How to protect yourself from scams in Thailand?
Traveling across the world is an amazing adventure, but the bitter truth is that there is always a bit of risk involved. But this doesn’t mean that you should avoid traveling and all of the amazing experiences it has to offer.
I traveled across Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, Krabi, and later Bangkok on my island hopping trip which was certainly most affordable and cheap for Thailand tourism, which is also one of the reasons why Thailand is called a ‘Tourist Heaven’.
Being prepared, informed, and aware can help you avoid getting scammed. Most travel scams in Thailand can be easily avoided with a little knowledge and not all that common either. Be cautious with the following tips to avoid falling for scams in Thailand during your travel across this beautiful country.
Hotel Scams in Thailand
After I checked out of one hotel while traveling across Thailand, I assumed that I’d settled my bill. But the hotel had a final surprise; a mysterious extra charge was applied. A manager claimed that I’d damaged the bed, but offered no details.
Many illusive hotel scams in Thailand are designed to scam innocent and unaware travelers. Once you are ready to check out and come to reception, they would send a person to your room for last checks and that’s when they would replace the hotel property with a damaged one.
How to stay safe?
If you run into a hotel that won’t take credit cards or you’re asked to use a prepaid card, those are red flags that should tell you to book elsewhere. In a hurry, you would pay as a precautionary measure just to get away with this, always inform them about your checkout in advance and ask them to send someone to check the room. Checking room in your presence is always safe. Do the payments in person or only through secured gateways for security purposes during your travel.
Tuk Tuk Fare Scam in Thailand
Tuk tuk scam is one of the most common travel scams in Thailand. When you get out of a club or move around the city the local tuk-tuk drivers would always be there to take you everywhere, they conveniently never talk about money and ask you to sit first and take you to your destination. Either the driver will tell you the meter is broken and will charge you a high rate or you’ll see the meter go higher and faster than normal.
Many travelers in Thailand assume that taking a tuk-tuk is cheaper than a taxi (when I first arrived in Thailand, I thought the same thing), but it is usually not.
How to stay safe?
Always discuss the fare first, irrespective of urgency, and negotiate to avoid tuk tuk scam or taxi scam. For security reasons, opt for authorized service providers only. Ask a Thai person at your hotel what the price for a tuk tuk should be. Use that as your base when bartering. A good rule of thumb is to cut the asking prices in half and work up from there.
Tuk Tuk Club Scam in Thailand
When you step out of the hotel just to enjoy the nightlife of the beautiful Thailand streets, you will find a lot of local Tuk tuk drivers suggesting to take you to the expensive clubs for free irrespective of your convenience or liking, and sometimes by saying to get you free entry tickets.
After you get there and decide not to go inside, now when you ask for the ride back to the hotel the cost would be unreasonably high prices and not the standard cost.
How to stay safe?
Tuk tuk drivers work on commission to many clubs around the city. They will offer a courtesy ride where they don’t charge you to take you to the best party destination in Thailand (apparently, which they have suggested). If the ride is free, be prepared for this being a scam, always research about the place you think is appropriate for you on the internet, and do not rely on local drivers’ advice. You may meet some local taxi drivers during your travel who tend to be a bit cheeky and may take you on a side trip to get some commission.
Bike Renting Scam in Thailand
Renting a bike is amongst the most common sights for travel scams in Thailand. Since most bike providers in Thailand hold your passport for your rental period, they can easily ask you for money even if you are not liable or at fault for any damages.
They often send their staff person to steal their rented scooter/bike and ask you for damages and pay for dents and scratches that were there before you rent it.
How to stay safe?
Never give your original passport to providers, they are not allowed to take it legally, always insist on the photocopy. When renting vehicles like cars, scooters, or bikes, you must check that they are not scratched, dented, or damaged. If they are, take a photograph and ask the vendor to make a note of it. This way, on returning the vehicle you cannot be held accountable for pre-existing damages. You must rent your bike/car/scooter from a trusted vendor to avoid such a problem. It is advisable to ask the hotel to help you with that, even though they might charge a little extra, but they are a safe option.
