Thailand Travel Warnings

[pauljones]

First time visitors are often tagreted by the unscrouplous.

Often, it begins at the airport, outside the hotel, or adjacent to major tourism sites.

The TAT does it's best to cover up scams and criminal activity. I don't see any travel warnings on their site.

I say, an educated visitor will enjoy Thailand more.

If you had friends or family visiting Thailand, what warnings would you give them?

I can think of a few.

-Never rent a jet ski.

-Never use a taxi parked in front of a hotel.

-Never believe a friendly stranger that approached you near tourist sites.

Over to you.......

[Spee]

Those are just three of a very long list. Several members of my family recently came to Thailand for the first time for my wedding. I gave them a long list of the pluses and minuses. Everyone had a great time. As long as one is careful, does their homework, doesn't do anything stupid, anyone can have a great time in Thailand and completely avoid the potential pitfalls. But that's no different than anywhere else in the world. I sometimes wish people would treat so-called "travel warnings" like weather forecasts. Weather "advisory" means something is possible. Weather "watch" means conditions are right for something to happen, but it hasn't happened yet. Weather "warning" means conditions are right for something to happen, or it is happening already. In that vein, everything about the floods would fall into the "warning" category, but minor stuff like airport touts should be treated as an "advisory" or at most, a "watch." That is how I described things to my family members who visited. I gave them advice on what to look out for and what to avoid.

[autan]

Great thread Paul Jones.

Here are my top ten tips for Thailand and the reasons why:

1. Do not arrive drunk in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. I have seen passengers come off airlines and staggering in taxi's without knowing where their going or how much it will cost them when they get there, save the drinking until later. You need be on your game in Thailand or its people will eat you alive and spit you our for breakfast.

2. When getting into a taxi at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, make sure they put the meter on. They will try to use excuses like the meters broken or its not far. Thai taki metering is extremely cheap and so if they can get away with not putting the meter on they will.

3. Bring cash with you, dont rely on cards or travellers cheques. The local currency is Thai Baht, you need I would say 20,000 Thai Baht walking around money (Around £400). Dont make the mistake in thinking your cash card will work, just because the bank says it will or that traveller cheque offices open 24 hours a day.

4. When checking into a hotel, especially a good one, you are often asked to swipe your credit card. Do NOT whatever you do swipe a debit card. This because the rules for merchants are different in Thailand than they are in the rest of the world. In Thailand, they can add complimentary items to your bill. you think their free *there not*. When you check out, you receipt will have a load of charges on it and you dont a leg to stand on getting your money back.

5. When checking into a hotel, ask can you leave a cash deposit. Get a receipt for the cash and ensure you dont lose it. Look after your money.

6. Dont take drugs. Possesion of a drug in Thailand can actually mean the death penalty or an excessively long time in Prison. Dont do drugs. Simple.

7. Avoid moped, scooters and jetski's the people operating them dont make much money and are inventive in finding problems when you return the items. I rented a moped, in Krabi and fell off it (stop laughing), I took it back and they wanted 70,000 baht for the damage. I paid by Mastercard, when I got back to the UK, I did a chargeback and said it was unathorised.

8. Thailand is a cheap place to live. But you should have multiple access streams to money, cash, cards, travellers cheques etc. Dont over rely on one source of income, if it fails your holiday is ruined.

9.Thai girls can be extemely good company, so much many of us marry them. Just be aware there are certain cultural differences between East & West. The main being in Thai Culture the man takes care of the woman and the family. (You could find yourself being bled dry)

10. Getting a girl pregnant and marrying her, doesnt give the right to abode in the UK or any other country. Thai Visa, know what there doing, listen to them, they will see you right.

[pauljones]

AIRPORT DUTY FREE SHOPLIFTING SCAM.

Avoid the Duty Free Shops in the airport.

Reports of cashiers not ringing up an item with the police waiting nerby to bust the 'shoplifter.'

One couple was introduced to a fake lawyer by the police, were locked up in a short time hotel for days untill they drained the ATM cards. $8,000 USD.

The Prime Minister vowed to look into it...........nothing happened.

Google search for the numerous news reports for details.

[asanee]

you can add more and more-so much that noone will ever be able to memroise them.

The best advice-which would apply only to a very few-as for most it seems cheating, overcharging, getting into trouble-an essential element of holidaying abroad-what else would you have to complain about afters?- get common sense, buy some extra memory. IF that would be possible with human brains. Mankind is just waiting to be cheated. In that respect the Thai are far more clever as you.

In essence it all boils down to: you pay. If that is no problem-I do not see any prob either.

