8 Annoying Scams in Thailand That Still Work
A little common sense goes a long way for avoiding the scams in Thailand, but even the most vigilant of travelers eventually ends up on the losing end of an interaction. Be wary of unscrupulous individuals who approach in transportation hubs and tourist epicenters, listen to your gut, and watch out for these current scams.
While getting back the wrong change is a problem for travelers all over the world, some proprietors in Thailand have added a new twist. Sometimes someone will begin a conversation as a distraction the instant that you hand over your money. You’ll then receive the incorrect amount of change with the attendant claiming that you gave a smaller denomination note than you actually did. At that point, it is simply your word against theirs.
Even late-night staff in the ubiquitous 7-11 minimarts throughout Thailand have begun to use this technique.
The police situation in Thailand has grown worse and worse over the years, especially after the 2014 coup. Police officers are quickly gaining a reputation for finding reasons to fine foreigners on the spot, even when locals nearby may be breaking the same rules.
The new police station constructed prominently at the end of Khao San Road in Bangkok is just one example. Although located in one of the busiest tourist districts in the city, the police inside are not there to aid travelers who need to report thefts or crime. Instead, you will be redirected to a much more distant tourist police station. The police in the area regularly ask for bribes from vendors and businesses that cater to tourists.
Some examples of ways to get fined include:
A decades-old problem, theft from bags stored in the luggage hold on night buses is a common event. While travelers sleep on the bus, attendants crawl into the luggage area beneath the bus and rummage through bags. Small items are often the target, including flashlights, phone chargers, replacement blades for razors, and even expensive sunscreen. Travelers usually don’t know that something is missing until long after the bus is gone.
Unfortunately, even reporting these incidents does little good. Bus companies have begun displaying signs to ensure that travelers know they cannot be held responsible. All that you can do is keep anything of potential value with you at your seat, and seal up your luggage so that you immediately know if it has been opened. The cheap tourist buses between Bangkok and Chiang Mai or Bangkok and the islands are the most prone to theft.
Simply put: Don’t trust drivers in Thailand. Tuk-tuk drivers are famous for their creative ways to scam travelers. With the need to pay driver ‘mafias,’ they often don’t have a choice. Some drivers will try to upsell you on everything imaginable (e.g., ‘secret’ bars or parties, discount shops, sex shows, drugs, prostitution, etc). If a fare is too good to be true, just decline -- there will always be a catch.
While many taxi drivers will refuse to turn on the meter and will quote you an inflated price instead, simply walk away. With a few extra minutes of effort, you’ll eventually find an honest driver.
Renting scooters is a popular-and-great way to move around between sights in Thailand. Whenever possible, stick to established rental offices rather than renting bikes from individuals. Thoroughly check the motorbike for scratches, dents, and damage that you may be blamed for later – the fees for any damage are far out of proportion to the actual cost of repairs.
Whether a scam or not, mistakes often turn up on big bills in Thailand -- and they are almost always in favor of the business. On nights out, carefully check your tab to ensure that drinks you didn’t order were not added. Ask for proof-of-payment receipts from guesthouses if you pay by the night or halfway through your stay.
Guesthouses and resorts with pay-at-the-end systems are most likely to serve up an incorrect bill at the end of your stay. Write down every meal and drink ordered and then ask for an itemized tab when you check out.
Card-readers attached to ATMs are rife throughout Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand. An electronic device -- some are incredibly convincing and sophisticated -- is attached to the card slot and scans your card as it goes inside of the machine. Identity thieves later retrieve a list of names and numbers from the device to sell or compromise bank cards.
When using an ATM to get money, try to stick to well-lit, official machines located outside of banks. Avoid using standalone machines inside of bars or shopping areas.
If you’re crazy enough to break established laws in Thailand, don’t be surprised if additional scams are added on to take advantage.
Drugs are illegal throughout Thailand, but some locals and even bars may offer to sell them to you. A corrupt police officer is then called and you are shaken down for a steep bribe for fear of jail time. Whatever you purchased is confiscated to be sold to the next victim.
Prostitution is a serious problem in some parts of Thailand. Male travelers report being approached by local girls in bars, drugged, then waking up later once their rooms have been robbed.
- Get help planning your vacation in Thailand.
1. Count Your Change
While getting back the wrong change is a problem for travelers all over the world, some proprietors in Thailand have added a new twist. Sometimes someone will begin a conversation as a distraction the instant that you hand over your money. You’ll then receive the incorrect amount of change with the attendant claiming that you gave a smaller denomination note than you actually did. At that point, it is simply your word against theirs.
