Question about Thai gambling and debts

[Hal65]

Every now and then I read a story about a guy's Thai wife, or more likely one of her family members wracking up debts from gambling. Naturally this spooks me as I certainly haven't ruled out marrying a Thai girl myself. So I'm curious about just how much of a problem this is.

1) Is gambling a big past time in Issan?

2) Is it really part of their culture to bet more than they have?

3) Will the family generally think nothing of asking others to help pay the debt?

[angiolo]

Gave my G/F a motor bike to be a taxi boy.. Lost it playing cards. No income...so stupid. I do not help his family again

[angiolo]

Got it wrong ..G/F BROTHER lost m/bike at cards

[Berkshire]

I have heard these stories also. But I've dated quite a few Thai girls over the years and have yet to meet one with a severe gambling problem. So my question would be: where are some of you guys meeting these girls? I could take a wild guess.

[Berkshire]

I have heard these stories also. But I've dated quite a few Thai girls over the years and have yet to meet one with a severe gambling problem. So my question would be: where are some of you guys meeting these girls? I could take a wild guess.

Why do you think we are talking about only girls.....?

And do you think the birds you fluff around with are going to tell you their debts..?..

Why are the birds fluffing around with you...?....You can sing.......

To answer your (somewhat bizarre) questions:

1. I believe the OP was talking specifically about Thai girls.

2. Possibly, especially if they wanted help with said debts.

3. ????

[Berkshire]

I have heard these stories also. But I've dated quite a few Thai girls over the years and have yet to meet one with a severe gambling problem. So my question would be: where are some of you guys meeting these girls? I could take a wild guess.

Why do you think we are talking about only girls.....?

And do you think the birds you fluff around with are going to tell you their debts..?..

Why are the birds fluffing around with you...?....You can sing.......

To answer your (somewhat bizarre) questions:

1. I believe the OP was talking specifically about Thai girls.

2. Possibly, especially if they wanted help with said debts.

3. ????

Read the OP again chap...

Perhaps you should do the same...

[Gringogazzer]

Gave my G/F a motor bike to be a taxi boy.. Lost it playing cards. No income...so stupid. I do not help his family again

Got it wrong ..G/F BROTHER lost m/bike at cards

So which one were you dating? Was it the G/F or the brother...think now.

[Crazy chef 1]

Gave my G/F a motor bike to be a taxi boy.. Lost it playing cards. No income...so stupid. I do not help his family again

Got it wrong ..G/F BROTHER lost m/bike at cards

So which one were you dating? Was it the G/F or the brother...think now.

Maybe both...

[Supaluke]

I have no knowledge of what occurs in Issan/Isaan, but ...

Gambling is not much of a problem with the Thai Folk I know or are related to indirectly or in-directly.

A few card games at the funeral/family gathering (I won BHT 400 last, and only time I plaid)

What does shock me is the in-discriminate drug use I've seen.

YA-BA, ruined sooooooo many lives. Through either long term brain damage, or jail time for dealing.

Ya-Ba, so sad for Thailand, and I don't see an answer/solution soon -

Every area/family has it different vices/issues to overcome, I sincerely hope you can overcome yours as they confront you.

Good Luck

Luke

[Gringogazzer]

Gave my G/F a motor bike to be a taxi boy.. Lost it playing cards. No income...so stupid. I do not help his family again

Got it wrong ..G/F BROTHER lost m/bike at cards

So which one were you dating? Was it the G/F or the brother...think now.

Maybe both...

Maybe they're one & the same...the brother is the girlfriend. Edited December 14, 2015 by Gringogazzer

[Berkshire]

Now come on.....read the title, read the rest.............

So you think all Uni birds come from hi-so families....yes/No..You know, the birds you fluff with...

Ok trans dude, let me ask you this: Is the OP interested in the gambling habits of the typical Thai, guys and gals alike, or is he more concerned about his future GF/wife being a degenerate gambler who might gamble away his life savings?

As far as the hi-so question, where did that come from? Most uni girls are not hi-so. And most farangs have never even met a hi-so Thai.

