"Avoid These People In Thailand," Says American Living In Bangkok  

I disagree with plenty of what he says but I’ve got a lot of respect for Forrest. When other BKK based vloggers ran for the hills during the height of the pandemic in Thailand because it stopped being their playground he stayed put and worked closely with local charities, giving his time and money to help poor people in need. He’s clearly a good guy at heart.

Wow this guy is boring. I think he needs a drink.

He talks a lot of trash and is so judgmental about older guys and those living in Pattaya. Wait a few years until he is over 40 years old and can't get any more dates like he used to. He will be that person he is criticizing and he will be living in Pattaya. Some of these guys in Pattaya are degenerates but you will find them in all the entertainment zones (Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya) throughout Thailand. To each his own. I know guys that live in Pattaya because they don't like Bangkok and want something a little less hectic but beach side. They aren't necessarily drunks or go mongering every day like this guys implies. One of your worst interviews ever Pete.

Can't stand Forrest Lee

Mr. Lee, certainly you are also one of those farangs to avoid at all costs when in Thailand.

Lol. Ask him about his girl lek in bangkok that he was payin 40k a month.

Ironically,this guy is the sort of person i try my best to avoid.

I’m not sure about this fella , if he has so much money why is he having to crash at someone’s apt who clearly didn’t want him there ?

I lived in Asia for many years. Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand. The ones that you really have to avoid usually are the other foreigners! It’s true. Coming from a foreigner. It never failed. Politics usually entered the arena. Some had money issues and wanted to borrow money. Which I would never see back. Some of them belonged to “cliques”. Groups of friends that would only allow certain people “in”. It was like being in high school! Ridiculous. So I learned to pick and choose. Remember, it’s not quantity that matters but quality!

This Asian guy seems really shady. Why are you living with a man and arguing with him about leaving why don't you just leave

This guy is hanging out with drunks and sleeping on their couch for free. Then he puts them down. Enough said. You meet people like this all over the world, you just don’t hang out with them.

I would add that if you learn the Thai language you are no longer restricted to the Foreigner only areas i.e- Pattaya/Bangkok/Chiang Mai. Once you learn the language it opens up a whole new world and only then do you see the REAL Thailand (which is fantastic).

This guy comes across as a know all. I avoid this kind. Sorry Pete, couldn’t watch anymore after 10min.

I’ve seen his content quite a bit There is a fine line between “ keeping it real “ and being negative all the time

His money comes from his oppressed family, who lives in a multi million dollar home in one of the most elite areas in the US.

This guy knows everything about Thailand expats it seems. Yet he is in mental health decline after only a couple of years in Thailand? Seriously this intwrview is like listwening to a newbie amature that thinks he knows everything. Show some respect for the thousands of experienced, knowledgeable expats here and then maybe your opinions will have credibility.

As an American who had lived in SEA for 4 decades I can say he gives good advice. He is on his way to live a good life in Asia. One take away I had was he may lack a sense of compassion for those who screw up. I could be wrong.

I'm in Pattaya, have met some amazing people, I don't drink a lot and don't go to bars, so this comes down to personal experience, I'd say if you are good avoiding idiots back home, you'll do fine here.

This guy is insufferable, should have included himself typical septic know it all. I've seen him on other channels too always spouting off as knowing everything. Bet he was a billy no mates in school

Forest Lee is one of the few people you have interviewed that I quite honestly don't like. He is arrogant, condescending and disparaging towards anyone who does not conform to his ideals. I have met some lovely drunks in my life- alot from Ireland and they are the salt of the earth and eould not hurt a fly. He has a latent aggressiveness that makes me think I would not get on with him at all. He is too full of his own self importance, and suffers from a serious dose of delusions of grandeur. Forest Gump would be a more appropriate name I think.

Seems odd that this bloke claims to be able to see genuine guys Vs scammers, yet spent the time crashing at a mid 60's guys house who ended up wanting to fight him 555

Poor guy he seems to spend his time looking for problems

A very opinionated guy, who probably thinks he's winning in life, he will never accept criticism. I'm happy that I will never be considered for entry to his inner circle of friends.

Okay..... I actually find him questionable.... what visa is he on? Let's start there. Nomad? Elite? Been here in and out since 2017? He has not been here long enough to know.

