I also visited a 2nd floor show in Patpong and exactly the same thing happened to me! It's a truly criminal scam but I think the owners are police so they get away with it. This has never happened to me in Pattaya, Soi Cowboy or NEP.

Advice to anyone visiting Thailand, do your homework and read up about the Land of Smiles, things are allways what they seem?

I wish I read that before, I had to pay 1300b as well, it was supposed to be 200b. Never go there again

Although these scams have been a long time in operation, should it ever happen again, simply call the Tourist Police. Most times even the threat of this will change the situation quickly. Many year ago when I first arrived in Thailand I was taken into this kind of trap as well and made it clear I would be seeking the Tourist Police for assistance . The quickly allowed me to pay the right price for the drinks and got me out of the place fast.

we went to pat pong to check it out and there was lots of people showing us cards with ping pong shows and all sorts of other stuff and we were really not interested at first but curiousity got the better of us and also the fact that there were lots of man trying to lure us to check out these shows. so we followed this man to see what the fuss is all about.

these men lured us by telling us it's a free show, free entrance and all you have to do is buy a drink for 100 baht each.. there was 4 of us. 2 guys and 2 girls.

..so as we entered we were showned where to sit and the ladies showed us a drink menu (without prices) and then we ordered the drinks. when we got our drinks and we were not asked to pay it yet then a few mins later these 3 ladies came up to us to see if we would buy them drinks. we didn't really want to buy them any but we asked them how much for drinks because if it was reasonable then we would have considered buying for them and they told us it was 200 baht a drink and our alarm bells started ringing and i thought to myself this sounds & feels funny.

..anyway we told them no because it was expensive(our excuse to get them to move along). they said no it's not expensive and after a few minutes of them trying to get drinks out of us and us telling them no then they said it was ok and they walked away.

..then a few mins later these 2 butch ladies came up to us and said everyone had to pay 300 baht each and that would make it 1200 baht total and we were very shocked. we told them the men said it was free show and only 100 baht for the drinks and they said no and insisted that we had to pay.

we got really angry and actually got quite fired up and loudly told them we were not paying that because the man told us it was a free show and only 100 baht for drinks and we're going now. they would not let us go and stood in front of us and repeatedly said to us to calm down and just pay us. so the four of us said we're only paying 100 baht each. we slammed the 400 baht on the table, sculled our drinks down and left the premises giving those a-holes dirty looks.

anyway that was just a quick note on our experience in pat pong. don't be scammed by these people. better yet don't go there.

apart from that incident the rest of our trip was excellent.

I was scammed for 500 baht for just a glass of coke.Best is to avoid going there.

We got scammed too in PatPong last week where we went there for holiday and there was a guy claiming himself the manager of the bar for the ping pong show and we only need to pay 100 Baht for a drink(either coke,singha..etc) and he said it won't charge us any entertainment fees except for the drinks. He persuaded us won't be too long.. Just have a look won't take us >5 minutes... So, at the end we entered the bar and initially we found it was very disgusting as i'm a lady and went with my bf but if we think it is an experience to gone through then we forwarded ourselves and ordered 1 Heineken 1 Coke. Same tactics, 2 girls came along and asked us to treat them a drink and we rejected them and they looks angry too. They left their left-over drinks (orange) on our table. We quickly finished off our drinks and before asking for bill, there was a waitress came over and show us her fingertips (money money)..Since we are leaving too, so we pay her 100 100=200Baht. You know what!!! She asked for 1000Baht.Oh gosh..!! Our blood pressure went up and felt scammed already. Same explanation given, 400b for the show each pax and we were arguing that the previous so called manager said no charges.. Argue and argue.. finally.. we gave up as they don't seem to understand English further other than 'money' and 'pay'.... We were very angry and trying to look for that guy around.. Not more than 5 minutes, we managed to hold of him and asking him why he charged us.. then, he said, he only said free for first 5 minutes.. He twisted his words around where we have no choice as all this were planned nicely already and we were being tricked already. Speechless on 'Thais' after my first ever trip to Bangkok, Thailand. Disappointed on their moralities as they are famous with their religion 'Buddhist' and yet they could do such a things!!! Never taught in any religious before.

