Bad Luck Turns a Pattaya Holiday into a Nightmare 

It happened to me on my first visit to Bangkok back in 1987, I lost all my money/traveler cheques after only 2 days on the ground and only had 200 Baht left! Luckily I still had an expensive new Nikon camera that I managed to sell a few days later for 14000 baht! I still had almost 3 months left on my holiday though (back then swedish citizens got 3 months visafree). I found a cheap GH on Soi Sri Bamphen for 50/night. I didn´t want to admit defeat and go home earlier! I had read that Koh Samui in those days was a cheap place to stay so I took a nonaircon bus to Surat Thani and then the ferry across to Koh Samui and went to Mae Nam Beach where I found a simple hut on the beach for only 30 baht /night! I then lived cheap beachlife for the reminder of my stay. Food was only 10-20 baht a dish back then and local fruit was plenty, so I managed to hang on til a few days before my flight back home almost 3 months later, when I took the ferry/bus back to BKK for a couple of days before I flew home! 😄

I take what I need for the evening out. The rest I hide... trust no one!!

I love this tale, I even keep large notes in one pocket and street money in another. Like I never pull a large wad of notes out in market or bar.

I think it was my 8th or 9th holiday here and I left my debit card 💳 on the dining room table! It was the only card that I usually bring. I did have about $2k cash so it wasn’t a cheap Charlie holiday like “Jeff’s”! I had made many good friends here and one of them was the owner of the resort in Bang Sayre that I wanted to stay at again. I told him that I couldn’t stay this time because of the debit card 💳 issue and he r said stay and just send him the money when I got back! That’s what I did and had a great holiday!

Great parable and well told. When I think of "cheap Charlie" I think of someone who talks big and spends small. To me this is more of a story of enjoying the journey more so than the destination. A lesson we all need to take to heart.

Love to hear about people's ingenuity when faced with a a "must deal with it" situation. I've been in a few tight spots for various reasons and difficulty locations myself and after the "holy sh&t" moment you put your head down and figure it out. Good for you Jeff.

To be a Cheap Charlie, is more a philosophy or life than a necessity for many. Some of us when spend in luxury items or services we feel that we had been seen as fools. Paying for things double or triple, when do the same service than the cheap one. Thanks for the story , very interesting and well presented.

Hi Lucas. Great video. I really enjoyed the story. Thank you for sharing 😊😊

When you said that lady suggested to transfer funds into her account id thought he we go 😆.

Great show Lucas. Very good advice. As alway's stay cool 😎 kind and generous.

Nice story ! GREAT story telling! 👌 Thanx 4 sharing. 🙂 Love from Norway! 😀

Great story, Loucous! Had me captivated from start to finish!

I really enjoyed watching this.

Very nice story... Thanks for telling and your time.

My biggest nightmare when traveling would be this. The information is this is extremely valuable. Thanks for the video

What a great story! They way you told it was awesome❤🎉

a nightmare for certain. thanks for the video.

Great story Lucas, I enjoyed how you tells its

Great advice! Will definitely put this information to good use and be visiting Thailand for the month of October; good timing in watching this video. Continue putting out these informative and useful videos.

Great content. Love it

Great story of good turning bad, then turning back to good. On a similar note. When I was living in Pattaya and got stuck out walking when the torrential rain hit, I got pulled in out of the rain three different times that lead to three great friendships with surprisingly young Thai women. No BS, just great fun with them. I'm planning on going back to live in Pattaya again this July...

Thank you very much for sharing another great great video take care All the best

I sharp learning curve for him. All's well that ends well.

Thanks for sharing that story. The money thing is my biggest concern on first time to Thailand.

great story Lucas and well put together 👍👍

Great story, thanks for sharing!

Even if it isn't a real story, i ABSOULUTELY love this concept, visiting my family estate in Ban chang every now and then i love to just go around to the different stores and look at hotel bookings online for the bare minimum you can get a "vacation" for. Love these types of videos Lucas!

Has to be one of our Scottish brothers. Resourceful chaps even in the best of times! 😅

Great story.

Good story good advice glad he made the best of it. Thank you

You got me! I saw it coming and I STILL fell for it! Hilarious! Well done.👏🏻👍😂

Good episode sir enjoyed listening to it. 👍

Great video Lucas, I could see this happening, gotta watch your money and wallet at all times, I saw many visitors due the same thing while stationed in the Philippines. Love your channel, great incite to Thailand and the great way of living there.

