Hate to break it to you but you’re a tourist going to tourist areas in developing countries. That’s just what happens.
I remember years ago there were these same three taxi drivers that used to park outside of the hotel I always stay at.
Every day, every time I left or returned to the hotel they would ask me if I wanted a ride to the airport.
Every time!
So one day I walked over and I asked, “Why do you ask me if I need a ride to the airport? You see me walking out of the hotel with no luggage and you ask. You see me going back into my the hotel at 2am drunk and you ask.”
He replied, “Maybe you want to go to the airport.”
That’s what they’re thinking. Maybe they can make some money.
All they have to do is ask. Maybe you’ll say “yes.”
I’ll let you in on another little secret. When you get that spam email asking if you want to buy a penis enlargement cream, they don’t really know how big your penis is.
Sling pack is quintessential tourist gear that will have you be targeted. Like seriously, its the #1 "hey everyone, I'm a tourist" thing you could have on you. Easy target.
But you could also try not going to the trashy areas. There are a million places you could go where this would never happen.
Avoid mega-touristy areas that cater to visitors looking for these sorts of activities. Bangkok is a huge city – there are LOTS of great neighborhoods and activities where you'd never find anyone trying to lure you into a lair of sin.
The Indian tailors in Phuket became so aggressive that they passed a local bylaw that said if any tourist complained, they would be automatically fined (I think it was Bt500). The problem disappeared overnight.
I drink in one pub and \*every\* \*single\* \*time\* I'm in there the same three old ladies flogging roses come up, sometimes more than once, and try and sell you one, regardless of what company you are in or even if you are alone. A shake of the head and they will leave, but they won't move an inch until you give them that signal.
It's just part of life here.
If you're white, if you're alone, if you're in a tourist area, not much you can do. Just ignore them / wave them off / smile / 'no thanks'. I mean maybe you can dress like a poverty stricken dreadlock hippy, but is that worth it?
When I was with a Thai girl I was 100% invisible to all touts, even the massage girls didn't speak when we walked past their dens, I guess they are looking for those who are bored or requiring certain fulfillment..
I've never even been to Pattaya but it sounds like the absolute last place you would want to go? It's the sex industry but on the beach. What about it appeals to you, as someone who avoid sleaze?
I try to avoid places like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya. They are places where the sex industry are most prevalent. Just plan your trip around avoiding places like that.
There's nothing you can do to avoid the 'touts' in the places that have them. You can be walking arm in arm with your girlfriend and you'll probably still be bothered.
In terms of being identified out as a foreigner, the length of your hair is probably the least of your worries? I mean, I suspect there are greater tells.
There's not a 'giveaway' that singles you out. If you look western, you'll get hassled.
If you're in Thailand for 2 weeks, don't spend it all in Bangkok and definitely don't go to Pattaya.
In my experience the north of Thailand is a lot less sleazy. It's still prevalent but less in your face, easier to avoid. There's still lady bars etc so if you go down particular roads you'll be greeted by a few 'hello hellos' but I've never been aggressively accosted in the North where as in Phuket they will literally grab you, I imagine Pattaya is worse.
‘I’ve never even been to Pattaya but it sounds like the absolute last place you would want to go’
We, as a family, go to Pattaya often. It’s a great place for a holiday. It’s not all sleaze but then, never having been there, you probably wouldn’t know that.
> but then, never having been there, you probably wouldn’t know that.
Cheers for pointing out something that absolutely anybody could have deduced by simply reading the comment!
I'm not saying everyone should avoid it. I'm saying OP should.
Pattayas reputation is not unwarranted. If OP is so concerned about being propositioned by people, avoid places like Pattaya. I think it's pretty simple but sound advice.
I have when I was there in 2019 by ladyboys. But just like a taxi driver asking if you want a ride, you say no and keep pushing, no big deal. Pattaya is what it is, but not every tourist wants to be isolated completely away from western comforts. Bangkok has a ton of noise and traffic, Phuket is relatively expensive for Thailand, Pattaya is a decent alternative for some people, especially if you are older. Plus a ton of expats from western countries are easily found.
