July 16, 2022 - Reading time: 8 minutes
Updated: November 1, 2024

For our foreign clients that are involved in romantic relationships with Thai people, we would recommend that they perform some basic research on Thai culture, traditions, and etiquette, if they have not already done so. Understanding certain details about your partner's culture can help you to better understand their mindset and expectations for your relationship. As a leading detective agency based in Thailand, we are often asked about infidelity and whether it is accepted in Thailand.

No, adultery is not generally acceptable in Thailand, and there are stiff penalties in place for those that are caught. However, this is not to say that adultery does not occur in Thailand and attitudes towards adultery can vary depending upon who you speak to.

Some men will knowingly cheat on their wives with what they call 'mia noi's, for example. Loosely translated to "minor wife", a "mia noi" will be a lady that the man maintains a romantic relationship with in addition to his wife, for a prolonged period. While some men might find it acceptable to cheat on their partner in this way through having a long term affair, that is not to say that their actions are not without consequence if they are caught.

For Thai ladies that are involved in romantic relationships with foreigners, the motivation for them to commit infidelity is more likely to be financially related. The so-called 'Thai girlfriend scam', as it is known, typically involves a lady forging romantic ties with multiple different guys, who all believe that they are the only woman in her life. Some boyfriends might send money to the lady, others will only treat her to gifts or during vacations to Thailand. Of course, if you are not married to your partner then while it might be immoral for them to cheat on you, their infidelity will not be classed as adultery.

Is adultery illegal in Thailand?

Thai law protects the sanctity of wedding vows, and adultery can carry harsh penalties in some cases.

According to legal experts, if you are involved in a romantic relationship with a person that is married, then you could be sued by their husband or wife. Romantic messages and photos can be used as evidence of the relationship, and if a case is backed by solid proof then the third party can be ordered to pay financial compensation to the husband or wife that was cheated on.

The plaintiff can seek compensation by suing the other person without divorcing their partner, and then sue them again for a second time if the affair continues.

Spouses that are cheated on can also seek to be awarded child support which is deducted directly from their ex-partner's salary.

If you are concerned that your Thai partner might be currently married and would like to check their marital status, then we can help by performing a background check for you.

Is adultery common in Thailand?

According to surveys which were conducted in 2012 by dating site Match.com and condom manufacturer Durex, 56% of the Thai respondents admitted to having an affair on their married partner. This statistic ranks Thailand as one of the most adulterous nations surveyed, with Denmark and Italy coming in second and third places respectively.

Is polygamy allowed in Thailand?

No, polygamy is not allowed in Thailand. It is reported that polygamy was an acceptable practice in Thailand for centuries until it was banned in 1935, just three years after the Siamese Revolution.

Is marriage important in Thailand?

Yes. Marriage is important in Thailand and in Thai culture. Traditionally, some Thais are thought to believe that a romantic relationship does not truly exist until it has been denoted by marriage (or a wedding ceremony).

While many Thais favour an extravagant wedding ceremony with music and food for their friends/family, not all decide to follow up their ceremony by visiting their district registrar and officially registering their marriage. While those getting married in Western countries tend to always register their marriages, this is not always the case in Thailand and some are happy to forego registration of their marriage after holding a wedding ceremony.

Is marriage important to my Thai girlfriend?

Of course, the answer to this question will vary depending on your girlfriend and her own personal beliefs. In the past, we have heard the excuse from cheating Thai ladies that "we weren't even married, so the relationship was not serious". Some Thais do believe that a romantic relationship is not 'bona fide' until a wedding ceremony has taken place.

As in many other countries, marriage (or a wedding ceremony) can be used to share the news to the lady's community that she is now committed to a serious relationship.

Often a 'dowry' or 'sin sod' will be paid to the bride's family by the groom during their wedding ceremony. A dowry payment will typically consist of a pile of cash and gold, property/land deeds can also be included as part of a dowry payment or even an expensive vehicle. The dowry will be displayed for all to see during the wedding ceremony, which can help to increase the lady's 'face' and make the couple appear to be prosperous. The payment has been described as compensation to the bride's family for taking their daughter out of their household. Once this payment is made to the bride's family, it is usually not refundable.

How can I tell if my partner is cheating on me in Thailand?

