Millions of travelers head off to Thailand every year to take in
breathtaking sights while many will have the perfect holiday some will fall prey
to local scams. Here are five of the more common scams that one may encounter and
what you can do to avoid them. Before we get started please, like, subscribe,
comment and share and do not forget to ring the notification bell.
For many Thailand is their first journey into Asia and can be a little
overwhelming between the long journey getting there a language that sounds and
looks different from anything they have seen before and sights and smells that
envelope all the senses.It is no wonder that seemingly ordinary people who would
never fall prey to a scam at home suddenly fall hook line & sinker when on
vacation. Number 1) the Grand Palace Scam For many going to visit the Grand
Palace is top of things to see in Bangkok. You start to head off to the palace when
you are told that the Palace is closed or will open in a couple of hours this
is usually done by someone in the know like a tuk-tuk driver or someone in the
tourist trade. They will usually suggest taking you to an alternative site like a
temple or to a gem shop until the palace opens up. The gist of the scam is to have
you spend your money on any expensive tuk-tuk ride ending in his friends gem
shop where they will get a commission. How to avoid the scam do not listen to
anyone who tells you the Palace isn't open. Check in your guidebook or online
for the hours. If you are concerned have your hotel call to confirm that the
Palace is open. Number 2 Jet ski and scooter scam. This scam is popular in
beach destinations like Phuket and Pattaya When you go and rent one of their
vehicles it is fun under the sun until you return. Upon your return scammers
will claim your Jetski or scooter has been damaged. The scammers will now
demand money, holding onto your belongings including your passport which
you left as collateral the fines are usually very high as much as a thousand
US dollars. Some rental agencies also keep spare keys for stealing back
scooters locked outside tourist sites you will likely be forced to pay a steep
replacement fee, even if you purchased insurance. If you choose the rent a
jetski or scooter be sure to use a reputable
company check your guidebook or ask your hotel for a reputable company. While
handing of your passport may be unavoidable, always take photos and video
of the vehicle before renting, clearly pointing out any scratches or issues
beforehand, even taking a jet ski out of the water make sure the person who is
renting the vehicle sees you do this so they know they can't get away with a
scam later. If you do run into a problem it is advised to contact the local
tourist police but remember sometimes they are in on the scam. I hate to say it
the jet ski scam is so bad I just wouldn't rent. Number 3) Tour boats scam
Bangkok and its floating markets are a must for most visitors. It's something
you should see and do however if you're approached by someone offering a
canal tour with a too-good-to-be-true price, run the other way. Tour boat scams can
vary from overly inflated priced tours that with a little research you would
know are high to tours that are great and even fun but as the tour concludes and you
approach to pier the captain will stop and the guide will demand more money.
Unfortunately you'll probably have to pay unless you want a swim to shore. How
to avoid the scam? Don't boat with anyone who approaches you period. If you want to
do a canal tour know the going price and organize it in advance with a travel
agency or through your hotel. Number 4 the rigged taxi meter and or the fixed-rate
Taxi scam. Damned if you do damned if you don't. Always insist that the taxi use
the meter. Cabbies that insist on a fixed rate, many times charging anywhere
from double to five times the actual cost of the trip .In very touristy areas
many taxi drivers will outright refuse to use the meter and would rather pass
up your business because there will always be the easy mark around the
corner. On the flip side some cabbies will rig the taxi meter to run at a
faster rate padding the bill. Adding to all of this
some cabbies at the end of the ride will say they do not have change when
given a large bill. How to avoid this, use taxi sharing apps like GRAB to ensure
you know the fair price of the trip even if you end up not using the app. If your
driver won't turn on the meter simply get out. If you're leaving from a hotel
have a staff member demand the meter be used and have them write down where you
are going and having a variety of small bills, this will help if the driver can't or
won't make change. Number 5. Tuk Tuk scam Tuk Tuks can be
be fun and for many the ride can be a highlight but one should be aware of the
scams that can accompany with these three-wheeled wonders. Only use for
short rides, Negotiate the price upfront and never get talked into a tour, for
more information and detail please click on the video above and if you have
found this video helpful please, like, subscribe, comment and share and remember
to ring the notification bell. Till ' next time happy and safe travels.