Usual problems, taxis refusing to use meter or even take you, tuk tuk wanted 300 baht for less than one mile and even Grab taxis having laughably long routes to bump up the price. Entrance prices were a shock, 300 baht now to get into Wat Po, not long ago it was 100, 250 at Jim Thompson house up from 150, Wat Traimit did not bother paying what they wanted to see one statue and to have to hire 'respectable clothing' River cruise, often recommended as the best boat, 2 hour trip actually 1.5, no Thai dancers as advertised and Indian songs being played to keep that lot happy. Royal Palace was the biggest let down, they won't even let you take pics of the Emerald Buddha now, it's more like scam land than Thailand these days. At least the food was good and cheap.

Some of those complaints are fair. Taxi drivers refusing the meter has been an issue in Bangkok for years, and attraction entrance fees have risen quite a bit over the last few years. If a river cruise didn't deliver what was advertised, that's worth criticising too.

That said, a few points are down to expectations rather than Thailand becoming "scam land." The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha have had strict rules for years, including dress requirements, and photography inside the temple has long been restricted. Likewise, tourist attractions everywhere have increased prices.Thats the problem if you tread the well known and typical tourist trail.

Bangkok can still be excellent value if you use the BTS/MRT, the Chao Phraya Express boats, and apps like Grab or Bolt for transport are generally better but not 100% of the time, and pick attractions that genuinely interest you rather than well trodden typical ones.

Sounds like you had a mixed trip rather than an awful one—the fact you still enjoyed the food says not everything disappointed.🙂

1 hour ago, visalady said:

Usual problems, taxis refusing to use meter or even take you, tuk tuk wanted 300 baht for less than one mile and even Grab taxis having laughably long routes to bump up the price. Entrance prices were a shock, 300 baht now to get into Wat Po, not long ago it was 100, 250 at Jim Thompson house up from 150, Wat Traimit did not bother paying what they wanted to see one statue and to have to hire 'respectable clothing' River cruise, often recommended as the best boat, 2 hour trip actually 1.5, no Thai dancers as advertised and Indian songs being played to keep that lot happy. Royal Palace was the biggest let down, they won't even let you take pics of the Emerald Buddha now, it's more like scam land than Thailand these days. At least the food was good and cheap.

No issues for me. I walked around China town. Taxis were cheap. Used the mrt and bts.

26 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Some of those complaints are fair. Taxi drivers refusing the meter has been an issue in Bangkok for years, and attraction entrance fees have risen quite a bit over the last few years. If a river cruise didn't deliver what was advertised, that's worth criticising too.

That said, a few points are down to expectations rather than Thailand becoming "scam land." The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha have had strict rules for years, including dress requirements, and photography inside the temple has long been restricted. Likewise, tourist attractions everywhere have increased prices.Thats the problem if you tread the well known and typical tourist trail.

Thailandtourism packages

Bangkok can still be excellent value if you use the BTS/MRT, the Chao Phraya Express boats, and apps like Grab or Bolt for transport are generally better but not 100% of the time, and pick attractions that genuinely interest you rather than well trodden typical ones.

Sounds like you had a mixed trip rather than an awful one—the fact you still enjoyed the food says not everything disappointed.🙂

First time at Emerald Buddha 1994 it was not problem taking photos, why not now? Dress codes are OK if sensibly applied, but if a woman even has part of a knee showing in a long dress and they have to put on something looking like a bag that's worse than it used to be. River ferries, at Sathorn pretended there are no orange flag boats at 18 baht and you can't buy tickets for them, had to be the 30 baht air con ones, but they do sell them at River City, think you can still just get on and pay on board. I would say Wat Po and Jim Thompson are still worth visiting. Friend just spent a month in Vietnam and said how much cheaper things were there.

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

No issues for me. I walked around China town. Taxis were cheap. Used the mrt and bts.

They like the MRT and BTS, no graffiti, nice and clean, no pickpockets or low life's trying to sell you rubbish. Best food was in China town, 6 course meal and drinks just under 400 baht

Edited July 24Jul 24 by visalady

1 minute ago, visalady said:

They like the MRT and BTS, no graffiti, nice and clean, no pickpockets or low life's trying to sell you rubbish. Best food was in China town, 6 course meal and drinks just under 400 baht

Cool. Forget the tourist stuff. Just take them to get experiences. Thailand has 30,000 temples and most are free.

1 hour ago, visalady said:

Usual problems, taxis refusing to use meter or even take you, tuk tuk wanted 300 baht for less than one mile and even Grab taxis having laughably long routes to bump up the price. Entrance prices were a shock, 300 baht now to get into Wat Po, not long ago it was 100, 250 at Jim Thompson house up from 150, Wat Traimit did not bother paying what they wanted to see one statue and to have to hire 'respectable clothing' River cruise, often recommended as the best boat, 2 hour trip actually 1.5, no Thai dancers as advertised and Indian songs being played to keep that lot happy. Royal Palace was the biggest let down, they won't even let you take pics of the Emerald Buddha now, it's more like scam land than Thailand these days. At least the food was good and cheap.

All that stuff was almost free when I first visited (25 yrs ago), and supposedly 'must see' attractions, photo opts, or so advised by 'Lonely Planet' guide. And I did them all.

But yea, quite uninspiring. Some were interesting, or had nice views from, but nothing that couldn't be found or seen just knocking around the area.

I can't imagine paying the entrance fees that they charge now, especially as crowded as the sites are now. Just not enjoyable, and I just don't get Thailand as a tourist destination. Especially now, as it all seems to be about fees, and the congestion is nuts in Bangkok.

Seriously, how many Wats are going to hold one's interest, and the Nat. Parks aren't worth the Thai price usually, so 2-3-400 baht is just silly.

First 10 yrs here was quite enjoyable, Bangkok, and tourist attractions, and they are what they are. But now, best to be avoided, and not waste your time and money, especially if that time is limited.

Living here, yea, you have time to kill, but as a tourist, just don't waste your time. Boggles my mind, how TH attracts 10s of millions of people yearly. Is the rest of the would that screwed up. Of all the places I've played tourist at, TH has the least to offer as a tourist destination.

Retirement, yea, it works, but every other place I've gone to, is better than TH's version of 'world class'

Don't ask why I'm here, already stated ... 'retirement', and yea, we get O&A alot, as the countryside is still lovely, but every country has that ... almost.

Met my brother & sis for a day, and we simply hung out at our hotel, lite munch and catching up. Then I simply took them to a really nice restaurant, with a great setting. Later that night, hit ICONSIAM, for great cityscape view from above the river. Quite nice, and they really enjoyed that, and a highlight of their visit, after 2 weeks of organized touristy stuff.

Edited July 24Jul 24 by KhunLA

Just take photos with friends and family. For all the tourist stuff, buy a postcard!