Finding out for sure whether your partner is actively cheating on you in Thailand can be very difficult or impossible in some cases. Especially if you are not currently in Thailand and your partner is; or if you cannot understand the Thai language, then finding out whether infidelity is taking place in your relationship might prove to be a real challenge.

As a leading detective agency based in Bangkok and covering all areas of Thailand, we have often helped our clients to check their partner's activities in Thailand. Whether you need us to perform a Thai lady investigation, a background check, or investigate a cheating husband in Thailand, we can help. Please visit our homepage to learn more about us or contact one of our experienced team members for a free quote - please remember to include the exact location of the assignment and all relevant details when getting in touch with us.

Related articles

• Why you should run a background check on a Thai girlfriend
• Signs that your Thai girlfriend is cheating on you
• Avoid Thai Girlfriend Scams: Tips from Private Investigators

Sources: Thai PBS

July 7, 2022 - Reading time: 14 minutes
Updated: May 30, 2025

Do I need to send money to my Thai girlfriend? – The answer to this question will of course vary depending upon your girlfriend's circumstances and her financial situation. If your girlfriend comes from a wealthy family, or even a 'middle class' Thai family, then you might find yourself not needing to support her by helping out with money. Indeed, if your girlfriend's family are very wealthy, then they might even decide to help you out with spare cash – however, cases such as this are not seen by us very often.

In order to understand the concept of providing for a Thai girlfriend (and her family) by giving her a cash allowance or helping out with money, we feel it's important to understand more about Thai culture and the daughter's role within the family. Having a basic understanding of Thai culture in general can only benefit the relationship that you have with your Thai girlfriend, and we would certainly recommend doing some research in order to better understand Thailand culture and customs if you are dating a Thai lady.

Where does your Thai girlfriend come from?

We think it's safe to assume that your Thai girlfriend comes from Thailand. However, Thailand is a big place and things can vary somewhat depending upon the region. Many Thai women that date foreigners come from the North East of Thailand in an area known as Isan. Isan comprises of several different provinces which are largely comprised of rural farming communities.

Often is the case that Thai people from rural areas will travel to large cities (such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, or Chiang Mai) in order to look for work; they will then be responsible for sending money back to their families in the village. Grandparents will often take care of their grandchildren while the child's parents work away in a city. If your girlfriend is in a situation similar to this then you must appreciate her obligation to look after her parents (and/or other family members) by sending money to them on a regular basis.

If your girlfriend's family are based in a more metropolitan area (rather than a rural village which is surrounded by rice fields), then there will be a greater likelihood of them working or being able to earn money.

Is your Thai girlfriend working class or middle class?

Understanding whether your Thai girlfriend is working class or middle class can offer important context about her expectations, lifestyle, and potential financial obligations. In Thailand, socioeconomic background varies widely by region, profession, and family structure.

If your girlfriend's family lives in a rural farming village—perhaps growing rice or working in agriculture—this would typically be considered a working-class background. These families often have limited means, and financial support from children working in cities is very common. In many of these cases, daughters are expected to contribute financially and may rely on their partner’s help.

On the other hand, if her parents live in a major city and both hold stable, salaried jobs—such as teachers, civil servants, business owners, or professionals—they are more likely to be middle class. A middle-class Thai family may have financial obligations like car payments or home loans, but also greater access to credit and income. They may not expect direct financial support from their daughter’s partner—though again, this can depend heavily on the individual family dynamic.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many working-class Thais faced increased financial hardship, especially those in informal or tourism-based jobs. As a result, some women who previously didn’t rely on partner support may now be under pressure to help their families financially. It’s important to evaluate whether these requests are genuine or manipulative. If you're unsure, we can help verify the situation.

Are Thai girlfriends expensive?

The answer to this question can vary hugely depending on the circumstances. Again, if your Thai girlfriend is from a wealthy family or has a stable career, then she may not need any support from you. In order to answer this question you should really take a close look at your girlfriend, her lifestyle, and any financial obligations that she has.

Be cautious if your Thai partner claims to have no debt or financial burdens at all. While it's certainly possible, statistically speaking, it's uncommon. As of late 2024, Thailand's household debt stood at 88.4% of GDP – one of the highest in the region – totalling over 16.4 trillion baht (approximately 484 billion USD). This includes mortgages, credit cards, vehicle loans and personal lending, and affects a huge portion of the Thai middle class.

