Scams in Thailand

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thetefldon ViP

Member since 20 July 2008

thetefldonViP28 March 2013 14:35:55

469

I wonder have you ever been subjected to a scam on your travels or even at home? Well whatever your answer there is a fair chance that if you are a first time visitor to Thailand(or living here and just naive) then you will be subjected to at least one such act.

Scams come in many different forms in Thailand, there is for example what you might call the "official scam."

Say you want to visit a national park, a theme park, museum or even something as simple as a public toilet, particularly in a tourist area. Well chances are you will pay a different price to a Thai national.

Now I don't really mind this, even though I live here, but what I do object to is the sneaky way the price is often advertised. You see what you don't realise unless you read Thai script is that 9 times out of 10 the price for foreigners will be in Arabic numerals and the price for Thais will be written in Thai script and probably be half or even less than the foreigner price.

While my so called "official scams" are really just examples of the dual pricing that exists in Thailand there are unfortunately other scams which are a lot more criminal.

Top of my personal list is what I will call the Thailand-railways/taxi scam, since I was subjected to it at Hualamphong Station in Bangkok back in 2005, having just arrived on the overnight sleeper from Malaysia.

Arriving at the station I was approached by a guy in a smart uniform with an official looking badge that said something like "travel assistant-Thai Railways" on it. To cut a long story short he was a con artist who arranged a taxi for me which cost me a whopping 800 Baht to travel about 2 miles through BKK traffic to my hotel. The actual fare would probably be around 50 Baht!

Well it was my first time on my own in Bangkok and I fell hook line and sinker for the scam, not realising the true value of the Baht(70 to GBP then). Incidentally if I travel to Bangkok now I take the MRT from the station to my hotel for around 20 Baht.

Other than that scam I have never knowingly been scammed here apart from the official scams I mentioned above.

Unfortunately other travellers have not been so lucky and there are several scams that start as soon as you set foot in Thailand particularly for those arriving by air. The taxi mafia that operate at the two Bangkok airports are probably the worst, charging ridiculous fares into the city.

Other top scams in Thailand include the Thai gem stone scam and a scam involving alleged damage to jet ski's.

In the first case you are likely to be approached by a friendly Thai who engages you in conversation and ends up steering you into a gemstone shop, this method is also used to get you to visit tailors too. Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers get commissions from the businesses that run the scams, so don't be surprised if your friendly driver informs you a temple or palace is closed(they never are) because his alternative attractions will certainly include a visit to one or two commission spots.

Jet ski scams are common in some resorts like Phuket where operators will charge high fees for damage they say you have caused to their jet-ski when you return it to them.

Finally a word about long distance train and bus travel in Thailand. You can purchase tickets for public transport from the relevant departure point and some travel agents. Just be wary if the travel agent that you use says that the transport is fully booked, it is possible with the train and bus at holiday times, but most unlikely otherwise. Suspect a scam if special "tourist transport" is offered.

So is Thailand any worse for scams than other regions of the world? No not really in my opinion.

What do you think? Have you ever been scammed here?

What advice would you offer to help avoid being subject of a scam in Thailand

ckwanderlust Member

Member since 27 December 2012

ckwanderlustMember28 March 2013 14:56:10

Hi, this did not happen to me, but a girlfriend of mine was drugged and then robbed on an overnight bus trip...cartons of juice were distributed; that is the last thing she remembers,and when she awoke, her pants were unzipped, and all the money gone from her moneybelt (worn under her pants...) this happened in the 90's...but is a very scary thought nevertheless, and should be a reminder to be careful who to take food or cigarettes, etc from.....having said that, I have travelled throughout Thailand since 1990, and have encountered only kind and well-meaning people..(with the exception of the tuk-tuk drivers, who want to take you jewellery shopping instead of where you want to go...,,.. but really,I see that one is more of an annoyance,and just find another driver...

scottmallon Serial expat

Member since 28 August 2012

scottmallonSerial expat31 March 2013 04:36:04

229

Never had a problem in my seventeen years here.

1) If someone comes up to you, chances are they're not legit.

Legitimate service providers have phone numbers and offices and generally do not need to have some man walking up to you at a train station or at the airport to help you.

2) At the airport there are taxi stands for a reason. Use them, especially if you don't know much about Thailand or speak Thai.

3)Don't use Tuk-Tuk's unless you're willing to go thru the hassle or pay far too much. The only exception would be if your Thai girlfriend or wife handles the matter for you. Otherwise do not use a tuk-tuk, period.

4) Jet skis - don't rent them. That's the best way around the scam. If you insist on using one, buy your own (if you live here) or photograph and videotape every single centimeter of the jet-ski. Tell them ahead of time not to try a scam on you. If they cop an attitude, don't rent from them. Decent shops know this scam is a problem and will acknowledge your fears as being legitimate.

5) Gem scams - if you're going through a tuk-tuk or taxi driver to find a gem you deserve to be scammed. Go thru your local GIA (Gemological Institute of Association?) to find trustworthy dealers. Generally, a person who knows nothing about gems has no business spending a large amount of money on gems in the first place so you really need to be sharp.

6) There is usually no need to go thru an agent to get a ticket or find out the price of a ticket. The Thai train system is online and the staff speaks decent English. If you're going to use an agent, their mark-up should only be 100, no more than 200 baht tops.

Two-tier pricing is normal here, unfortunately. Check the prices before you go. Know before you go. If you have a work permit and/or a one year visa, some places will give you the Thai price. I've done this at the zoo and at the Ancient City.

Never done that Serial expat

Member since 30 March 2013

Never done thatSerial expat31 March 2013 09:02:37

411

First time i go to Grand Palace a guy in uniform come and told me that it is close for Fa-Rang today, i say Thank you, i go look for my self, and obvious it was open...

1 Tuk Tuk drive want to take me around to see Tailor, Gem shop and so on, i say NO, he say okay you (Me) have to pay 300 baht, i say NO, ask him to stop, take my phone out and say hold on i call Tourist police, and he drive away so fast, didn't get the 40-50 baht we have talk about...

At the airport i never have anyone try anything, first time i use Taxi service the cost 50 baht extra i think it was, after first time, i go out where people come in the airport and take taxi from there, i never have a taxi from the airport that want to drive on fix price, all automatic turn on taxi meter...

Many times it is people own "fault" the let other push them around...

But i think all country around the world have people trying to scam others ??

Yes i pay more to get in some place to see some thing, i think it is "fair" and have no problem paying more, if it is something i like to see...
After i got my Thai driving licence i get in many place for same price as Thai people..

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