 | Bangkok Closed? Best check for yourself. Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 26 |  |
 | |  |  | Closed? Best check for yourself.: Grand Palace Closed Today | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
If you've read the guide books, they warn you that people stop you on the way to the Grand Palace and other tourist sites in Bangkok, and tell you the Palace is closed today, for a few hours, etc. Don't believe them no matter how well they are dressed (suits even) go find out for yourself. This happened several times, verbatim. We found that telling the Scammers "We live in Thailand", sent them walking in the other direction, fast. Also telling the merchants that constantly stop you, follow you, really want you to buy buy buy, that "I have no money" works well enough to get past a few more shops unscathed too. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Closed? Best check for yourself.: Conmen at Grand Palace area | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
"The palace is only open for local people at this moment" " The palace is close for tourist today" "The palace is only open later in 3 hours time". This is the sentences you heard when you walk around Grand Palace area, especially you looks like tourist, and you are a tourist. They will always suggested to bring you to some other temple which is very famous in the local community, or bring you to the Gem vendor for about 2 hours for free.
Never Never believe them. Although the trick has been using for years, it is still work, I just heard that tourist from Malaysia are cheated and he published in Malaysia newspaper. The authority can't do much on this, because they never force you, they sell you real gem but in much higher price. This is nothing illegal. Just beware, another reminder, they are not only in Grand Palace, they are everywhere, Railway Station, Shopping arcade etc. They looks very professional and sincere.
Smile to them politely, say no to them firmly, and go directly to the entrance of Grand Palace check with the counter. Do it yourself, go to the ticket counter of Grand Palace by yourself and ask the ticket counter personally, you'll find out yourself. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Closed? Best check for yourself.: "Not opened so early???" | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Before coming to Bangkok, I've read about tactics used by the locals informing the tourists that the wats / temples happen to be closed that particular day. In doing so, they would take the tourists to other spots where they can earn a commission. Well, it seems that they have changed tactics when I was there. As I was exploring the temples / wats on my own, I was a good target for many locals. I definitely don't look like a Thai. A number of them, ranging from security personnel, drinks seller, tuk-tuk drivers, and other locals tried to approach me and checked where I was heading. Basically, I was exploring the route suggested by Lonely Planet to visit Grand Palace and Wat Po on the foot. Well, the distance was long enough to attact unnecessary attraction. Each of them was very kind to share with me the directions of the places I want to visit BUT they would follow with statements like "Oh, it's not opened so early". And the best part of the story is when I just flashed by dimples at them and walked away, they would quickly shout and say that the temple / wat is opened!!! I just laughed and continued with my mini "adventure"!
Just smile and say thank you! Don't worry, Thais are very friendly people and they will not "disturb" you further!
It would be good to seek second opinion. In fact, along the route, I saw signs put up by local authority "not to trust strangers". If you need to ask directions, the best person would be the guides stationed outside the Grand Palace. You will not go wrong with them. Leave a Comment
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