Closed? Best check for yourself., Bangkok

I'd like to describe one variant of the "It's closed" scam that I found less obvious than the standard. When approaching the Grand Palace, I was first redirected to a different gate. There, a man standing beside the guard, sporting what appeared to be some kind of official identification advised me that the Grand Palace was open only to Thais in the morning and offered a ride to nearby attractions until the Palace opened. Naturally, I was quite dubious. The guard made no comment on this pitch but did move to block my way when I made to step in to ask the advice of the desk worker inside. I'm not sure if the authorities are actively complicit in this scam or merely tolerate it. Since I was so notably skeptical, the man insisted that he worked there and wasn't asking for any money. He pointed me to a nearby tuktuk which he said would show me to other destinations and bring me back when the palace opened. It was only when he indicated that the itinerary would include shopping that my last doubt that this was indeed a scam vanished.

Unique Suggestions: Personally, I let the tuktuk take me to the first stop on the alternative itinerary, a temple I might not have found on my own (see attached photo), then declined any further service from my "chauffeur" (without paying him a single baht) and returned to the Grand Palace on my own. Of course, someone on a tighter schedule might be better off ignoring the scammers altogether; enter the Grand Palace through the same gate as the crowd heedless of anyone who tries to sidetrack you.

Don't listen to ANYBODY who approaches you near the grand palace or any of the main temples with any claims that such and such temple or palace is closed or that you should go t a different palace or temple. Basically anyone oddly interested in telling you what attractions to see in Bangkok. They are trying to get you off track and involved in either some scam or get you to go towards some gem shop or suit shop. Don't even acknowledge these people, they are quite annoying

In Bangkok some people will tell you places are closed for a public holiday, they will then tell you alternative places to go (involving tuktuks and gem shops). When I visited Bangkok I was aware that I could be taken to a gem shop and told that I can buy cheap jewellery there and then sell it for profit back home. I was also aware of tuktuk drivers taking tourists to gem and silk shops so the shopkeepers will give them petrol vouchers.

I was fully prepared not to believe what anyone told me, except when we were collected from the airport, the lady who met us told us that the next day was a Thai public holiday. I had no reason to not believe her (a trustworthy rep from a tour operator had no reason to lie to us) which threw a spanner in the works when a random Thai man on the street also told us about the holiday and that the Grand Palace was closed for the morning. We did end up on a tuktuk tour but we were lucky we had an honest driver and we got to the Grand Palace in the afternoon (I will write more about that elsewhere).

Unique Suggestions: Before you go to Bangkok, I would suggest looking up when the public holidays are. I don't know if the Grand Palace was closed that morning but I have found out that it really was a public holiday on the day we went there (Visakha Bucha).

After we alight @ N8 Tha Tien stop, we tried finding our way to Wat Pho. Jus as we saw the road sign indicating Wat Pho, we were stopped by a friendly uncle who told us that Wat Pho is closed for "ceremoni" till 3pm. He suggested tat we visit after 3pm & even offered to bring us elsewhere. Luckily, we did sufficient "research" to know tat we should jus ignore his "advise".

When approaching the Grand Palace several different locals told me it was either closed or I was heading in the wrong direction. They don't seem to have anything to gain by telling you this so they sound plausible. However, I have come across this before and have been to the Grand Palace a few times. Sure enough it was open and I was headed in the right direction. Dont believe the locals, especially taxi & tuk tuk drivers. Go see for yourself and check with the hotel before you leave for the day.

i was suppose to go inside the Wat behind the Grand Palace. The man approached me saying that the Wat is closed because it is Buddha day. since i'm not a Buddhist, I believe him. then he offered me for 20 baht to ride a tuk-tuk and go to other places Wats and where to shop good. I agreed. I hop on to the tuk tuk and the tuk tuk brought me to a wat which i think is not famous, i didn't even know the name. When i went there. One of the in-charge there said that the wat is closed, and the Budhha is not here but on the other building. I look at my lonely planet and i realized that i was trapped. there is a warning in the lonely plaet about this trap. I told the tuk tuk driver to take me to khao san road instead (so that my 20 baht wouldn't we in waist, i said to my self). he said he cannot because he have no time. i said i'm never gonna pay him if he will not take me there. then he said, "ok free tuk tuk". and he went off. I never did pay him any cent.

So for you guys planning to go there, please becareful. hehe

Unique Suggestions: Check out by yourself if it's really close or not

well... we didnt really know about the Buddha Days in Thailand. We thought all the pubs and shows were 24/7, all year round until we went to Pat Pong and they put the sign "Close for Buddha Days". They're really kind of religious and Buddha Days were considered one of the most important days in their calendar. We were really unlucky to pick those 2 days during our visit to Bangkok (9-10 or 10-11 July 2006)... so better to check it before ending up like us....

Unique Suggestions: em... actually there were some other people inviting us to their secret pub/show where they still open regardless of the sacred days. But we didn't dare to go coz we afraid that we might ended up paying for our way out their door. So my suggestion is go to other shopping complex, taste other local food, or go to bed earlier for the next day...

I'm sure most of you have read about this tourist trap but i found alot of tourists being fooled by con men. You walk towards the Grand Palace and see an entrance with a guard standing by the gate. Before you can go up to the guard, a con man intercepts you and tells you that the Palace is closed between 12 and 2 for prayers. I already read about this on VT so i was prepared. The man was very friendly but don't be fooled. He asked me whether i saw the "Standing Buddha". I said yes and walked away. Don't stop and chat. If they speak good English and are friendly then they are trying to scam you.
I saw many tourists stop and have chats with these con men. They will persuade you to visit other temples but will take you gem shopping which is another scam.

Also ladies beware of con men telling you that your pants or skirts are too short and cannot enter at the entrance of the temple. There is an offical inside the temple who will measure the length of the pants/skirt before letting you in. The temple also lends sarongs to ladies who have short pants/skirts so don't be deterred. Hope this helps :)