Many countries are known for hassling tourists and Thailand is no stranger to this concept. Residents of Thailand are often described as very charming and their pleasant disposition is often contagious. What is unusual though is that they will hassle but have developed the fine art of scamming with a smile complete with an endearing term.

I visited Bangkok and Phuket earlier this year and many scams tried on me. I was able to resist many but succumbed to a few unknowingly. Before exploring these specific scams, here is some useful information.

Taxis from the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

A taxi ride from the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok to the same hotel can easily range between 400 and 1000 baht. If a tourist is well knowledgeable about potential scams, has read a guidebook or this great article, the price can quickly be reduced by half! It is important to realize that they will never charge you a price where they lose money or suffer from. If a price is agreed upon, it is because it is to their benefit. So do not fall into the trap of easily agreeing with a price because when converted to other currency, it’s minuscule. The issue is setting a principle and a standard that not every tourist can be scammed! Well educated tourists do not get scammed!

Taxi to Phuket Night Market

Night markets are a great way to explore Thailand. After being quoted a mere 150 baht to be taken to a night market, my friend and I quickly hopped in. We explained where we wanted to go and showed the location on the map. The driver agreed and proceeded. After driving for 15 minutes, he announced that we had arrived. I looked through the window and noticed that he had taken us not only to a night market we didn’t ask to go to, but one which seemed to be closing down and did not have many shoppers. We told him that is not what we asked for, he laughed and set off to the other market. During the entire time, we were having good conversation until we felt a scam coming on. Once we arrived at the night market we wanted to go to, I handed him 500 baht and he gave me 150 baht change. I told him he made a mistake and should have given me 350 since the cost for the ride was 150 baht. He then informed me that he had taken us to another market so he charged us for it! That whole concept was not acceptable, so we were determined to get the rest of the money and so was he. He started to drive off thinking that if we had to walk back to our destination, he would not feel cheated! Eventually he stopped the car and gave us the right change!

Shopping

I bought an article of clothing for 200 baht after negotiating from a starting price of 600 baht. After wandering around aimlessly while I waited for a friend, I found the same item with a starting price of 150 baht! Now if you do the conversion, all of the prices quoted were little to nothing in USD but you don’t want to get into the habit of allowing people to rob you knowingly. Considering the fact that my friend was still making a purchase, when I asked the salesperson why I was overcharged, she smiled sweetly at me and refunded me 50 baht. Now clearly refunding is not a practice that is often engaged in, however my friend was purchasing sheet sets of higher value and it was her way of wooing her to stay.

Grand Palace is closed today!

How unlucky you are that you travel so far to see the world renowned Grand Palace and it is closed! Don’t buy that- it’s a tourist scam! The scam is you are told it’s closed for whatever reason, more commonly known: monks are praying, its being cleaned or it’s a holiday! Now you are bummed out because there goes your plan! You will be offered a deal to visit 4 tourist attractions and an expo which “you didn’t hear about it, it closes today!) – all included in the price for 30 baht!

This random passerby who informs you the Grand Palace is closed so happens to be an “English teacher” and suggests that you take a “tuk tuk” to these other touristy places. He also cautions you against taking the pink tuk tuks because they will cheat you but the yellow ones are operated by the government, so they won’t overprice. Interesting? Haven’t seen a yellow tuk tuk, oh look- there’s one right there! He hails the tuk tuk and warns the driver not to charge more that 30 baht to go to 4 tourist spots and a Thai expo! Naturally, you are excited because you probably paid a minimum of 150 baht for a 20 min ride so 30 baht for 4 destinations and an expo! Why not? The only reason it was so cheap is because if you are rushed through all of the other tourist attractions (which was not hard considering one or two of them were closed for cleaning!) but if you bought anything at the “Thai expo” (which turned out to be just a jewelry store) these scammers would get a commission.

The tuk tuk driver only speaks English conveniently. He didn’t understand when it was explained that the tourist spot closed but when we informed of a lack of desire to go to the expo, he spoke very good English as he tries to convince you to go!