Travel Safety and Tourist Scams

Before you read this list of tourist scams, please remember that Thailand is one of the safest places in the World to visit. Some of the scams listed below may seem obvious when reading them, but when you are caught up in the 'occasion', maybe relaxed or partly inebriated, then events may overtake you.

There are a number of travel scams that can be avoided by following some simple rules. Remember, this list of tourist scams is not meant to scare you, but may be useful in ensuring that you don't fall for any of these

• Tourist safety - If you approached by a complete stranger, however friendly, be polite and talk with them but don't accept a ride or invitation to anywhere


• Don't carry large amounts of cash; there are plenty of ATMs and currency exchange offices in all towns. if you don't carry a lot of cash, you cannot be parted with it too easily


• Carry plenty of change and small denomination notes as tuk tuk drivers or taxi drivers will sometimes not be able (or willing) to give you change


• Bank notes If a bank note is faded or torn, don't accept it as it may be a forgery


• Tuk tuks and taxis - Always negotiate a fare before you use a tuk tuk... and don't believe them id they say a place is closed or no good. Above all, don't let them persuade you to go to somewhere else that they recommend. You can guarantee they are on a commission. They will get the reward whilst you are being ripped off


• Taxi meters - Insist that metered taxis use their meters unless you negotiate a long distance fare with them. They will usually have a 'set menu' for the longer journeys


• Gem shops - If anyone tries to persuade you to go a gem shop (and by anyone I don't mean your wife), however genuine it sounds, then you go at your peril. You are almost certainly going to be shafted. We could probably write a separate list of tourist scams about gem shops alone


• Renting cars and bikes - If you must rent a motor bike or car, inspect it very carefully for scratches or damages before you take it away. It is highly likely that many people have innocently paid for repair to these despite not causing the damage themselves


• Ferry connections - If you make a booking for a ferry connection to an Island arrive in plenty of time. Some taxi drivers that you book may deliberately arrive late so you have to stay overnight in an expensive hotel; and of course, guess who gets a commission


• Thailand travel visas - If you are trying to get a visa for yourself or someone else, avoid using agents if possible, they will add to the overall cost with no guarantee of success. If you need to use an agent try to choose someone who is recommended by a friend


• Ladies of the night!For those of you who do use prostitutes, make sure you use your room safe for any valuables when you take a shower or fall into a deep alcohol induced sleep


• VIP taxis (maybe) - We used a VIP taxi once for a day trip, it was rubbish and did not have air conditioning. Speaking to some other people who live here it appears we fell for that tourist scam... we paid a premium price and ended up with a cheap alternative. Avoid anything that says VIP. The more prestigious hotels can usually be relied upon for luxury travel (at a premium) but if you book this service outside then it's very hit and miss


• Drugs - We don't recommend you get involved in drugs in any way, the penalties are severe. Sometimes people will offer you drugs and when you buy them the police will magically appear. To your relief they accept a bribe (you gladly pay to avoid jail) and relieve you of the drugs; which then get sold on to other people


• Blackjack - If anyone mentions that they can help you to make money by playing blackjack then walk away. It’s one of those common tourist scams and some people just don't see unfolding until it's too late. We have met some lovely and intelligent people who you would not believe would fall for this, but just got sucked in...



What advice can you give to people?

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Leave your top tips to help other people!

You can also see advice from other visitors to this site at the foot of the Thailand Travel Tips page.

Being aware of these tourist scams helps you to avoid them. The chances are that you will not be bothered with any of these scams and your visit to Thailand will go without a hitch.... enjoy!

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