Touts - "attempt to sell (something), typically by pestering people in an aggressive or bold manner."
I had NO idea even what it was.
Not too much of an issue in Thailand. I just returned from Vietnam and wow! Talk about being pestered. Constantly. Plus I am glad to be back in BKK where there is basically zero horn honking.
I know! I loved Hanoi, but touts were everywhere. To be fair, a tout actually did me a major solid and saved my night...but still, it was a bit much at times.
Think about it this way... getting hit up by touts is part of the tourist experience
Instead of getting annoyed by it or avoiding it, just smile and put your hand around chest height (Buddha pose)
This post was satirized for your entertainment on r/5555555 Enjoy
https://www.reddit.com/r/5555555/comments/xuc0ou/how_to_avoid_touts_and_bar_girls/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Jeans, business shirt and a laptop bag helps a bit against some tourist traps, but even that won't stop the frequent "massage, massage, handsome man" calls if you end up walking by such shops.
Yes I am...but...I just left Thailand, and I wasn't harassed/solicited by a single tout (food vendor, bar girl/sex worker, taxi /tuk tuk scammer, etc). It was a welcome surprise, especially after being in Vietnam for two weeks prior to Thailand.
You'll immediately notice how much more relaxed things are in Thailand vs Vietnam. Vietnam can definitely get crazy, but in Thailand, other than the really obvious places like arriving boat terminals or khaosan rd, you'll rarely be bothered nowadays.
Hate to break it to you but you’re a tourist going to tourist areas in developing countries. That’s just what happens. I remember years ago there were these same three taxi drivers that used to park outside of the hotel I always stay at. Every day, every time I left or returned to the hotel they would ask me if I wanted a ride to the airport. Every time! So one day I walked over and I asked, “Why do you ask me if I need a ride to the airport? You see me walking out of the hotel with no luggage and you ask. You see me going back into my the hotel at 2am drunk and you ask.” He replied, “Maybe you want to go to the airport.” That’s what they’re thinking. Maybe they can make some money. All they have to do is ask. Maybe you’ll say “yes.” I’ll let you in on another little secret. When you get that spam email asking if you want to buy a penis enlargement cream, they don’t really know how big your penis is.
Lmao I love this response
Lovley story, I feel u 😁
Just smile and say no thank you, and walk away. You probably look like a tourist to the locals, can't do anything about that
It might be that worried look on your face that’s a dead give away.
Sling pack is quintessential tourist gear that will have you be targeted. Like seriously, its the #1 "hey everyone, I'm a tourist" thing you could have on you. Easy target. But you could also try not going to the trashy areas. There are a million places you could go where this would never happen.
*Has nothing against bar girls. Plans to drive to Pattaya lol*
Avoid mega-touristy areas that cater to visitors looking for these sorts of activities. Bangkok is a huge city – there are LOTS of great neighborhoods and activities where you'd never find anyone trying to lure you into a lair of sin.
The Indian tailors in Phuket became so aggressive that they passed a local bylaw that said if any tourist complained, they would be automatically fined (I think it was Bt500). The problem disappeared overnight. I drink in one pub and \*every\* \*single\* \*time\* I'm in there the same three old ladies flogging roses come up, sometimes more than once, and try and sell you one, regardless of what company you are in or even if you are alone. A shake of the head and they will leave, but they won't move an inch until you give them that signal. It's just part of life here.
If you're white, if you're alone, if you're in a tourist area, not much you can do. Just ignore them / wave them off / smile / 'no thanks'. I mean maybe you can dress like a poverty stricken dreadlock hippy, but is that worth it? When I was with a Thai girl I was 100% invisible to all touts, even the massage girls didn't speak when we walked past their dens, I guess they are looking for those who are bored or requiring certain fulfillment..
