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Hi, I am from Bangkok. Thank you for helping other foreign travellers not get scammed. Personally, the scam with the Grand Palace is pretty dated, notwithstanding, foreign travellers are still the victims of this lie.
Generally speaking, we Thais are not able to command in English that well. Thus, when approached by a mysterious Thai who is able to speak somewhat astonishingly good English on the street, beware!
Another scam you forgot to mention when talking about the airport scam is another slightly different scam that has to do with tampering with the taxi meter. When I first arrived in Bangkok in 2019, I caught a taxi from S. International Airport to Bangkok and the driver turned on the taxi meter, which made me feel really comfortable, since I knew they were legit and therefore they could not rip me off, but I was wrong somehow. On our way to Bangkok I noticed something awkward in the taxi meter, since the taxi meter was running too fast to an extent that raised my suspicion and I had the feeling that there might be something wrong. Luckily, I was smart enough to start browsing the web in search of information related to this unusual phenomenon and all that I found is that the fee from the airport to Bangkok city was between 300-400 baht + toll fares, and the man tried to charge me over 2100 baht for the ride. So, I showed him what the original price was meant to be and I gave him 400 baht + toll fares and he was staring at me as if I had something wrong, but I then realised he was trying to rip me off.
Scam #1 happened to me last week during my visit in Bangkok. He told me he was from Phuket and came all the way to The Grand Palace because it was open specially for thai residents only on that day. He wanted to bring me to another place as i was not able to enter on that day(according to him) but i walked away and guess what, the grand palace is open for all 😂
I used to find this habit of refusing to turn on the meter for tourists a major turn off regarding spending time in Bangkok (because of how impractical it made things at times) until the app Grab came about. Now I systematically use Grab and get on that car (or bike) with a smile. I know it kinda sucks that a cut of their fare goes to some big corporation, but hey if cab drivers hadn't previously systematically ripped off foreigners we wouldn't be there. You can still tip the driver extra btw.
Those taxi driver actually trying to theaten Grab driver several time. Thai people also hated them for a long while now since they refuse to service local people.
I'm from Burma, many years ago on a trip to Bangkok the taxi driver took us to a tailor shop and told us to visit. We did go in and found out they were speaking in Burmese so we told them in our own lingo what had happen and they said that we did not have to buy anything. Suddenly we experience one of the peaks of having fellow countrymen in the city and for the dozens and dozens of trips after that, we just spoke in Burmese on taxis, the Thais usually think that we are too poor to buy anything a take us directly to the place we wanna go. Uber changed all of that.
This is the best advice to avoid the most common scams of them all - taxis and tuk tuks. Also helps to negotiate the price for a tuk tuk to see what's reasonable, you can just enter an address and it will give you an estimate, then offer the driver price slightly lower then the estimate. Saved me tons of money as I got ripped off heavy on the very first night coming from the airport to hostel by a taxi.
Beware of taking the large 'Inter City ' buses! Your bags are placed in a compartment at the side of the bus. You take your seat above the bags. After the journey begins, the drivers assistant at the front pulls a low curtain across the access steps. After a while you don't notice that he has 'disappeared' through a hidden door into the luggage compartment. He is now picking his way through YOUR luggage and valuables! BEWARE!!
i went there alone when i was 18.. the very first country i visited. there was this golden temple.. it was beautiful.. but outside bunch of old ladies tried to stop me and handed me a bird seed.. not knowing what there were saying.. and hearing the words "feed bird free" i took pack of bird seed and fed the doves.. they started surrounding me and shouting real loud.. asking for money.. as an 18 year old introvert it scared the hell out of me.. man.. many travels later, i wanna go back there and beat the crap out of them or report them to the police. lol
I'd also add watch out for taxi drivers taking the loops of the freeway several times basically you go back and forth a few times and your taxi fare gets higher and higher while you are having a conversation, thinking you are going the right way to your next destination.
At the airport it is important to get to the taxi rank. If you talk to the friendly touts asking 'where you go' you will end up paying for a seriously overpriced ride. Take a few seconds to locate the taxi rank on the airport floorplan map and do not let the scammers distract you.
