet to them for a few nights? To the broken-hearted, she’s “the one.”

They convince themselves that this new relationship is special, and they start pouring their hearts and their wallets into it.

And trust me, Pattaya is full of Broken-Hearted farangs chasing relationships that rarely turn out the way they imagine.

If you’re feeling that way, take a breath, slow down, and don’t let heartbreak cloud your judgment.

The Keyboard Warrior

Ah, the big shots of the expat Facebook groups who love to talk tough behind a screen. They’ll write paragraph-long rants, call people out, and act like they’re the ultimate experts on everything Pattaya. You see them typing away, full of confidence and bold opinions, always ready to roast someone or start a debate.

The funny part? Put them face to face, and they’re a whole different story. These Keyboard Warriors suddenly turn quiet, nervous, or just completely back down when anyone challenges them in person.

The tough man disappears, and you realize they’re just keyboard cowboys hiding behind a screen.

It’s like they get a rush from keyboard battles but can’t handle real-life confrontation. Really, they are just insecure.

So if you come across a Keyboard Warrior online, don’t take the bait just remember, their real-life courage is nowhere near as big as their online ego.

The Sugar Daddy Who Can’t Afford It

This one’s a classic Pattaya character the guy who’s trying to play Sugar Daddy but doesn’t really have the cash to back it up.

He’s usually living on a fixed pension or some small retirement income, but somehow he’s convinced he needs to support not just his bar girl, but her whole family back home… and maybe even a buffalo or two.

You’ll see him trying to keep up appearances, sending money for rent, school fees, phone bills, and all those extra “emergencies” that somehow pop up every week.

The pressure to provide can be huge, and it’s honestly heartbreaking to watch because he’s stretching himself way too thin just to keep this one-sided relationship alive.

Pretending to be a Sugar Daddy without the means usually ends badly. The stress piles up, the money runs out, and the relationship dies down. If you’re on a pension, be realistic about what you can afford, and don’t fall into the trap of trying to be someone you’re not.

Pattaya’s full of stories like this, and they rarely have a happy ending.

And Lastly, The Overconfident Newbie

You’ll spot these guys all over Pattaya the fresh arrivals who think they’ve already figured everything out after just a couple of nights.

They walk around like they own the place, throwing out advice to other tourists about “how to handle the girls” and “what bars to hit.”

They act like they’ve cracked the code on Thai nightlife, but in reality, they’re about to get played hard.

This kind of overconfidence is a classic rookie mistake. They don’t realize how much experience really counts and how the local game is way more complicated than it looks on the surface.

The girls and the bars? They can smell that newbie energy from a mile away, and they’ll turn on the charm big time.

What happens next is predictable the Overconfident Newbie ends up spending way too much money, falling for the usual tricks, and getting burned before he even realizes what hit him.

So if you’re new, keep your ego in check, listen more, and don’t rush trying to be the expert. Otherwise, you’ll just be another story about how fast you got played.

Final Thoughts

And that is it for now. For me, Pattaya is amazing. You will meet people from all walks of life the good, the bad, and the ugly. Just keep your head screwed on, have fun, don’t fall in love, and don’t let your guard down for anyone bargirls and other farangs included.