How to avoid tourist traps in Thailand

Tourist traps and scams in Thailand come in many forms, ranging from simple schemes that involve little effort to more elaborate ruses where foreigners pose as credible tour agents, persuading tourists to purchase overpriced goods and services.

Quick Facts

•The large influx of tourists to Thailand has led to the development of sophisticated tourist scams and traps.

•Tourist attractions are genuine places of interest worth visiting. Tourist traps, on the other hand, are designed to exploit tourists for money.

•Most tourists in Thailand have no issues, but caution and common sense are always advisable.

•The Thai Tourist Police Division recently established a 24/7 helpline for foreigners in distress. If you fall victim to a scam, dial 1155 for police assistance.

Tourist Attractions vs. Tourist Traps

To avoid confusion, it’s important to distinguish between tourist attractions and tourist traps.

A Tourist Attraction:

These are genuine places of interest that are worth visiting, both in terms of time and money.

A Tourist Trap or Scam:

Tourist traps are schemes deliberately designed to exploit tourists. They are essentially “fake attractions” aimed at drawing as many tourists as possible to make the most money.

Save your time, money, and peace of mind by staying alert and avoiding such attractions.

The 7 Worst Scams and Tourist Traps to Avoid in Thailand

Some scams in Thailand are easy to spot and can happen anywhere in the world, such as cashiers shortchanging tourists in mini-marts and small shops. Others are more elaborate, involving people who pose as credible experts to deceive tourists into buying overpriced goods and services, making a quick and easy profit.

While on vacation in Thailand, some tourists may let their guard down and fall for the country’s charming smiles, making them especially vulnerable to scams. Therefore, caution and common sense are essential.

Below, we’ve outlined the 11 worst scams and tourist traps currently reported in Thailand.

1. Wrong Change Scam

Get familiar with the local currency as soon as possible. Many tourists find themselves unable to get the correct change, as cashiers take advantage of those who are unfamiliar with Thai baht (1 USD = 30 Thai baht).

Common Scam Locations:

•Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers

•Busy street markets, especially Chatuchak Weekend Market

•Small restaurants and bars

How the Scam Works
There are two common scenarios:

•Scenario 1: The “500 Baht – 1,000 Baht Bill” Scam: You hand over a 1,000 baht note but are given change for 500 baht. When you try to argue, the cashier flashes a pre-prepared 500 baht note, claiming you gave them that amount.

•Scenario 2: The “100 Baht – 500 Baht Bill” Scam: A 500 baht note is suddenly swapped for a 100 baht note, often because the colors of the 500 baht and 100 baht bills are quite similar.

How to Avoid the Scam

This can happen in any tourist destination, so be vigilant. Show the cashier the bill you’re handing over. If possible, ask if they have change beforehand, or ensure you carry smaller bills to avoid needing change for larger denominations.

2. Fake Banknotes Scam

This scam is similar to the wrong change scam, where a merchant accuses you of paying with a counterfeit bill.

How the Scam Works

•Step 1: After you hand over your money, the merchant leaves, usually going to the back of the shop, out of sight.

•Step 2: They then swap your bill for a counterfeit one.

•Step 3: They return with the fake bill and accuse you of paying with it, demanding you make another payment.

How to Avoid the Scam

Avoid using large denomination bills. This scam typically targets 500 or 1,000 baht notes. If the merchant tries to walk away, politely ask for your bill back until they return with your change.

3. “This Place is Closed” Scam

This scam often occurs near major tourist attractions, with most reports coming from outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

How the Scam Works

•Step 1: A stranger approaches and informs you that the attraction is closed for various reasons, suggesting alternative sites. These scammers often look and act convincingly, sometimes even wearing “tourist police” badges.

Note: Attractions are almost never closed unexpectedly!

•Step 2: They offer to take you on an amazing tour, leading you to nearby temples before steering you into a gem store or tailor shop.

•Step 3: Inside the shop, they offer steep discounts on goods like gems, ivory, and suits, pressuring you to buy. Many of these gems are fake or illegal, and some tourists have been locked inside until they make a purchase.

How to Avoid the Scam

Always proceed to the official ticket office of the attraction, and ignore any offers to take you elsewhere.

4. Thai Gem Scams

This is one of Thailand’s most notorious tourist traps, involving offers to buy gems supposedly worth five to ten times more in your home country.

How the Scam Works

•Step 1: The scammer claims that gems are easily sourced in Thailand and can be bought cheaply in bulk.

They try to convince you that you can make a fortune by reselling these gems back home.

•Step 2: An accomplice, often posing as a tourist, corroborates the seller’s story, claiming to have made a lot of money from this “opportunity.”

The act is very convincing!

•Step 3: You end up paying far more than the gems are worth. Some setups even include limousines to make the experience seem more legitimate.

How to Avoid the Scam

Don’t be greedy. If making money were that easy, the seller wouldn’t be letting a random tourist in on the secret. Many tourists have fallen victim to this scam due to their desire for quick profit.

5. Fake Tour Packages from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) does not operate travel agencies. It’s a government body promoting the country’s wonders, but it does not run its own agencies. However, many scammers exploit TAT’s excellent reputation for their own gain.

How the Scam Works

A common example is scammers targeting tourists at Hua Lamphong, Bangkok’s main railway terminal (though it can also happen at bus terminals and ferry ports).

•Step 1: The scammer falsely claims to be a TAT employee and asks about your travel plans to gather information. Providing this information makes it easier for them to proceed to Step 2.

•Step 2: The fake TAT representative misleads the tourist by saying that train tickets are sold out.

•Step 3: The scammer then offers alternative transport tickets supposedly provided by TAT, often at an inflated price.

•Step 4: If a private van, limousine, or car is booked, the tourist may be subjected to further scams along the way.

How to Avoid the Scam

Simply tell them you know TAT doesn’t offer tours. Be wary of anyone claiming to be from TAT and go directly to official booking counters for train tickets.

6. Jet Ski and Motorbike Rental Scams

If you decide to rent a jet ski or motorbike in Phuket or any other coastal city in Thailand, take note of any significant scratches and dents on the vehicle before leaving.

How the Scam Works

•Step 1: Upon returning the vehicle, the renter falsely claims you’ve damaged it and demands compensation for repairs.

This scam is particularly common in tourist hotspots like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Phuket, with some victims scammed out of up to 30,000 baht ($1,000 USD) for jet skis.

How to Avoid the Scam

Take photos of all dents and scratches with your phone. Also, record a video for extra precaution. Ensure the person renting you the vehicle is in the photos or video if possible, though they might change staff to try and pin the scam on you.

7. Fake Police

Thai law requires foreigners to always carry their passport. If not, they should at least be able to show photocopies or photos of the passport, entry stamp, and arrival card. Some fake police or immigration officers take advantage of this situation.

How the Scam Works

•Instance 1: A “police officer” approaches you and asks to see your passport. They then claim there’s an issue with your visa and demand an on-the-spot fine.

•Instance 2: If you don’t have your passport or can’t show it, the officer also demands an on-the-spot fine.

How to Avoid the Scam

On-the-spot fines are illegal in Thailand, though they happen often. Ask the person running the scam for a ticket or paperwork for the fine. If they can’t provide it, call 1155, the 24/7 helpline for foreigners in distress, or ask a nearby Thai person for help.