Bangkok Scams to Know About

Bangkok is a safe city for visitors. Violent crime against tourists is rare, and most people's trips pass without a problem. What the city does have is a small number of well-rehearsed scams aimed at first-timers around the big sights. They rely on you not knowing them. Now you will.

Most of them share the same pattern: a friendly stranger, an unexpected problem ("it's closed"), a helpful solution (a cheap tuk-tuk) and a shop at the end.

"The Grand Palace is closed today"

How it works: near the Grand Palace, Wat Pho or another major sight, a smartly dressed, friendly person — sometimes claiming to be a student, a teacher or an official — tells you it's closed this morning for a ceremony, a holiday or "Buddha day". They suggest a tuk-tuk tour of other temples instead, for a very low price.

How it ends: at a gem shop, a tailor or a travel agency that pays the driver commission, with pressure to buy.

What to do: smile, say "no thank you" and keep walking to the entrance to see for yourself. The Grand Palace has fixed opening hours, and rare closures are announced on its official website.

The cheap tuk-tuk tour

How it works: a tuk-tuk driver offers a city tour for a suspiciously small sum — sometimes less than the taxi fare would be.

How it ends: the "tour" includes stops at shops that pay the driver in fuel vouchers or commission for every tourist they bring.

What to do: use tuk-tuks for short, direct hops with a price agreed in advance, never for a "tour". For longer journeys, take a metered taxi, Grab or the train.

The gem scam

How it works: usually the final stop of the two scams above. You're told about a special government gem sale, a tax-free export scheme or a once-a-year promotion, and that you can resell the stones at home for a big profit. Sometimes another "tourist" in the shop tells you they've made money doing exactly this.

How it ends: you pay a lot for stones worth very little.

What to do: don't buy gems in Bangkok unless you're an expert. There is no government gem sale.

Taxis that won't use the meter

How it works: around tourist sights, nightlife areas and some hotels, drivers quote a flat fare that's several times the metered price.

What to do: say "meter, please". If they refuse, close the door and take the next taxi — there are always more. Or use Grab, which shows the fare upfront. At the airports, use the official taxi queue; see Bangkok airport to the city.

Overcharging at some bars

How it works: in some go-go bars and similar venues, mainly in red-light areas, customers are presented with a bill far higher than the prices they expected, sometimes with charges for drinks bought for staff.

What to do: check prices before you order, pay for each round as it comes, and keep your receipts. If you're unsure about a venue, skip it.

Fake monks

How it works: men in monk's robes approach visitors asking for money, sometimes offering an amulet or a blessing bracelet first.

What to do: real Thai monks don't solicit money from tourists on the street. A polite refusal is fine.

The friendly photo

How it works: someone puts a bird, a small animal or a garland in your hands, or poses with you for a photo, then demands payment.

What to do: keep your hands to yourself and say no before anything is handed to you.

Small risks, not scams

• Pickpockets and bag snatching: uncommon, but keep valuables zipped and your bag in front of you in crowds, on boats and at markets. Snatch-thefts from motorbikes happen occasionally; carry your bag on the side away from the road.
• Exchange rates: decline when an ATM or card machine offers to charge you in your home currency. Pay in baht.
• Counterfeit goods: fake branded items are common at some markets; they may be confiscated by customs at home.

If something goes wrong

Contact the Tourist Police — the hotline is 1155, with English-speaking operators. Report thefts to get a police report for your insurance, and contact your embassy if you lose your passport.

For general safety and practical advice, see the Bangkok travel guide.