Watch out for scammers in Bangkok (video)
Everywhere in the world where tourists come you will also find scammers. Thailand is no exception. Still, you won't be bothered if you remember a golden rule: If something is too good to be true, it usually is.
Scammers not only play on naivety but also on the greed of tourists. Gemstones, gold and jewelry for half the normal price is one such example.
Tonight there is a broadcast on Dutch TV on SBS6 scam in thailand, but because these kinds of programs are often the sign of as many viewers as possible, reality is sometimes violated. Hence this video that might be a bit better put together. Judge yourself.
Gemstone scams
A well-known scam in Bangkok is the one with gems. Scammers trick tourists into going with them to a Thai government Export Center. In practice, this turns out to be an ordinary jewelry store that sells expensive rubbish. These gem and jewelry scammers mostly hang around hotels and tourist sites. Usually impersonate doctors or business people to gain trust. Sometimes they even show an ID card stating that they work for the Thai government. Well, such an ID can be bought everywhere in Thailand for a few baht. Remember another rule: a normal Thai does not just approach a strange tourist on the street. If it does, you need to be extra careful.
Video: Scammers in Bangkok
[youtube]http://youtu.be/8tY9l3stYws[/youtube]
Yesterday I saw the broadcast of “Scammed abroad”. Also according to my previous experiences it was all right. But of course it was also rather one-sided, as if all of Thailand is like that.
That is definitely not the case, and…. once you know your way around in Thailand, something like this is of course less likely to happen to you, or maybe not at all. Anyway; I never take a tuk-tuk by definition. A meter taxi is generally cheaper and is less likely to try all sorts of tricks.
Of course, this broadcast was not a good advertisement for Thailand; we hope this will not reduce the number of tourists.
On the other hand, I also think that visitors to Thailand are warned enough against scams. But in practice, in the hustle and bustle of the city, it all looks different, of course, you may not recognize the situation quickly enough.
In 2004 we were in Thailand for the first time for a Golf trip and we had connected Bangkok for 3 days.
Indeed, we were informed by a so-called “neutral” Bangkok guide that the temple would only open in the afternoon.
The TucTuc cost only 80 baht for 2 hours (that's where the first bell rings) and in the temple of the black buddha (a different one than in the National Geographic video by the way) we met the same man with the story that he had worked at the UN. Then we also ended up at the export center and bought 2 simple rings. We then got his secretary to show us Bangkok that day. Then we realized that we had paid a little too much. (2nd call)
Nice girl and she took us to many beautiful and nice places. She had the other day off and wanted to show us some nice places. She was honest!
You only keep a bad aftertaste in your mouth after watching the video and
then no longer trusts a single Thai and unfortunately often rightly so.
They are good at addition and are masters at multiplication. Too bad they are all so low educated and their integrity is extremely poor.Even in 2013!
Ruud, you certainly don't have to be ashamed. In 2000 I was on holiday in Thailand with my wife Soj and my sister + husband. There was a tuk tuk in front of the Baiyoke who tricked us. My wife was not prepared for such sophistication. Please plead for me, wife. We also got to know the jewelry export center.