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

151.

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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152.

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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153.

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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154.

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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155.

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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156.

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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157.

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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158.

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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159.

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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160.

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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161.

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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162.

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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163.

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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164.

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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165.

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

Boggus Jewel Scam

by Chiliweenie

If you travel to temples in Bangkok, beware of men who approach you about buying jewelry cheap at a local jewel shop. They will claim to take you to discout jewel shops, telling you that you can return to Europe and sell them for 4-5 times the price. In fact, this is not true and the person who approached you is actually getting a commission on the sale of the jewels you've purchased. On more than one occassion, the man approaching me was large, well jeweled, well dressed and VERY accomodating. BEWARE of JEWEL SCAMS ! Many jewel scammers hang out in temple areas like vultures. Just say, "No Thank you kindly".

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Transportation

by simon26

This is just valid for Bangkok and is written in every lonley planet:if you don't know the right and exact price, do not deal with the taxi driver about the price, it will be still to high.Ask for Taximeter and drive only with taxis who have a taximeter (which should functionne of course!!:-)Traffic is a big issue, especially in Bangkok, be careful by going through the street.

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your travel agent again , transfers and tours

by jobaby

Airport/hotel/airport transfers........once again if you are naive in the art of travelling then it is advisable to have these arranged by your travel agent in your country of origin. This saves on you getting ripped off and that you actually get to your hotel.The costs are usually 3 to 4 times more expensive than if you purchased at your destination.Tours also come into this category of where you pay the earth for a tour, and when you reach your destination, you can save a few dollars by booking with the tour operator outside the hotel...............but hey you learn by experience...lol As mentioned, to be on the safe side, book your transfers with your travel agent unless you are a seasoned traveller and familiar with the currency exchange rate of your destination. Enjoy the scenery as you motor to your hotel!

Your travel agent! in your country of origin

by jobaby

If you are not a seasoned traveller then your hassles can start from home. Do not tell your travel agent to book you into hotels as they will go for the more than modest rate hotels. Remember, the hotel room is just a place to shower and rest, unless you go to Thailand on pleasure trips rather than outside activity..lol. Blame yourself if you have been booked into a first class hotel at first class rates.It is most advisable and many of us know months ahead that we will be going to a particular country, to actually swot up on hotels that are beneficial for your actual travel and what you want to do. These are easily accessible by the internet to view the various accomodation around. Rates can also be viewed so that you can compare with your travel agent.Remember your travel agent gets commission on rooms that they are able to put clients into. If you have given your travel agent...

Tut tut to TukTuk detours

by jobaby

As mentioned if you read about the Tuk Tuks, please aware and wary of the drivers (not all) wanting to take you away from your original destination.They will try and take you to their mates shop....they ask you to stay in the shop for at least 30 minutes and get a commission even if you dont buy anything but the temptations are always there and your TukTuk mode of transportation could set you back a few hundred dollars.This is not to say that you should avoid this transport but just be weary of consenting to going to the "mates" shops. If you have in your mind and expenses that you need a new suit, a new item of jewellery or ceramic ware, then this is okay. The shops that they take you to are usually cheaper than if you shopped around yourself but once again please be weary!!!!!!!! If the Tuk Tuk driver is becoming overpowering, it is best that you hop out and make your own way back to...

Koh Lanta a Wanna be Leonardo Movie

by shazzbazz

I took the advice of the travel agents at Krabi Airport about Koh Lanta, as an island with better beaches and places to see than Phi Phi. After some time spent in a minivan and waiting for ferries we arrived on the island. The town was full of backpackers barely dressed. I thought to myself how it would get better as we move away from this area.They dropped me off at the place that I had prepaid for a bungalow, and waht a shock. Sure it was cheap under $10! But, but but I was horrifired at the amount of garbage there was everywhere, and the dancefloor that was built outside my hut. I checked the beach only to find a hundred other places like the one I was to stay in, all of them with some makeshift outside type of dancefloor. I walked by and had no choice but to listen to the soundtrack from the movie "The Beach" that seemed to be blarring from each little homerun resort.I wanted off the...

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Tipping

by beachboy

Guys! Remember to prepare some small change for tipping after watching the 'Cabaret show'. Those show 'girls' will be smiling and waiting for you near the exit. You can either take photo or just simply shake hand with them. But, expect to pay some little tips. If you wanna avoid this, try to walk with a group of ladies. Those 'girls' prefer to tackle single guy.

Be carefut of 'precious stone deals'

by B_Lacombe

There is a gimmick going on where they try to persuade you to go somewhere for special reasons (the year best bargain at wholesale price of jewelery, etc), They wanted us to buy something at the Royal Lapidery Something. Free taxi ride to go there. Yeah! Got taken for a ride. If you go there, just listen to your common sense and don't buy if you feel it is not what you want. Precious stones may have a value but when you need fast cash, no matter how much you paid, you will only get a fraction of what you paid. So unless you are an expert in precious stones .. look (its free) but don't let the pressure get to you. I feel much safer with gold. If I need money, I can recuperate most of it by selling the rings or chains. Actually gold is now VERY high. Good time to sell, not so to buy. The war in Irak being almost over, it may come down.

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River Taxis

by M.E.R.V

The river taxis are so confusing! There was this one time I got on one parked by the Chao Phrya River and I was really happy when it started moving, I thought i COULD have a good time sitting in the boat while enjoying the river sights in Bangkok. The next thing I knew the boat was slowing down. And then it stopped and everyone went out! I was like wot?? Is that all? Apparantly, some of these taxis are only for crossing the river, so mine basically went from one side of the river to its adjacent side. I had a really good laugh about it!

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The floating Market of Damnoen Saduak

by Jannick_L.

This is nice to see but a real tourist trap.If you go to Thailand, visit it if you have some spare time. The authenticity is a bit gone here.A lot of shops around the floating market selling all kinds of useless stuff.The best thing is the way to get there.We went there with a small longtail boat. The nature was subliminal. If you want to go, go early otherwise all big tourist groups arrive and then it's a real mess. A good alternative in the same region is to visit one of the biggest chedi's in the world. The one of Nakhon Pathom.Nakhon Pathom is located in an alluvial plain in the central region, about 58 kms by road from Bangkok. . It is an old city which has an interesting history dating back thousands of years. From the evidence revealed by extensive excavation in the past, we have learned a lot of things which have historical and archaeological value, such as Phra Pathom Chedi...

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Tourist Attractions in Thailand

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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. Sukhothai Tourist Traps
  21. Pai Tourist Traps
  22. Nong Khai Tourist Traps
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  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

Ihearttheworld profile photo

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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