TOURIST SCAM WARNING!!"

[FLW]

....."I spent two nights in Bangkok and I´m very disapointed. All the time people tried to cheat us. We got a taxi from the airport to our hotel, the driver asked for 800 baths! double than the real price!. We booked a tour for the city in the airport (it looked like a formal company) and we finished in several gems shops, silk shop etc all the time I said "no thanks" I just wanted to see the temples but they said today was closed..I felt like every body were trying to lie you in every corner. If they see a tourist they see a money symbol in your face.

Realy desapointed, and I'll never back to Bangkok or Thailand."

[Zimoune]

sad to read that. many of the things you are stating i experienced it. actually, living here, you know how to avoid it (as much as you can) - but i feel bad because these guys are a very small percentage of thai people and they push down the whole country image of 'smile' and reputation of service to the ground. i guess more control is a way, more education is another and again... perhaps we should all consider that it is not fair to pay 1euro a taxi ride when metro can cost even more per head!

[Adrian Fulga]

I was in 1998 , 1999 and 2000 in Bangkok around Sky Tower Bayioke , on Sukhumvit Soi , around Myanmar Embassy , Emporium Mall area Queens Park ...only 24 ( years old ) and first time in Asia ! ...I was on my way to Yangon , Myanmar...anyway
The point would be that despite the advice one gets inside the hotel...the area is pretty much safe as long as your street wise ( moderate level ) ....being aware of the surroundings ...who's behind you ( if ) and so on.

The only time I felt a bit unsecure was in 1999 , September on my way from the airport to the hotel...at one red light stop the person in the car next to the car driving me to the hotel , was shot dad by a biker....due to the training ( I was in the police - SWAT ) I kept "my cool"...I did duck however advising the driver to go! go! go!...which He did and we've arrived safe at the hotel

Besides this ..I LOVE BANGKOK !

[FLW]

First hand accounts from the bangkokscams.com site


written by Andy, Wed 12 Nov 2008 14:32:02 MST
I have just returned from Phuket, the tuk tuk drivers are a nightmare and trying constantly to rip you off. I ended up moving to a hotel between Karon and Patong and hired a motorbike. If I wanted to go into town at night, I would flag down a tuk tuk and offer him 100 baht, I would always get it as he was already going that way. Phuket is the most tourist unfriendly place I have visited, I will never go again, even though it is beautiful.
...
written by Andy, Wed 12 Nov 2008 14:34:53 MST
On my final day I booked a private taxi to the airport, the company sent a shared mini bus, I refused to get on and demanded my money back. The company eventually agreed and we travelled alone, I hear this is common in Phuket. My advice is not to pay the tour company, but pay the driver on arrival at airport. Taxi was 600 baht, another scam in Phuket.
...
written by never to return, Thu 13 Nov 2008 05:32:50 MST
I loved Phuket but the scams and taxi and tuk tuks there make it a nightmare gooing out of there way to rip you off. i will never go back because of this crap.

[FLW]

REPORT FROM BANGKOK SCAMS:

"written by Angel, Sun 16 Nov 2008 05:08:36 MST

Believe me whatever its stated abt the scams in Thailand is True...i have just come back from thailand...all i confronted was scams only.Thai ppl are cheat,they decieve and for that they can cross any limit.THey have no shame is looting foreigners.DONT GOTO THAILAND"


Travel agents, worldwide are beggining to warn traveers to stay away.

When will the TAT do something to help tourists being scammed at Thailand main attractions?

I walked down Sukhumvit Soi 11 the other day and was approached by 30 or more "professional" scammers.
Disgusting.

[FLW]

VISOTOR SCAM REPORTS:

" Sun 16 Nov 2008 23:43:43 MST
Hi fellow members of the scamed by the thais club
i have just returned from bangkok and i was scamed 2 days ago by the same means that everyone else has been it leaves a really bad taste in your mouth and i will not go back to thailand i did not buy through greed ,just a present for my wife but it really has no appeal to it now and i am £1500 worse off wrecked my holiday and just a thought i gave the sales woman my driving licence which was photo copied and has details about me along with my card details .these people are criminals so i have cancelled my card just incase they try to make use of my details its all a bit scary."