18 years ago on the first night of my first trip to Thailand I got caught in exactly the same go go bar bill padding scam that has been operating for decades before I got there. In my case I did not insult them or shout at them, I stayed calm and called for the tourist police but they would not let me leave and would not let me open the door to leave the bar. The little manager dude came over to me (I am a big guy) and started trying to hit me in front of many staff and customers. I was only 20 years of age and didn't know if they would pull a knife or gun on me so I backed down and paid the 2000 Baht. It was a shocking way to learn about Thai culture and in the countless dozen times since then that go go bar staff have tried to scam me I just laugh and walk out. The same thing never happened to me again.

The main rule to remember down Patpong is that any Go Go Bar that visibly displays the Kings Group logo on the outside will never scam you ever. All other Go Go Bars will try it on anybody they like any time they feel like it. Good Luck.

Don't ever listen to touts at patpong if you want an annoying-free time. My experience of red light district at patpong is filled by dishonesty, rudeness, cheating. A sinful place. A waiteress will help herself to the tips without us knowing. Giving you back the change of 800 bhat and she help herself with 100 bhat and left on the tray is 700 bhat.

When you ask where is the other 100 bhat, she smile at you and say it is tip. That is my impression.

I am taking my first trip to Thailand--hoping to visit Bangkok and Pattaya. I have been reading up on information and am concerned about getting scammed and maybe missing some of the "best stuff." A buddy of mine and I are going together--neither of us has been there before. Any advice?

Hey dude i m in Bangkok rgt nw, i don't drink. Can anyone tell me will they charge me even if i don't drink.

This has happened to me many times in the 7 years I've lived here. It's always a hassle, but when she tells you the 'new' price, I say that the guy outside told us only 100B, so that's what we're paying. She then says that he doesn't work for this bar, to which I reply "How is that my problem? And if he doesn't work here, how come he told us to come here?" The trump card is to tell them you're going to the tourist police on the corner of the soi - they really don't like people to make waves. Don't back down - the firmer you are about getting the authorities involved, the more likely they are to leave you alone.
Or you could just avoid the whole thing - seeing pot-bellied 40 year old mothers shove ping pong balls in themselves is really depressing and not at all titilating.

Why take any notice of anyone offering anything. Bound to be dodgy in any country.

it's simple guys. don't touch your drink until you get the bill and pay for it before you start to drink. 'clipping' died down for a while but is coming back due to the dwindling number of tourists. if you get given another bill later just walk away, you have paid. they will not come after you, they may puff out their chests, but at the end of the day they can not do anything or you can call the tourist police and they will have to pay large fines. these people make a lot of money by scaring people, not by beating them up.

another approach is if you find a decent tuk-tuk driver, they can help you out...for a small fee. but the fee could be as easy as paying them for the round trip (which you'd probably pay someone for that trip anyway) and then buying their drinks. the drivers are probably going to rip you off either way. but if you become "theirs", they can help you out from worse rip offs. be sure not to pay in advance tho. that way they want to keep you as their customer. of course still take precautions and be on your toes with them.

Such bars are centers of rip off, not only in Thailand, but in the whole world. In the past I wandered into such bars in London and in Munich. A Pound 100 is lost there as easily as Baht 600 in Bangkok.

What beats me is that some tourists walk into a Bangkok bar that has “Sex Shows” and actually think that they get away with paying Baht 100 for a drink. Isn’t that seriously naïve? Even, if the guy who takes them there gives them the wrong price, a bit of common sense should prevail. Maybe they should have taken a training course at their “Sex Bars” at home.

