Thai people are always friendly to tourists when they come here to travel. However, there is still a group of scams targeting tourists that are still increasing. Based on his many trips to Thailand, writer Ronan O'Connell has pointed out the most common tricks in the land of the Golden Temple.
Counterfeit money
When traveling to Thailand, you need to be wary of counterfeit money. The Thai media often reports of counterfeit money flooding the market. If you are a tourist unfamiliar with Thai money, you are likely to be the victim of receiving these counterfeit notes.
Therefore, tourists should know how to distinguish real and fake money, exchange foreign currency at authorized counters, and not exchange money at small establishments on the street.
Make sure you are familiar with the notes before you go out and spend them.
Taxi scam
Taxis are the most popular mode of transport for international visitors to Thailand. They are not expensive if the driver follows the meter. However, not all drivers are honest.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure the driver agrees to the meter before getting in the taxi. Otherwise, they may ask you to pay an exorbitant price at the end of the trip.
Tuk tuk in Thailand
If the driver suddenly turns off the meter mid-trip, stay calm and take a photo of their information and threaten to call the police. Most drivers will be scared and quote a reasonable price.
As for the tuk tuk, the iconic three-wheeled taxi of Thailand, is something that World Nomads writers think should be avoided. After you have taken a tuk tuk ride for the experience, the reality is that it is quite hot, unsafe. The price you pay is not cheaper than a taxi. The drivers also do not follow the meter and overcharge.
Risks of renting a motorbike
When renting a motorbike, tourists are often forced by the owners to pay compensation for mistakes that were not their fault. You need to take pictures of the entire motorbike and send them to the shop as proof of the condition when you receive it. In addition, do not let the rental company keep your passport, but only agree to let them take a picture. Having your passport held can sometimes put you in a difficult position.
You need a dash cam to record what happens. Driving in a foreign country is not easy, even for experienced drivers. When an accident occurs with another vehicle, tourists often find themselves in a difficult situation because they do not understand Thai. Dash cams are useful in this situation.
Tourists are often compensated by car owners for mistakes not caused by them.
The reality is that riding a motorbike in Thailand is not safe. According to the New York Times, 2019 statistics show that Thailand has the second highest number of motorcycle accident deaths per capita in the world.
Water sports
Ronan recounts a trip his two friends had that was marred by a scam involving water sports.
"At the beaches, many people offer services such as jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing... My friend rented their jet ski. After returning the item, they said my friend had damaged it and demanded compensation at an exorbitant price," said Ronan.
According to him, tourists should book these services through reputable agencies or 4-5 star hotels. In case the supplier chosen by the hotel intentionally commits fraud, the hotel will still stand by the customer.
Visitors should book these services through reputable agencies or 4-5 star hotels.
While there are tons of other scams out there, Ronan has outlined some others that are less common but not uncommon.
For example, you should not buy expensive gems or jewelry in Thailand unless you are an expert or accompanied by someone who is qualified. They often sell fake, low-quality items to tourists.
Bars in red light districts often overcharge you. Make sure you know the price of your drink before you order.
Additionally, if a tuk tuk driver suggests a tour to a tourist at a low price, they will often take you to places like tailor shops, gift shops, and gem shops. These drivers receive commissions from the shops to lure customers in.
And finally, be wary of fluent English-speaking Thais who suddenly start a conversation with you at tourist attractions, usually temples and palaces. They will inform you that the place is closed or not recommended to enter and then suggest an alternative activity. This is a scammer's tour sales tactic.
