Local Friends
"Where you from?"
"Where you go?"
"I go with you!"
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Many locals want to be your companion.
You should really have one who helps you find your way around Thailand.
They know their area, speak the local language,
show you sights you would otherwise not see,
and keep you from getting overcharged or ripped off.
Not only do you save some money that way, you also make someone very happy.
Hotels charge per room, not per person.
It won't cost you more if you share a room.
Students and Genuine Friends
Most students speak fairly good English.
Often students want to meet foreigners (Farang) to improve their language skills.
They also like to travel but usually can't afford it.
So they ask if they can go with you.
They can become long time friends. Treasure them.
Make contact with them well before you travel to establish a rapport.
On faceparty.com
and dragoncastle.net
you'll find quite a few.
Read their profiles with care for a successful match.
You'll be surpised how open and direct some of them discuss intimate subjects.
On dragoncastle.net they can also say what age group they are interested in.
You may find you are too young for them.
Many of them want to meet more mature westerners who tend to stay with them longer.
Younger travellers have a 'Butterfly' reputation, as they often hop from one partner to another.
Professional Friends
They provide guide services to visitors for a modest fee (around € 10-20) but don't always speak much English.
Your compensation for their efforts over a week or two will keep them housed and fed for over two months.
Please accept their offers. You are really making a difference.
They rather go on holiday with you than sweat in a factory all day.
When you arrive at the beach they will choose you before you even know they are around.
In the low season (April to October) there will be fierce competition among them to catch one of the few tourists around.
You may find several coming to you at once, wanting to meet you.
Choose the one with best language skills.
Typical Conversation
- Where you from? You alone?
Easy questions to start a conversation.
- What your name?
They will then tell you their nickname, usually one syllable, like Lee, Nui, Nung, Tee or Wut.
This name was given to them by a Buddhist monk when they were born, or they made it up.
- What you like? You like boy? You like girl?
Give an honest answer. If necessary they introduce you to a friend of theirs.
- Where you go?
Can also mean: How are you?
- I go with you!
You have been chosen and they ask your permission to be your companion.
- When you ask what they'll do after you gone home, they may say: "Look farang."
They'll find another foreigner. That's what they do.
Get real about this.
Overnight Guests
Most hotels ask for overnight guests to leave their ID cards at the reception,
and some will call your room when your friend leaves to check that everything is alright.
This also protects you from scams by under age kids trying to blackmail you.
Remember that the age of consent is 18.
Please Note
Always check your new friend's ID card.
You don't want the responsablity of travelling with a minor.
Although it is practically the mainstay of their tourist industry,
prostitution is technically illegal in Thailand, especially for under 18 year olds.
The bars and night clubs usually operate by making helpful contributions to their friends in law enforcement.
Our advice is to avoid 'Moneyboys' or 'Moneygirls' as they are expensive and most only stay with you for an hour or so.
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