[FLW]

Do the Thais have any respect for visitors?

Why does this crap continue?

http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in...jc_allComments

[FLW]

BANGKOK POST
SUNTHORN PONGPAO

AYUTTHAYA : Twenty foreign tourists were robbed in their sleep on a bus and awoke to find they had been left in the middle of nowhere in Bang Pa-in district early yesterday morning.

Local police came to help the tourists from Europe and the US after four bus crew stole their belongings and abandoned the bus after parking it on the side of the Asian Highway about 6am.

The victims said they took the bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok on Sunday night with four male staff, including the driver. Exhausted by the trip, the tourists fell asleep during the night, unaware of the plot to steal their belongings.

It was believed the driver stopped the bus by the roadside early in the morning and the crew stole valuables, laptop computers, cameras, hand-held game consoles and cash from seven bags, totalling more than 150,000 baht, before fleeing.

Police contacted a tour agency on Khao San road where the tourists bought their package deals. The agency did not manage the bus in question but had outsourced to a bus company.

The outsourced bus owner, Sirada Boonme, 26, said the bus belonged to her father's company.

After hours of negotiations with the tourists, she agreed to pay compensation of half the amount that had been stolen in cash and the rest by bank transfer.

She refused to give any details about the bus staff. Police suspected Ms Sirada's father might be one of the four men.



DISCUSSION ON THAI VISA:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/20-Sle...d-t224796.html

[chrislarsson]

In two days PAD has managed to do more damage to the tourism industry than all the scammers added together...

[FLW]

..."I agrree with Christina, Thais just see a money sign when they see a foreighner, I felt constantly intimidated in Phuket and Bangkok, you say no, they follow you. There was a tout at Patpong screaming at me cheap charlie cheap charlie because I would not follow him to a bar. With the exchange rate being bad, and the political problems Thailand is not a nice secure comfortable place to visit."

When will Thai authorities crack down on Tourist Mafia scammers?


.

[FLW]

Two years ago, I photographed these people, scamming visitors at the Erawan Shrine. They are still here today.
They are full time scammers employed by the Thai Tourist Mafia.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21533131@N06/page5/

They are at the Erawan Shrine everyday telling lies to every tourist that visits the famous shrine.
The TAT info booth is also on this corner as is a Thai Police Box.
The TAT employees and Police watch them cheating tourists.
I see the scammers hanging out with the Erawan Shrine Security when not scamming a lost visitor!
These photos were sent to the TAT and Tourist Police 2 years ago.
I sent many follow up emails. No reply!
I sent the photos to the Erawan manager. No reply!

Why do the authorities allow scammers tp control Thailand main Tourist Sites?

.

[FLW]

I guess the Thai Police didn't get the memo?
Isn't Thailand experiencing a shortage of visitors?
Stop harassing tourists.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Tis-Season-t231519.html

Thai Police searching Farangs.

[FLW]

What has happened to Thailand?
All over the internet are negative reports.
Isn't it time the Thais do somthing to protect visitors?

Here is a recent report on bangkokscams:

"I have just returned from Thailand, for 2 days I tried to get a tuk tuk to the grand palace and no driver would take me unless I made 2 stops, tailor shop and gems shop, eventualy gave up and got a private taxi, 150 baht.

I also tried to get a tuk tuk to take me to Kho san road, they would not go for less than 400 baht, eventualy I got one from Nana for 130 baht.

All the tuk tuks I tried were from Sukhumvit, soi 3,5,7,7.1, 9 and 11. The really are scam merchants."


I AGREE!
Just walk down Soi 11 some afternoon. Dozens of disrespectful Tourist Mafia scammers are lined up, attempting to defraud every tourist they meet.
DISGUSTING!
I did a survey and asked 25 Tuk Tuk drivers along Sukhumvit for a fare to the Grand Palace.
Every one of them lied to me, said it was closed!
YES 100% of the Tuk Tuks I queried lied to me!
WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO DO THIS?

[PADTHAI]

Because the authorities ARE the scammers? Or they are blind? Or they are lazy? Or they don't care?

Frankly, tourism here is going to suffer so badly now that maybe those scammers will have to go and scam Thais instead.