This is a difficult interview to watch. I have seen Forrest's videos before - but he has gotten so unhappy. He talks about "block & delete" toward the end of the video (in response to trolls) - that may be, but his attitude shows that so many things bother him, and yet at the end of the interview, he says he's so happy (living in Thailand). Who hurt / broke his heart so badly that he's bitter so. Secondly, being a "straight talker" is not something he should boast. If he were to run a department and if he were to talk to the people he supervises, the ladies will cry, and the men will never speak to him again. You don't do that in Thailand. And being in the US Army, that's the worst thing you can do (as I was in the USAF and witnessed someone who spent a week at the CC (correctional custody, basically a jail) because he talked back to his boss.) This is not someone I would spend my free time with. This is one reason I stopped watching his videos.

Thairish, you finally managed to a dud.

Good interview, as a guy who came to Thailand later in life, after many decades of working and saving in the West, I think it’s brave to come over here early in life. This guy’s attitude and values will see him through I’m sure. I have lived in Pattaya for a number of years and thoroughly enjoy the relaxed life there. Not everyone is a monger, drunk, scammer, but they are easily spotted and avoided.

I found this one a hard watch, Pete. He's very opinionated and comes across as an obnoxious, insecure and bitter/angry man with a holier-than-thou attitude. Not my type of person but I wish him all the best.

Something creepy about this self centred goody two shoes, who got lucky enough to be able live a leisurely life in Thailand at a relatively young age.

8:40 There are plenty of straightforward cheap investments that pay 4-5%, if you can stomach the volatility, and think inflation will come down. £170,000 at 4.5% is 27,000 baht a month at today's rates. That allows you to live perfectly well in loads of places. Those are the key figures for kids with trust funds from Aunt Agnes, or money squirreled away. Loads of decently paid Americans can get their hands on $250,000 before 40. That's $10,000 at 4%. $833 a month. That's just over 29,000 baht right now. Plenty of folk could sack the rat race in if they wanted to.

This guy Forest has never had any female attention obviously. I've seen videos of him and some girls who he was with who were not into him but he was super happy to be with. Weird that he is judgemental of expats. He is allergic to alcohol? But judges people who drink? Eff this guy!

Okay then, while we're talking about toxic people... there is something about this guy's attitude that is very negative and toxic-feeling to me. I'm sure you felt this too, Pete (though your situation naturally requires you not to acknowledge this). I noticed it right away when I ran across his videos a couple of years ago. I'm also from California, northern California for the past 20 years or so, so I'm pretty familiar with the various kinds of California personalities. It's so ironic, because one of the joys of relocating to Thailand for me is going to be getting away from caustic American people, yet there are some who are in Thailand and are high-profile (like Forrest). Good for him that he's not a drunk and a sexpat, but I couldn't spend five minutes with him regardless of that as for me he puts off an intense energy of superiority, egotism, and borderline hostility/anger.

Can't stand that guy. HE is the youtuber that should be avoided.

Once age comes into an " opinion " I tend to tune out. Myanmar, Hong Kong, " privileged" , USA, It's the total package,.......won't say the word.. He comes across as a disgruntled finalist of Big Brother. He sounds like he's on day release from mummy and daddy.. He's really just another version of the 60 something's he condemns. A younger, louder and excruciatingly obnoxious version. He needs to spend time in gaol. Ideally in Poland. Should that happen and when he gets released re interview him. It would go viral. The more I'm listening the more I'm realising why you interviewed him. I'm half Irish. Slainte!!!! 🤔😉😉😉😉😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

K-pop is very popular in America and many Americans love K-pop stars like BTS. Why does this Chinese-American never talk about the positive harmony in America? Is it because he is too proud to be a Chinese ethnic?

This video is 2 years old, but I recently began binge watching videos from Thailand expats. I don't know much about Forrest Lee other the few videos of his I watched. What's with the rather large handful of hate for him in the comments? Was it because he spoke out about what he felt were people, farangs and locals, to avoid in Thailand? Some of what he was saying seemed like common sense (don't hang out with chronic drunks, druggies, etc).

he's a bit dodgy I think ! networking/marketing praying on the venerable

Oh Not Pete,. you had some fantastic positive and intelligent guests on lately, nobody gets it right all the time, this guy spends an awful lot of time on many RU-vid channels bad mouthing losers and people he doesn't agree with which makes him worse than they are , all societies have undesirables, get over it and focus on something more positive

My recommendation for this guy is just to relax a little and let people be.... I personally don't drink alcohol but I don't think it has much to do with that.. I think it's just the luck of the drawer and you can make assholes anywhere. I'm living in Thailand and just the other day our security guard revealed himself to be a true a hole.... But I would say this guy needs to chill a little and maybe have a beer and some empathy....

