Thailand Tourist Traps

  Mahouts and Elephants
by aghrtx
 
  • Mahouts and Elephants
      Mahouts and Elephants
    by aghrtx
  •   Excursions
    by aghrtx
  •   Tuk-tuks
    by xymmot
  •   Tuk-tuks
    by xymmot
  •   Tuk-tuks
    by xymmot
 

Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Thailand

26.

Taxi scams   Bangkok

Taxi scams, Bangkok

 45 Reviews  Just be careful with Image Limousine Service (www.imagelimousine.com) The Customer Service is not the same anymore. They drive not with the new Nissan Teana, they would drive also with older Toyota... 

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27.

Shopping and nightlife   Phuket

Shopping and nightlife, Phuket

 26 Reviews  Well, this happened to my friend during my last trip...(for ppl who think i dunno what i am talking abt it was 16th trip to pukhet), since it was his first time he got bedazzled by the relatively... 

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28.

Changing Money   Ko Samui

Changing Money, Ko Samui

 3 Reviews  I`ll describe 2 traps in 1 tip, 1st one - check your money before changing 2nd one- The amount of money you carry No 1 -- Always double check the amount you are about to exchange,this is common sense,... 

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29.

Elephant camps   Chiang Mai

Elephant camps, Chiang Mai

 6 Reviews  We went on a tour to the temple and the driver very quietly offered his services to us as 'you only pay for the gasoline' He charged us 300 baht to go to visit the craft village. But we went to a Gem... 

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30.

Scams and Conmen   Bangkok

Scams and Conmen, Bangkok

 49 Reviews  I really haven't tried to book online for a place in where we can stay when we arrived in Bangkok, because I thought at that time that it's dangerous to enter your credit card number in the... 

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31.

Excursions   Phuket

Excursions, Phuket

 24 Reviews  Be sure to avoid the firm Siam Sea Canoe. They offer the typical tours Phi Phi, Raya, Coral Island, etc. You will find their fancy brochures in your hotel and at tours booking counters which often... 

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32.

Shopping & Bartering   Ko Samui

Shopping & Bartering, Ko Samui

 3 Reviews  Because chaweng beach is the most popular place in samui many shops charge 2-3 times more than it's regular price. Bargain at least for half-price or compare from prices from other shops You can try... 

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33.

Tuk-tuks   Bangkok

Tuk-tuks, Bangkok

 74 Reviews  It's a mistake to paint all tuk-tuk drivers with the same brush. I had nothing but good luck with them. They never quoted a price to take me somewhere. Instead, they said I should just pay what I... 

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34.

Patpong   Bangkok

Patpong, Bangkok

 14 Reviews  Wow, the fact that I saw Patpong in the list of the tourist traps, means there really are a lot of con artists there. Never, ever, EVER, believe when someone calls you to watch the "ping pong show"... 

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35.

Khao San Road   Bangkok

Khao San Road, Bangkok

 9 Reviews  This is the main “backpacker” neighborhood found in Bangkok…and it’s loaded with cheap accommodations, a multitude of bars, restaurants, and travel companies, other businesses and loads of neon and... 

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36.

Airport Duty Free   Bangkok

Airport Duty Free, Bangkok

 3 Reviews  The gist of the scam is that a salesperson will slip something into your shopping bag at duty free outlets letting you believe that it a free gift from your purchase of duty free goods... You will... 

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37.

Tours - unscheduled shopping stops   Bangkok

Tours - unscheduled shopping stops, Bangkok

 17 Reviews  Even though I read all about it here on VT, I still ended up on a tuktuk tour. Basically we happened to be in Bangkok on a public holiday and because of this, when we were told the Grand Palace was... 

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38.

Closed? Best check for yourself.   Bangkok

Closed? Best check for yourself., Bangkok

 29 Reviews  Often when you are looking for directions or the entrance to a temple/palace/... a local comes up to you and tells you that the place is closed. Sometimes it's "closed for lunch", for temples it's... 