Restaurant Bills Scam in Thailand
Double billing for items is one of the common scams in Thailand in some places. They double bill you and we fail to check. You’re enjoying a few cold ones at a restaurant. As is common in Thailand, the bill for each drink is stuffed in a little tub. As the night goes on, your tub fills up until it’s time to pay. And when you take a look through the mass of bills, you notice that there are more drinks billed than you actually consumed.
Throughout the night, the restaurant has been stuffing in extra bills while you weren’t looking, hoping that you’d just pay it so they could scoop the excess.
How to stay safe?
To avoid such scams, always check for bills thoroughly to avoid paying extra unnecessarily. The only way to get out of the situation is not to fall into it. And if you would try arguing with the bar staff, they will ask you to prove your claim. So, never lose sight of your bin. Some bars in Thailand insist on keeping them behind the bar instead of by the customer. In such cases, pay up immediately and leave, there are plenty of better places.
Speed Boats/Jet skiing scams in Thailand
Scams of speed boats and jet skiing have been known to happen in Phuket and some smaller islands of Thailand as well. After you’ve been out enjoying yourself on a jet ski, when you return it, the renter may point out some minor damage. You may be blamed even though you both know it wasn’t you who caused the damage, and extortionate repair fees are demanded.
Sometimes when you are jet skiing there would be locals who would try to trouble you, trip you off your jet ski. They on most occasions are insiders whose intentions are to charge you for damages to the boat.
How to stay safe?
Inspect the vehicle for damage before you take possession of it. Take pictures of even the slightest dent or scrape, point out the damage to the renter, and make sure they see that you have taken a picture of it. This way you can save yourself, also, in my opinion, try to avoid scams in such tourist destinations across Thailand.
Shopping Scams in Thailand
Thailand is a popular shopping destination. But do you know! This country is also famous for counterfeit goods. Touts and sometimes local drivers in Thailand are on the lookout for gullible shoppers. They invite visitors to places for special bargains and expensive goods at unbelievable prices.
Go to a mall where you will find an innocent looking local who would introduce you as a local. Being a friendly person he would suggest you not shop at tourist prices from the malls, but opt for a local street near the mall in the aisle.
How to stay safe?
When requesting a driver to be taken to a shopping destination, you may be told that it is closed. The driver then offers to take you to another place which is cheaper and better. Do not fall for this trick, it is a scam. The driver may take you to another place so that he can claim his commission from the shop owner.
Littering Scams in Thailand
The officers in charge of enforcement will arrest anyone, and not only in tourist areas as is the practice in Thailand. Many local shopkeepers, motorcycle taxi drivers, and even vendors where the inspectors now operate are outraged at the targeting of foreigners. They try to get fines out of foreigners for dropping small items, which is quite common in India as well.
A traveler from Traveling Canucks shares his experience falling victim to litter scam in Thailand. I had a good chuckle when I read this story because the exact same thing happened to me during my travel in Thailand. It made me know that some scams are timeless.
How to stay safe?
You would be approached by individuals who would claim them to be the Tourist Police of Thailand. They aren’t even police, but uniformed inspectors, known in Thai as ‘Thetsakij.’ Do not mistake them for tourist police because of similar uniform designs, colors, and badges.
Have a look at these frequently asked questions
How to avoid scams in Thailand?
The key to avoid scams in Thailand is simply to be as prepared, informed and aware as possible.
What to watch out for in Thailand?
Be extra cautious and avoid these above mentioned tourist scams when travelling around Thailand.
Thai Scammer List?
- Hotel Scams
- Tuk-Tuk Fare
- Tuk-Tuk Club Scam
- Bike Renting
- Bills in restaurants
- Speed Boats/Jet skiing
- Shopping Scam
- Littering Scam
Is Thailand a safe country to travel?
Yes, Thailand is a safe country to travel, though it does have an element of danger involved which can be easily avoided with the above tips.
Thailand is a fabulous country to travel, but like many places in the world, it can be home to scams and double standards. Just be smart, be firm, and don’t let the scammers keep you from enjoying yourself!
As the proverb says, “Prevention is Better than Cure” is the best medicine one should take before planning the trip. Lori Zaino also suggests, “Be extra cautious when traveling solo, and trust your instincts.”
Following the above tips can help you enjoy a safe trip to Thailand.