Pete your natural ability to make a person, or show a personality is brilliant. Forrest is a bloke who strives for the best or the security of life future etcetera. Yes it can be great, although at 35 years of age living in Thailand. With all his knowledge, how long did he say he,d lived here 2 years. Please Forrest relax a bit life is short take it from an older man that lived and stayed in Thailand before over many years. Also Vietnam for 2 years. You need to take moment to look in the mirror and ask yourself is it my right to judge others when they are happy and not hurting anyone but themselves. I did watch his channel a few times before but they got a little boring. But hey that is my view just like his. He isn't a bad dude although he isn't God's gift either seeya mate 👍

I would avoid this guy! So judgmental , like he has never done a thing wrong! Another expert on Thailand!

Dude will move to Chang Mai and in 2 months will be complaining about the smoke in the air from the rice fields burning. I can see why this guy only lasted 6 years in the military.

22:50 If you need 90,000 baht to live in Thailand, when a promoted cop lives on exactly a 1/6th of that, you need to take a look at yourself. Muay Thai twice a day with a western standard gym in Phuket is 8,000a month, less long term. If you can't eat lunch without spending 300 baht, nor dinner without spending 800, that isn't a fact about life, it's a fact about you.

Pete, I'm an expat living in Hua Hin. This guy has never seen signs in the window of boarding houses - as I have in Reading, Berkshire saying 'No pets, no blacks, no Irish.' As recent as 1962. A privilege nonentity whose parents did all the suffering.

I love how this guy acts all high and mighty on his moral high horse, yet invests in REITs controlled by Blackstone and Blackrock fueling the housing affordability issues and homelessness in Ameirica. A true friggin saint. And then puts social media influencers in his great people list lol.

Jaysus, he's a bit intense Pete. He needs a vacation and maybe some meditation. He seems nice but is wound a bit too tight. The uptight attitude is bouncing off him.

This guy keeps complaining about noise, too. This is ASIA. Asia is noisy. HK, Taibei, BKK, any major city is noisy. Re the bell curve, that was no explanation, at all. I wonder if this guy has read the book, The Bell Curve, by the way.. haha! "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life"

Sad guy. Move on. Seems very bitter.

He should go back to Castro valley, seriously.

"Social degenerates" LOL ... ** Just listened to more and Forrest Lee just said that he moved to Thailand on Dec 2020 ... Wow he's very judgemental for someone who spent less than 2 years in the country ... (FYI I lived in BKK from 2012-2020) ...

he keeps talking in circles , evading the actual questions . Avoid at all costs

I've seen this Forest guy on some other vids. For me he gives off too much of a self-entitled up his own arse, contradictory and bitter vibe. I'm not sure why? Maybe it's his privileged, private education and middle class background? I'd expect a bit more steal, grit and an open mind from someone who served 6 years in the military.......... Perhaps he should go and stay in a temple for a few months, or go and spend a few months in rural Isan and learn a bit more about the "real Thailand" as opposed to a small minority of folk who drink, or the small minority of bar girls that also come from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar....

Glad to see Forrest is a TAX PAYER in Thailand. Since he is offering advice and services. I enjoyed his advice on relationships , his experience as being a married man must come in handy. Seems like many agree with me.

This dude talks out of both sides of his mouth. Bad mouthing the military one minute and then saying how much it benefited him in many ways. You spent 6 years in the military and now your an expert??? OK

This guy has a bit of a superior attitude / ego. The way he refers to us and them. After watching the video I thought he was actually a bit rough - his personality that is. Being in the army would do that to anyone. I think he uses his family upbringing / background to exclude himself from being one of the mongers / drunks that he puts down several times in the interview. But in reality he is just a younger version of that older subtext. He clearly drinks and parties as much as any older guy. Actually I think he has hangups about older guys after his fall out with that ex friend in pattaya. My question to him is... why on earth would you go to Pattaya and stay with a 60 - 70 yr old guy and cramp his style. Why didn't you stay in a hotel. Finally I think his personality is too strong to find a nice Thai girl (Thai girl with a normal job not a bar girl). His personality clearly evolved / adapted during the army work. But now can he evolve again to live in Thailand and find love?