For the rest: daft easy. Avoid anyone who approaches you first. A Thai running an honest bisnis will never do that.

BTW-that ever parrotted without knowing the exact facts about supposed shoplifting has now been eaten and spewn out here at nauseam- find that thread and read it.

[pauljones]

WARNING - TAXIES PARKED IN FRONT OF HOTELS AND TOURIST SITES.

English speaking scammers, pose as taxi drivers, intent on defrauding a first time visitor, control the area outsside tourist hotels and attractions.

The turf in front of the hotels and tourists sites is reserved for profesional taxi scammers.

Gangs of these rip off taxi operators control this valuable scam turf by paying police.

Honest taxi drivers are never allowed to park near the hotel.

NEVER use a taxi that is parked in front of hotels or tourists sites.

Always walk a distance from your hotel and hail a moving taxi. Never let a taxi approach you.

If he speaks English, be very wary of his advice or recommendations.

[CharlieH]

I would say the most important thing is remember where you are !! you are NOT in the west so any resemblance of logic and reasonable and what is fair or reliance on authorities for help and support is GONE.

If you encounter a problem never get aggressive, never start shouting, dont even try a reasonable argument as they just dont understand. WALK AWAY ! swallow your pride or whatever and just move on it may just save your life.

Dont think for one minute you can call the Police for help, they dont care and will just as easily relieve you of money. A Thai is always right and a "Ferang" (foriegner) is always wrong.

Please dont use the "lawyer" route either, this is just a joke to them and means nothing in Thailand, it may work in the west but your not in the west.

Keep your head down, use common sense and enjoy yourself, dont bother them and they wont bother you, just like any venomous snake when provoked, they can and have proven to be for some deadly!

[pauljones]

Good advice Charlie,

-POLICE- Don't trust them.

Don't think for one minute you can call the Police for help, they dont care and will just as easily relieve you of money.

A Thai is always right and a "Ferang" (foriegner) is always wrong.

You are NOT in the west so any resemblance of logic and reasonable and what is fair or reliance on authorities for help and support is GONE.

This goes for the Tourist Police too.

[kurtmartens]

Everyone always seems so bitter...its no wonder any of us live here...

[doggie888888]

Avoid areas where large congregation of expats gather. You might catch the Negativity Virus.

[rojack45]

Wow!!... Do all the members posting such harsh criticisms and negative judgements about Thailand actually live here? If so, why do you stay since it seems like such a terrible place.

I have lived in Bangkok since February of this year and have loved every minute of it. I am seasoned traveller, but I had never been to Bangkok prior to moving here. I was fortunate and not affected directly by the flooding but many people I know were and I did my best to help where I could. I live in a mainly "Thai"area - Bangna but I frequent all of the other areas of the city for food and shopping and entertainment. I am retired at age 50, so I don't have any English speaking friends or colleagues from work and such. 99 % of my daily interaction is with Thai people many of whom speak little or no English. Everyone I have met and done business with has been courteous, helpful, friendly and very willing to patiently allow me to practice my Thai on them.

I don't recall ever being ripped off by anyone, or had anything stolen from me. When confronted by the peddalers and touts, a simple "mai ao"or "mai dai"' almost always stops their nagging. Why make such a big deal over taxi's? Its the same in every part of the world. Ask if they are metered or not. If not, find another. It's not rocket science. In October I decided to open 2 businesses and so for the last 2 months I have had to hire and deal with contractors and labor, find the best places to shop for materials and supplies etc. etc. In every instance I was treated respectfully, given good service,and helpful advice and information whenever I was stuck.

Yes there are some good pointers listed in some of the posts. Be careful renting Jet Ski's, have a couple of sources of cash, etc. But those guidleines apply to any and all travel destinations around the globe. Why is it that ( the majority) - (just my perception) of TV members have such disdane and animosity towards Thai people. [ Keep your head down, use common sense and enjoy yourself, dont bother them and they wont bother you, just like any venomous snake when provoked, they can and have proven to be for some deadly! ] (quote)

dam_n!... why would anyone want to travel to a place like that? Any possibility that the some of the posters experienced the "" you get what you expect" of the "" you receive what you give"syndrome?

Just a thought.

Rojack

(shameless plug)

[kurtmartens]

Avoid areas where large congregation of expats gather. You might catch the Negativity Virus.

Well said! Everyone is always so negative about living in Thailand and yet....they all continue to live here!

[kurtmartens]

Wow!!... Do all the members posting such harsh criticisms and negative judgements about Thailand actually live here? If so, why do you stay since it seems like such a terrible place.