Even if your girlfriend personally has no debt, there's a very strong chance her family does. Debts related to farming, home loans, motorbikes, education, or business are widespread – particularly in rural areas like Isan. If she claims her entire family is debt-free and financially independent, it may be a sign she’s not being fully transparent. We've seen many cases where men were blindsided by unexpected requests for large sums – often after months of quiet buildup.

If you're unsure about her situation, we can investigate to confirm whether there are genuine financial pressures or if you're being manipulated. For more on this topic, see our article on checking credit scores or debt in Thailand.

If your girlfriend is responsible for supporting her parents or family members that live in rural areas, for example; then the costs associated with living in a rural area are usually quite low, and supporting her family might be relatively cheap in monetary terms.

If your girlfriend is accustomed to an affluent lifestyle on the other hand, and rents a high-end condo or house in the city, enjoys eating at nice restaurants, shopping for brand name clothing, perhaps she also has car payments to make, for example; then a main financial burden for you could be subsidising her lifestyle.

How much does she earn? What are her approximate outgoings? These are the type of questions that you need to answer in order to understand whether your girlfriend is likely to be expensive. Due to the Thai concept of 'saving face', it is unlikely that any Thai person will be candid about their financial situation. Don't expect to be able to answer questions such as these by speaking to a lady over the internet, we suggest meeting her and witnessing her lifestyle first hand in order to gauge it for yourself. Or, we could check her lifestyle by conducting an investigation.

Your Thai girlfriend's role within her family

Pensions for the elderly are often very meagre (or non-existent) in Thailand, and so it is not uncommon for children to support their parents into their old age. In traditional Thai culture this obligation often falls upon the daughter of the family; while sons are left to provide for their own partner/children (and their partner's parents, if necessary), the daughter will need to send money in order to take care of her elderly parents.

Of course, this is not always the case, and sometimes sons will be tasked with supporting their parents instead; however, traditionally the obligation is passed onto the daughter of the family.

If your Thai girlfriend is responsible for supporting her parents or other family members then this burden will ultimately be shared with yourself if you decide to date her or get married.

Is there a large age gap between you and your Thai girlfriend?

If there is a large age gap between you and your Thai girlfriend, then the likelihood that she will expect a cash allowance or lavish gifts is probably going to be increased. Indeed, many ladies prefer mature men as they are thought to be more financially well off and more capable of supporting the lady monetarily.

How much money do I need to give my Thai girlfriend?

Again, the answer to this question is hugely subjective depending on the lady's circumstances. There are cases where ladies do not need any money from their foreign boyfriends or partners. In other cases we have heard of men that send 20,000 THB per month, or 25,000, or 30,000, even 50,000 THB or more. It all depends on yourself, your partner's needs, and how deep your pockets are.

We also see many cases where a lady will claim "not to need any money" from her foreign boyfriend for many months or even years until a large expense needs to be paid for. Many ladies appreciate that foreign men are not keen on sending money to them, and will deliberately not ask for money or talk about money at all for a prolonged period - even if the lady is in dire need of cash in some cases.

Again, the Thai concept of 'saving face' is relevant... Asking for cash may not be perceived as a good trait and some ladies will avoid asking for money in order to build up a serious romantic relationship where money will inevitably become involved at some stage.

Are you her boyfriend or are you her customer?

According to statistics published by Wikipedia, at its peak there are 27,000 active prostitutes working in Pattaya city alone. If you find yourself involved with one of these ladies, then you might find a fine line between dating her and simply being her customer.

This is often a line which can get blurred if you are paying for a lady to spend time with you; the so-called 'girlfriend experience' is designed to blur this line and make you feel although you are in a romantic relationship with the lady. You may indeed be in a romantic relationship with the lady, but in a role as her customer rather than as her boyfriend.

Many of the ladies that work in Thailand's notorious adult entertainment industry use internet dating apps to search for serious romantic relationships. Often these ladies will claim to have legitimate jobs in order for the guys they are speaking with to consider having a serious relationship with them. They can pose wearing uniforms for supermarkets or restaurants, for example, and most men will never question their stories - especially if they have never previously visited Thailand. You may think that 'it could never happen to you', however we have seen numerous cases where our clients had the same belief, and would never have discovered the truth had they not decided to start an investigation.

Is your Thai girlfriend being honest with you?

