Jewellery and Gem Scams., Bangkok

Beware of scams by people inticing you into believing that your lucky to be in thailand at the time and you are fortunate because the government is allowing tourist to buy jewells tax free at the very time you are there for one week only , your led to believe you very lucky and you can double your money back in westernised countrys , sounds great huh yeh well i got ripped for about 4000$ u.s. call me a sucker but there very smooth ..its not isolated to one company its very common ..

I once took a Tuk-Tuk to one of the many wats located in Bkk and as I was praying, my driver stepped away to use the boy's room when I was approached by a "lawyer". This lawyer spoke decent English, telling me about this great deal about a gem necklace he had just purchased in which he travels to Australia where he sells them for twice the amount in which he purchases. When he leaves, my driver conveniently appears and asks me where I want to go next and so I reply, "My hotel". Next thing I knew, we arrive at the gem store. I tell my driver to go back to my hotel but for some reason, he wouldn't acknowledge me and so we sit there, me annoyed while he frustrated.

The moral, use common sense.

Watch out for over friendly, well dressed Thai's approaching you near the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang, or Wat Pho that are telling you about special holiday prices on Gem Stones!! Unless your an expert you will be scammed!!! Read my travelogue on Bangkok. I don't have any pictures of these scammers!! Hhahha Next time if I remember I'll take a photo of them.

*#*Beware of Conmen!!!*#*
In Bangkok,there are several situations where you might encounter:

SITUATION 1:
Visitors are approached on the street by respectable looking men who speak good english and they will be freindly and offer their assistance or services free, or at a very low price.At some point of the conversation,they will suggest that you go to a jewelry shop.After purchasing some jewelry,the visitors found out that they have been cheated.
Precautions:
1.Beware of any encounter with strangers!
2.Note that there are no government promotions and special sales at any time of the year.

We came across many scams in Bangkok.

1) Well-dressed young men may stop you in the street and say something like, 'Didn't I see you in the hotel this morning? How are you etc.' This is a ploy to get you talking. When they find out where you come from, they will say they have been there and reel off a few local facts so that you almost believe them. Then they will tell you they trade gold/jewellery/perfume/, whatever, and that if you go to their shop ... do I need to go on?!?

2) As you make your way to your destination (e.g. a temple complex), someone will stop you and ask if you are going to your destination. When you say, yes, they will tell you it's closed for the holiday. Then they will tell you that instead you should go to some shopping complex where there is a one-day sale (today!) where you can get bargains galore. Don't believe them - just carry on to your destination.

3) Your tuk-tuk driver may nod when you tell him your destination and then take you to a tailor's shop where he will try and take you in.

Check out these website for more details about the scams in Bangkok:

http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in-bangkok/

Watch out for the sapphire scam as described at this website

http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Scams/Sapp04.shtml

We were approach several times during our visit to Bangkok.