This has happened to me in Phuket and Pattaya several times, by Americans and Europeans, men and women. I just smile and walk away.

Same thing happened to me at Sanam Luang

not to sound like broken record, but get these kind of scammers on video or pic.

see how fast the run away.

or better yet, if there are any mib ( thai police) near by, say in a LOUD voice something about you are not interested in drugs or under age girls.

let them deal with the police and explain what they are up to.

This happens in the U.S. at rest areas. These people are panhandlers, nothing more nothing less. They just don't have the courage to hold out a hat and ask for spare change like others.

I lived in Thailand eight years; here is what I do when I encounter these characters. In answer to being informed that he has been robbed, I say, "OK, you need to report this to the police, find a public telephone and dial 911, its free.'

if a thai cop is near by, say to the scammers in a loud voice " dont want to buy drugs or meet underage girls"

and see how fast they scurry off ( or get to explain things to the cop)

wouldnt mention drugs or underage girls, accusations of such can lead to extremely serious situations. Try something else.

something like this happened to me in US sitting on back row at church one Wednesday night by a fellow needing help and car broke down.... the rest is like this story....I reencountered the scammer several months later pulling the same scam in my bank on another customer and I walked in behind him, he recognized me and took off.

Tell a foreigner like this that any temple will shelter and feed them free in exchange for English lessons.
I have been taken by this one personally.

http://www.thai-touristpolice.org/

Hi guys,
Don't worry about Thailand, this happens to be in London about once a month!!!

Hello,
I live/work in Glasgow, This is a daily occurrence for me just say no.

Mike smith, interesting comment, London has a homelsss problem,

Mike smith, interesting comment, London has a homelsss problem,

No probs, if I have an extra 500Baht that's no big deal for me. Spending an evening in a bar costs a lot more than that. Can't imagine losing one's face for the amount. Just not easy.

On the other hand, at least he's not stealing or into drug trafficking! hahahaha!

There are a couple of famous "stranded foreigners" in Bangkok. One on Sukhumvit Soi 4 even has his suitcase with him and all he needs is a few hundred baht to get to the airport supposedly.

Another young man sits near Sukhumvit MRT station collecting money to get a ticket home, he's been there 3 years by my reckoning!

Its hard to say no to someone in genuine need but these jokers change your faith in human nature sometimes.

Sammie sad

hmmm might as well give them a one-way ticket! lol! :)

Anyways, it's another means of begging, some people have to do it to survive (I hope), can't imagine the struggles and I have no idea on their history. It's sad but perhaps there's just no other choice. But yeah, I can give my sympathy to those rather than the big time criminals in luxury hotels and mansions....:)

You are safe in Thailand with the Thais - the farangs and their ulterior motives, be aware!!!

More like begging it sounds... found one of these comic characters on soi 22 Sukhumvit, where I live, a month ago. Sitting drunk at a bar and stopping any falangs passing buy and asking for cash because his girl toked his money, and he's so stupid, and he was weak etc. He needed them for a new passport.
Funny thing, the table was full of empty bottles, so I just said: "I don't give money, sorry! But if you're hungry, I'll buy you some food and a coffee"
... he wasn't hungry.
P.S. Actually I just felt like kick him there, but it was so close to my building and people know me as good citizen :)

Done the same scam myself here in u.k. took me half an hour to make about £20 asking people for bus fare because i supposed to have lost my wallet....Go's on all over the world.

is not reallly a "scam"

person asks you for money , you either give some or you dont , they even tell you that they are going to take your money and spend it ,

I have no time for these wasters. I've been living in Thailand for 5 years and only came across one of these despicable characters. This skinny wreched little man was British with a strong northern accent, he was in his mid 30's and hanging around outside a seven eleven shop on Sukhumvit Rd. Told him to go fxxk himself and get a life.

what difference does it make if its a thai or farang , they annoy you just as much

I bet his name is Bulldog?

I was in Bangkok in 1989, hanging around with the usual suspects. T'was this Scottish fella who used to beg from Thai office workers at Siam Square. Had a sign written in Thai by the owner of the salubrious establishment we frequented. the sign said he had all his stuff stolen, etc. He used to make 1500 baht some days. Not bad for 1989. Told me there was a beggars' circuit in East and Northeast Asia. Gave each other tips on where to beg, etc.

@magisterosa, looks like Bulldog went from begging in Siam Square, to being the "Kingpin" in holiday club scams in phuket!

Yeah... Like the average Thai Policeman can understand two words of English.

@ BIBSY. you'll be surprised, they make out they don't understand, but I'll bet all the tea in India that they nearly understand!

This goes on all over the world, not just Bangkok! I've been approached in the UK many times with variations of this. If you give him anything then more the fool you.

Its a sad state of affairs , but we all agree that it happens!

Just imagine if it happened to be you?

I'm not saying its coool & all above board, but how many off ye have suffered serious ilness, like drink / drug or mental ilness ?

I await yere replys & understanding.

