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.