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39.

Floating Market   Bangkok

Floating Market, Bangkok

 4 Reviews  There are many floating markets in and around Bangkok. Damnoen Saduak is the most popular, located about 1 hour outside of Bangkok. If you want to go to this one, there are a couple aof ways to do it.... 

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40.

Highway Tolls   Bangkok

Highway Tolls, Bangkok

 2 Reviews  The highway into Bangkok from the outskirts are subject to tolls. If you get into a taxi and the driver asks if you want to go on the highway, you will have to pay the toll. It is normally quicker to... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Beware of jetskis

by momoys

Don't hire the jet ski's at the beach. It can be a big rip off as they tell you you've damaged the ski by flipping it or such and try to get lots of cash. We had to call police but still ended up having to pay what appeared to be the beach mafia.If you do hire one don't sign anything!! Not setting a good reputation for Phuket! We also thought everyone seemed to be ready to take advantage of us somehow, guess that's what they do for a living! Pity it's a really nice place but you have to have your wits about you. Don't sign anything. Call Police even though they may be in on the scam too.

Taxis - Use the meters!!

by sadie_sq

When getting a ride from a taxi driver (esp. in Bangkok), always tell them to use the meter. The price starts at 35 baht and slowly moves upward with time/travel, as all taxis do. Using the meter will save you so much money. Many driver want to bargain for a good deal with the tourists - trust me, they always win by a landslide!!

the TUK TUK rip-off

by vancitytraveller

Tuk Tuk drivers try to bring you to go shopping at a shop...really avoid them! Only use them if you are with Thai friends and i reccomend a taxi...i always took a taxi with an old taxi driver guy!just felt for comfortable doing that

Chiang Mai – Doi Pui, hill tribe village

by vtveen

We reached this hill tribe village after our visit of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep by climbing the road, which became very bad after the Phuping Palace. The visit of Doi Pui turned out to be the biggest ‘tourist trap’:- there was a huge traffic jam on the town square with ‘hundreds’ of songthaews; finding a car park was a problem;- the village is one big open air market with stalls selling just the average stuff;- we didn’t see any Hmong people in traditional dress, just one little girl who was demanding money for a picture; or otherwise you have to borrow a costume for a picture;- we had to pay to take a look at a waterfall, as a matter of fact just a tiny stream falling down a couple of metres from a hill;- we tried to get into the ‘normal’ village, but didn’t succeed; there was again a ‘museum’ and we had to pay again.After a tasteful lunch in a local restaurant we returned – rather...

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The Old Closed Wat Trick

by ScottForster

A nicely dressed gentleman asked us if we were enjoying our holiday and as were were Australian's spoke keenly of the tennis which was currently on. We said that we were on our way to Wat Pho for a look around ect and he summonsed us a Tuk Tuk, and gave directions to the driver. Ooh and by the way as we were in the TukTuk the Wat is closed for prayers until three- go to the Gloden mountain/ monument whatever and while your there just go past the shops on the way. The driver knows where to go- Scammed again----- Stop the Tuk Tuk, pay and leave. It's a shame but don't take advise from smart- well dressed people at popular tourist locations.Use a map and your own senses, or ask someone who is engaged in business- the icecream seller will give directions for the cost of a cornetto. (win-win)

The (NEW) Bangkok Airport- Taxi

by ScottForster

The NEW BKK airport is wonderful. Very very large and new- and missing a few signs to the TAXI stand.Note The taxi stand is not on the same level as arrivals and there are no signs to the taxi rank on the next level down- use the escalator ramp. Do not accept a taxi from anyone other than the people at the taxi stand kiosk. You will know when you are at the taxi stand- there will be heaps of taxis there and a desk. Initially we were offered a 'taxi' by a nice young man, we exited the building but couldn't see a taxi. We promptly turned arouund and walked back in the terminal through the revloving doors and down the next level to a taxi stand.At the metered taxi stand they will issue you with a note/ coupon and assign you a taxi. Hold on to this as the kiosk workers write the taxi no. on the coupon for you. When you arrive at your hotel the staff will check the taxi number and ensure you...

