Thailand's largest photos and videos site!
Over 3400 pages, 2800 photos, 100 videos. 1.4+ million pages served

Popular: Thailand PHOTOS Index Thailand VIDEOS Index Thailand E-BOOKS & Articles E-books for Sale Thailand BLOGS Thai Restaurants

Travel Activities: Things to do in Thailand Articles: Thai People and Culture General: Thailand Reference Info

Expats in Thailand
(Expats, Westerners, Long Term Visitors, Alien Residents)

Some estimates are at 100,000 for the number of western expats living in Thailand at any given time. We come, each for our own reasons. There is a natural instinct to trust other people that look similar to you. While here you may ask for help, advice, or need something from other farangs that are here. There are 'good' people here and there are people with 'bad' intentions. There are many crimes committed by farangs' to farangs. You should really be cautious with everyone you meet and even after they become friends to some degree. Once they have your trust - that is when the criminal can work their scam more easily. A good rule of thumb that I follow personally is... if another farang is asking for my help I will give them only one thing: ADVICE. I will not give anyone money. I will not invest in ANYTHING. I will not BUY something from someone, I will go to a store. I will not take any responsibility for anyone. That means I won't sign anything for them. I won't take a credit card out for them. I won't take a library card out for them. I won't exchange US money for Thai money. I won't book an airline ticket on my credit card if they give me cash. I won't hold anything for someone.

Now, I'm extreme... but, on the other hand I've stayed away from trouble for 2 years. I was a counselor in the USA for a number of years so I'm well aware of how people use others for their own gain whether monetary or emotional.

Here are some negative reasons that someone might move to Thailand... This is a cautionary note. There are many sick folks here from all the countries of the world. This list is all negative. Yes, there are other reasons for coming to Thailand - humanitarian reasons even. This is not the page for that. See "Good People you may meet in Thailand" page...

1. Committed a crime in their home country: Murder, Rape, Pedophilia, Assault, Fraud, Tax Evasion, Burglary, etc.

2. Came to make a living off those that could be scammed. (See scams index)

3. The man or woman is a pedophile and would like to find young boys and girls.

4. The person is addicted to a drug and thinks it's easier to get along in society here than at home.

5. The person traffics or wishes to get involved in the trafficking of: prostitutes, drugs, counterfeit documents, etc.

Be careful and watch for scams when you come to Thailand there are people everyday getting ripped-off for thousands and millions of Thai baht. Your new friend may be the one that does it to you...

Thai Buddha and other Buddhist Amulets shipped from Thailand. Authentic.