The sex shows in Silom are pathetic, and the prices, as stated, a rip off with respect to the show. However, the bars’ target is not getting money by providing good shows, but getting money through overpricing and intimidation. Since only about 2 out of 10 visitors of such bars in London, Munich, Bangkok, and elsewhere, are drunken bumpkins, and the majority tourists, a repeat visit is highly unlikely. Hence, they grab what they can while the tourists are in the establishment.

Clubs with some real sex shows in Bangkok easily cost from Baht 1,500 upwards per person, and they offer good shows.

not only are they a rip off the "sex show" girls, are all fat, ugly and old!!!!! go to nana instead, they might rip u off still, but at least the girls there are 10 times better than patpong.

Atli,
Give me one good reason why those tourists in BKK are seriously naive? And if you are scammed in London, Munich bars, you are not naive? Try to put yourself in shoes of those unsuspecting tourists, who arrived in LOS two days ago, they have no idea about beer price LOS, they are able to get decent meals for 40THB that would cost 10USD in their countries. Just by comparison 100THB sounds fair price with show. Also you are being shown a printed menu before you enter. FYI.. there are bars in Bangkok where you can get beer for around 100THB with show.

60 baht for a Singha at a go go place? Ummm ... never ever! Usually, it's from 200 baht for the first drink *including* the show ... and you are welcome to buy drinks for the girls or boys, respectively ... 500 baht per drink ... no way! Nowhere in BKK ...

I was also scammed at patpong a yr ago, it's on the 2nd level.Avoid anything 2nd level if you're to visit such places and try to go to somewhere more open and not so enclosed, such that you are able to "escape" or shout for help.

They have their own accompliances stationed everywhere in patpong.eventhough you are away from the 2nd level pub, they will have someone stationed away and bring you back to the same place. That's how i got cheated.

It's the same old scam. they told me that the drinks was 100 baht.So we ordered 2 beer and the bill came up to 1200baht, claiming that it's 600baht for 1 beer.

We refused to pay 1200baht, so we shoved them 500 baht, expecting change from them. But they continued to haggle with us and this big tall man was blocking the entrance. We forced our way out and ran down the stairs.And some man continued to shout at us.

The girls performing will ask for tips each time they performed a task. If you refuse to give them tips, they will give you an unhappy face.

My advice is to avoid visiting such places.If you do want to try going such places, try somewhere open, lots of people and less sleazy.

Adam: Should have read this. But we managed to bargain our way out of the 700 baht live show charge, since we're just student.s

Ivan: yea.

Please do not misunderstand. Thai scammers are absolutely non-religious people. True religious people will never have scamming as an occupation. In Buddhism, there are occupations considered unsuitable and actions that are considered improper. Telling lies and deceiving others is against one of the most basic Buddhist precepts, definitely a 'no-no'.

However as you might guess in occupations like tourism or sex show industry deceptions has become way of making profit, but that has nothing to do with religion. Religious people certainly don't work at strip shows or scamming shops and they don't play blackjack.

Patpong is a greasy place and if your not educated your gonna get ripped off. And its not just Patpong, many all night bars (usually run by cops/gangs) will try this with farangs. Girls in these bars are probably either one of two things - extremely poor Thai women, usually with a family to support or illegal immigrants from Laos, Cambodia, Burma etc.

Many, if not not most, of the immigrants are brought here under false pretenses and are no more than sex slaves. The poor Thai women may be ripping you off, but its not to buy gas for her hummer or to fund her European vacation - its to feed herself, her immediate and extended family.
The people running these girls and bars are generally dangerous criminals, and have close links to the police, or at least one or two officers.

Now anyone going to Patpong, isn't going for the ambiance or the nice family atmosphere, so I don't understand why we keep hearing 'curiosity got the better of me' :-) Since the U.S. went there on their leave from the Vietnam war its been a notorious red light district. Anyone going to Patpong should be aware of the problems these girls face, and they should also be aware that they are possibly contributing towards the success of the modern day sex slave trade. Also, if you think that your getting a good deal in Patpong, then use your common sense and please, don't be so naive. If you go to these places, and you get ripped off, then you have only yourself to blame. Its not a reflection of Thai culture in any way. I've had to help people in these situations (both native and foreign -relative to location) in many countries over the past 20 years and the story is always the same.

