Interviewing a Thai Bar Girl

December 20, 2025 - Reading time: 12 minutes
Updated: December 21, 2025

Online you’ll find lots and lots of preconceived ideas and information about bar girls working in Thailand. Much of it is repeated without context or first-hand insight. We wanted to shed a bit of light on one individual’s personal circumstances, to give people a clearer picture of what life can actually look like in reality.

This is a straightforward interview with a woman currently working in a bar in Bangkok. Her name has been shortened to an initial for privacy. The interview is presented largely in her own words, with only minor editing for clarity.

Q: Hi, what is your name and how old are you?

A: My name is P, I am 29 years old.

Q: So how long have you been working in a bar and where do you work?

A: I’ve been working in a bar since I was 25 years old. I first started working at a bar in Pattaya. However, last year I decided to move to Bangkok because I needed to be close to my sick uncle who needs help and someone to keep an eye on him. My parents were pleased when I moved to Bangkok so I could help my uncle in my spare time, which I don’t really get much of. I currently work in a bar in Bangkok.

Q: Why did you decide to start working in a bar?

A: I needed to make money. I needed to make enough money to support my parents. I have two children from a previous relationship and I’m responsible for supporting my parents as well. That’s why I decided to start working in a bar.

Q: What did you do before bar work?

A: Before working in a bar I worked in a factory [on the outskirts of Bangkok]. My husband worked in the same factory and together we earned enough to support ourselves. When the children were old enough, I sent them to live with my parents in the village. When they were no longer small, my parents looked after them while we worked away.

Q: You mentioned you have two children. Does the father help support them now? Does he give child support?

A: No, he does not give me any child support. If he offered, I would refuse. He has not seen his children in years and he has moved on. He now has children with another woman.

Q: Why not work in a factory or a supermarket now?

A: If I did minimum wage work like a factory, supermarket, or restaurant, it would not pay me enough. I have two children. One is in school and I have to pay for school clothes and everything. My other child will be starting school soon. My mother is diabetic and needs regular medical care, which costs money. I have lots of things to pay for. I simply wouldn’t make enough money.

Q: How did you learn to speak English?

A: Ha ha. I learned English when I started working in a bar. Before that I couldn’t speak any English. My English is not good now, but I think it’s enough to understand.

Q: How much money can you earn working in a bar?

A: It depends on customers. Right now the bar is very quiet. Last month I had a customer who took me around Thailand for three weeks on his holiday, and he paid me well for my time. But this month I don’t have any good customers. It goes up and down.

Q: Are you treated fairly by your employer?

A: Yes, but they are very strict. Once a month all the women have to stand on a scale in front of the mamasan. If we gain weight, money is deducted from our [base salary], which is only a few thousand baht. I also have to have at least 20 drinks bought for me per night or there are deductions. I must have at least three bar fines per week or more money is deducted. Sometimes it’s very difficult to make money.

Q: Do you have a boyfriend?

A: Well, I have three men who are seriously interested in me. A British man spent three weeks with me last month. A Swedish man is coming next month, but I don’t think he’s sincere. There’s also an older American man I talk to regularly.

Q: Is the British guy a serious relationship?

A: He thinks it’s serious and has told his family about me. I like him a lot and I’m kind of in love with him, but I don’t know what will happen in the future.

Q: Does he think you won’t leave the bar with other customers?

A: Yes, I told him I wouldn’t leave.

Q: Is that true?

A: No. I still need to leave the bar with customers to earn money. He will send me about 10,000 baht per month. That’s not enough. And he knows I am still working in the bar.

Q: Why not ask him for more?

A: He will think I’m only interested in money. I know how he would react, so I don’t ask. He allows me to keep working here.

Q: Is Thailand cheap to live in?

A: No, it’s not cheap. Money comes in and goes out straight away. Something always comes up with my parents or children. We also have rice fields in the village. Last week I paid 27,000 baht just for fertilizer.

Q: Is it profitable for your parents to farm rice?

A: No, not really. My family consume the rice themselves and sometimes there is a small amount which can be sold on. Some years the harvest is bad and there is not enough rice for our family to eat, then we have to buy it.

Q: Do you have debt?

A: Yes. I owe some people in the village small amounts, and I owe money to the bank.

Q: How much did you borrow from the bank?

A: Around 340,000 baht.

Q: Why did you borrow that? And how much have you repaid?

A: I bought a plot of land in the village to build a house on in the future. I haven’t made any payments yet.

Q: Do you enjoy bar work?

A: No. I have to drink a lot. I haven’t seen my family for about 18 months. I’m tired of the lifestyle.

Q: What is your dream?

A: To leave the bar, improve my parents’ house, and build a small house for me to live in the village. I just want a quiet life in the village.

Q: I saw that you have a butterfly tattoo, what does that mean?

A: It doesn’t mean anything. I just liked it. Now I regret it because customers make comments.

Q: If a man is in a relationship with a Thai lady that works in a bar, what would be your advice for him?

A: I don’t know. It’s hard for me to say because it depends on the lady. If the lady is bad natured, the relationship will not end in a good way. But for me personally, I just want a good man to take care of me. If a man is serious about a lady, then he should not leave her to work in a bar. Because if she continues working in a bar, she will eventually meet a man that will support her. That is what lots of women are looking for.