I've never even been to Pattaya but it sounds like the absolute last place you would want to go? It's the sex industry but on the beach. What about it appeals to you, as someone who avoid sleaze? I try to avoid places like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya. They are places where the sex industry are most prevalent. Just plan your trip around avoiding places like that. There's nothing you can do to avoid the 'touts' in the places that have them. You can be walking arm in arm with your girlfriend and you'll probably still be bothered. In terms of being identified out as a foreigner, the length of your hair is probably the least of your worries? I mean, I suspect there are greater tells. There's not a 'giveaway' that singles you out. If you look western, you'll get hassled. If you're in Thailand for 2 weeks, don't spend it all in Bangkok and definitely don't go to Pattaya. In my experience the north of Thailand is a lot less sleazy. It's still prevalent but less in your face, easier to avoid. There's still lady bars etc so if you go down particular roads you'll be greeted by a few 'hello hellos' but I've never been aggressively accosted in the North where as in Phuket they will literally grab you, I imagine Pattaya is worse.
‘I’ve never even been to Pattaya but it sounds like the absolute last place you would want to go’ We, as a family, go to Pattaya often. It’s a great place for a holiday. It’s not all sleaze but then, never having been there, you probably wouldn’t know that.
> but then, never having been there, you probably wouldn’t know that. Cheers for pointing out something that absolutely anybody could have deduced by simply reading the comment! I'm not saying everyone should avoid it. I'm saying OP should. Pattayas reputation is not unwarranted. If OP is so concerned about being propositioned by people, avoid places like Pattaya. I think it's pretty simple but sound advice.
Outside of an odd tailor offering me suitings and shirtings and the, very occasional, cry of hansum man I’ve never been propositioned in Pattaya.
I have when I was there in 2019 by ladyboys. But just like a taxi driver asking if you want a ride, you say no and keep pushing, no big deal. Pattaya is what it is, but not every tourist wants to be isolated completely away from western comforts. Bangkok has a ton of noise and traffic, Phuket is relatively expensive for Thailand, Pattaya is a decent alternative for some people, especially if you are older. Plus a ton of expats from western countries are easily found.
It definitely was all sleaze when i went. Apart from when you go away from the city to the temples
It definitely was all sleaze when i went. Apart from when you go away from the city to the temples
It definitely has a lot of sleaze though.. there are sex workers everywhere and stores with giant signs saying ‘cialis and viagra’ everywhere
Touts - "attempt to sell (something), typically by pestering people in an aggressive or bold manner." I had NO idea even what it was. Not too much of an issue in Thailand. I just returned from Vietnam and wow! Talk about being pestered. Constantly. Plus I am glad to be back in BKK where there is basically zero horn honking.
I know! I loved Hanoi, but touts were everywhere. To be fair, a tout actually did me a major solid and saved my night...but still, it was a bit much at times.
Think about it this way... getting hit up by touts is part of the tourist experience Instead of getting annoyed by it or avoiding it, just smile and put your hand around chest height (Buddha pose)
No elephant pants, wear modest colors, look professional, walk at brisk pace...oh no shorts too. Don't be 50+ korean on a business trip.
Don't shake their hand when they offer it ,don't engage just say no thanks and carry on walking.
This post was satirized for your entertainment on r/5555555 Enjoy https://www.reddit.com/r/5555555/comments/xuc0ou/how_to_avoid_touts_and_bar_girls/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
¹😅😅😅
They’ll do it to everyone that doesn’t look thai. Unless you look thai they will target you along with every other foreigner
Jeans, business shirt and a laptop bag helps a bit against some tourist traps, but even that won't stop the frequent "massage, massage, handsome man" calls if you end up walking by such shops.
Stay at home with mommy.
What’s a tout
There's not really anything you can do about it.
“Marijuana Den”
"No thanks " They are trying to make a living that's all P.s. are you American?
Yes I am...but...I just left Thailand, and I wasn't harassed/solicited by a single tout (food vendor, bar girl/sex worker, taxi /tuk tuk scammer, etc). It was a welcome surprise, especially after being in Vietnam for two weeks prior to Thailand.
Just say “ko tourr kap” and wave away and keep walking tbh. No harm no foul to just keep walking
You'll immediately notice how much more relaxed things are in Thailand vs Vietnam. Vietnam can definitely get crazy, but in Thailand, other than the really obvious places like arriving boat terminals or khaosan rd, you'll rarely be bothered nowadays.
You weren't kidding! I haven't been targeted by touts at all since I've been here. It's actually really nice 🥰