[slipperylobster]

It is sort of like the old movies about the guy who would take the mafia's money to the race track...thinking he would win. Now he must find the money quick...and the best source is the little sister in Pattaya and her sucker boyfriend.

[MaeJoMTB]

Now come on.....read the title, read the rest.............

So you think all Uni birds come from hi-so families....yes/No..You know, the birds you fluff with...

Ok trans dude, let me ask you this: Is the OP interested in the gambling habits of the typical Thai, guys and gals alike, or is he more concerned about his future GF/wife being a degenerate gambler who might gamble away his life savings?

As far as the hi-so question, where did that come from? Most uni girls are not hi-so. And most farangs have never even met a hi-so Thai.

I think what Trans is trying to suggest, is that we are all fishing in the same pool, even those who are desperately claiming they aren't.

[Crazy chef 1]

Now come on.....read the title, read the rest.............

So you think all Uni birds come from hi-so families....yes/No..You know, the birds you fluff with...

Ok trans dude, let me ask you this: Is the OP interested in the gambling habits of the typical Thai, guys and gals alike, or is he more concerned about his future GF/wife being a degenerate gambler who might gamble away his life savings?

As far as the hi-so question, where did that come from? Most uni girls are not hi-so. And most farangs have never even met a hi-so Thai.

I think what Trans is trying to suggest, is that we are all fishing in the same pool, even those who are desperately claiming they aren't.

But some of us aren't fishing anymore...made the big catch...

[smokie36]

Now come on.....read the title, read the rest.............

So you think all Uni birds come from hi-so families....yes/No..You know, the birds you fluff with...

Ok trans dude, let me ask you this: Is the OP interested in the gambling habits of the typical Thai, guys and gals alike, or is he more concerned about his future GF/wife being a degenerate gambler who might gamble away his life savings?

As far as the hi-so question, where did that come from? Most uni girls are not hi-so. And most farangs have never even met a hi-so Thai.

I think what Trans is trying to suggest, is that we are all fishing in the same pool, even those who are desperately claiming they aren't.

But some of us aren't fishing anymore...made the big catch...

We're off to the Venetian in Macau next month....I've given her five grand....we'll see what happens.

[Berkshire]

Now come on.....read the title, read the rest.............

So you think all Uni birds come from hi-so families....yes/No..You know, the birds you fluff with...

Ok trans dude, let me ask you this: Is the OP interested in the gambling habits of the typical Thai, guys and gals alike, or is he more concerned about his future GF/wife being a degenerate gambler who might gamble away his life savings?

As far as the hi-so question, where did that come from? Most uni girls are not hi-so. And most farangs have never even met a hi-so Thai.

I think what Trans is trying to suggest, is that we are all fishing in the same pool, even those who are desperately claiming they aren't.

Who's claiming anything? Ok then, let me ask you: Have you known a bunch of Thai girls that are degenerate gamblers?

[MaeJoMTB]

Who's claiming anything? Ok then, let me ask you: Have you known a bunch of Thai girls that are degenerate gamblers?

Loads,

They've gambled houses and cars away.

Usually the houses and cars purchased by their white husbands.

Cards, dominoes, lottery, they will gamble on anything.

Was with a bunch of them playing dominoes when they were raided by police and carted away in a van.

Lucky for me, I was eating lunch, away from the table at the time, the police left me alone.

I did bail my (now ex) gf out later.

Criminality seems to be widespread through the general population of Thailand.

Thai people taking, dealing, involved with, drugs, alcohol (legal and illegal), prostitution, protection and gangs, hard to avoid unless you hide yourself away.

Edited December 14, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[YeahSiam]

I have heard these stories also. But I've dated quite a few Thai girls over the years and have yet to meet one with a severe gambling problem. So my question would be: where are some of you guys meeting these girls? I could take a wild guess.

Why do you think we are talking about only girls.....?

And do you think the birds you fluff around with are going to tell you their debts..?..

Why are the birds fluffing around with you...?....You can sing.......

To answer your (somewhat bizarre) questions:

1. I believe the OP was talking specifically about Thai girls.

2. Possibly, especially if they wanted help with said debts.

3. ????