6 years ago I unfortunately got suckered by the closed grand palace scam. I ended up being driven to a suits shop by a Tuk Tuk driver after someone stopped me at the gate.
5 times to vegas never been ripped off , if you don't want to pay $20 for a picture in the street be polite and say no thanks other than that i don't see how can you be scam in Vegas . Taxi drivers have meters, nobody gonna tell you places are closed come to my shop . Etc and so forth.
I fell for the "Grand Palace is Closed" scam several years back but it wasn't such a bad deal. I got an hour long tuk-tuk ride around town for four usd. When we stopped at the jewelry and custom tailor shops I realized that I was being scammed . I bought nothing at these bogus shops and told the driver to take me back to the Grand Palace. He was mad but I got a really cheap tuk-tuk ride from the deal. Last year when I was there I was approached by a tuk-tuk driver outside of Assumption Cathedral (taxi scammers always in that area) and I told him I knew he was scamming me. He told me that he would get gasolene money from the jewelry shop if I just stayed in the shop for ten minutes, even if I did not purchase anything. I got a two dollar ride that time!
Cant believe the big note money scam is also happening in Thailand. On Cambodia is also the case. If you give them $100 USD note, they sometimes brought back a ripped note and ask you to give them a new one or at worst, you will get a fake note instead of a ripped one. Take pic of your notes if u carry the big ones around.
I take the Airport Rail Link from the airport. As of last year, it was something like 42 Baht. From Khao San Road, there's even a bus going directly to the airport. Most of the scams involve taxis and tuk tuks, so I avoid them, and am prepared to walk long distances if I have to. As a rule of thumb, be suspicious of anyone who approaches you on the street and acts too friendly. Those situations never end well...It's unfortunate that it has to be that way, but there are countless scam artists out there looking to rip off westerners, particularly men traveling all by themselves. Another common scam in southeast Asia occurs at exchange offices -- particularly in countries where you might get thousands in the local currency for one USD-- where the agent will slip a large bill under the table while handing you the wrong amount. They tried that with me at the Yangon airport, but I'd heard about the scam and caught the guy in the act, and counted the money each time. Also, I had checked the exchange rate that day, so I knew roughly how much I would get. You've got to be careful with these bastards.
Thanks for sharing these infos. I've been to Thailand 5x already . Not one of those travels i scaped scammers . I maybe sound stupid but the scamming happend in different scenarios . From taxi, to ordering foods, denying that they already recieved my payment. A thousand bill that disappeared showing the money box with only a 100 bill Etc. Etc.
Thank you for the video! I always like seeing different travel tips like this. I know that the taxi meter scam is pretty common around the world. That way I know what to look out for!
Thai taxis currently do not have Thai people calling for services. Have you ever noticed in Thailand? Thai people agree to ride May and electric trains and ships mainly This is what Thai people should know best. I've often seen tuk-tuks and taxis like to be used by tourists. But some tourists choose to use a grap car, the fare is based on the actual distance and is fair. Bangkok transport is diverse, I think tourists should avoid taxis and tuk-tuks.
Oriental people don't see it that way , especially in tourists areas where they know people are just passing by for a short period of time more likely they will not see you again 😒 they want the max amount of profit now , no long-term
When I was there, I was scammed very similarly to the 'massage parlor' scam except it was a boat noodle restaurant in Boat Noodle Alley. I wanted to order another bowl or two, but the waitress insisted I pay her for the first bowl before she would get me more. There were signs warning people not to do pay the waitress directly, but I didn't see them until I had already given her my money. So when I tried to leave, I had to pay a second time. It was only a couple bucks, fortunately, but it still makes you feel dumb. This scam seems fairly common, because almost every boat noodle place I peeked into after that had those signs. It was too bad because boat noodles were delicious!
