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

101.

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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102.

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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103.

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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104.

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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105.

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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106.

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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107.

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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108.

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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109.

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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110.

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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111.

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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112.

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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113.

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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114.

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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115.

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

Don't take those kind offers!

by Stroller

In places like the Grand Palace, you might be offered by someone who tells you that the palace is closed (or temporarily closed), but he could get you a Tuk Tuk (a cheap taxi) for only 20 baht to tour around several places including a jewellery shop. He's lying. The palace is not closed. There's some truth in it though, i.e. in the end you do pay only 20 baht (half a USD), but the driver will get some commission (say coupons for gas) from the shop if you stay at the shop for 10 minutes. Yes, you get the cheap ride, but you'll miss the place you really want to go.

Beware of taxis to restaurants

by lennywoods

You probably already know that the tuk-tuk drivers in Bangkok are notorious for ripping off tourists - taking you to their 'cousin's' jewelery store or convincing you that they will get petrol if you go in to look at one of the suits in a clothing store. The other transportation trap is to actually not take you to the destination you requested. One night the concierge at the Sheraton we stayed at flagged down a taxi and directed him to take us to the Mango Tree restaurant for dinner. The taxi driver proceeded to tell us it was near the night market so we were excited about two birds with one stone. Turns out he stops at a 'night bazaar', nothing like the night market we saw later on and the restaurant folks quickly ushered us out of the taxi and welcomed us to the 'Mango' restaurant. We sat down and quickly realized we were in the wrong place as we looked around at all of the other...

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Taxi please

by Glorija

The main problem is that taxi drivers have problems of turning the taxi meters on. So try to negotiate for the price before entering in the car. Bargain ... If the taxi is going to be to expencive try local bus or train or even tuk tuk. They are cosy and fast and ofcourse cheaper. But if there are more of you maybe taxi would be still cheaper.

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Sukhothai

by AndreSTGT

After two quiet weeks in Thailand's remote North-West i arrived in Sukhothai and was in for a shock. Bus loads of German pensioners literally invaded the beautiful ruins, and bus loads of package tourists really know how to destroy the serenity of ANY place. The ruins are certainly beautiful, if a bit too neat and overrestored for my taste.The best way to see them is to rent a bicycle, like this you're faster than the tour groups. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon!

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tuk tuks watch out

by shleprock

in bankok the tuk tuk drivers will offer to take you to there sponsors shops that they get gas coupons they will end up not taking you where you want to go so beware or tell them strraight you are not interested. if you do go along with this make them take you a few places you want to go then its not so bad. free alternative is to say no or catch a cab

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Spolied by tourism.

by worldkiwi

The Phi Phi Islands are one big tourist trap and like ants we swarm to this picture post card island grouping. The largest island, where you will have to stay, is a nightmare of garish, at times deafening, bars; ubiquitous souvenir shops, overpriced accomodation, and cheap restaurants (don't expect a culinary experience).Saying all that, the view in this photo is worth coming for and if you have time, shop around for a decent trip to Ko Phi Phi Leh (the smaller of the two 'sister' islands). If you get a good one, you'll have a day at some remarkable and downright stunning beaches or coves. If you don't pick well (like me choosing the cheapest trip I could find), you'll whizz past these places and wonder why you can't stop and enjoy it like those other lucky (or less frugal) people! I would recommend a day trip to Phi Phi Le, but shop with care. The beaches south of Ao Nang are pretty...

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Elephant Rides

by worldcam

You know this is a tourist trap -- who other than tourists will go and pay to ride an elephant around a mountain for an hour? Painful on the bum, too. In addition to the elephants is a OX ride that will take you to a "native village" where lo and behold they will sell you this that and the other. Finally, there is a raft ride that will take you down river on a bamboo raft - plan to get wet. Any show "starring" an animal can be looked upon two ways. Interesting for the viewer or painful for the animal. You choose. All around this area are little shows -- snake shows, monkey shows, elephant shows ... they are all driven to show interesting -- but touristy.

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Wrong food !!

by bhoeyb

Flashy soft drink cans are looking very tastefull, but you'll drink them only once. Their colour and taste is 100% artificial ... realy yuk !Notice the strange fluorescent blue and green colour on the edge of the cans.Black cookies with vanilla taste are OK to eat but eating something 'black' gives you a strange feeling.Also popular, drinking Coca Cola from a plastic bag :-\ ... You must taste these strange looking drinks and food. Just only once ;-) ...

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If you see a Tuk Tuk Run away!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Cincinnati1313

Tuk Tuk are some of the worst tourist traps of Thailand. DO NOT TRUST THESE GUYS! They will tell you that they will take you too your destination but first you have to stop at a bunch of jewelery shops and other places. If you want to get around but not by bus take a metered taxi. Insist that you only want to go to your destination. If the guy insist on taking you too a shop then get out of the Tuk Tuk. Take a metered taxi. Make sure they use the meter and it starts at 35 baht. The metered taxis are usually yellow and green or blue and red.

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The rigged Northern Thailand Adventure

by Cincinnati1313

Ok so you want to go and see Northern Thailand and you want to go treking through the mountains. So if you book a ticket from Khao San road they will pile you and every other backpacker on the same supposed VIP bus. This bus is ok but you will freeze your ass off. Take a sweater with you. So anyway you will ride the bus all night and you arrive in Chaing Mai at 7 in the morning. You are thinking that you will be dropped off at the bus station. No no no. You will be dropped off at a gas station where you all will be whisked onto a parade of converted pick up trucks that act as taxis. The taxis will take you too either Nice Place 1 or Nice place 2 hostel. As soon as you arrive they will tell you that you are going to get a free coffee or tea. It's all rigged so they can inspire you too buy their tour that they offer you for 1800 baht while your so tired at 6 in the morning and all you want...

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Tourist Attractions in Thailand

Top 3 Hotels in Thailand

The Oriental, Bangkok  Bangkok

 25 Reviews and 922 Opinions  its an experience one must have...stay there at any cost. its totally worth it in every way u can... 

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Mom Tri's Villa Royale Phuket  Phuket

 4 Reviews and 312 Opinions  Ocean Wing Suites (Villa Terracotta) Mom Tri’s Villa Royale now have a beautiful new area which is... 

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Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi  Chiang Mai

 2 Reviews and 320 Opinions  Everything you would expect from a Mandarin Oriental plus the really spectacular design. Two... 

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Tourist Traps: Cities in Thailand
  1. Bangkok Tourist Traps
  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
  20. Nong Khai Tourist Traps
  21. Pai Tourist Traps
  22. Sukhothai 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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