No – this isn’t about guys cruising in toilets. In Thailand this has another meaning altogether. This is the nickname given to the attendants who work in the male toilets in many of the Thai managed bars and discos. They are universally hated by tourists for the obvious reason, ie, do you really want some strange man coming up behind you, engaging you in conversation and giving you a neck rub whilst your hanging a piss?

Thai managers love them though, as they are another shot at getting a tip out of the punter who is normally embarrassed by the entire experienced and caught off guard. They normally employ a relative as well to ensure they keep a good cut of the tips as well.

So, next time your taking a slash at your favourite Pattaya watering hole and some strange man comes up behind you and starts giving you a neck rub, try not to piss on your shoes and try not to elbow them in the head either. They aren’t trying to “pick you up”, they are just doing their job.

In the longer term you may want to think about frequenting another establishment run by expats who don’t use these “Toilet Fags” as their use appears to be spreading fast amongst the Thai managed premises.