Tuk-tuk scams in Thailand

Last updated on 21 May 2019

Thailand

Aranyaprathet, Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket, Surat Thani

How it works:

Version 1: claiming that today is the Thai Tourism Day where the government is sponsoring free gas. Hence, he can offer a cheap tour and bring you to places with bargains (will be overcharged).
Version 2: claiming that a place is closed and can bring you somewhere better. You will end up at a gem shop or tailor shop scam.
Version 3: offering to bring you to a travel agency to help you plan your trip. There, you will pay inflated sums and may even get fake tickets/bookings.
Version 4: bringing you out of town or to a secluded place and asking for an inflated fee.
Version 5: stopping halfway (e.g. for a toilet break) with an accomplice appearing and sharing with you “insider tips” on where to visit next.
Version 6: dropping you a distance away from your destination (e.g. Ayutthaya Ruins). This is where overpriced taxis lie in wait to bring you to your destination.

Places to beware:

Anywhere (e.g. transportation hubs, tourist attractions, hotels)

What to do:

Avoid unless for short trips. Negotiate a clear price first (can even be written down).

Tell us your story

3 user stories related to this scam

Brought to gem scam and tailor scam

Dionne 1 Apr 2018 2 0

Part 1: robbed at the Cambodia-Thailand border

Part 2: The next day, we planned to tour the city. We walk through the streets,then one tuk-tuk driver approach us and offer to accompany us. He brought us to a temple. They have an accomplish at the temple promoting the products in Thailand like ruby and sapphire jewelry.

This tuk-tuk driver brought us to the jewelry store and we were greeted by friendly personnels offering drinks. We spent 260$ just for small piece of sapphire in silver ring for my wife. They also tried to force to buy one for me around 650$ but I declined.

The driver also brought us to a tailor shop and the personnels convince me to get a suite which I think very pricey. I told them, I don’t wear suits. T-shirts are enough.

The experience with the tuk-tuk diver had only sit in mind upon reading this web page that it was a scam.

Comment

Avoid tuk tuk drivers like the plague

Harry_Greene 31 Mar 2018 2 0

Avoid tuk tuk drivers like the plague. They are without doubt the most unhelpful form of transport anywhere in the world. Use one of the ride share apps available instead.

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Tuk-tuk payment lie

Afzal_Zaheer 1 Oct 2016 2 0

Hi,

Thanks for enlightening us with the world of scams happening in different parts of the globe. Quite like what I faced in Thailand, when after descending from TUkTUk, I happen to take out 500 note, and within few second, the driver asked me to pay another 450. Well,he said he only got 50 initially, so he wanted the remaining. I was so confused and tired at that time, that I believed him, but later on I realised, that I was scammed.

I have also mentioned different scams in my blog

http://socialchaal.com/2016/09/28/top-16-travel-scams-of-2016-and-how-to-avoid-them/

Comment