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Thailand
47 scams
Coronavirus update (6 Feb 2020): 25 cases. Please take the necessary precautions – e.g. wash hands with soap and wear a mask if you are sick.
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 number
- Tourist police: 1155
- Police: 191
- Ambulance: 1554; medical: 1669
- Fire: 199
Travel guide
Fake police in Thailand
2 2How it works: Version 1: two fake officers ask to see your passport. Something wrong is found with your visa and you will be asked to pay a fine on…
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Cambodia – Thailand border crossing scams
2 8How it works: Version 1 (on a tuk-tuk/taxi to the border): You will be brought past a sign showing “Cambodian Consulate” and dropped at a house. This “consulate” is fake…
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Bird poo scam in Thailand
1 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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Counterfeit baht in Thailand
1 0How it works: With sleight of hand, the shopkeeper swaps your notes to counterfeit ones. Next, he claims that your notes are counterfeits, passes them to you and demand real…
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Asiatique scams in Thailand
1 0How it works: Scam 1: at the taxi rank, you have to pay an additional 20 Baht and will likely be quoted an inflated fare. Scam 2: there is a…
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Entry fee scams in Thailand
1 1How it works: You may be hassled by touts to pay an entrance fee when it is free to enter. Places to beware: Kanchanaburi: Kanchanaburi War Cemetery What to do:…
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Airport luggage theft in Thailand
1 0How it works: Although uncommon, there have been reports of theft by luggage handlers/security staff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMwKyeATCkU Places to beware: Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport Phuket: Phuket International Airport What to do: Luggage:…
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Khao San Road drugs set-up in Thailand
1 0How it works: There are tuk-tuk drivers who offer you weed. Once he drops you off however, he rats you out to police officers nearby (who are also in on…
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Longneck Karen Village scam in Thailand
1 0How it works: The “villagers” here are not technically “authentic” – they are actually refugees from Myanmar. Places to beware: Chiang Rai What to do: Go with the right expectations.
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Travel freebies to meth smuggling in Thailand
1 0How it works: Opening: in 2018, a Japanese man fell for a free tour that promised to bring him to Thailand, Shanghai and Frankfurt and with money to boot. At…
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