Finding out about the true financial situation of someone can be difficult. Sometimes couples that are together for years or even decades will conceal financial matters from each other. Due to the Thai concept of saving face, your Thai girlfriend might be more likely to tell you things which she believes will make her seem more desirable to you - and this can make it very difficult to uncover the truth in many cases.

Thai girlfriend works at a bar

We deal with many cases where our clients date Thai ladies that work in bars; whether that is a beer bar, go-go bar, nightclub, gentleman's club, or in any similar type establishment.

Usually when the lady is working at a bar, her boyfriend will provide her with a monthly allowance. In return the lady 'will not leave the bar with other customers', and will 'only earn money through tips or lady drinks'. The lady will usually call her boyfriend at the same time every night in order to prove that she has not left the bar with a customer...

We usually find that the reality of the situation is much different. In the majority of cases the lady will continue to leave her bar and travel with customers to their hotel rooms. She will indeed call her boyfriend at the same time every night, however she might be calling from the toilet or balcony of her client's hotel room; in other cases bar girls will call their boyfriends in front of customers who tend to find the situation amusing.

If you found a Thai lady through internet dating and have never actually met her in real life, then if the lady is working in a bar she will typically claim to have a normal job working in a supermarket or restaurant, for example. Finding the truth of the situation even if you decide to later visit Thailand can often prove to be difficult or impossible.

In such cases we can help our clients to check their Thai girlfriends by conducting an investigation.

Check your Thai girlfriend

If you decide to support your Thai girlfriend by sending her gifts or a monthly allowance, then we think it makes sense to check her circumstances in order to protect your investment and make sure that you aren't being played.

We can use a variety of different techniques during Thai lady investigations, from running a background check or using surveillance in order to verify the lady's circumstances and lifestyle. Our services often save our clients far more than they would have otherwise spent in supporting their Thai girlfriend for even a short period of time.

Please visit the Bangkok Investigators homepage to learn more about us and the different services that we offer.

July 6, 2022 - Reading time: 5 minutes
Updated: June 3, 2025

Many of our clients seek a prematrimonial background check on their Thai girlfriend to verify her identity, check her circumstances, and ultimately protect any financial or emotional investments they may make in her.

There are several reasons why performing a background check on a Thai partner is important. Below, we explore the most common motivations for getting a background check.

1. Check Her Honesty

In Thai culture, the concept of "saving face" is significant, which can sometimes lead Thai girlfriends to withhold information that they fear may make them less desirable to a foreign partner. For example, if you met her in Thailand or through online dating, she might not immediately tell you about children from a previous relationship or her family situation.

Even though children are often cared for by grandparents in rural villages while parents work in the city, the lady may not mention this if you do not meet her family. A background check can help verify the lady's circumstances.

Learn more about our background check service.

Additionally, if the lady has been divorced or is still married, she may not mention this to avoid awkwardness or prevent jeopardising the relationship. A background check can help uncover such facts.

For example, if she works in the adult entertainment industry, she may not disclose her occupation, presenting herself as a student or someone with a regular job. These situations may seem unlikely, but we’ve found that they do occur, and a background check could uncover the truth.

2. Marital Status and Marriage/Divorce History

Did you know that if you're involved with a married woman in Thailand, you could be legally liable? Thai law allows for a husband to sue if he finds evidence of another man in his wife’s life. For this reason, it is crucial to verify her marital status and marriage/divorce history, even if you’re not running a full background check.

3. Applying for a Long-Term Visa

If you're thinking about applying for a long-term visa for your Thai girlfriend, various factors could complicate the process. A criminal background, for example, may prevent her from obtaining a visa to visit your country. If she's been divorced recently or is still married, it might also create issues for your visa application.

Additionally, if she has a history of unstable employment or cannot demonstrate long-term career prospects, it might affect her chances of obtaining a visa. Our background checks can also help verify her employment and educational background.

4. Avoid Falling Victim to Romance Scams

Romance scams are on the rise, with the United States Federal Trade Commission reporting an 80% increase in scams in 2021. Fraudsters prey on people by building an emotional connection and then deceiving them to gain money.

These scams often involve elaborate lies, making even the most unlikely stories seem believable. Fraudsters are highly skilled at manipulating emotions, and victims often become too attached to question the situation. Performing a background check is one way to verify claims and eliminate the risk of falling into a scam.

