How Tourists Gets Cheated In Thailand – Scams to Be Aware of – Part 1

Thailand is a country, which sees thousands and millions of tourist everyday. It is the love of locals and well organized tourism that has made the country a top choice for people from around the globe. But where there are good people to bank upon, there are also some touts ho do organized scams. This article is dedicated to some of these scams.

Before going into each scam, the best advice when visiting Thailand is to avoid engaging overly friendly strangers who approach you. And the better their English is, the more you should avoid them. Also, if something sounds too good to be true, it is a Scam. Read on to find out more!

1. The Grand Palace is closed/This place is closed

Taxi drivers/tuk tuk drivers will tell you that the Grand Palace is closed today for some special or Buddhist ceremony. They will then recommend an alternative location such as the Sitting Buddha/Lucky Buddha/Marble Temple and claim that it’s only open once a year and that day happens to be today!

Should you go along with  their suggestion, you will end up at a jewellery/tailor shop and pressured into buying overpriced crap. Tourists have even been locked in the shop until they start buying!

In other variation, you are approached by strangers near the temple. They either say that the temple is closed, or lead you to an entrance which only Thais can enter. When the duty officer stops you, the stranger will pretend to translate, telling you that the palace is closed for some special ceremony and to come back only at 3pm.

Meanwhile, they will recommend alternative locations to visit which sound really good. Should you agree, they will help you flag a tuk tuk which they are in sync with. The tuk tuk will of course, send you to some gem stores or tailor shops. To make matters worse, when you get back to the Grand Palace, usually later than 3pm, you will find that the Grand Palace has already closed at 3.30pm..

Thumb Rule to Follow

These scammers can look (wearing formal shirt with “tourist police” tags) and sound really convincing, so do not engage if someone overly friendly approaches you on the streets.

Some of them even operate in the temple! So do not assume that you are safe even when inside the compound.

The Grand Place is just an example and this can happen with any tourist attraction. Thus, always check out operating hours before visiting any attraction.

2. Jet Ski Scam

This is a common scam in Thailand Phuket beaches. When you return a rented jet ski, the operator will claim that you have damaged it. A substantial repair fee is then demanded. Should you refuse, there will be men in “uniform” who pass by coincidentally and threaten to arrest you.

Thumb Rule to Follow

First, never give your passport as collateral when renting the jet ski.

Next, examine the jet ski before usage. Document/remember any scratches, dents or potential damaged parts. If upon return the operator demand an unwarranted repair fee, call the local tourist police at 1155.

3. Bar/cafe scam

These girls target single male travellers by approaching them and getting them to go to a local bar or café. They get you to buy drinks and by the time the bill comes, they will be gone. Should you refuse to pay the exorbitant amount, you will find some burly men rounding you up.

Thumb Rule to Follow

Never accept a street invitation to head to a local bar or cafe. Test them by offering to bring them somewhere else instead.

  

4. Patpong Sex Show Scam

You will be approached with “The Menu”, a list of all the fun acrobatic tricks you can see by female performers. You will be led to some shady, nameless bar upstairs (ground level ones have fixed prices for drinks, those above are likely scams). You are then made to pay for a couple of “lady drinks” for the girls at your table.

Now, the show begins. A meek and simple trick is performed and you are asked to tip generously. Should you suspect something amiss and request to leave, you will be smacked with a check of crazy sums. If you refuse to pay, the bouncers standing around will give you a good lesson.

Thumb Rule to Follow

For those travelling alone, avoid such areas as you will be easily bullied and coerced. Or at least do your research online and avoid the shady/rogue operators. Visit Bars on the Ground floor, They are safe.

5. Tuk tuk scam

Tuk tuks in Thailand play on your greed with super low offers of all day tours. They justify this by claiming that it is the Thai Tourism Day and that the government is sponsoring free gas. And on this day, they know of places with some exclusive bargains which they can bring you to. So what happens next, is that they bring you to jewellery/tailor shops where get a commission! In those shops, many tactics could be used to make you buy something, such as locking the shop or simply by wasting your time.

Thumb Rule to Follow

Avoid tuk tuks full day trip, no matter how cheap or how sincere they seem.

6. Tailor scam

Halfway through a tuk tuk trip, your driver might ask you to wait as he take a toilet break. Coincidentally, a stranger approaches you, claiming that he is a lawyer from the US and he is back in Thailand to visit his dad or some other nonsensical story..

He will then tell you about some bargain he found at a tailor shop which only Thai people know and claim that some celebrity from your country have been a customer there.

At this point, your tuk tuk driver will be back and the stranger  will “helpfully” tell him where the shop is. Without hesitation, the driver will bring you there, unless you firmly insist not to. At the shop, the prices seem like a good deal and high pressure sales tactics are used to make you pay everything upfront. They even promise home country delivery!

However, what you get back home will be poor fitting crap.

Thumb Rule to Follow

Never pay upfront. Come up with a excuse to do online transfer instead.

If you want to get tailored clothes in Thailand, do some research and only shop at reputable places. Do not take advice from random strangers.

7. Gang at Hua Lamphong train station scam

At the train station, an “official” looking person will approach and ask where you are going. He will then go to the counter, pretend to look through the system and tell you that your train has been fully booked.

he then offers you a great deal in that he knows a taxi driver who can get you to your location for a minimal cost. However, should you accept the ride, more money will be demanded once you reach your destination. The more scheming ones will drive you to a secluded location and demand more money.

Thumb Rule to Follow

 “The train is full” should instantly raise red flags in your mind. Check with the real official staff in the station instead of a random stranger who approaches you.

8. Taxi scam

There are many ways rogue taxi drivers can scam you of your cash.

·       Claiming meter is broken and asking for an exorbitant flat fare

·       Aggressive touts at airports getting you into unofficial taxis for a seemingly cheap rate. These drivers will demand more money from you halfway through the trip.

·       Claiming the fare is only for one person; claiming a fare for luggage in the boot

Thumb Rule to Follow

Avoid taxis without meters, especially those with “broken” meters. If you have no choice, negotiate the price first. Make sure the price covers everyone, not just for one person.

For those taxis with meters and yet try to negotiate a flat rate price with you, never do so, unless you have already done your research and know roughly what price to pay.

At the airport, only take the official taxis.

9. Motorbike scam

When you leave your hired motorbike parked and locked somewhere, the company will send someone with a spare key to unlock it and steal it back.

Then, you will be forced to pay for losing your motorbike.

Thumb Rule to Follow

Do not hand over your passport as collateral when renting the motorbike. Contact the cops immediately without fear.

10. Bird shit scam

This works surprisingly well, because when you are hit by bird shit, your emotions take over and you become distracted. While distracted, some stranger appears out of nowhere and helps you clean up. In the confusion, he might steal your valuables, or let another accomplice do the job.

Thumb Rule to Follow

If you will find a liquid poured onto you, raise your guards immediately and avoid anyone who tries to come near to help you.

Emergency Numbers to Call When in Thailand.

·       Tourist Police 1155

·       Police (General Emergency Call) 191

·       Ambulance 1554

·       Fire 199

·       Medical Emergency Call 1669

·       Tourist Service Centre : 1672

This is not a complete list friends, there are more to the list that we will cover in our next blog. Keep reading to know more.. Before signing off this article I want to confess that even after there are few touts around in Thailand, It is a beautiful country and is definitely a must visit. 

Plan a trip to Thailand soon, Coz Life is Short