[thainotts]

Originally Posted by PADTHAI

Because the authorities ARE the scammers? Or they are blind? Or they are lazy? Or they don't care?

Frankly, tourism here is going to suffer so badly now that maybe those scammers will have to go and scam Thais instead.

Its not like they don't already do that...

[marki]

The comments seem unfair to Thailand since scammers operate all over the world. And the people likely to be scammed in Thailand are perhaps also likely to be scammed elsewhere. What make Thailand stick out is that many tourists on their first trip abroad (or Asia) and are more inexperienced and less street wise (BKK is a hub, so gets more first timers or infrequent travellers than say India or Columbia), so visitors are not used to the kind of scamming in many Asian and other countries. You'll find similar scams in Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, India, Egypt, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria (or elsehwhere in Africa or Latin America). You will find dishonest taxi drivers in EVERY country, and particularly in less developed countries where meters are not used and/or at airports. Scams exist in practically all airports worldwide. For each of the Thailand scams here i can probably list at least 10 other countries where each is also found.

Australia, for example, has thousands of scams operating, most target locals but I know of many targeting tourists. Japanese and Chinese tourists on busses are scammed in Australia every day (in a similar way to Thailand), but perhaps more successfully because few ever realise it. Fortunately, Government bodies attempt to inform people of possible scams, but here too, its difficult to enforce. Keep in mind all the worlds biggest scams originated and still exist in the USA and Europe.

The same tips to avoid scams worldwide will work effectively in Thailand and everywhere else, some examples:
1. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Dont believe what someone says, just because they say it (or because they follow you): check it out, do the research, get independant advice etc
3. Educate yourself about possible scams where youre go (if everyone simply did this, scamming would be futile) like guide books, websites, forums etc.
4. But there is no such thing as a 'comprehensive list of scams', they evolve and new ones appear
5. Hide valuables, keep little in wallets etc.
6. Blend in with locals or learn the language where possible (or keep a trusted local alongside who understands the language)
7. Expect scams in touristy areas, fewer tourists are scammed elsewhere, ordinary locals dont scam and dislike scammers.
8. Financial scams rely on greed.
9. Invest in a good map for directions and learn how to read it! If still lost, ask someone who would gain nothing by misdirecting.
10. Always keep a lookout around you. Beware of people loitering with no legitimate reason to be somewhere.
11. Be aware of what locals pay for goods or services.

Nevertheless, I find it irritating to have to hail 5 different colour taxis before I find one who will use the meter. Or the people who follow farangs and talk blah blah so i have to repeat: "mai ao, mai dtaawng". Or the fake monks. Or foreigner entry fees in National Parks. I agree the scams in Thailand are "Nahkriet" but, like elsewhere, Thailand has its good and bad.

Mark.

[FLW]

Happy New Year.

[FLW]

The transportation in Phuket is a monopoly and they charge 10X what a Bangkok Taxi costs for the pleasure of riding in the back of a truck!
They are rude thugs that are ruining Thailands tourist industry.

Below are reports from bangkokscams regarding the Tourist mafia in Phuket.


Andy, Wed 12 Nov 2008 14:32:02 MST
I have just returned from Phuket, the tuk tuk drivers are a nightmare and trying constantly to rip you off. I ended up moving to a hotel between Karon and Patong and hired a motorbike. If I wanted to go into town at night, I would flag down a tuk tuk and offer him 100 baht, I would always get it as he was already going that way. Phuket is the most tourist unfriendly place I have visited, I will never go again, even though it is beautiful.
...
written by Andy, Wed 12 Nov 2008 14:34:53 MST
On my final day I booked a private taxi to the airport, the company sent a shared mini bus, I refused to get on and demanded my money back. The company eventually agreed and we travelled alone, I hear this is common in Phuket. My advice is not to pay the tour company, but pay the driver on arrival at airport. Taxi was 600 baht, another scam in Phuket.
...
written by never to return, Thu 13 Nov 2008 05:32:50 MST
I loved Phuket but the scams and taxi and tuk tuks there make it a nightmare gooing out of there way to rip you off. i will never go back because of this crap.
...
written by Theo, Thu 13 Nov 2008 22:50:03 MST
The problem with the taximeters is they dont always take the shortest way to the destination. If one travels the same track often one will notice significant difference in prices, and a lot of difference in time the ride takes . It not only happens to falangs. Thais, from upcountry told me they got scammed too when the driver found out they didnt live in Bangkok.
...
written by mike, Thu 01 Jan 2009 12:49:35 MST
I will never go back to phuket simply because of the tuk tuks we could not go anywhere with being harased by them, the scared us so we left phuket before our holiday finished. NEVER NEVER EVER AGAIN.

