Scams in thailand!!

jonandgem

Hi, heard a lot about people being scammed in Thailand!! Wondered if anybody has heard of any scams that we should be aware of?

PompeyPete

Best place to look is on Trip Advisor.
But don't be put off by anthing, it's an A1 destination.

Doshwaster

jonandgem wrote: »

Hi, heard a lot about people being scammed in Thailand!! Wondered if anybody has heard of any scams that we should be aware of?

"Free taxi ride"
"My brother has some jewels/gold to sell"
"Ping pong show!" (if you don't know what that is then you don't need to know)
"Jet ski/motorbike hire" (http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in-thailand/jet-ski-scam-in-kamala-beach-phuket.html)

As long as you keep your wits about you then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Just because you are on holiday, don't leave your common sense at home.

99% of people have a fantastic time in Thailand.

bestyman

Thailand is no worse than anywhere else, as mentioned TA is a good place to look.
Taxis are the main culprits, tending to avoid using the meter then overcharging. If taxi driver refuses to use meter you can walk or agree a price up front ( written down if possible) and stick to it.
Tuk tuk drivers try to take you to shops who pay them commision rather than where you want to actually go.
People outside tourist places tell you its closed and try arrange transport for you to elsewhere.
Ive heard a few bad reports of overcharging in "go go bars", especially if you go upstairs or out of sight, but of course I have no personal experience of this.

Although there are plenty of scammers there, the amounts involved are usually only a few quid and non violent or threatening - they only scam you if you let them.

IMO the scams are more likely in a big tourist resort rather than on a little island. Its a fantastic place so dont let the scams put you off.

EDIT: LOL, Posted same time as above and put nearly the same things.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

"
99% of people have a fantastic time in Thailand.

But if you're in that 1% then so far as you're concerned it's 100% been scammed;)

nico26

Please do not hire jet skis.You could land in a lot of trouble. Try not to wear a lot of gold on wrists and neck. Don't buy any precious stones from street vendors. Taxis and tuk tuk as everyone says wil try to overcharge.

If withdrawing money from ATM cover the numbers when using pin. Don't let your credit card be taken out of sight. These to really apply to anywhere.

PompeyPete

nico26 wrote: »

Please do not hire jet skis.You could land in a lot of trouble. Try not to wear a lot of gold on wrists and neck. Don't buy any precious stones from street vendors. Taxis and tuk tuk as everyone says wil try to overcharge.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
Let Lonely Planet be your guide!!!

nico26 wrote: »

If withdrawing money from ATM cover the numbers when using pin. Don't let your credit card be taken out of sight. These to really apply to anywhere.

Par for the course anywhere in the world.

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

But if you're in that 1% then so far as you're concerned it's 100% been scammed;)

True but as others have said it's not something to worry about or lose sleep over.

You will be overcharged by taxis/tuk tuks but they are fairly cheap anyway so even if you get charged a few Baht more than a local then it's not worth getting stressed over. Taxis are everywhere so if the driver won't use the meter or give you a fixed price (trips in the central area of Bangkok really shouldn't be more than 100 then get out.

Taxis in Phuket are extortionate especially to/from the airport. There seems no way around it.

laurel7172

When I was there, I met someone who had paid cash for their internal return flight at the airport (Bangkok), then found they only had a single. They sort of noticed it at the time, but allowed themselves to be fobbed off. So check everything, but, again, that applies everywhere.

Nobjocki

laurel7172 wrote: »

When I was there, I met someone who had paid cash for their internal return flight at the airport (Bangkok), then found they only had a single. They sort of noticed it at the time, but allowed themselves to be fobbed off. So check everything, but, again, that applies everywhere.

Well they deserved what happened to them.

I've just come back from Thailand and found the locals friendly,honest, open to bartering and sticking to the agreed price.

The transport system worked well, food was superb, drink cheap and excursions well worth the money we paid for them.

waynehayes

Not a scam as such, but when we were there we were approached by a nice lady, who was very chatty. After 10 minutes of small talk she tried to talk us into going to her sisters shop for custom made suits etc. This has happened a couple if times to me - must be my clothes!