Bangkok .... why this cheating … ??

by vtveen

Grand PalaceAfter arriving by taxi at the Grand Palace some ‘helpful’ Thai told us to use another entrance to buy tickets. On our way to that entrance another ‘helpful’ Thai told us the palace was closed between 12.00 and 1.30 pm and it was better to visit some other sights during that time. It was best to take a tuk-tuk (for just 20 baht) for transportation. After a crazy and dangerous ride through the city we came at the first sight (Wat Indraviharn). After our first visit of a Thai temple the tuk-tuk driver took us to a jewellery and a duty free gift shop, but we felt something was wrong and after another stop at a Travel Agency we refused to go further in his tuk-tuk and went back with a taxi to the Grand Palace, which was of course open for visitors.Vimanmek PalaceOn our last day in Thailand we went to the Vimamnek Palace, especially to watch the Thai dancing performances. But at...

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Exchange Cashiers in Pukhet- THEY ARE THIEVES !

by Sami29

If you are thinking of visiting Patong Beach-Pukhet, which I donot recommend, beware of exchange clerks in the kiosks. If you want to exchange money, first ask for a slip. In most cases if the person is a man, he wont give you a slip. He hands over the money and that's all. But the moment you count your money, you will find that at least 500 Bht is less than the usual rate. By the time you go to him, it is over: your place is taken by another tourist. So, ask for a slip, stick to your place and donot move, count your money according to the rate and finally when you are sure it is the same amount, you can leave the kiosk. And finally, if you plan a visit to Pukhet, avoid Patong Beach: it is very expensive and a waste of time. Go to other beaches in Pukhet.

Karen Hill Tribe - the Karen are the losers here

by mcgruff75044

The hill tribe visit is a complete waste of the HIll People's and your time I nave a link in my thailand home page that is worth reading to understand why.If I could do it over I would have gone to the National park or one of the other activities that are out of doors and very unique. It was my idea to go based on the suggestion of a friend. Don't bother! Don't. See the web link to two VT sights on my thailand home page.

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Phuket - YUK!

by daaebissa

Don't even go here. Okay, if you go here, GO SOUTH away from Phuket City and the main drag. It's extremely busy, prices are inflated, and it's just a waste of time. I didn't get a chance to go south to some of the quieter, less touristy beaches, but a friend who went said they were so much better and beautiful.

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Tourist Traps: Cities in Thailand
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  2. Phuket Tourist Traps
  3. Pattaya Tourist Traps
  4. Ko Samui Tourist Traps
  5. Chiang Mai Tourist Traps
  6. Krabi Tourist Traps
  7. Hat Yai Tourist Traps
  8. Ko Phi Phi Don Tourist Traps
  9. Hua Hin Tourist Traps
  10. Ko Phangan Tourist Traps
  11. Ko Lanta Tourist Traps
  12. Kanchanaburi Tourist Traps
  13. Ko Samet Tourist Traps
  14. Chiang Rai Tourist Traps
  15. Ko Chang Tourist Traps
  16. Ko Tao Tourist Traps
  17. Ban Khao Lak Tourist Traps
  18. Ayuthaya Tourist Traps
  19. Mae Sai Tourist Traps
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  21. Pai Tourist Traps
  22. Nong Khai Tourist Traps
  23. Surat Thani Tourist Traps
  24. Mae Hong Son Tourist Traps
  25. Ban Bang Saen (2) Tourist Traps
  26. Ko Phaluai Tourist Traps

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  I am from Canada and going to Thailand, what kind of plug adapter do I need to charge my camera? 

leics profile photo

A: You will find all the information you need about voltages and plug adaptors (and photos of plug types) here: http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm 

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