[FLW]

Phuket Taxi Scams report. This report is from 2005.
Nothing has changed.
How difficult is it to provide a secure airport with a safe place to catch a taxi?

When will Thailand get its act together and stop treating visitors like garbage?
These people are ruining Thailand's reputation as a friendly, safe destination.

Hotel Owner warns visitors!
http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ac...i-warning.html


Check out this article in the Phuket Gazette
May 30, 2005

PHUKET CITY (Khom Chad Luek, Phuket Gazette) : Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura has ordered an investigation into a tour company with offices on the bypass road for allegedly intimidating tourists into buying overpriced package tours.

The Tourist Police denied having received any complaints about the company in question, which is located close to their office on the bypass road.

The Governor ordered the investigation while chairing the monthly CEO Governor’s Meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Wednesday morning.

During a discussion of Phuket’s “transport mafia” woes, former Phuket Town Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok, who attended the meeting in his capacity as President of the Phuket Real Estate Club, mentioned that a high-ranking police official was involved in operating a “tour company” that picked up fares at the airport.

“I have received many reports from tourists about one ‘influential’ company that [somehow got the right] to pick up passengers at the airport. From there, they take them to their company offices, sometimes detaining them for one or two hours and forcing them to buy highly overpriced tour packages,” he said.

K. Phummisak said that the tour company would also call around to various hotels and arrange accommodation for the tourists, charging them in some cases 1,000 baht fare or more upon arrival at their hotels. He added that the company also received a commission from the hotels involved.

“If we don’t take action against this soon, it will create big problems for Phuket tourism in the future,” he said.

Gov Udomsak readily agreed that something had to be done to rectify the problem and take action against the tour company, which he already knew to be located next to Tourist Police Station [on the bypass road].

“The Tourist Police can’t tell me that they don’t know anything about this … This issue has come up time and time again in these meetings…but I don’t see anybody taking the initiative to do anything about it. We talk about it all the time, then nobody does anything. I just don’t understand it,” he said.

It is understood that Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pol Col Kokiat Wongvorachart will head the investigation.

The Governor also suggested putting the owners of the company on the provincial list of “influential figures”, thus allowing those responsible be dealt with at a higher level as part of the the Prime Minister’s “war on corruption”.

The Gazette contacted the Phuket Tourist Police office and was told by inspector Pol Maj Bundit Khaosutham that it was “100% untrue” that any Tourist Police officers were involved.

“As for the tour company next to our office, we don’t know each other. I don’t think that they would be brave enough to treat tourists like that right next to the Tourist Police office because it would be so easy for people to report them…

“In fact, we never get complaints from tourists about being forced to buy overpriced tours or being dropped off in the wrong locations [after refusing to buy them],” he said, adding that he had nevertheless assigned a team to investigate the allegations.



.

[FLW]

Year after year the scam at the entrance to the Grand Palace continues.

Here are reports dating back 4 years! :
http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

The Kings Grand Palace neighborhood is swarming with tourist mafia scammers.
They stand next to the security guards, right at the front entry and lie to every single tourist thay meet. They tell tourists they cannot go inside and divert them into an elaborate scam.
The management, security, maintenance personnel and every vendor in the area sees it happening, every day!

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


This group of Policemen are standing across the street from the entrance, watching the Tourist Mafia scam visitors.
I approached them and asked if the Grand Palace was open?
One of them said yes, it's open.
I then told them that that group of men was telling everybody it was not open!
They had a brief discussion in Thai language, then all together they said IT IS CLOSED!
Yes, the Police are cooperating with the Tourist Mafia.
image hosted on flickr




.