Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, known for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and welcoming people. But like any major tourist hotspot, it comes with a few risks. Scams targeting travelers are unfortunately common, especially in busy cities like Bangkok and Phuket. In this guide, we reveal the top 10 scams in Thailand, how they work, and what you can do to avoid falling for them.
Scammers prey on tourists in every country. Each nation has deceptive practices that are unique to their own locality. Here are the Top 10 scams you hopefully never come to encounter in Thailand!
10. Lucky Face Scam | Top 10 Scams in Thailand
Feelin’ lucky, punk?
Do you want to know your future? You have a lucky face!
The lucky face scam is when someone (typically South Asian) approaches you out in public and tells you that you have a lucky face. They will then ask if you’d like your fortune told to you with which they’ll perform some sleight of hand tricks utilizing written notes and a small journal. Some cold reading is involved as they make general guesses about you and your character. After finishing they’ll ask for a donation (sometimes to a temple) depending on your level of wealth, with poor offering a low amount and rich offering a high amount.
Ways to avoid: If someone is approaching you in public while walking the streets of Thailand, be sure that they want something from you. If it has to do with money then it’s always best to get yourself out of the situation as quick as possible. Thank them and keep walking.
9. Hair Loss/Weight Loss Scam | Top 10 Scams in Thailand
Your belly/baldness is showing, let us help you with that
Scams like this appeal to your sense of insecurity. This scam is also committed by foreigners who will watch you walking down the street and may either point to your belly, hair, or toward their own belly, or hair hoping to strike a conversation. If you bite, they’ll tell you about a natural hair loss cure, or fat reduction drug with which they can sell you. You’ll then be taken to a local shop that can sell you a set of products that are touted as miracle local cures. You can be sure that these will have no positive benefit, and will be immensely expensive.
Ways to avoid: Just keep walking.
8. Currency Scam | Top 10 Scams in Thailand
One, two, switcheroo
Here’s another scam that can happen while you’re walking the streets of Bangkok. This again is a scam performed by foreign nationals that are within the country. While you’re out on the streets or maybe even waiting in line for the BTS skytrain, a foreigner (sometimes accompanied with ‘family’) will approach you. They might strike up a conversation asking where you’re from, and talk a bit about currency and exchange rates. They’ll ask to see your currency for themselves and if they can take a quick look. If it enters their hands then some sleight of hand will take place and what you’re given back will not be anything of real value.
Ways to avoid: Same answer, and always a good one in this kind of situation. Ignore and create distance.
7. Tailor Scam | Top 10 Scams in Thailand
Perfectly bespoke for suckers
Here’s something with more established frontage. While walking the street, a caller, taxi, or tuk tuk, may beckon for you to get some impeccable deals for tailor made suits at a tailor shop. If you go, you’ll be given some hospitable treatment, and will go through the normal processes for a tailored suit. Unfortunately, what you’ll be receiving will be suits made from the cheapest possible fabric which won’t be close to the value you’re paying.
Ways to avoid: If it sounds too good to be true, then it normally is. Ignore and move on. Only go to reputable places, which you can easily find online based on reviews.
6. Gemstone Scam | Top 10 Scams in Thailand
Diamonds are forever and so are victims of this scam
This is the exact same thing as the tailor scam but now switch out bespoke suits for fake gemstones. This can also involve a caller, taxi, or tuk tuk. You’ll be beckoned or taken into a jewelry store that offers gemstones for cheap. These of course aren’t the real deal, and you’ll be parting with your cash for fakes.
Ways to avoid: Don’t go. Always find a reputable place if you’re looking to buy jewelry and buy from them instead. If you’re being taken to a store recommended by a taxi or tuk tuk then they’re in on the scam and are getting a cut from it.
5. Tuk Tuk Scam | Top 10 Scams in Thailand
There are many unpleasant things about riding a rickshaw and this is one of them
Now that we’ve established that tuk tuks are capable of bringing you to scamming locations, we may as well mention what else they can do. They tend to be primarily used by tourists, or sometimes by locals that need to transport some goods quickly. However, since they’re primarily after tourists they will be far more expensive than other modes of transport. Tuk tuks don’t have any form of set prices and this is fully determined by the driver who can charge a potential 5x multiple (or even higher) compared to other modes of transport should they feel like it.
If they’re located near an attraction (which they normally are as they’re for tourists), then they can tell you that the attraction is closed and try to take you to a place where they get a commission.
Ways to avoid: If you’d like to experience a tuk tuk, pick a destination not far from where you’re located and pay a bit higher for the experience. Make sure that the drop off point that you’ve designated is the only place they’ll be taking you and nowhere else.
4. Bar Tab Scam | Top 10 Scams in Thailand
Imbibe in these inflated drink prices
If you find yourself going to a karaoke bar, or a bar where you can purchase drinks for ladies then this is something to watch out for. You might be beckoned in from the outside of an establishment that’s advertising cheap drinks. If you go in, ladies working at the bar may ask for you to purchase them a drink. They’ll receive a watered down version of whatever they ask for (so they don’t get drunk), and you’ll be potentially getting a surprise. Once you’re ready to go you’ll be shown your tab and may find it to be ridiculously higher than what you were expecting.
Ways to avoid: If you plan on going to these establishments then you need to be aware of your situation at all times. The best way to avoid surprises is to always pay after ordering something to ensure that you there’s no outstanding fee to the establishment.
3. Jet Ski/Scooter Scam
You see that mark here? That’s all you
It may seem like an exciting idea to rent a scooter or jet ski in Thailand, but you need to be extremely careful, especially if you’re further away from the capital. The scooter or jet ski scam usually starts off with a vendor requiring your passport for the rental. They’ll then take you to inspect for damages before allowing you to take the vehicle out for a spin. When you’re done with your adventure and return the vehicle, the renter will point out marks on the vehicle and will demand payment for damages. These payment demands can be five figures in baht!
Ways to avoid: The scammer here typically has covered previous marks on the vehicle with water-soluble paint or something else that will come off during use. They’ll have you in a bind if you’ve given them your passport as they won’t return it to you until you’ve made payment. It’s better to not rent from establishments, especially jet skis, but if you absolutely have to do it for your vacation then only rent from places that will accept first page copies of your passport. Also try to find as much information about the renter as possible before you make any decisions.
2. Taxi Scam
What meter?
Like tuk tuks, taxis are involved in scams that can take you to places that are commissionable locations for them. There are also cab drivers that will insist on a set price instead of using their meters, and tend to ask for more than double the normal rate. These instances occur more often when there’s less supply of cabs when they’re at increasingly high demand.
This ranks highly in the list as you have the highest chance to encounter this scam due to the sheer number of taxis within Bangkok.
Ways to avoid: There are options to use ride hailing apps which can help you avoid the use of unmetered taxis. Even better is that there is also some form of accountability as they’re being run by private companies and have responsive help and support centers.
1. Grand Palace Scam
What are you here for? We’re closed
Topping this list is the Grand Palace scam. It ranks #1 because it leads to a multitude of other scams on this list. While at the outskirts of the Grand Palace, someone (usually a cab driver or tuk tuk driver) will tell you that the Grand Palace is closed. They’ll then offer to take you a different destination that’ll be commissionable for them and will be detrimental to your wallet.
Ways to avoid: It’s not closed. If you’re curious about the opening hours then check online. Seriously, ignore them and enjoy your tour of the Grand Palace.
