Can You Really Trust Your Thai Girlfriend? Warning Signs to Know

August 25, 2021 - Reading time: 6 minutes
Updated: June 1, 2025

Many Thai women are honest and trustworthy; however, when searching for a Thai partner, it’s important to look in the right places and recognise potential red flags. Can you really trust your Thai girlfriend? That depends on several factors — and in this guide, we break down the most common warning signs based on real investigations we've conducted.

Professional romance scammers in Thailand are skilled at gaining a foreigner’s trust. One common scam involves a woman juggling multiple foreign boyfriends — each of whom believes he’s her only partner. These scams can continue for years, often involving large sums of money being sent abroad without the foreigner ever realising the truth.

Many men fall into the trap of thinking, “It won’t happen to me.” That mindset is exactly why scams succeed. This article outlines the most common situations we investigate and how to tell if your girlfriend might not be who she claims to be.

Thai Girlfriend from Internet Dating

Online dating is one of the most common ways Thai women meet foreign men — and also where many scams begin. Fabricated stories, fake names, and misleading photos are frequently used to build false relationships. If you haven’t met her in person and she’s asking for money or emotional commitment, be cautious.

A large proportion of our romance scam investigations begin with online connections.

Thai Girlfriend Working in a Bar

If your Thai girlfriend works in a bar, go-go club, or red-light district, there is a high likelihood that she engages with multiple men regularly. Claims of "just working as a cashier" or "not going with customers" are extremely common — and often untrue. Our undercover decoy services have consistently proven that most bar girls continue to engage in transactional relationships despite what they tell their boyfriends.

Thai Girlfriend Lives in Pattaya or Phuket

Certain cities in Thailand — especially Pattaya and Phuket — are well known for their nightlife scenes. Even women not directly working in the sex trade may be involved in freelancing, where they seek paying foreign partners at clubs or bars in the evenings. Regular jobs during the day don’t rule out suspicious activities after dark.

Thai Girlfriend Has Tattoos or Smokes

In Western countries, tattoos and smoking are commonplace. In Thailand, however, these traits can sometimes be indicators of past involvement in the nightlife or sex industry — particularly if combined with secrecy about work or lifestyle. See more in our guide: Signs that she is not a good Thai girl.

Thai Girlfriend Works at a Massage Parlour

Massage shops in Thailand range from reputable spas to front operations for prostitution. Women working in small, unbranded massage shops may be involved in illegal activities. Don’t assume all massage workers are scammers — but do verify the environment and training background. We can assist by checking licensure, workplace reviews, and conducting in-person observation.

Thai Girlfriend Claims to Be a University Student

Studying at university is generally a good sign of ambition and stability. But we’ve found numerous cases where women falsely claim student status to create a respectable image. They may take staged photos on campus while earning income elsewhere. Check how she’s funding her studies, especially if she comes from a modest family background.