@@user-us3ny6ii9r many reasons but i will soon finish the documentary, for now i have a video call top 10 reasons why tourism is bad for Asia, but its not that good tbh
@@user-us3ny6ii9r but basically I have a question how do you feel about tourism and foreigners in Asia? There is alot of facts people don't know or choose to ignore or most people only focus on the positives and push aside the negative facts for their own agenda, facts such as....the jobs that are associated with tourism are low payed low skilled so only a few benifet from and according to a un study for every 100 American dollars spent in a southeast asian country only 5 stays in the local economy and my Balinese friends told me all about it so basically the industry keeps the people poor, instead of the slave labor tourism industry me and my friends think that asian country should focus on better industrys. my Balinese friends even described the tourism industry as slave labor. It would be a much better option to not be dependent on such an industry and the locals and many agree that these places should focus on better industrys that actually help the locals.Tourism in Bali, Thailand, Philippines, ect from foreigners has also raised the crime rate dramatically. The environmental damage in all parts of southeast asian is already well know like in bali,phuket,siargao,palawan, and to many to name, there has been many cases of foreign tourists throwing garbage places and tourist businesses pumping raw sewage in the ocean and there is also a strain on local resources and that affects the locals ability to find fresh water,land, and other natural resources. There is also a huge sex tourist culture in southeast Asia that has been growing because of the increased number of foreigners and the problem of fatherless kids is growing everyday. The worst of all the problems with the increased number of foreigners in Asia is the cultural destruction that has been destroying the happiness and lifestyles all across southeast Asia. For example In thailand the locals used to say wai as a but because the foreigners now they only say hi. Another example all across southeast Asia is the locals become more materialistic and depression rises because the locals see the Foreigners with thier expensive phones and clothing and want to be more like them. Foreigners can also influence the locals with western ideas witch value individualism and money over family and happiness, the local cultures across southeast asia before foreigners come value family and happiness before money, but after the foreigners come they change that and destroy the way of life, the locals suffer the most. Many Singaporeans told me they wish they did not sellout Thier culture to foreigners because now they are less happy and it's the same across Southeast Asia. Foreigners also influence the foreigners to be more devious such as over drinking, gambling, and prostitution. Now with knowing all these problems the best solution is difficult to pinpoint but the best is that is for the governments of all southeast asian countries to pass new laws. For example in the Philippines the president put a limitation on the number of foreigners that can visit the island of boracay and it's been very successful however it must be a law on the national level to really make a positive difference. The majority of locals and the expats and tourists that truly care about the counties agree with this information.
@@kindaimportant123 Thanks a lot. Now I've become aware of the dark side of Southeast asian tourism.. Personally, I felt that visiting southeast asia is not so tempting, because I want to experience the actual local culture, not made-up business for foreingers... I hope over tourism problem may be resolved sooner. Again, thanks for the comments.
@@user-us3ny6ii9r thank you also, the only real way to solve to overtourism problem is with a limitation for sure. there is still some parts of southeast Asia that still have authentic culture but they are under more threat than ever, youtube/Instagram effect is making it much worse. Are you in korea? Whats it like there in terms of Overtourism?
The grand palace thing happened to my family on our trip to bangkok in december. They said it will be closed till noon due to the new year ceremony they were holding. So they tried to persuade us to go to wat arun by tuk tuk first.Glad that we got away from them eventually and didn't fall for the scam.(even though we were confused) And for the taxi thing, most drivers don't agree to go if they are asked to go with meter. But we were lucky enough to get the taxi willing to go with meter.
Now there's a thing that rigged the taxi meter, if anyone noticed the amount of money on the taxi meter is running way too fast or the distance travelling is going way beyond realistic, you know you just got scammed by the cab driver. Dial 1584 hot line number to report it.
I was in Bangkok three weeks ago. When a stranger came to ask, Where are you from? I answered, Who are you? The man immediately got upset and started yelling "How unfriendly"I was. I was just laughing. 😀
What we call scams are actually locals trying to get your money as a lost/stupid-looking tourist. Do your research or get a Thai host if you really want to avoid getting scammed. Otherwise enjoy the experience. As a tourist, you are a beacon for scammers all over the globe.
I see you're not including the "sapphire scam." That was huge in 1991. The whole Tourist Police office was full of so many of us from a lot of different countries who had gotten scammed! Has that one finally gone out of business?
Also I have heard of -get a custom made suit and it will be rubbish. -buy jewelry you can flog for a profit in London etc. the tourist police might get 80% of the value back if you’re lucky
By Jove finding a Pacsafe bag is so difficult in the UK. We took your advice and bought one, but it was not easy. Great bag by the way. the locking system is unique. Thanks for the tip. we enjoy all your videos.
