August 10, 2024

Although Thailand is a safe destination for travelers, you may encounter scams, particularly in the most touristy areas of the country. To avoid any tourist fraud, it's best to be aware of them beforehand. Discover the main pitfalls and scams to avoid during a trip to Thailand.

Touts Offering to Take You to Shops

This is one of the traps to absolutely avoid during your stay in Thailand: letting a tout take you somewhere without knowing where you're headed. This kind of scam primarily occurs in major cities like Bangkok.

These can be pedestrians (who typically pose as hotel security or shopping mall staff) or tuk tuk touts. They'll offer you great deals and promise to take you to shops (usually gemstone dealers) in exchange for a commission if you spend your money.

The salesmen's pitches are highly polished: they propose selling you precious stones at unbeatable prices, claiming you can resell them for much more in your home country. The catch? Not only are the precious stones worth far less than the stated price, but once you're trapped in this scheme, you'll struggle to escape the situation.

How to avoid it? Never let a tout (whether in a tuk tuk, on a motorcycle, or on foot) take you to any shop whatsoever! Politely tell them you're not interested, stay calm, and continue on your way.

Moreover, unless you're an expert in precious stones, steer clear of gem-cutting shops.

The Tailor Shop Scam

Thailand is known for its many tailors. At incredibly competitive prices, you can have custom-made suits and clothing tailored to your specifications! While most tailors are true professionals, some aren't always trustworthy.

It sometimes happens that the final result doesn't match what was originally agreed: the fabric isn't right, the quality is much worse than expected, or the garment doesn't fit your measurements properly.

Note that this type of scam is more common in major cities and tourist areas like Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Samui, and Phuket.

How to avoid it? Start by researching before choosing a tailor and prioritize shops recommended by third parties.

Also, never pay the full price of your suit when placing the order. You can pay a deposit (usually half the final price) and pay the rest once you're satisfied with the result.

Finally, it's better to place your order upon arrival to have time for adjustments along the way if necessary.

Tuk Tuks Inflating Their Prices

Taking a tuk tuk is an experience worth having at least once during a Thailand trip. But be careful not to get ripped off: while tuk tuk fares aren't fixed, many drivers try to scam tourists by inflating their prices.

How to avoid it? To prevent paying excessive amounts for short trips, you must absolutely negotiate the price before getting in the tuk tuk. This should be set considering the total number of passengers. Additionally, ensure the fare is split collectively, not individually.

A useful tip: to get an idea of fair pricing, you can always check trip prices on the Grab app to mention when negotiating with the tuk tuk driver.

Temples Allegedly Closed for the Day

This is one of the most frequent scams during a Thailand trip. When approaching temples, locals may tell you they're closed for various reasons. To "make up for your disappointment," they'll offer to take you to see other temples that supposedly are open.

In reality, temples are rarely closed. The goal of this scheme is to make you spend money on a tuk tuk ride or take you to a partner shop (like tailors or gemstone stores).

Good to know: this scam often happens at major Bangkok temples like Wat Pho or the Grand Palace.

How to avoid it? Never judge by appearances—scammers don't hesitate to dress as security guards, officers, or tour guides to appear more credible.

If you're told a temple is closed, don't listen and verify for yourself. You can also ask your hotel or a trusted person if the temple is truly closed.

Taxis Without Meters

Here's another common scam in Thailand. In most major cities and tourist areas, you'll find many taxis. To drive up the fare and earn more money, many drivers exploit tourists' naivety and language barriers.

How? By not using a meter or claiming it's broken. Sometimes the driver stops the meter mid-ride. Result? They end up demanding an exorbitant sum that doesn't reflect market reality at all.

How to avoid it? Always choose taxis with meters (taxi-meter) and ensure the driver intends to use it during your ride. If he stops it mid-journey, you can politely ask for an explanation and take photos of his identification information, mentioning you'll report him to police. This should discourage him from scamming you.

Vehicle Rental Scams (Scooter, Car)

Planning to rent a scooter or car during your Thailand stay? Then you'll want to take precautions before riding off! Some rental companies may scam you by accusing you of damaging the scooter or car when you had nothing to do with it.

The problem? Beyond keeping your money, they can threaten to keep your passport (which you provided as collateral) or even take you to police, who may be in on the scam. You could end up defenseless and forced to pay a large sum to escape the situation.

How to avoid it? To prevent this scam, you must take photos of the vehicle in fine detail. If the vehicle has scratches or other issues, point them out to the rental company—they should note them in the rental contract.

We also recommend choosing a rental company with good online reviews or asking your hotel for a reliable option.

Jet Ski Scams

In the most touristy areas of the country, like Pattaya and Phuket, jet ski companies frequently scam tourists looking for a sea ride. The scam works exactly like vehicle rentals. Once the activity ends, the jet ski operator may accuse you of damaging the equipment, demanding astronomical sums for repairs. Again, they may threaten to keep your passport or call police to force you to pay.

How to avoid it? Like any vehicle rental, photograph the jet ski before using it. Make sure to ask to see it out of the water to inspect the submerged parts.

To avoid nasty surprises, prioritize recommended operators or check company reviews online before booking.

"Forgetting" to Give All Your Change

While human error exists, it's quite common for vendors to not return all your change. And even if small amounts are involved, the costs can add up over one or two weeks of travel.

How to avoid it? Simply stay attentive when receiving your change by counting it to verify everything is correct! If it's not, point it out politely while always keeping a smile (getting upset with a Thai person will only make things worse).

Essential Numbers if Problems Occur

Are you a victim of scam? You can contact the Tourist Police by dialing 1155 from a Thai phone. Always prefer the Tourist Police, which was created to help travelers and protect tourist interests, rather than local police who may sometimes be corrupt.

Here are other emergency numbers to know and call:

• Tourist Information Center: 672
• Local Police: 191
• Ambulance: 1669 or 1646

For an unforgettable and trouble-free trip, also check out our article on things to do and not do in Thailand.

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by a desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, listen, and understand. Because for her, traveling isn't about checking countries off a map, but rather weaving bonds (often invisible yet always powerful) with places, peoples, and all sorts of creatures in the animal kingdom. Her philosophy? Advise travelers with integrity, awaken their awareness about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble and sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories often arise far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a trail, during a conversation, or in the quiet breath of a world you finally take time to listen to…