Cappuccino capers

[Gaybutton]

Was I being paranoid?

No. You did exactly the right thing. You got rid of them - quickly. If they were actually sincere, which I doubt, life goes on.

Nearly every day I read about scam artists trying to befriend strangers, only for the purpose of getting as much money as they can out of them somehow.

I like your response. If I find myself in a similar situation, I might say, "Yes, I will be happy to go with you, but I already promised my Thai friend I would meet him. He will come too. He is big police in Chiang Mai." I'll bet they would skedaddle in a hurry.

I had a similar experience in Kuala Lumpur, years ago. I was in a local restaurant having lunch when I was approached by two obvious druggies who tried to befriend me. They wanted me to go with them to their home, way out in the countryside. Lord only knows what might have happened if I had been stupid enough to fall for it and go. I told them I would be glad to go with them, but it will have to be later. They asked where I'm staying. I told them the Holiday Inn. Of course I was really staying nowhere near the Holiday Inn. I left the restaurant and thought I had gotten rid of them. Wrong! They were following me. I ducked inside a shopping mall, ran to an exit before they had a chance to follow, jumped into a taxi, and got out of there. Fortunately, that was the last I ever saw of them.

[a447]

What did they have planned?

A threesome??

[wyrleyboy]

Remember Charles Sobhraj? He made a living from befriending foreigners in Thailand, and other Asian countries, before killing them and using their passports. This was back in the 70s. He's in jail now, but was quite a celebrity in France.

[Smiles]

Peter, a paranoid old bitch are you.
There you are, in the hot seat, readily available, on the cusp of a personal experience for a walk down 'Amazing Thailand' lane and waddya do? You incline your head politely and say ... that it had been (fucking well) nice to meet them.
Blandish my man, blandish.
Obviously the UK needs a Brexit enema.

[Alex]

The OP sure seems to attract lots of unwanted attention recently, first the Pattaya bar boys mocking him and now this.

[Gaybutton]

now this.

Be that as it may, the point is clear. In Thailand - especially in Thailand - if you are approached by a stranger(s) attempting to befriend you, or attempting much of anything else for that matter, watch out. It's almost guaranteed to be a scam or something much worse. You didn't come to Thailand to end up being some asshole's victim.

My advice - get rid of whoever it is, and make it quick.

[thaiworthy]

This is actually a well-written account. I think PeterUK did the right thing. I think his instinct was on the mark. If something stinks a little, there has to be shit somewhere. I applaud him for his common sense in handling the situation. It's like the tailors who approach you in the street, wanting to shake your hand and know your name. That's why I never offed Thai boys unless they were working in a bar, where they were known, taking away some of the pressure had the lad been a freelancer you met in a park, toilet or public place. For me, at my age, those are all risky, too. It pays to take precautions. I also think the OP displayed a sheer amount of bravery by telling us about it in the first place. Just when you feel comfortable in your surroundings, something can happen to shake your faith in why you come to Thailand. I think that Thai people are trustworthy, but there are exceptions. Good work, Peter.

[Gaybutton]

It only becomes a serious disappointment when some hidden agenda has been thwarted.

I'm glad you were smart enough to make sure you didn't find out the hard way what that hidden agenda was.