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Some scams

South-Eastern Asia

Tourist scams in Thailand

Tourist scams are common in Thailand, especially around major sights, transport stops and tourist shopping areas. Most involve inflated prices, misleading offers or unwanted shop visits. Theft also happens, including bag-snatching by people on motorbikes.
  1. 1 ShoppingVery commonGem and jewellery scamA driver or friendly stranger leads you to a shop. Sellers offer near-worthless stones or cut glass at high prices. They may claim you can sell them abroad for a large profit. Drivers earn commission.Bangkok, Chiang Mai 2Read
  2. 2 On the streetCommonThe attraction is closedA tout or driver says your destination is closed for a holiday or repairs. They offer another tour, discount admission or a ride to shops. Several people may pose as officials and repeat the same story. You can end up far from the centre at overpriced shops.Bangkok, Chiang Mai 2Read
  3. 3 TaxisCommonTaxi meter refusalA driver refuses to use the meter, switches it off or demands an inflated fixed fare. In Chiang Rai, some metered taxis cover the meter with tape.Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai 2Read
  4. 4 ShoppingCommonInflated market pricesSellers ask as much as they think you will pay. Another buyer may pay half or one third of your price for the same item. Tourist markets in Chiang Mai also have inflated prices.Markets, roadside stalls and tourist shopping areas 1Read
  5. 5 Changing moneyCommonShort-changingYou receive less change than you are owed.Bangkok 2Read
  6. 6 TaxisCommonTaxi no-change trickThe driver says they have no change, hoping you will leave the extra money.Taxi journeys 2Read
  7. 7 On the streetCommonFriendly-stranger sales approachA stranger starts a polite conversation about your family or travel plans. The chat turns into a sales pitch or leads to another scam, such as overpriced show tickets, gambling or gems.Tourist areas 2Read
  8. 8 On the streetCommonQuestionnaire and prize timeshare pitchSomeone with a clipboard asks your nationality and invites you to fill in a tourism survey. They request your hotel and room number. Everyone is later told they won a prize, but collecting it requires a long timeshare presentation.Visitor areas 2Read
  9. 9 ShoppingCommonPoor-quality tailor packagesSome tailors charge high prices for poor work. Touts and drivers send customers to shops that pay commission. Very cheap packages and rushed suits can also deliver poor quality.Bangkok 2Read
  10. 10 Buses and trainsCommonInflated tuk-tuk and songthaew faresDrivers seek out arriving visitors and quote inflated fares. Some show a bogus fixed-price list. A shared songthaew may be quoted as a private taxi ride when the passenger is foreign.Chiang Mai 2Read
  11. 11 TheftCommonMotorbike bag-snatchingPeople on motorbikes snatch bags or exposed valuables. In Ayutthaya, items can be taken from bicycle handlebar baskets at traffic lights. Bag-snatching is described as Chiang Mai's most common tourist-related crime.Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya 2Read
  12. 12 Buses and trainsOccasionalTuk-tuk fare increase after agreementThe driver demands much more than the price agreed before the ride.Tuk-tuk journeys, especially around major tourist attractions 2Read
  13. 13 Buses and trainsOccasionalUnwanted sex-show detourA driver takes you to a sex show instead of your destination, then claims to have misunderstood the address. The driver earns commission.Tuk-tuk journeys 2Read
  14. 14 Other tricksOccasionalDriver commission recommendationsA driver recommends a business because it pays commission. The recommendation serves the driver rather than your needs.Bangkok 2Read
  15. 15 Tours and guidesOccasionalAirport sightseeing tour with forced shoppingA sightseeing tour becomes a short temple visit followed by many commission-paying shops. Operators may refuse to take you back until you visit every shop. They may also pressure you to buy more tours.Tours sold at airportsRead
  16. 16 Tours and guidesOccasionalOverpriced kantoke meal and show ticketsA friendly stranger turns a casual chat into a sale of overpriced tickets for a kantoke meal and show.Tourist areas 1Read
  17. 17 On the streetOccasionalGambling scam invitationA stranger builds trust through friendly conversation, then draws the visitor into a gambling scam. The exact game and method are not described.Tourist areas 1Read
  18. 18 Airport and borderOccasionalDuty-free shoplifting accusation and bail demandA visitor is accused of shoplifting after crossing an unclear shop boundary with goods or accepting a supposed free gift. Threats of a long prison sentence are followed by a large payment demand described as bail.Bangkok 1Read
  19. 19 Changing moneyOccasionalCounterfeit 1,000-baht notesA counterfeit 1,000-baht note is passed to you as genuine money.Across the country 1Read
  20. 20 Cards and ATMsOccasionalATM home-currency conversionThe ATM offers to charge your card in your home currency instead of Thai baht. Accepting gives you a poor exchange rate. This is a costly conversion offer rather than card theft.Some ATMs, including those operated by Krungsri and SCB 2Read
  21. 21 Changing moneyOccasionalPoor hotel money-exchange ratesConvenient hotel exchange services may apply high commissions and poor rates. This can be expensive without involving fraud.Hotels and guesthouses offering currency exchange 1Read
  22. 22 Buses and trainsOccasionalPrivate VIP bus bait and switchA direct VIP journey becomes a lower-class bus or several uncomfortable minibuses. A promised 10–11-hour trip may take 17–18 hours. Some trips also end at poor-quality hotels.Bangkok, Chiang Mai 2Read
  23. 23 TheftOccasionalTheft on private busesRobberies have been reported on private buses. The exact theft method is not described.Bangkok 1Read
  24. 24 Buses and trainsOccasionalFalse claims of faster travel from Khao San RoadTouts claim their transport offers a faster way through the same congested roads, using the promise to sell their service.BangkokRead
  25. 25 Buses and trainsOccasionalCheaper transport hidden or deniedStaff may deny that cheaper government buses exist or claim they cost the same as first class. At Arcade, staff may direct visitors only to songthaews while leaving out the public minibus.Bangkok, Chiang Mai 2Read
  26. 26 Tours and guidesOccasionalMinibus handoff to an overpriced temple tourA minibus driver drops you beside a tuk-tuk offering an expensive temple tour. A book of positive visitor comments is used to make the price seem trustworthy.Ayutthaya 1Read
  27. 27 Buses and trainsOccasionalExtra charge on the bus-terminal shuttleSome drivers demand more than the posted fare when there are fewer than 10 passengers.Chiang RaiRead
  28. 28 Food and drinkOccasionalUnderfilled bottled waterSome shops sell water bottles that are not completely full. The reason is not explained.AyutthayaRead
  29. 29 Food and drinkOccasionalInflated train food pricesRoaming vendors sell snacks, drinks and meals at inflated prices. This is a pricing issue rather than a described fraud.Bangkok, Chiang Mai 1Read
  30. 30 ShoppingOccasionalThe one-baht gold misunderstandingA request for a one-baht gold ring may sound like a tiny cash purchase. In jewellery, baht also means a weight of 15.244 grams. The misunderstanding can lead to a much larger bill; deception is not established in every case.Gold and jewellery purchasesRead

