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Thailand
47 scams
Also known as the land of smiles, Thailand has always been a top tourist destination with its stunning coastlines, majestic temples and colorful markets.
However, there are some infamous tourist targeted scams around temples, transport, nightlife as well as petty crime to watch out for.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Tourist police: 1155
- Police: 191
- Ambulance: 1554; medical: 1669
- Fire: 199
Travel resources
Snatch thefts in Thailand
3 6How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Street, mall, shop, park, transportation hub: distracting…
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Would you like a drink bar scam in Thailand
2 0How it works: Opening: perpetrated by young local girls, they target single male travellers by approaching them and getting them to go to a local bar or café. Set-up: they…
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Bird poo scam in Thailand
2 0How it works: Someone spills a liquid resembling bird poo on your clothes or jacket. Next, strangers appear to help you clean it. While you are distracted, they pick your…
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Bar overcharging scams in Thailand
2 0How it works: At Pattaya: when you order a new drink, a bill is added into a bucket by your table. Extra bills may be thrown in there if you…
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Drink spiking in Thailand
2 2How it works: There have been reports of drink spiking and the perpetrator can be anyone – an attractive lady, a ladyboy, a member of a crime syndicate, a staff…
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Electronics shopping scams in Thailand
2 1How it works: Version 1: buying counterfeit items. Version 2: getting your product swapped to an inferior one in a sealed package after payment. Places to beware: Bangkok: Pantip Plaza,…
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Romance scam in Thailand
2 2How it works: Opening: A local woman will show interest in you and will play the long game. As the relationship builds up over months, you will probably be sponsoring…
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Hotel scams in Thailand
2 5How it works: Situation: vast majority of hotels are fine and do note that incidents reported by users below are usually isolated ones and not generalizable. Version 1: tricks could…
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Currency switcheroo in Thailand
2 2How it works: There have been reports of tourists handing over a 1,000 THB bill, only for the cashier to swap it to a 100 THB bill via sleight of…
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Black henna scam in Thailand
2 1How it works: Black henna is not made from the henna plant like regular henna, but is made of a chemical paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which is used to dye hair. It…
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Sob story scam in Thailand
2 0How it works: Basically, someone seemingly in need tells you of a sob story (e.g. being robbed; needing bank account to receive money, etc) and asks if you can spare…
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Grand Palace bird food scam in Thailand
2 1How it works: A scammer approaches you with a bag of bird seeds, pours the seeds into your hands and then scatters them on the ground to feed the birds….
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Airport express passage tip in Thailand
2 1How it works: Situation 1: it has been alleged that there is a practice of paying unofficial payments/tips to immigration officials to fast track visa application. Situation 2: it has…
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Hua Lamphong train station scams in Thailand
2 0How it works: Version 1: an “official” looking person asks where you are headed. He then goes to the counter and pretends to look through the system. Next, he claims…
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Rental motorbike scams in Thailand
2 1How it works: Version 1: compensation is demanded for non-existent damages” or those not caused by you. Version 2: the company sends someone with a spare key to steal your…
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