5. Make an Informed Investment

In many cases, foreign partners may provide financial support to their Thai girlfriend, whether it's through regular assistance or during special occasions. For example, in Thai weddings, a dowry, or sin sod, may be expected, which can involve a significant financial contribution (ranging from 500,000 THB to several million THB). This can include money, gold, or even property.

Even if a formal wedding and dowry are not part of the plan, cross-border relationships often incur travel, visa, and relocation costs. Just as in business, it’s wise to do your due diligence in romantic relationships to protect your investment.

Learn More

To learn more about how we can assist you, please visit the Bangkok Investigators homepage or explore our background screening services. We offer free, no-pressure quotes for all services. Contact us today for more information or to request a quotation.

June 23, 2022 - Reading time: 6 minutes
Updated: June 8, 2024

An article published by the Bangkok Post claims that Thai motorists who refuse to pay their fines will now face more severe enforcement and possible arrest under new measures announced by the Royal Thai Police (RTP).

Those subject to fines will face multiple warnings before police resort to issuing arrest warrants.

First, a subject will be issued with a deadline to pay their fine, whether that fine was issued on the spot or through postal mail, Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek, who is deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) was quoted as saying in the article.

If the fine is not paid, then a written warning will be sent within 15 days of the deadline. They will then be afforded an additional 15 days to make payment. Multiple payment options are available, from bank transfer to over-the-counter service at convenience stores, by mail, or in person at a police station. Failure to heed the warnings may result in up to two summonses being issued.

The deputy commissioner is reported as saying that if the summonses were ignored then the police will ask the courts to issue arrest warrants. Pol Maj Gen Jirasan continued to say that arrest warrants would be enforceable all over the country and that those attempting to leave the country with outstanding arrest warrants could be apprehended by police.

Furthermore, the offence relating to an unpaid fine would be listed on the subject’s Thai criminal record, which could hinder their chances of finding a job if their employer decides to run a background check on them, or if a background check is necessary for their field of work.

Applying for credit from a bank or other financial institution might also be hindered by the presence of a criminal record caused by unpaid fines.

Bangkok Investigators.com comment that while the failure to pay fines is not itself a serious offence, some employers might view it as a signal of insubordinate behaviour from their candidate. If the candidate is applying for a role which involves trust, handling cash, or providing financial advice to others, for example, then most employers will expect their candidate to have a reasonable grasp of their own financial affairs. We think it's fair to assume that failing to pay fines is not usually a trait which most people (and employers) tend to associate with responsible behaviour.

According to one statistic which was published by Nation Thailand in 2018, out of 13.5 million fines, 83 percent (just over 11 million) were unpaid at the time of the article's publication. Authorities are thought to hope that the new measures will decrease the number of fines which are not paid.

If you are an employer that is looking to recruit people in Thailand then you might choose to perform a preemployment background check on your prospective employees. Not only can such a background check confirm whether the candidates have charges relating to unpaid fines, a standard check would also reveal whether they have other potentially more serious criminal charges on file.

Employment background checks can also help to confirm the subject's identity; they might also encompass reference checks from past employers/educational institutions or checks on the subject's lifestyle. Much can depend on the needs and requirements of our client, with many job roles requiring an understandable level of increased scrutiny concerning the subject's background and their overall integrity.

Background screening in Thailand

We can help to perform background screening in Thailand for a variety of different reasons. Whether you require are an employer looking to perform an employment background check, or would like to perform checks as part of a premarital or romantic background check; checking an individual through background screening can help to confirm that everything is as it should be, and to provide peace of mind.

Our background screening services are completely private and confidential. Whether you need to screen a candidate using an employment background check, or check a romantic partner from Thailand, we can help.

Employment screening in Thailand

We can help whether you are an employer looking to hire people from Thailand, or simply looking to screen domestic workers (such as nannies/housekeepers/maids) in Thailand. Employment background checks can help to mitigate from risk of theft, fraud, or repetitional damage which may result from hiring the wrong person.

We offer an effective and discreet service with the fastest possible turnaround times and our service is strictly private and confidential. Please feel free to get in touch with us for a free quote if you are interested in running a background check, or click through our website for more information about us and the different services that we offer.

Learn more about background screening or visit our homepage.

Sources: Bangkok Post, Nation Thailand