Avoiding The Scams December 10, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Thailand, Travel Tips , trackbackTik and I feel quite embarrassed when travelers spend time in Thailand and end up getting cheated here.
Thailand as a whole, and especially Bangkok, are in my experience, the safest places to travel in the world.
Unless you’re really unlucky you’ll never find yourself under any physical threat here – regardless of where you venture or what time of the day or night it is. Pretty much the only crime you might experience here might be confidence crime or possibly minor theft or pickpockets.
For those of you nervous about traveling to a country where police don’t command much respect, I’ve put together some known scams you might experience here and some advice about how to avoid them.
1) Non-Metered Taxis
All taxis in Bangkok should have a meter installed and, unless you are traveling out of the city you should only ever be charged by the meter. Meters start at 35 baht.
That said; it’s common for some taxi drivers to quote you a fixed fare. Unless they’ve gravely under-estimated the journey you’ll always get a worse deal if you pay a fixed rate for your journeys.
You might find a driver quoting you a fixed fare anywhere but it’s most common at the airport and around the popular tourist attractions and hotels.
Here’s my advice about getting a taxi:
- Don’t be fooled by the polite English-speaking greeters at the airport who want to bundle you into their ‘limousine’ service. All they do is put you into a normal taxi and charge you a hugely inflated fee. You’ll see these touts as soon as you enter the arrivals area at the airport. Politely smile, walk past them and go to the official taxi rank where you’ll be charged a mater fare plus an extra 50 baht. Note that you’ll be expected to pay for tollway fees which, to central Bangkok may cost around 100 baht. If you’re really suspicious about the toll fees just take a look at the tollbooths to ensure you’re being charged the right amount by your driver.
- Jump in, close the door and then tell the driver your destination. Usually by this time the taxi’s already moving and they’ll be less likely to kick you out if you refuse a fixed-rate fare.
- Never accept a fixed-rate fare even if you think the price is reasonable. The intention of the driver is to try and cheat you so don’t encourage them.
- If you want to have a bit of fun, get out of the taxi on the opposite side to the driver and ‘forget’ to close the door properly. This means the driver will have to stop the car, get out and close the door himself 
- Tuk-Tuks don’t have meters and you’ll be ripped off 99% of the time you use one. Only use a tuk-tuk if you have an idea of what the fare should be already.
2) Tourist Attractions Closed
There are sometimes men in official-looking uniforms hanging around popular tourist attractions. These people often speak excellent English and are, on the surface very honest and friendly. Their ultimate goal is to persuade you to purchase over-priced gemstones and they’ll be working as part of a team.
Often you’ll be informed an attraction is closed because the government are auctioning gemstones that day or you’ll be shown a map of alternative attractions nearby which will likely include some gem stores.
If this happens, smile, explain politely that you’re meeting a friend inside and continue to your destination.
3) Gem Scams
Whether you’ve been coerced into a government gem auction (see #2) or you’ve wandered into a jewelers on your own accord and curiosity you’ll be hard-pressed to know the true value of anything in a Thai gem store.
Be wary of gemstores which receive coachloads of tourists on package yours and don’t think you’re smart enough to know whether a stone is genuine, fake, synthetic or just over-priced.
Thailand is great for cheap costume jewelry so if you see something that looks nice and you’re not being persuaded you’re buying something of value then by all means fill your suitcase but if you aren’t a gem expert then you’re best to stay clear.
If you are adamant in buying gemstones then make your purchase by credit card so you’ve at least got some consumer protection.
4) Free Tuk-Tuks
You’ll find some Tuk-Tuk drivers who’ll offer to take you round the city for free. The catch of course is that they’ll not actually take you to where you really want to go to. Instead you’ll be taken to massage parlours, tailor shops and gem shops where the drivers get petrol coupons and / or commissions.
You can be assured that none of these places are going to offer you anything of value and eventually your driver will get fed up of you just window shopping and will probably just drive off.
Feel free to take up the driver on his offer if you have no plans in particular and fancy whiling away a few hours though.
5) Falling in Love With a Bar Girl
This is covered in minute detail on every Thailand-based website and I’m not going to discuss it here. Just be aware that if you meet a girl in a bar in Bangkok, don’t trust one word that comes out of their mouth. If you’re a single guy then feel free to have a bit of fun but never convince yourself that the girl has fallen in love with you. If a girl isn’t charging you for their time and they’re cleaning your apartment and ironing your clothes, you can bet they’re looking to cheat you in creative – and often dangerous ways.
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Finally,
Despite everything I’ve mentioned above I do want to make it very clear that Thailand is an exceptionally safe country. I’ve left wallets, sunglasses, cellphones in public places only to return hours later to collect it from the honest citizen who’s kept it safe for me.
I’ve met strangers in the street who’ve invited me to live with them (and I did do), I’ve been offered free drinks at every party, celebration and festival here – most especially from intoxicated guys who, at first glance look like they’d be trouble.
The people who tend to have problems here are people who get aggressive at problems, who behave antisocially after a few drinks and who’d attract trouble anywhere in the world they’d go.
The rest of you should have a safe, fun and extremely friendly experience here.
Comments»
Thailand’s a safe enough country for most people who are half sensible and can conduct themselves in a fairly decent manner.
In fact I’d go as far as to say that to get into any kind of trouble here you might have to deliberately work on it.
Hookers, well what do they say about them? If her lips are moving she’s lying!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Remember hookers are for fun & not love and marriage in most cases.
She’s a brass performing a service. Of course she’s going to tell you that you’re a hansum man blah blah arse licking I want more baht out of you before you get back on that plane blah!
You’re her punter and she’s the p4play snatch! Relationship explained! “SOURCE: hookers for dummies”
Taxi’s, If the driver attempts to bargain with you then don’t say anything just walk! Especially when his cab has a big “taxi meter” sign on it’s roof!
Free tuk tuks or tuk tuk’s that are 10 baht all day, Yeah pull the other one. If you are offered these rather tempting services then..
Breath in deeply and catch a big whiff of that rather large smelly rat!
Gems, If you’re not a gem expert or at least very familiar with them, then don’t bother or hire a real expert!
Don’t get involved in drugs or you’ll be spending time at a rather famous establishment located in Nonthaburi with some of the nastiest characters and harshest conditions you could ever imagine.