If you want to get greasy then be prepared to deal with dishonest people and stop whinging about it !

Go to The Penthouse, it is on the 2nd floor on the right hand side next to a luggage/bag shop if you are approaching the main Soi Patpong from Silom road. They will sell you coupons upfront for 2 drinks including the shows, 300 baht if I remember correctly at the 2nd floor entrance.

The shows are decent and bargirls don't hassle you for drinks. It's one of the older establishments popular with locals since they have a good reputation for not scamming clients.

Avoid the other places that have touts with pricelists outside. You are heading for trouble and more than you can handle. A friend of mine lost his teeth when he decided not to pay the inflated tab. The local police will not help you since most of these scammers pay them off monthly.

Oh my god !! These type of scams are horrible, it is much worse than the Philipines and Mexico.
Some of the stories I was reading it makes me think twice about going to Patpong.
Nanna in Bangkok wan not too bad, and Chiang mai it's OK I think except for a kareoke bar, Where at the door of place they told me that it was 500 baht just to have a private room and have the girl sing for you.
But when I got the bill they charge for plus this and plus that. At the end it was like bout 1,100 baht.
The so called maddam came in with 2 guys not bigger than myself , I stand up and ask bout the charges
I think she felt that the situation could get out of control if those guys harrased me , so she asked them to leave and have to settle for 800 bath.
I do not really know what is better? to pay before or for the said price , but they still will write another receipt for the extra charges as they please when the show it's over.

The best way is to make a friend in Thailand so they can take you around like I did. That way you can not get ripped off. I know you will have to pay for his or her food drinks etc. but for a piece of mind it's much better this way.

Good luck to all of you, that are going to Thailand for the first time, just use a lot of common sense. If the price for "Tuk Tuk" or the "Show girls", Drinks is too good to be true , your should know better that you will get scammed.

I have just returned from Patpong, and to be honest, if I was a tourist, just do not go there, it is dirty and smelly and the girls were not nice, and more than a fair share of touts. If you want to see the bar scene go to Nana or Soi Cowboy, its much better and no hassle.

suprise suprise we got done last night, same old story, ask how much a drink is...100baht, ok, go in, the shows free, then 12 girls come and sit round you, you buy them all a drink for 100 baht each..cheap enough and being polite, then a few minutes later your handed the bill of 4000 baht.... nice. Makes my blood boil, we'll be using the 'we are calling the tourist police' line from now on. And also a good thing is to never trust a tuk tuk driver, we wasted a day on one! grrrrr!

I went to BKK many times n e last trip was in last Nov with my hubby n my son who was 2 yrs old @ tat time. We past by Patong n as mentioned above, alot of guys were outside showing us menus with drink costing only 100Bahts. There were gals wearing bikinis dancing on bar-top.
We were quite interested but bcoz of our son we did not went in. The guys who show us e menu even welcome us to bring our baby in coz we r permitted to do so.
Thank God I drop e idea n pulled my hubby away as its too smoky for a 2 yrs old child. But we intend to go ourselves e next trip not bringing our son. But after I read e above comments,e more I will avoid tat place in e future.Its so horrible...
Thanks for sharing!

i stayed at at a five star hotel near patpong.Now been a seasoned traveller i went to one of the stalls on the road leading to patpong and asked a old wizened boy selling some trinkets {tourist crap].What the score was regarding what was what in the hood,and added i would buy him a fine seafood dinner if he gave me the correct lowdown on the lay of the land.Well he took me to one of the finest seafood restaurants and we had a feast for next to nothing.Then he phoned somebody and ten minutes later i had a choice of three fine pieces of arm candy.The whole evening was great.ALLWAYS SUSS OUT THE LAY OF THE LAND.DONT WALK IN BLIND.

Your the absolute best, if there was a prize for talking crap, you would win.