Wonderful story

Great story 😊

Glad his story had a happy ending , after a long flight and a night out can bring so mishaps ! Thanks for the story .... Enjoy .

Loved this story RFK 😎

Great,,video,,and,,entertaining,,details,,Mr Lucas,,!! 😊

I think you've got something here - specifically where you tell the story and show us the locations that Jeff visited - the narrative and in person location format is worth revisiting.

This Is Most Definitely got to be amongst my favorite Thailand Stories! And I've heard most of them. Lemons Into Lemonade Personified!

Whew; as painful as that was, I'm glad it worked out for him.

Great story, told by a master story teller. I stayed at the L.k.Metropole in Feb/Mar this year and it is about as central as can be. Please make use of the safe's that all the rooms have and only go out at night with the money you want to spend.

Always carry a money belt with my PP, a few credit cards, other ID, and U.S. dollars. I keep a money clip with 5K to 10K Baht in zipped pocket to use for daily expenses and hotel rooms. Keep my cell phone in the other zipped pocket and haven't had a problem with pickpockets or other ways of losing money and important stuff.

That`s was a great story!

Good on him, Cheers mate, 🙂

Nice story and cautionary tale.

Good story, well related by you I'm subscribing.🙂

Hi Lucas ; great tips

Good story , not to mention what we can learn out of it . There must be an excellent writer’s talent deep inside you. Would be nice to hear more like that 🙏🏼👍👍👍🤞🤞🤞🇨🇭

A nice story.

Great story! I love how Jeff was rewarded for his dogged persistence and keeping his head on his shoulders. I think there is actually a RU-vidr called Cheap Charlie. Not sure if he’s still active on YT.

Great story. A lesson there indeed.😊

Super excited got my ticket to Bangkok on July 11th. Staying a few days, then on to Pattaya, then to Hua Hin. Hope I can find some time when you are free and treat you to a dinner.

Great story. I really enjoyed it :-)

I like “Story Time with Lou” lol It’s a good lesson though. And a good example of what we can do when a hardship comes our way.

Hi Lucas, I actually bumped into you at Bentley’s when I went to hear Rose. Another great story with thankfully for Jeff a somewhat happy ending.

Wow, that is a great story I am glad he did not panic but worked with what he had. Yes, I always have my Thai Baht in 2 different places. I also gently fold my 500 baht bills that are in my wallet. They look very similar to 100 baht bills after a few Leo's and under Black Light.

Great story with a happy ending

Brilliant

Nice story and good advice....cheers Lucas....best regards, Richard from PATTAYA DOG GROOMING SALON & CHANNEL.

Good advice. Also, there's shorts you can buy or make with zipper pockets in the back or velcro which provide better protection of you wallet/cash.

I don't think Pattaya tourists are the most knowledgable travellers in the world, they tend to have one thing on their mind.

He should have found a British bar owner who still has a UK account. Then transfer them the money using banking app... The Bussiness owner could give him equivalent Thai baht.

Glad it all ended well for Jeff

Jesus . What kind of person does not have back up money . This is so stupid . No beer . No girls . I would have just went back home . Just terrible .

What a great story i think he did everything right

Hey Lucas , I’ve heard some many tails like this over the years well told story BTW I’ve learnt place everything in the safe only take what your nightly Budget is Tomorrow another Party Night Cheers Chris

I loved the video,the story told and actually going to the places is brilliant!! I thought it was Wednesday nice change up!!... I had to edit this because it is Wednesday😂... retirement rules!!!

I think i've had those ham and cheese 7-11's every day i've been in Thailand from the first day. they are a life saver when you need a break from thaifood. I keep my money separate into larger bills and smaller bills and never flash them. I also keep my cards in separate locations so i can afford to loose one and not get stuck. This is a great story on how to salvage a bad luck start.

Hard lesson to learn. But he can help someone in the future. I bet you helped him.

traveling,you never leave a hotel room to hang out in town with all your credit card s on your person.Just your cash money and one credit card in your sox.

It could happen to anyone. If he can survive with that little money, it could be use as an experiment, start your stay like a cheap charlie and work your way from there till you found your comfort zone spending the least amount of money. Great advice in this vlogg. Thanks for sharing. Happy travels and stay safe. God bless you all👍🏿.

