franck1972 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Hi everybody, Just coming back from Laos where I had an unpleasant experience just before entering Laos. Filled my forms, handed my passport and a 50 USD bill to pay my 30 USD Laos visa. The guy called me back with a "fake smile" telling me the banknote wouldn't be good. "Indeed", the banknote has a ridiculous less than 1mm little scratch on the long upper side... ! So, I was "invited" to pay in thai baht, are their ridiculous exchange rate (30 USD = 1500 THB ) and got ripped off at least 550 B. I used the 50 USD to pay at the restaurant just after, no problem at all... So, well, not only pay in dollars at the border, but also make sure your notes are absolutely perfect ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I have had that at other Lao border, the notes have to be perfect, also they do not like giving change. Lucky at Chong Mek cos there is a bank a few yards away to get good dollars. Your lesson learned... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigermonkey Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 "So, I was "invited" to pay in thai baht, are their ridiculous exchange rate (30 USD = 1500 THB ) and got ripped off at least 550 B." Something is wrong here - I'll take all the Baht that they want to sell at 50 Baht per USD. ... or are you saying the other way around ? 1500 THB = 30 USD ? ... they were charging you in THB and not doing an exchange ? ie the charge is 30 USD or 1500 Baht 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 The charge is 30USD or 1500bt, this is displayed and no mention of exchange rates are made. I always pay in Baht and don't feel I have been scammed. No merchant has to accept payment from a customer, it is entirely their discretion. totster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franck1972 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 30 USD at normal exchange rate 1 USD = 32 B = 30 x 32 = 960 B But instead they asked me to pay 1500 THB instead of 30 USD, that's their "change rate". 1500 B - 960 = 540 B in their pockets... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 30 USD at normal exchange rate 1 USD = 32 B = 30 x 32 = 960 B But instead they asked me to pay 1500 THB instead of 30 USD, that's their "change rate". 1500 B - 960 = 540 B in their pockets... You assume they will be changing it to USD, which they won't of course. totster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franck1972 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 30 USD at normal exchange rate 1 USD = 32 B = 30 x 32 = 960 B But instead they asked me to pay 1500 THB instead of 30 USD, that's their "change rate". 1500 B - 960 = 540 B in their pockets... You assume they will be changing it to USD, which they won't of course. totster They won't ? You're not Laotian, are you ? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nidieunimaitre Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Going into Cambodia for a boarder run , the story will be: If you do not stay overnight, you can not pay in dollar, pay in baht - at our exchange rate. Ah you have e visa? Good, now go and pay exit fee. Alternative: use a Thai tout that operates in plain view of Thai Immigration. You will then pay only the official fee + a convenience fee for his service. Total amount: same same..... Sometimes I think that Thai, Lao and Khmer officials have a really good working relation. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANICMINER Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 This has already been reported by many people. The 1500 baht was set when the exchange rate was closer to US$40. When the exchange rate dropped to about $30, they started refusing dollar payments, so it is obvious they are pocketing the difference. Put it this way, if you can make more in a day than you normally do in a month, what would you do? The drop in exchange rate is like winning the lottery to these guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franck1972 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? Exact they got me...just want to report here to make sure they won't get others, that's my only point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 30 USD at normal exchange rate 1 USD = 32 B = 30 x 32 = 960 B But instead they asked me to pay 1500 THB instead of 30 USD, that's their "change rate". 1500 B - 960 = 540 B in their pockets... You assume they will be changing it to USD, which they won't of course. totster They won't ? You're not Laotian, are you ? ;-) I am not sure why my nationality is important... totster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? Exact they got me...just want to report here to make sure they won't get others, that's my only point. "get others" ??? 55555555 totster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nidieunimaitre Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? "well" done? What do you mean? "well" as in clever, outwitting? Surely not. They just simply abuse their power, that's all. Just take it, stiff upper lip, but PLEASE do not condone it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 For most people it is $35 or 1500 baht. I don't recall anybody only being charged $30. The Lao government has not bothered to change their exchange since it was about 43 baht to the dollar. If you had the correct amount they probably would of accepted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 (edited) If the visa cost 1500 baht then they didn't really get you, did they ? You paid what it cost. Edited August 9, 2014 by metisdead Bold font removed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? "well" done? What do you mean? "well" as in clever, outwitting? Surely not. They just simply abuse their power, that's all. Just take it, stiff upper lip, but PLEASE do not condone it. What I mean is what I say. Well done to the toilet attendant who only gives me change from 5 baht instead of 10. Never thought of a toilet cleaner being powerful before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nidieunimaitre Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? "well" done? What do you mean? "well" as in clever, outwitting? Surely not. They just simply abuse their power, that's all. Just take it, stiff upper lip, but PLEASE do not condone it. What I mean is what I say. Well done to the toilet attendant who only gives me change from 5 baht instead of 10. Never thought of a toilet cleaner being powerful before. You are absolutely right! Sometimes yes people get scammed because they are just plainly stupid, as in your example. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franck1972 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? Exact they got me...just want to report here to make sure they won't get others, that's my only point. "get others" ??? 55555555 totster yes why ? didn't get the joke ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGareth2 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 sad to be so poor 2 days wage for some Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 sad to be so poor 2 days wage for some Which is why I say, well done, you got me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? Exact they got me...just want to report here to make sure they won't get others, that's my only point. "get others" ??? 55555555 totster yes why ? didn't get the joke ? This topic is a joke... scammed indeed.. lol totster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Issangeorge Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 You're lucky you only pay ฿1500 last time I crossed the border 6 years ago I had to pay, I think it was ฿1800, when I asked why so much, they said because I was Canadian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 You're lucky you only pay ฿1500 last time I crossed the border 6 years ago I had to pay, I think it was ฿1800, when I asked why so much, they said because I was Canadian. For a Canadian it is $41. So 1800 baht is about right. I can remember paying 1500 baht back in 2002. Which would of been about $35 then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franck1972 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 You're lucky you only pay ฿1500 last time I crossed the border 6 years ago I had to pay, I think it was ฿1800, when I asked why so much, they said because I was Canadian. Most european countries pay 30 USD, beside Sweden who has to pay...31 USD, quite funny scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 When I get scammed out of a few baht I always tend to smile and think,' well done you got me' 450 baht, how will you ever be able to go on ? "well" done? What do you mean? "well" as in clever, outwitting? Surely not. They just simply abuse their power, that's all. Just take it, stiff upper lip, but PLEASE do not condone it. What I mean is what I say. Well done to the toilet attendant who only gives me change from 5 baht instead of 10. Never thought of a toilet cleaner being powerful before. You are absolutely right! Sometimes yes people get scammed because they are just plainly stupid, as in your example. That depends on what you consider to be stupid. For me if someone gives me 5 baht less than they should for doing a job like cleaning toilets then even tho I noticed it, I wouldnt bother to say anything. It is not something I would worry about, maybe best to consider it a tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nidieunimaitre Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 There is a difference between giving a tip to a lowly paid worker, and being extorted money by a government official. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 There is a difference between giving a tip to a lowly paid worker, and being extorted money by a government official. There is a difference between being extorted money by a government worker, and the exchange rate fluctuation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nidieunimaitre Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 There is a difference between giving a tip to a lowly paid worker, and being extorted money by a government official. There is a difference between being extorted money by a government worker, and the exchange rate fluctuation. Did you read the OP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphad Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 You're lucky you only pay ฿1500 last time I crossed the border 6 years ago I had to pay, I think it was ฿1800, when I asked why so much, they said because I was Canadian. Different rates for different countries...always best to have exact US dollars than exchange to baht..I believe it's $42 US for Canadians & $35 US for Americans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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