@@YellowProductions by the way enjoying Bangkok and your suggestions. Just having problems finding Mango Sticky Rice. Milkenium Hilton for a Diamond stay is pretty nice. Been here 8 days. Tomorrow off to try the Conrad. You should do some hotel reviews in BK. We enjoy them. The bag is really good.
I am Thai and i can say that its can happened with Thai as well when on the terrible traffic but nowaday have chagedb alot with the transportation has developed its hard to require high price.I had run my shops at Jatujuk market and The Platinum Fashion mall as many years ago there are the popular places to shopping that you know there are many customers from around the world love to shopping here some customers get ripped by Vietnam scammers were often appeared news.anyway I hope you guy enjoy and safe trip❤️🇹🇭
I'm Thai and for 2. Fixed priced taxi scam, I have to give some more info that some taxi also modify their meter. the price will be skyrocket with their modified meter so be careful... There is a real price chart of meter in the back of the seat so you should look at it price compare to meter
For comparison, I went last month and paid about 300 bhat for a taxi from the airport on the meter. On the way back though, even the hotel concierge said it would be difficult to find a metered taxi to take me there, but they negotiated a 400 bhat rate for me (I only had 500 left and like to tip decently if I feel I was treated fairly).
Not just a thing in Thailand, but it should be common knowledge across the globe. Be wary and skeptical of those who really wants you to do something or try the most to get you to do something you are unsure of
Whoa! I think Last night's taxi gave me the scenic view! Agh..dont worry though..thanks to this video I plan on being a little more cautious! Thank Chris!- RoneZone
Visit grand palace for the first time approached by one local man tell me the palace was close until noon because Thailand people have to pray and he call one of the tut tut and ask me to go with him for some tourist attractions which will only cost 50 baht.
the royal palace dress code is the same as the dress code to cathedrals in Europe, no bare shoulders for women, they have shirts that the women with sleeveless tops can wear inside the grounds. the worse pickpockets in the world are in Barcelona not here.
Bangkok, Oriental City, but the city don’t know what the city is into...the creme de la creme of the Chess world in a show with everything but Yul Brynner!
after visiting some temple i wanted to cross the river to go to wat arun and it turned out to be a challenge. i ended up taking a tuktuk and the driver took me to one where they wanted me to pay $200 for a 2 hour trip but all i needed was to get across the river. i ended up somehow finding a ferry in the middle of nowhere it seemed, on this boat that seemed like it could sink at any moment. but i made it. getting back across the river was much easier as there was official signs and ferries from wat arun.
Next time u can get by BTS&MRT around BKK Now u can get by red line Form Donmung airport and express train from Suwannapurm airport to downtown it comfortable
Vietnam Hanoi, they often try to charge $25 USD for the taxi from airport to downtown Hanoi. It's supposed to be $20.Or they say there is a $5 "highway toll / parking fee" or something. It is all fake. Order your taxi inside the airport. And if you refute their scam, don't let them drive off with your luggage in their trunk when you get out.. Wait for them to get out first.. etc etc.
I was just there in Thailand! Yes, those Took Took, or Taxi want to charge you 500 thb, or more. If u say, I know it's only 200 or 300 thb, they will ask how do u know? I know, because I've asked the rental driver on price. They will agree to 200 to 300 Thb. I almost got scammed by a business guy that claimed he owns many businesses, & he built theme park for a while, & will open March 2020. He offered me 30% dividends, 10% ownership, & will give back my investment in 6 months. Too good 2b true! He called every day with his buddy for a month, until I found out he got an empty undeveloped land. I told him no!, then he claimed that he will get lawsuit, cz I didn't invest! Bullshit! Low life!👍👌✌🤘🤚
I got a good way to vet some Thais i've met online going around in Bangkok. When going to buy stuff,i played the dumb farang when an excessive price was quoted,if the Thai who was with me didn't exposed the scam,i considered it as a warning and i called off any other interaction.
never going back to thailand. Too many scammers. It was hassle to get a taxi, hassle to buy a sim card, hassle to get a boat taxi, hassle to check into the hotel.