I have lived in Bangkok since February of this year and have loved every minute of it. I am seasoned traveller, but I had never been to Bangkok prior to moving here. I was fortunate and not affected directly by the flooding but many people I know were and I did my best to help where I could. I live in a mainly "Thai"area - Bangna but I frequent all of the other areas of the city for food and shopping and entertainment. I am retired at age 50, so I don't have any English speaking friends or colleagues from work and such. 99 % of my daily interaction is with Thai people many of whom speak little or no English. Everyone I have met and done business with has been courteous, helpful, friendly and very willing to patiently allow me to practice my Thai on them.

I don't recall ever being ripped off by anyone, or had anything stolen from me. When confronted by the peddalers and touts, a simple "mai ao"or "mai dai"' almost always stops their nagging. Why make such a big deal over taxi's? Its the same in every part of the world. Ask if they are metered or not. If not, find another. It's not rocket science. In October I decided to open 2 businesses and so for the last 2 months I have had to hire and deal with contractors and labor, find the best places to shop for materials and supplies etc. etc. In every instance I was treated respectfully, given good service,and helpful advice and information whenever I was stuck.

Yes there are some good pointers listed in some of the posts. Be careful renting Jet Ski's, have a couple of sources of cash, etc. But those guidleines apply to any and all travel destinations around the globe. Why is it that ( the majority) - (just my perception) of TV members have such disdane and animosity towards Thai people. [ Keep your head down, use common sense and enjoy yourself, dont bother them and they wont bother you, just like any venomous snake when provoked, they can and have proven to be for some deadly! ] (quote)

dam_n!... why would anyone want to travel to a place like that? Any possibility that the some of the posters experienced the "" you get what you expect" of the "" you receive what you give"syndrome?

Just a thought.

Rojack

(shameless plug)

I agree.

Living here, like living in any other country takes some common sense. I lived in Bangkok for two years and now live in Chiang Mai. I have never had a bad experience. Sure, I've been approached by touts when shopping in the night market or walking around...but, as you said a simple "mai ao" gets them to leave you alone. And you have touts in every country! I've found the ones in Thailand to at least be easy to deal with.

Don't like the taxi driver and his "broken" meter, get out and find a new taxi. What is so hard about that? Why fight with him? Just move on.

You get what you put out there...so if you are negative about living here...you are going to get negative returns. We are always free to go back to our own countries!

[kurtmartens]

Good advice Charlie,

-POLICE- Don't trust them.

Don't think for one minute you can call the Police for help, they dont care and will just as easily relieve you of money.

A Thai is always right and a "Ferang" (foriegner) is always wrong.

You are NOT in the west so any resemblance of logic and reasonable and what is fair or reliance on authorities for help and support is GONE.

This goes for the Tourist Police too.

You could just flash your badge like I do...that takes care of the issue normally. The Thais respect authority at least.

[johnnyj]

Use common sense!

Listen to your gut!

Remember that Thailand is a foreign country and there are differences!

Always keep an open mind, stay relaxed, but alert and aware of your surroundings!

[FritsSikkink]

Avoid areas where large congregation of expats gather. You might catch the Negativity Virus.

[Tropicalevo]

Avoid areas where large congregation of expats gather. You might catch the Negativity Virus.

Well said Doggie. #1 Comment Of The Day.

Yes there are lots of traps to fall into. They exist in every country.

I have to say that I have found the police and especially the tourist police to be very helpful. Again, of course there are bad ones.

Just take it as it comes and DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BRAIN ON THE PLANE. Common sense will prevail.

Back to the OP - specifically for Thailand, your first post was best. The 3 main things to watch for are

Jet skis and Taxis. And if the offer sounds too good to be true. IT IS.

I have been living in Thailand for 12 years now. It is great.

[Shurup]

There is a site for this that's been on for years. All of the scams and more are in there.

Advice for the newcommers - read it and don't make the same mistakes as others did.

http://www.bangkokscams.com/

[pauljones]

To the rose colored glasses brigade.

You would have no advice for your friends or relatives visiting Thailand?

This post was started to copile a list of warnings that a first time visitor or novice traveler needs.

I think a clued up visitor would have a better time and that would help promote tourism.

There is an immoral army of scammers out there pursuing the first time visitor.

[jb5music]

Anyone who's spent time in Thailand would know that the cost of a used motorbike is only 10 or 20 thousand baht. So if you were charged 70 thousand baht for damage to a rental motorbike and you paid it then you really don't know what is going on in Thailand and shouldn't be issuing warnings about such things that aren't factually believable. Also the part about "I just did a chargeback when I got back to the UK" - Not beleivable.