Even late-night staff in the ubiquitous 7-11 minimarts throughout Thailand have begun to use this technique.
- Read about surviving the big markets in Asia.
2. Corrupt Police
The police situation in Thailand has grown worse and worse over the years, especially after the 2014 coup. Police officers are quickly gaining a reputation for finding reasons to fine foreigners on the spot, even when locals nearby may be breaking the same rules.
The new police station constructed prominently at the end of Khao San Road in Bangkok is just one example. Although located in one of the busiest tourist districts in the city, the police inside are not there to aid travelers who need to report thefts or crime. Instead, you will be redirected to a much more distant tourist police station. The police in the area regularly ask for bribes from vendors and businesses that cater to tourists.
Some examples of ways to get fined include:
- Smoking in places (even on the street) where it is prohibited.
- Not wearing a helmet when riding on a motorbike.
- Getting caught with alcohol during periods when sales are banned (e.g., Buddhist holidays and elections).
3. Theft on Night Buses
A decades-old problem, theft from bags stored in the luggage hold on night buses is a common event. While travelers sleep on the bus, attendants crawl into the luggage area beneath the bus and rummage through bags. Small items are often the target, including flashlights, phone chargers, replacement blades for razors, and even expensive sunscreen. Travelers usually don’t know that something is missing until long after the bus is gone.
Unfortunately, even reporting these incidents does little good. Bus companies have begun displaying signs to ensure that travelers know they cannot be held responsible. All that you can do is keep anything of potential value with you at your seat, and seal up your luggage so that you immediately know if it has been opened. The cheap tourist buses between Bangkok and Chiang Mai or Bangkok and the islands are the most prone to theft.
- Read more about dealing with night bus theft on transportation in Thailand.
- Read more about using the buses in Asia and what to expect.
4. Tricky Drivers
Simply put: Don’t trust drivers in Thailand. Tuk-tuk drivers are famous for their creative ways to scam travelers. With the need to pay driver ‘mafias,’ they often don’t have a choice. Some drivers will try to upsell you on everything imaginable (e.g., ‘secret’ bars or parties, discount shops, sex shows, drugs, prostitution, etc). If a fare is too good to be true, just decline -- there will always be a catch.
While many taxi drivers will refuse to turn on the meter and will quote you an inflated price instead, simply walk away. With a few extra minutes of effort, you’ll eventually find an honest driver.
- Read about how to use taxis in Asia safely.
- Learn more about popular scams involving tuk-tuks in Thailand.
5. Scratches on Motorbikes
Renting scooters is a popular-and-great way to move around between sights in Thailand. Whenever possible, stick to established rental offices rather than renting bikes from individuals. Thoroughly check the motorbike for scratches, dents, and damage that you may be blamed for later – the fees for any damage are far out of proportion to the actual cost of repairs.
- See more safety tips and advice for renting motorbikes in Southeast Asia.
6. Itemized Bills
Whether a scam or not, mistakes often turn up on big bills in Thailand -- and they are almost always in favor of the business. On nights out, carefully check your tab to ensure that drinks you didn’t order were not added. Ask for proof-of-payment receipts from guesthouses if you pay by the night or halfway through your stay.
Guesthouses and resorts with pay-at-the-end systems are most likely to serve up an incorrect bill at the end of your stay. Write down every meal and drink ordered and then ask for an itemized tab when you check out.
- Read more about budget accommodation in Asia.
7. Rigged ATMs
Card-readers attached to ATMs are rife throughout Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand. An electronic device -- some are incredibly convincing and sophisticated -- is attached to the card slot and scans your card as it goes inside of the machine. Identity thieves later retrieve a list of names and numbers from the device to sell or compromise bank cards.
When using an ATM to get money, try to stick to well-lit, official machines located outside of banks. Avoid using standalone machines inside of bars or shopping areas.
- Read more about safely accessing money in Asia.
- See 8 scams that are troublesome in Southeast Asia.
8. Illegal Activities
If you’re crazy enough to break established laws in Thailand, don’t be surprised if additional scams are added on to take advantage.
Drugs are illegal throughout Thailand, but some locals and even bars may offer to sell them to you. A corrupt police officer is then called and you are shaken down for a steep bribe for fear of jail time. Whatever you purchased is confiscated to be sold to the next victim.
Prostitution is a serious problem in some parts of Thailand. Male travelers report being approached by local girls in bars, drugged, then waking up later once their rooms have been robbed.
- Read more about the drugs in Thailand.