Cause I seemed to of had turned into a right prick as of late, I was homeless through drink & drugs both in London / New York / Dublin / Goa & Germany I Could go on & on & on...


I am a man who is a publisher at the mo, always had the abilkity to make money, but just lost interest in myself and the idea of being someone!

Being stuck in the middle sucks!

Its to hard to remain in the middle, to far up to climb & it looks easier to crumble down, enjoy company & not be alone.

Thats why I say do what you got to do, just don't hurt yourself or others on the way.

It ain't easy trying to be everyone: Look Around You & Indeed In tHe Mirror.

People in general are good, its the people like us who seem to forget what its like to have nothing, seems to sit , sneak judgements & look down upon the fragile in life.

Look In Our Mirrors\

Who claims never to of had to pull a scam here or there??

aNY REPLY WILL BE COSIDERED ASS

@Jake, understand what your saying, but where does one draw a line? There are a few farang who have run out of money in Thailand and just don't want to go home? So, they succumb to story telling (scamming). The Thai Government have their own citizeans to worry about, hence I believe it best for pennyless farangs to return home and treated (free in Europe) for any addictions (Thai women might be difficult one though). I would give someone the money to return home if I could see they were in trouble, but would they?

london is homeless

the same everywhere, "I was robbed" or "I've just left the hospital" - help me. Once I was asked such person - "only little money for food only". I offered him some snack - he disappeared at once :)

If someone approachs you seeking money just direct them to the timeshare touts who are on a commission of 3000baht for each customer they entice off the street to attend a 90min presentation, which actually goes for 3hrs.
Tell the guy to offer to go to the presentation for half the commission or for whatever amount is agreed on.
That way the guy gets his money and also a feed if he asks for one whilst at the presentation.

I don't see this as any serious scam - aren't you being a bit stingy - obviously the guy is a loser - feel sorry for him, he is so negative about life he thinks he has to beg and deceive people - be kinder and rise above it.

This has happened to me a couple of times. It's difficult because it's impossible to know if they're genuine.

The first time it happened the guy came up with the standard sob story of how he'd been robbed in Koh Samui and couldn't get money from the bank until Monday (how he'd managed to get to BKK in the meantime I don't know!) Anyway, I half believed him and gave him some money. A few days later I saw him eating a nice farang breakfast and I enquired how he was. He showed no recognition and seemed annoyed that I'd interrupted his meal.

The next time someone came up to me with a similar story I politely told her (a woman, this time) that I was very sorry but I could not pay her. Then she got angry and started shouting at me about how bad I was for not helping her. Now for all I know her story might have been true, but after her tirade I was glad of my decision. I know if I was robbed and needed to ask someone for money I would be extremely apologetic and it's up to each individual whether to pay or not.

I did have a friend who said she lost all her money in Vietnam years ago and someone helped her and bought her a ticket home. She said that she could easily have taken the money and not paid him back, but he had trusted her and I believe she sent money back to the guy after she returned home. So genuine situations do occur and it's nice when people can help each other out. But watch out for people who do this for a living. One or two people have suggested that it is not a scam, but I feel that it is. Think twice before giving money and if there's anything dodgy about them don't pay.

I lent money to my mate and hes my proper mate!! and he didnt give it back but run off to Thailand.

@bernard That's not a "scam" its a beggar on the street asking for money. It has no Bering on Thailand what so ever. Beggars exist in every city in the world JUST SAY NO its not a scam.

(PEDICURE) I have given money to simular persons & often gave to thai "homeless people" until I saw lady with child begging sitting on pavement who had very nice painted toes?. I live in London & see same people asking/begging for money one person acually cuts his arm & asks for cabfare to hospital he's been doing this for years.

Very simple....

"Dear sir... The British Embassy is 3 minutes walk from Central ... I am sure they can assist you"...

embassies dont help but again usually these are scams..

Just few years ago in London I was stop by someone claimed to be plain clothe police and demanded to see by passport knowing that I am a tourist. I told him that my passport is in my hotel and he told me in this case I must follow him to the police station. When i ask to see his I/D he just walked away. If I will to follow him I am sure I will be robbed and scammed.

Farang, please look at your own backyard. Scamming happen anywhere in the world and not just Thailand.

It is so stupid to believe all these scamming story. Next time if some farangs tell you that their story and need some money because they have lost or been robbed of their money, just tell him/her to go to their country embassy for helps.

Busukorn, this web site is specifically for Thailand, there are web sites that specialise in scams in the UK, so please don't be pedantic.

There's a few in Pattaya, I had a guy with Canadian accent come up with a story about being scammed for all his money by a Thai Girl and was waiting for a money transfer and could I sort him out with some money for a hot-dog... I said "No problem mate, I can do better than that... come with me to McDonalds and I'll get you a Double Big Mac meal".. He walked off..

It is so stupid to believe all these scamming story. Next time if some farangs tell you that their story and need some money because they have lost or been robbed of their money, just tell him/her to go to hell for helps.

I wished everone is so cleverly like you

This is for IvyKing the smartest falang in the world