[UKJASE]

i think thailand is great...... i am farang, so as far as thai people know, this could be my first day in thailand. i do not try to get scammed everyday, and thai people do not resemble venomous snakes

take all the warnings in the first half of this thread above with a pinch of salt...... the reality of the situation is far from what these posters write

i suppose the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" rings true here

[phaethon]

Don't eat yellow snow...

[transam]

In any country on this planet there are dangers and pitfalls for tourists but in LOS it must be remembered that there is no credible police force to turn too for instant help.

[Galong]

Everyone always seems so bitter...its no wonder any of us live here...

This thread is about warnings. It is not asking to list all of the reasons why we love living here. There are good things and bad things about living anywhere. Get over it, please.

[mca]

1) Don't walk up to a traffic cop directing traffic in the middle of a busy intersection and mime his exact actions behind his back.

2) Don't go to a temple with a large portable CD player and a bevy of scantily clad nubiles and then proceed to have them chase you round the chedi to the accompaniment of the " Benny Hill" theme song.

3) Don't go to a local cock fight inhabited by off duty cops, songtaew drivers and assorted riff raff, whip your genitalia out and declare " 500 baht on this beauty"

4) Don't rent a jet ski and, prior to taking it out, take huge lumps out of it with a sledge hammer saying " Well if I'm going to be stitched up by you worthless sacks of shit I might as well get my money's worth"

5) Don't go up to the temple abbot and his monks and offer them to a fight Shaolin style whilst shouting in a dodgy Chinese accent " You murdered my family. I am here for vengeance. Beware my Dragon technique"

[johnnyj]

1) Don't walk up to a traffic cop directing traffic in the middle of a busy intersection and mime his exact actions behind his back.

2) Don't go to a temple with a large portable CD player and a bevy of scantily clad nubiles and then proceed to have them chase you round the chedi to the accompaniment of the " Benny Hill" theme song.

3) Don't go to a local cock fight inhabited by off duty cops, songtaew drivers and assorted riff raff, whip your genitalia out and declare " 500 baht on this beauty"

4) Don't rent a jet ski and, prior to taking it out, take huge lumps out of it with a sledge hammer saying " Well if I'm going to be stitched up by you worthless sacks of shit I might as well get my money's worth"

5) Don't go up to the temple abbot and his monks and offer them to a fight Shaolin style whilst shouting in a dodgy Chinese accent " You murdered my family. I am here for vengeance. Beware my Dragon technique"

class!

[autan]

Anyone who's spent time in Thailand would know that the cost of a used motorbike is only 10 or 20 thousand baht. So if you were charged 70 thousand baht for damage to a rental motorbike and you paid it then you really don't know what is going on in Thailand and shouldn't be issuing warnings about such things that aren't factually believable. Also the part about "I just did a chargeback when I got back to the UK" - Not beleivable.

I never said you had to believe me. I told you what happened and I told you what I did about it. Believe it or take it with a pinch of salt.

The OP started what I believe to be an extremely valuable thread to the first time visitor to Thailand. I wrote my comments not be negative or to lie, but to share my experiences and to perhaps and do forgive me here, help. Thailand is one of my favourite places to visit, not just because my Wife's Family come from there but because the vast majority of Thai people are amongst the best specimens of mankind you could ever wish to meet. The food is goods, the weather (usually except 2011) is good, the country is good.

I have great respect for the people, the land, the Monarchy, the traditions and religous beliefs of Thailand. Lets add that up to be 99.9999999%. My Post was to ensure people can make the most out of their holiday or stay and return home and encourage other to visit this fantastic country and its way of life.

Now you tell me honestly, am I lying to you. No, of course not.

[kenneth2012]

As a newbie venturing out to thailand...wow ...thailand sounds downright scary..as if you cannot trust anybody there and your gonna wind up in jail a few days later just because your a farang as im reading it. You make the thailand people sound like a bunch of crimminals and even to walk around you have to be stupid or just stay in the hotel hoping they not charge you all these different fee's as when you check out thats what gonna happen. It seem's every step of the way is seeping with untold peril's to anyone visiting there and only those farangs who know everything and look negative on all the thai people they encounter as swindlers..robbers..extortionist..etc...can walk about like rooster's demaeaning every aspect of a newcomer visit there with fear and doubts....thanks a lot

[surangw]

Pay attention to recent bomb threats, stay away from targeted areas.