When he said racism I stopped watching.

Forrest go for a pint and relax u could do with learning life stories off some of d old boozers 😎

I'm sorry but some of this is old hat. Just general Thailand generic stuff rehashed about the characters in Thailand. Thank god there are these characters because they've given comedy value and entertained us over the decades with their drunken black op escapades. Also, if you have to say you don't care what anyone else thinks about you - YOU DO! However, apart from the obvious stuff a good interview and of course keep them coming!

2:13 THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙏🙏😂😂😂🥰🥰 I subscribed Forest for a year and appreciate his love for my country and honesty too.

Forest Chump acts like he is better than everyone else. His unhappiness comes from within.

I was going to comment something but I'll just leave it at this..... Not my kind of guy.

"Guys like us", he says, pointing at Pete. I am looking forward to Pete's summation of this interview, next time. Pete is too polite to fully speak his mind, I believe.

Did you guys know that he was in the military? Just FYI

So, where in the bell curve do you stand Forest ? lol

He's right but takes it way to seriously, it's simple enough to avoid.

He is only in the door 5 minutes and he talks like he has lived here all his life he has a lot to learn

I tried to watch his RU-vid episode but I couldn’t get through one. I really think the military ruins him. Dating one former Marine, the military allows this guy to talk and jokes without filtering. When they get to the civilian world, they still act like they are in the military. They think the people will have to accept them because they served their country.

He lost me when he lumped social media influeners in with "amazing people".

Pete, Probably your most controversial interview with very divided views of your guest.

I'm 60, once in a while I run into small guys who thinks thay can "take" me, just because they are younger than me. Well those who tried, they were wery sorry, and a bit smarter after that. This guy need to be though a lesson or 2. On the topic of chineese. Never encountered any rude thai people in thailand. But chineese tourists on the other hand, that's a different story.

Simple solution: avoid the places where those that should be avoided are likely to be found. If you do this, you reduce your chances considerably of having the encounters with the loutish and the drama artists.

Entitled chinese living off his parents money..

I have never commented here before Pete but I love your interview style. You listen intently and only respond when you feel the conversation is going nowhere. I used to do interviews with rock bands, comedians and footballers so I understand the mechanics and you do it exceedingly well.

2500 to 3k in Thailand and he doesnt drink alcohol or coffee and no women? Where does he live, the Hilton?

Hook Forrest up with Latvian Natalia in Phuket two strong personalities both very opinionated.....Could gel or be like petrol and matches FIRE 🔥

I've watched some of forest's videos and found them enjoyable.....however after seeing this interview I think I have seen another side of his character which is a testament to your interview skills Pete. Don't think forest has done himself any favours on this one, comes across as too assertive regarding his theory of polarisation of expats and he has a lot to learn of thailand and of people in general given his young age. His extreme experience of the drunks etc are based on few encounters I suspect. Keep up the good work Pete

Regarding meeting the right people - if you are new to expat living you will find that you are now meeting all kinds of people you would never have cross paths with before. There are only a few of us here and we have gathering places. In the US (El Cerrito/Berkeley, not far from Castro Valley) I had a well defined social bubble of friends. Here in Bangkok I easily meet the accountant with an oil company, the professional poker player, the computer science professor, the Embassy security guy, the sexpat, the guy just barely making it on Social Security, the RU-vidr (I met Forest a couple of weeks ago), and the farmer in Isaan. Early on I met a westerner scammer at my Thai language school. The few people that can cause you problems can pop up anywhere so you need to be a little more vigilant because you are on unfamiliar territory in more ways than one. Also being so far from home can make you feel a little disoriented as if the rules you’ve always followed no longer apply. The societal checks you depended on are no longer there. On the positive side though is there really a lot of nice interesting people with great stories tell.

He will certainly appeal to his American comrades. However, to the average European he has still got a "Big Chip on his Shoulder" about his ethnicity and his reliance on his parent's income support. Just another "Look at Me" type of guy.