Avoid getting sucked in

to this rabbit-hole. As

far as guys like this are

concerned, if they're

barrel-scraping,

everyone else is too

[rgs2001uk]

Now come on.....read the title, read the rest.............

So you think all Uni birds come from hi-so families....yes/No..You know, the birds you fluff with...

Ok trans dude, let me ask you this: Is the OP interested in the gambling habits of the typical Thai, guys and gals alike, or is he more concerned about his future GF/wife being a degenerate gambler who might gamble away his life savings?

As far as the hi-so question, where did that come from? Most uni girls are not hi-so. And most farangs have never even met a hi-so Thai.

I think what Trans is trying to suggest, is that we are all fishing in the same pool, even those who are desperately claiming they aren't.

Who's claiming anything? Ok then, let me ask you: Have you known a bunch of Thai girls that are degenerate gamblers?

Have you known a bunch of Thai girls that are degenerate gamblers?

Yes plenty, forum rules prevent me from naming and shaming, along with their worthless husbands.

Years ago in another lifetime my house had an imaginary 3 balls outside, the Thais knew ready cash was on hand, right now, no questions asked.

One story springs to mind, a sap showed me his mothers engagement ring, he would give it to his teerak, ring was about 50 years old and worth about 5 grand.

Two weeks later his mrs showed up at my house with same ring trying to flog it, told me it was worth X, says who asked I, no problem, give me two hundred pounds and its ok, done said I (and she certainly was).

Guy called Graham brought his mrs over, the sharks were all over her like flies on shit.

Oh its my birthday tomorrow, can I borrow your gold to wear to dinner with my husband, poor girl was so desperate for friends she believed them, 5 hours later the gold was in my house.

Mug called X his mrs gambled away not one but two restaurants.

Mug called BB, its not an addiction, its her hobby.

Mug called BG, oh teelak I go temple now, I tell big buddha I never gamble again, yeah right.

Just coz you have never met them, please dont assume they dont exist.

[NancyL]

Hal65 -- don't do anything you wouldn't do in your home country. Would you marry a woman after knowing her just a few weeks? Would you give her or her family what would be (to them) a large sum of money to a.) start a business, b.) build a house or c.) help out a family member with a personal problem when you didn't know them well?

Whatever you do, don't invest more here than you can afford to walk away from.

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but part of what I do in Chiang Mai is to help the social workers at Chiang Mai University Hospital where older foreigners sometimes end up -- penniless, dumped off by their teeraks, and drained of their savings-- usually with extreme medical problems, like terminal cancer or multiple broken bones from a vehicular accident. Despite all the threads here on Thai Visa about how cheap Thai medical care can be -- it isn't in these cases. They run up bills well in excess of 2 or 3 million baht. I'm surprised how many tell stories of Thai wives and girlfriends with gambling problems. Or alcohol problems. Or "brother" problems. (Frankly, I think many of the "brothers" really are "husbands".)

[DP25]

Got it wrong ..G/F BROTHER lost m/bike at cards

Got it wrong again there buddy. Your girlfriend's BOYFRIEND lost the motorbike playing cards.

[Tatsujin]

It's certainly not all "Isaan" girls/boys, I know a few from the upper echelons and plenty in the lower too that have started down that long, dark road and not come back from it.

2 guys I know, married 9+ years to middle-class girls, cars, kids, houses, the works with no problems and no shady behaviour, trust built up etc. Then "brother" gets in the mix, a bit of drugs, a few easy wins to lure them in, then they lose it ALL to them, all the while the girls are coming up with any bizarre story to keep the fact they've lost everything from the husband and have borrowed even more from loan sharks to put a little cash back into the accounts so the guy didn't know what was happening (in the beginning). Those are debts that will never get paid off in full given the "rates" they are charging.

It happens all the time, the gamblers know exactly how to lure them in to that world and keep them there.

