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Its difficult to imagine how everybody on the street can speak the same language and fool the tourists. We planned to visit the Grand Palace one fine morning and hence went there by the Chao Phya Express Boat. Got off at the nearest pier and headed towards the Grand Palace. Realizing that we are moving in the wrong direction, I decided to check with a pedestrian. I was told that the Palace is closed and the gates will open at 1400 hrs. This is absurd, I said. I knew beforehand that it was a weekday, and palace is open from 0830-1530 hrs daily. I checked with other guy, who repeated the same fact. Then came another guy, offering me to take to three nearby spots for a paltry 30 Bhts and would bring back to me to the same spot. I instantly knew it was a trap. I had read about such dragnets. Fortunately, I met an Indian tourist from Mumbai. She explained that she has just returned from the palace and it is wide open for tourists
Unique Suggestions: Check up at the hotel frontdesk before leaving for the Palace about the timings and whether it is closed/open on that day. Normally, it is always open from 0830-1530 hrs. Be sure of the direction of the Palace and if you have to ask about directions, dont ask a local streeet peddler or a vendor. Ask a tourist.
Fun Alternatives: Plan beforehand and be sure of the directions. Good street maps are available in all hotels and the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) Counters of the Airport.
Written Nov 25, 2004
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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.
Written Nov 18, 2004
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Beware of anyone who approaches you and said today is the Buddha Birthday or King's Birthday and all temples/shopping centres ( or whatever blg you are looking at) are closed.
This is a scam. These Thai cheaters would usually work hand in hand with the Tu-Tu driver and they will bring to see the so called 'Lucky Budhha", there you would be taught how to pray and you would 'bump' into some tourist who would then tell you how cheap they have purchased the gems.
Yes, this is the gem scam.
be careful.
These people would usually appear outside temples and tourist attraction places.
Written Nov 2, 2004
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"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.
Unique Suggestions: 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.
Fun Alternatives: 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.
Updated Aug 6, 2004
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When travelling by taxi or tut-tut, without doubt, the driver will tell you the attraction you've asked to visit is shut; but, he knows of another great place to take you. This can be another temple, shop, or bar that he knows of.
Unique Suggestions: The closure is always inevitable untrue and the driver is just on commission by the shop or bar owner to bring custom to them. Stick to your choice and insist on being taken to where you requested to check it out for yourself.
Updated Jul 2, 2004
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Opppssss, the palace is closed. If you are coming form the pier you will surely see the back of the royal palace. It's closed, just go to the front. Some one will approach you and "show" you the "better place" where not many tourist and it's open 7 days a years and today is the "last day".
Unique Suggestions: "Lucky buddha" - open 7 days a year. Fortunately, their year has 7 days only and everyday is the "last day". Our friends went there 2 days before us. They were told the same story. Haha, even the "last day" moves accordingly.
Fun Alternatives: Alternative? Just ignore them. They are not too aggresive.
Updated May 31, 2004
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No matter how much it is printed in the guidebooks, someone must be still falling for this one, because everyone still tries to con you with this saying. The people are unavoidable, but being tricked is.
Unique Suggestions: ALWAYS check for yourself if the Royal Palace (or whatever they claim is closed) is closed.
Updated Mar 25, 2004
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As I was wandering around the huge enclosure of the Royal Palace complex, a guy came to me and told me the Palace was closed, but he could get me in by a rear door and accompany me during the visit for a certain tip.
I wasn't really interested in guided tours, so I said no. After a while I found the Main gate and it wasn't closed at all!!!
So if someone tells U something similar, just don't pay attention, BTW the main gate is at Th Ratchadamnoen, the one U C in the pic...
Written Oct 21, 2003
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Ignore the 'it's closed' line. This comes not just from the tuk-tuk drivers, but also some people in the street. It's weird as there seems to be no obvious benefit to the person telling you this - I assume there must be a link with the tuk-tuk driver and the place they want to take you to instead of the Grand Palace! (It's not that obvious). Shame because there are some people who really do want to give you advice as to where to go 'off the beaten track' or a special ceremony at one of the wats, but you tend to get suspicious of all. In the end we tended to listed to those that didn't start the conversation with 'it's closed' and were not prepared to call a (convenient) tuk-tuk. Have a map handy - they will indicate where to go and then yuo can make your own mind up.
Written Aug 26, 2002
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Write a ReviewIgnore the 'it's closed' line. This comes not just from the tuk-tuk drivers, but also some people in the street. It's weird as there seems to be no obvious...
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