Where to stay alert

  • Khao San Road, BangkokPrivate VIP bus pitches, misleading faster-travel claims and poor-quality tourist tailors.
  • Nana Plaza, BangkokTourist-area tailors may charge high prices for poor work.
  • Bangkok airport duty-free shopsShoplifting accusations and large supposed bail demands are described.
  • Mo Chit 2, BangkokStaff may deny cheaper government bus options. Tuk-tuk drivers may quote inflated fares.
  • Arcade Bus Station, Chiang MaiDrivers may use bogus fixed-price lists or quote inflated fares. Staff may omit the cheaper public minibus.
  • Chiang Mai railway stationWaiting tuk-tuk drivers may demand high fares from arriving visitors.
  • Old Bus Station and New Bus Station, Chiang RaiSome connecting songthaew drivers demand more than the posted fare.
  • Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International AirportSome metered taxis refuse meter use and cover the meter with tape.

Habits that keep you safe

Taxis

  • Confirm the meter or total fare before boarding.
  • Agree on tuk-tuk prices and stops in advance.
  • Have your destination written in Thai.
  • Carry small notes for payment.
  • Choose another driver if the terms change.

Money

  • Count change before leaving.
  • Check large notes when receiving them.
  • Compare the final baht amount after exchange fees.
  • Keep some cash separate from your main wallet.

Cards and ATMs

  • Choose Thai baht when an ATM offers home-currency conversion.
  • Read the fee and confirmation screens.
  • Shield your PIN and keep your card in sight.
  • Keep a backup card for a separate account.

Your belongings

  • Keep valuables out of bicycle handlebar baskets.
  • Keep bags away from passing traffic.
  • Take extra care on dark or quiet streets.
  • Secure bag zips and lock up belongings in your room.
  • Keep valuables with you on long bus journeys.

Tours and guides

  • Check attraction closures at the entrance or ticket window.
  • Avoid sightseeing tours sold at the airport.
  • Ask for the full itinerary and return arrangements.
  • Decline tours built around unwanted shopping stops.
  • Buy public intercity bus tickets at the relevant terminal.

Where you stay

  • Do not give your room number to street survey staff.
  • Check the final hotel drop-off before buying a bus package.
  • Compare exchange rates before changing money at your hotel.

Police and officials

  • Check claims at the attraction's own ticket window.
  • Treat an official-looking card as something to verify.
  • Contact your embassy if accused of a serious offence.
  • Use an independently chosen lawyer or translator.

What travellers say about Thailand

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

Should I be worried about scams in Thailand?

Be alert, especially around tourist sights, stations and shopping areas. Many scams start with an unsolicited offer and can be avoided by checking details yourself.

What if someone says a temple is closed?

Go to the entrance or ticket window and check. Do not accept an alternative tour from the person making the claim.

How can I avoid taxi overcharging?

Confirm meter use before boarding where metered service is available. Agree on tuk-tuk fares in advance. Carry small notes and choose another driver if the terms are unreasonable.

Is a very cheap tuk-tuk sightseeing tour a good deal?

It may lead mainly to commission-paying shops. Be wary of tours advertised for 10 or 20 baht, especially when linked to claims that your destination is closed.

Can I make money buying gems to sell at home?

Do not trust promises of easy resale profits. Scam gems may be near-worthless stones or cut glass. Choose a jeweller through independent research.

Which currency should I choose at an ATM?

Choose Thai baht and decline the ATM's home-currency conversion. The offered conversion may use a poor rate. Read any separate withdrawal fee before confirming.

How do I avoid a bad private bus booking?

Buy public Transport Co. tickets at the main terminals. Check the operator, bus class, transfers and drop-off before paying. Keep valuables with you.

Are street surveys and prize offers safe?

A survey asking for your hotel and room number may lead to a timeshare presentation. Everyone may be told they won. Keep room details private and decline unwanted presentations.

How can I reduce the risk of bag-snatching?

Keep valuables out of bicycle baskets and exposed bags. Keep your bag away from passing traffic, and take extra care on dark streets. Do not chase a thief.

What should I do if accused of shoplifting at the airport?

Contact your embassy and ask for its lawyer or translator. Do not rely on a nearby helper offering to make the problem disappear. Keep receipts for all purchases and gifts.

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