The Thai Tourist Police have launched a stringent effort to improve services to visitors around the Grand Palace, aiming to tackle issues of overcharging and passenger refusals. This comprehensive strategy involves coordination with multiple government sectors and seeks to boost the image of this key national attraction. On 12th January, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am presided over a workshop aimed at preventing tourist exploitation, including 80 local taxi drivers and vendors.

Given its significance as a prime tourist destination in Bangkok, measures to prevent fraudulent practices are vital. Major issues identified include inflated prices and service refusal from taxis and tuk-tuks. Police have directed relevant agencies like the Department of Tourism and the Land Transport Department to collaborate, providing training sessions to curb these problems and ensure fair standards for tourists.

With this initiative, authorities aim to transform vendors and drivers into legitimate partners in safeguarding tourists. This includes potentially enlisting them as volunteer tourist police. Saksira stressed the need to make the areas around the Grand Palace safe havens for tourists, thereby preventing any actions that could damage the destination's reputation, reported Daily News.

Key Takeaways

• The Tourist Police are intensifying measures around the Grand Palace to protect tourists.

• Collaborative training aims to prevent overpricing and service refusals.

• Efforts are being made to make these key areas safe and welcoming for tourists.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily News 2026-01-13

 

 

I am surprised that the authorities allow scam gangs to operate at the sacred Grand Palace.

The first Lonely Planet Thailand guidebook was published in 1982. I believe even way back then, they were warning about tourist scams at the Grand Palace.

I've been coming here since the mid 80s....lived here 20+ years....scams at the Palace have always been going on....and always will be!

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Key Takeaways

• The Tourist Police are intensifying measures around the Grand Palace to protect tourists.

• Collaborative training aims to prevent overpricing and service refusals.

• Efforts are being made to make these key areas safe and welcoming for tourists.

one more Takeaway:

• It is clear by now that the Police is absolutely useless to service the public

Two that I encountered on my first visit to Thailand (totally innocent & unknowing) in 2011: (1) No tourists allowed in at the moment, Thais only. Take this taxi & we'll show you around for the next hour until it reopens. Thence on to this luvly shop where you could order a luvly suit (if you were even more dumb than me), and then this cafe for lunch etc etc (2) Jeans not allowed. Must wear this wrap around ...

Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am presided over a workshop aimed at preventing tourist exploitation, including 80 local taxi drivers and vendors.

Welcome to rip-off Thailand....

21 hours ago, VR333 said:

The first Lonely Planet Thailand guidebook was published in 1982. I believe even way back then, they were warning about tourist scams at the Grand Palace.

I had the 2002 edition by which time there was a chapter's worth of scams as they developed to industrial status affecting GDP. So I was clued up on my first trip. Due diligence.

However I had fallen for a totally embarrassing scam in Singapore at 17. No not the 'show me your currency' variety, it was even more mortifying than that. One day I might tell yuzz (on my death bed).

Nowadays I just tell others who get scammed to regard it as the university of life's tuition fees, as I did. I've not been taken since - although one bar girl tried very hard 555 (and did actually succeed to a very small extent - kudos: they're real experts 555)

6 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Two that I encountered on my first visit to Thailand (totally innocent & unknowing) in 2011: (1) No tourists allowed in at the moment, Thais only. Take this taxi & we'll show you around for the next hour until it reopens. Thence on to this luvly shop where you could order a luvly suit (if you were even more dumb than me), and then this cafe for lunch etc etc (2) Jeans not allowed. Must wear this wrap around ...

Gotta hand it to 'em ...

Suckers ... volunteers and donors 555

7 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

one more Takeaway:

• It is clear by now that the Police is absolutely useless to service the public

I read somewhere that they might even be taking a cut ...

In most of the travel guides I’ve read there’s always warnings about the con artists at the most popular tourist sites in Bangkok, that have been going on for years. How come only now the tourist police are finally doing something? Maybe they’ve never thought to read any publications and learn what the tourists say is good or bad about tourism in Bangkok or Thailand. They might actually learn something.

Better in Bangkok than in Rome