Heading to Thailand next week - any scams to beware of?
Jun 2, 2011, 11:14 am
#1
Original Poster
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Heading to Thailand next week - any scams to beware of?
Having been in China for nearly a year now and just yseterday learning about the DCC and teahouse scam, I'm a little wary of other SE Asia touristy places.
I'm heading to Rayong through BKK; only thing my coworkers told me was "stay the hell away from prostitutes and their aids."
Not particularly helpful, especially when saying that around my wife, since I don't engage in said activity.
Anyway, would like a heads up on scams if you know of any.
I'm heading to Rayong through BKK; only thing my coworkers told me was "stay the hell away from prostitutes and their aids."
Not particularly helpful, especially when saying that around my wife, since I don't engage in said activity.
Anyway, would like a heads up on scams if you know of any.
Last edited by 2tall4economy; Jun 2, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Jun 3, 2011, 1:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Los Angeles area
Programs: Delta PLAT + 1K United for 2011, ????? for 2012
Posts: 258
do not take a TukTuk 3 wheeler in Bangkok, if the taxi will not start the meter get out and find another taxi,
do not go to gem stores , get a suit made at home ,
Anyone that comes up to you on the street and wants to be your friend is trying to sell you something......
Pretend you do not speak english ! or listen to your iPod
But really its not too bad , if you just ignone these guys,
and read up on what is proper clothes for visiting a Wat or the Palace ,
OHHH and do not litter , big fine that seems to only be for tourists !
Rally
do not go to gem stores , get a suit made at home ,
Anyone that comes up to you on the street and wants to be your friend is trying to sell you something......
Pretend you do not speak english ! or listen to your iPod
But really its not too bad , if you just ignone these guys,
and read up on what is proper clothes for visiting a Wat or the Palace ,
OHHH and do not litter , big fine that seems to only be for tourists !
Rally
Jun 3, 2011, 2:03 pm
#8
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
Do not follow anyone that wants to take you to a ping pong show
There is no such thing as a 20 Baht Tuk Tuk ride.... it's a sure way to see overpriced commission drenched shops instead of going to your destination
Do not do anyone a favor and change their big foreign bills for your legitimate smaller ones.
COUNT YOUR CHANGE EVERYWHERE
Do NOT treat hotel safes or safety deposit boxes at the front desk as secure facilities... if you use a hotel inroom safe, change the passcode even if you're using a key.
Watch for extra drinks being added to your 'bin' at bars and restaurants. (the sure way is to pay for each round).
Remember:
Good not cheap
Cheap not good
There is no such thing as a 20 Baht Tuk Tuk ride.... it's a sure way to see overpriced commission drenched shops instead of going to your destination
Do not do anyone a favor and change their big foreign bills for your legitimate smaller ones.
COUNT YOUR CHANGE EVERYWHERE
Do NOT treat hotel safes or safety deposit boxes at the front desk as secure facilities... if you use a hotel inroom safe, change the passcode even if you're using a key.
Watch for extra drinks being added to your 'bin' at bars and restaurants. (the sure way is to pay for each round).
Remember:
Good not cheap
Cheap not good
Jun 3, 2011, 2:14 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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simplest way to avoid people bugging you... 'I live in [Bangkok/Beijing/city where you are currently being hassled]'.
Works pretty well and they give up straight away knowing they're wasting their time.
Works pretty well and they give up straight away knowing they're wasting their time.
Jun 3, 2011, 2:19 pm
#10
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,777
Do not believe anyone who tells you the Grand Palace is closed midday, and that while you wait for it to reopen, they can take you to another interesting temple - oh, and a gem shop, too.
Jun 3, 2011, 3:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
The guy is like, "Yeah it's closed. Go stand over there. It will be open at 11:30".
I say, "Uhhhh, yeah."
So we walk to the next door. "It's closed, go wait over there"
We walk to the next door, same thing.
Next door, same thing.
It really was closed. The doors opened at the exact time the guy said they would. The crowd went inside and all was well.
Very good advice in this thread.
The main point is, if it sounds too good to be true, then it most certainly is.
Jun 3, 2011, 6:38 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
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Not sure I'd go that far. But before you take a tuk tuk ask the hotel (anyone) what they think they trip should cost so you don't agree to a seriously inflated price.
That happens in a very few, very specific tourist oriented areas. As I stay away from those places like the plague I've never actually witnessed it.
That happens in a very few, very specific tourist oriented areas. As I stay away from those places like the plague I've never actually witnessed it.
Jun 4, 2011, 5:50 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
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I wouldn't make absolute statements about gem stores. there are plenty of reputable shops. And there's no cost to just go in and look around anyway. I have had some very nice jewelry made in Bangkok over the years. I have had it appraised after getting home and typically it has been valued at several hundred dollars more than I paid for it. The key is to never accept the first price they offer you. Just hesitating for a minute will start the calculator buzzing with discounts. Plenty of room to haggle over the prices.
Jun 5, 2011, 8:06 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I wouldn't make absolute statements about gem stores. there are plenty of reputable shops. And there's no cost to just go in and look around anyway. I have had some very nice jewelry made in Bangkok over the years. I have had it appraised after getting home and typically it has been valued at several hundred dollars more than I paid for it. The key is to never accept the first price they offer you. Just hesitating for a minute will start the calculator buzzing with discounts. Plenty of room to haggle over the prices.
This is true, but no reputable shop will use deception to lure in unsuspecting tourists.
Anyone claiming that a landmark/attraction is "closed" in the middle of the day in an effort to lead a tourist elsewhere is not to be trusted. Usually this leads to some kind of a scam (most likely a gem scam).
Jun 7, 2011, 12:26 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Take metered taxi from the airport taxi line, not a taxi from a tout inside the airport.
Make sure the driver uses the meter.
When in Bangkok, taxis parked outside hotel and tourist destinations are more likely to try to overcharge you and refuse to use the meter. you may have to walk away and flag down a moving taxi.
Don't go to an upstairs bar in the Patpong red light district, they are clip joints.
Well dressed girls who stop you in tourist areas and ask you to fill out a tourism survey are probably trying to sell you a time share.
Make sure the driver uses the meter.
When in Bangkok, taxis parked outside hotel and tourist destinations are more likely to try to overcharge you and refuse to use the meter. you may have to walk away and flag down a moving taxi.
Don't go to an upstairs bar in the Patpong red light district, they are clip joints.
Well dressed girls who stop you in tourist areas and ask you to fill out a tourism survey are probably trying to sell you a time share.