[Shiver]

I know of a few that got into trouble with gambling debts. I noticed my GF several years ago fluttering with small money on cards and I quickly stomped it out - don't want a forest fire. The way I did that was I no longer give her any money whatsoever other than drip feed for food and supplies. If she needs something that is a big ticket item then I pay but want a receipt (I say my accountant needs the receipts, which is not entirely untrue, but maybe stretching it a little since it's personal expenditure). What I do is wire the family money every month, and the bank (for student loan of many years ago), so I manage the finances and deliberately don't pay anything off quickly in case some issue should develop. Her bike is now in her grandparents name so she can't hoc that. Not saying she has a gambling problem, just that I saw potential for it and wanted to block any avenues to gaining an addiction. If she finds a way around all those firewalls then it has to be goodbye. So far so good, but you never know.

I don't want to be all "Victorian Dad" about it, but I do the money management now.

[elgordo38]

Yes..Yes...and Yes..

In Thai culture they like to spend more than what they have forget gambling.

[elgordo38]

Yes..Yes...and Yes..

Number 3 you bet they have no shame. They might say its a loan but in the end its a gift. Wimpy.

[Petchou]

Who's claiming anything? Ok then, let me ask you: Have you known a bunch of Thai girls that are degenerate gamblers?

Loads,

They've gambled houses and cars away.

Usually the houses and cars purchased by their white husbands.

Cards, dominoes, lottery, they will gamble on anything.

Was with a bunch of them playing dominoes when they were raided by police and carted away in a van.

Lucky for me, I was eating lunch, away from the table at the time, the police left me alone.

I did bail my (now ex) gf out later.

Criminality seems to be widespread through the general population of Thailand.

Thai people taking, dealing, involved with, drugs, alcohol (legal and illegal), prostitution, protection and gangs, hard to avoid unless you hide yourself away.

Too extreme generalisation, and obviously false like all prejudices.

I haven't met any Thai in my acquaintances who fit in your description.

You should change the environment you seem attracted to and you may change your mind.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

OP any answer you get here will be irrelevant to your future possible Thai gf. The only important thing is for you not to get involved with a person that is addicted to gambling. Take her to a casino and see how she reacts or you buy B 1000 worth of lottery tickets and see her reaction. I once did this to the wife (not as a test but as a thing we haven't done together before) and gave her B 10 k which at the end of the night she gave back to me, saying she don't like to waste money. Yes she will play B 80 on a lottery number once a month but that is like a national sport here. The normal rule applies you don't marry someone before you don't know when as much as one human can know another.

[MobileContent]

Had a beer last night with a couple of villagers and Ajarn the English Teacher who doesn't speak English had to sell his Toyota Pickup for 480k due to gambling. A Som tam lady that makes around 300 - 400 Baht gambles all the money daily on the Hi Lo game. Some BG who got married to a farang are daily at the local village casino and gamble the farang's money away. They all have a Thai BF/Husband on the side and they would move out on the day the farang comes back. I only gamble when someone dies in our village and set a limit of 2000 Baht. My Mrs hates gambling and so does all of her family.

[Colabamumbai]

Yes and yes even more so in the villages, the cop comes by 2x a day and takes his 2 or 300 Baht and all is well. I actually placed a bet on the numbers board.

Big Big problem and the Thais go to the Casinos in Laos and other places.....

[georgemandm]

Hal65 -- don't do anything you wouldn't do in your home country. Would you marry a woman after knowing her just a few weeks? Would you give her or her family what would be (to them) a large sum of money to a.) start a business, b.) build a house or c.) help out a family member with a personal problem when you didn't know them well?

Whatever you do, don't invest more here than you can afford to walk away from.

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but part of what I do in Chiang Mai is to help the social workers at Chiang Mai University Hospital where older foreigners sometimes end up -- penniless, dumped off by their teeraks, and drained of their savings-- usually with extreme medical problems, like terminal cancer or multiple broken bones from a vehicular accident. Despite all the threads here on Thai Visa about how cheap Thai medical care can be -- it isn't in these cases. They run up bills well in excess of 2 or 3 million baht. I'm surprised how many tell stories of Thai wives and girlfriends with gambling problems. Or alcohol problems. Or "brother" problems. (Frankly, I think many of the "brothers" really are "husbands".)

I can believe you I have seen it too not good what happens in thailand with gambling and how much it cost in a thailand hospital for care .