I have stayed at LK METROPOLE many times mate, Great hotel, sun round pool all day, Harry's bar next to hotel awesome food, bar, entertainment to start the night. I've been Pattaya 20 times and luckily never had a single issue. I highly recommend hotel, Location & Pattaya 😊

Great story! This makes me remember my second trip to Thailand in 2012. I got a return Prem. Economy ticket for $350 to Phuket, stayed first week in a $5/night room with a nice massage lady that gave me free massages...I was "handsome man" back then! 😊 The second week was even better: Thanks to a "glitch" at an online booking site, I was able to book 8 days at the luxurious Renaissance Resort for a total of $230! Not bad to get a two weeks vacation for under $1000...flight, nice accomodation, food, drinks and free massages! 😃

Best wishes Steve LONDON 😊

You got me in the story about the person who offered her Thai bank account! I thought she had scammed him, and I said " Ohh no, poor man" then you clarified you were kidding 😁. Great story, Mr Lucas!

Happened to me in Penang on a visa run in the crazy 90s,I hitched to the thai border,snuck thru with local traders,officials were asleep!

i like to travel light, live cheaply walk or bike everywhere with the occasional splurge. too me it is more fun. I meet local people too😊

I travel with 2 sets of debit and credit cards from 2 different banks (ie. 4 cards) One set in the room and one set in a money belt. I do not bring cash from my home country but simply use an ATM whenever my cash runs low. Banks will freeze or block your cards very easily now due to fraud so best to be prepared.

I really enhoyed this one. I need to go to cheap charlies next time.

I enjoyed the episode today Lou, it can happen to anyone I guess. bye for now.

Great story and could easily happen to any of us. Not liking Thai food is a real disadvantage as you can easily have 3 meals a day of Thai food for under 200 baht.

Surely the 3-4 star property had a trustworthy safe.. If its a true story.. sorry not bad luck, stupid is the correct word🙈 My advice: wear tight jeans. Your passport together with the hotel keycard in your front left pocket, 5-15 t baht in your right pocket for spending money. Leave your phone in the safe. Ready to go. Entertaining story🙂

If I were Jeff I would return home right away. Kudos to Jeff.

never ever take all your Cards out with you hide a card or cards in your Room in a very safe place, so if you get robbed or lose your Wallett you have a backup Card or Cards, common sense really.

Well he had over a B1000 a day. Many Thais live well on B500 a day. He was not a cheap charlie, he just had to be careful. I did see a cheap charlie that used to go into a bar and drink only water, even when there was a pig barbecue. Then he started bringing his own water in because it was cheaper. Now that is a cheap Charlie! They barred him. 😊

Wow, Lou I always knew you were amazing at this RU-vid thing.. but you are also an AMAZING story teller - you could really fashion a whole new channel off telling GOOD stories from Thailand (as opposed to these guys streaming horror stories about bar girls and farang senior citizens lol) thanks again for another great video, GREAT STORY and AWESOME DELIVERY ... Bye for Now!

Here's my approach. I have 4 different debit cards with different banks. Always have a card hidden in your luggage that is unpacked. In the lining or something. If you lose your wallet, you still have a card. Yeah just carry cash or put a card in your winter jacket if you're coming during the cold season.

Great Blog I sincerely 🙏 hope I never end up in Jeff's strife 😮

Lovely story 👏🏻, to all the future would be cheap Charlie's after working many years in the hospitality industry. There's something called a "safe" in your room, use it...

no hotel safe is really safe. remember back in the day "safes" were near the front desk. how convenient

I'm an old school Italian from Jersey. I can tell you we would always laugh at people who kept their cash in their wallets. I guess growing up, it was considered very "un-cool", and also foolish. Decades later it's still a rule I live by, and chuckle a little every time I see a guy reach for cash in his wallet. God forbid it's a Velcro wallet...Ha!

Some times it is not safe to leave things in safebox at the hotel.i keep things (money and credit card) with me. In my pocket. A pocket with 2 buttons .

No reason for the austerity on accommodation. Get online and book hotel(s) by credit card before cancelling the cards.

Always only go out each night with what you intend to spend in one evening

Poor old Geoff. 👍

Great Story, i thought in the end it was you 😂😂😂

I always keep my valuables in the in-room safe and only book hotels with a safe in the room. Even though I've never had a problem with the in-room safe, I have read they are not theft proof. If I lost everything in Pattaya I would call Loucous. LOL. Martin From LA

The not knowing how he lost it makes me nervous even after 4 visits. Travel insurance will definitely be on the menu.

Got me one of those wallets that you lierally wear and they really work. Of course you should lock your passport and spare money in the hotel safe or your room safe and include any expensive items, watch whatever. This is a tourist place, i.e. full of pickpockets and pretty good ones. Interesting story Lucas but scary, I'm not sure I would have handled it as well as Jeff did.