Thailand is a country of smiles and fun vacations. But on busy streets, well-maintained beaches, in shopping centers and even near temples you can wait for scammers. For them, a tourist is a money-bag who is obliged to “share” his finances. Let’s consider the most common types of fraud in Thailand and what to do to avoid them.
Scams in transportation: cab, tuk-tuk, motorcycle
There are several types of cabs in Thailand:
- Tuk-tuk. A three-wheeled motorcycle with a cab;
- Motorcycle cab;
- Cab with a meter (Taximeter);
- Songteu. It is a pickup truck with two benches, which in Pattaya, tourists call a tuk-tuk. It is considered public transportation.
Common types of deception/misunderstandings:
Often tuk-tuk and motorcycle cab drivers quote a price that ends up doubling or tripling at the end of the trip. It’s all about the fact that the amount previously agreed upon was per person.
How to protect yourself?
- Clarify several times for how many people the price of the trip is announced, for 100% understanding show the amount on your phone.
Payment to the driver of the songteu occurs after you have reached the desired stop. Sometimes, the tourist does not have change, so payment is made with a large denomination bill, in this case there is a chance that the driver will leave, and you will be left without change.
How to protect yourself?
- Pays everything under the settlement or small denomination bills.
Taximeter. This type of cab exists only in Bangkok. Payment is made by the meter, but some drivers do not include it, preferring to negotiate the price of the trip with the client. As a result, upon arrival, the price may not be the one you agreed on earlier.
How to protect yourself?
- Ask the driver to turn on the meter, in case of refusal, leave the car.
Suit Tailoring Scam
Most likely you have met at popular Thai resorts Indians who are eager to sell you a suit.
How it happens. On the street, a smiling man persistently offers to tailor a suit at affordable prices. You are invited to the atelier, take measurements and set a date of meeting, which is close to the date of your flight. At the same time, you need to make a prepayment.
After the paid amount, the tourist will not see neither the suit, nor the money, and if you are lucky, you will be given a suit that is 3 sizes larger, for the finalization of which you will definitely have no time left.
How to protect yourself
- Do not leave an advance payment.
- Use the services of trusted ateliers, which you can find through reviews on the Internet.
