Most people are fair and honest, but wherever there are tourists, there are scammers trying to take advantage of them! Here are four common scams to watch out for when visiting Thailand.
1. The Grand Palace is Closed
Bangkok's Grand Palace is open every day, even on holidays. It has probably closed for special events two times in the past decade. But for some reason scammers love to tell tourists that the Grand Palace (or National Museum, or Wat Po) is closed for a special occasion, probably so they can take the tourists somewhere else. Rest assured, the Grand Palace is open! And if someone on the street or even your tour guide tells you that a site you are planning on visiting is closed for a holiday, diplomatic visit, or other special event, don't take their word for it. Tourist sites rarely deviate from their published hours.This scam is complicated, so read here about dangers and risks of renting jet skis in Thailand.
3. The 30 Baht Tuk-Tuk Ride
You may come across a tuk-tuk driver who offers to take you wherever you want to go for just 30 baht. The catch -- you've got to come with him first to either a gem store or a tailor. The driver gets a cut of anything you buy. Unless you have tons of time to waste or were in the market for overpriced gems or a new suit from an unknown tailor, it's definitely not a good deal for you!4. The Meter's Broken
If you get into a taxi and the driver tells you that the meter is broken, get out of the taxi. The meter isn't broken, the taxi driver is trying to get you to pay more than the meter rate for your ride, and usually a lot more. Arguing is futile, and bargaining will only get you a price slightly less astronomical than the one the driver quotes you to take you wherever you want to go. The only exception -- Phuket, where there are so few taxis everyone is at their mercy and rates are astronomical!5. Two-Tiered Pricing
Some merchants will automatically charge foreign tourists more than they charge local Thais, whether they are selling fruit in the street, hotel rooms or t-shirts. Unfortunately there is rarely anything to be done about this scam, other than just walking away and finding another person to buy from.