No way Forest! 90k a month - my studio was 13k a month on Nut in bkk and ate where the locals eat. Partied once a week. All that for 45k - so half. Maybe Forest is a Monger himself to be spending like that 😂😂

Did he used to be in the military? I think he forgot to mention it 😂😂😂

I find it hilarious that guys that have been here five minutes are 'consulting' people to move here and settle in Thailand. I have watched some of his videos and I am confident his knowledge of this country is severely lacking. Anyone paying for his advice is mental.

Pete good one, you really got Forrest when you asked him how much he in invested. This has been racer all times and other channels because his background was six years in the military on a very low income after that he drove for Uber eats and somehow he claims he has millions in investments and lives off of that now

A very interesting conversation. I did find his categorizing people into segments of a bell curve dehumanizing. He often spoke demeaningly about expats with psychological problems, this came across as cold and arrogant to me (people with problems need help, not putdowns). I found him to be analytical, but at the same time he was also rather presumptuous, for example, he presumes all older men persuing romance with much younger women are foolish. The tone I felt from him was that people who do not think like him are problematic - many people are like this, but a lot of them grow out of this when they develop more tolerant thinking.

Yeah, right. Now if he's as courageous and outspoken what if he talked about WHO owns, operates and profits off the industry. The answer: Thais, not darned dudes on a holiday. And even here the vast majority of tourists who come to Thailand are ASIAN (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean etc), not Westerners. They in fact account for 3/4 of all tourists who come to Thailand.

That was an amazing interview Pete, well done lad for keeping a tight lip amidst Forrest's verbal meanderings. Of the two of you, I know who will have the happiest life!🙂

Does this dude know who's behind BLACK ROCK, BLACK STONE and those types of corporations? I hope he'll find another way to make money.

Wow. ABC, Man! This is the first of your interviews that was not a pleasure to watch. This guy is way off base, just from a reality perspective point of view. Please tell him that he did NOT grow up in a privileged world in America, first of all. Remember the film Platoon? What did they say about opinions? I do not look forward to listening to another character like this, anytime soon. This is what is wrong with listening to opinions from guys like this. As Sgt. O'Neill said....

Twenty years ago , I caught sight of myself in the mirror in a Patpong bar, looking back at it was the image of me, if I didn't go home, clean myself up and start living a responsible life I never would. I'll never forget that strange, haunted look in my eyes, like a hungry ghost.

Interesting perspective though I stopped watching his videos after he compared Thai-Chinese women and Thai women, lauding the Thai-Chinese and panning the Thai and it was just too condescending, closed-minded, and ethnocentric.

He's suspicious, don't know why

Nice interview .. do interview on Farang women who married Thai men & who are living in Thailand ,,, so common to see Thai women married farang men but not other way round.

Noise pollution?? Go live in Brazil for a little you'll get a cultural experience hearing Brazilian funk blast out of nowhere at 4 am in the morning. Never been in quieter apartment complexes in my life in Bangkok it's almost zen like. Only pollution I've experienced is from the air that will give you lung cancer no doubt. Half Thai guy here.

Do a shot every time Forrest says "You know"

Great interview Pete! I agree with him on the fact that Thailand has a very wide spectrum of people, it’s important to surround yourself with good individuals as you can easily get sucked into the bar scene here

I have been in Asia: HK, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia,china, therefore: Three following reasons why you all are enjoying asia: A- you were born in privileged countries , B- English is your native language, C- you have US dollars in you pockets. Best regards 👍🌹.

I mean to say, these European and American men coming to South East Asia still live in the misery and defeat they experienced in their home country. They cannot hack the reality the world is changing rapidly everywhere.

I have a question because I admit being dumb, if you experienced discrimination in the states from an early age why the hell would you Join the most patriotic institution in the U.S.A.? ARMY NAVY AIRFORCE MARINES THERE ISN'T ANYTHING MORE AMERICAN THAN THAT.

BK can be super noisy, esp with those moped/motorcycle groups. and talk about hot? imagine being sizzled on a frying pan. haahaahha dudes on street trying to scam you on precious gems....so yeah good chance i'll retire there ;)

Although he mentions his military service often, it is is worth noting he only managed six years service . One can't help thinking he does not fit in with his surroundings, and will be unhappy wherever he stays . He appears to project his failings on those around him and blames them for his inability to adjust and accept criticism . This interview highlights his immaturity, frailties and failings deep down I sense a very unhappy individual that I hope will find some sense of Nivana on his travels .

His own experiences create huge bias in his outlook.