Post: #1

Guys,
just came accross this and if you're in BKK or going there in the near future, make sure that you not only read that article but also to remember it once you're in BKK and especially at the BKK airport.

http://nestmann.sovereignsociety.com/200...port-scam/

I passed several times through the BKK airport during my recent 3.5 months mini retirement in Asia and never had a problem but will certainly keep in mind not to touch anything at the BKK duty free area.

Perhaps we can have a section in the forum where we could all list common scams that occur around the world to prepare the next guy that's going to get there. Thoughts on that?

Post: #2

Sounds like bullshit to me.

Quote:According to several reports I've read

Where's the links? Did he read them in a book?

Quote:I've also heard reports...

Does he know a single person who has been affected? No, he's just fearmongering. Everywhere is dangerous, etc.

Post: #3

I've been through Bangkok airports a lot (19 times?? through Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi) and have never heard of anything like this. Pure lies.

Thai Police are usually pretty nice. They don't want to damage the reputation of their country because a lot of their income comes from tourism. Although you can bribe traffic cops a couple hundred baht to get out of a speeding ticket

Although, typical scams in Bangkok include:
- Going to a sex/pingpong show, and they tell you it's free. You buy a drink and the try to charge you a couple thousand baht for it.
- Riding on a TukTuk and the driver asking if you can help him earn money if you just look around a suit store/gem store/travel store. Or saying that the ride is free if he shows you a few gold stores. Or saying that the Kings Palace is closed until the afternoon and he can show you around until then (Kings Palace is almost never closed). I hate TukTuks. Always take a taxi and plan where you're going.

Post: #4

I never heard of any serious police scams in Thailand either, sounds like BS to me

Quote:Although, typical scams in Bangkok include:
- Going to a sex/pingpong show, and they tell you it's free. You buy a drink and the try to charge you a couple thousand baht for it.
- Riding on a TukTuk and the driver asking if you can help him earn money if you just look around a suit store/gem store/travel store. Or saying that the ride is free if he shows you a few gold stores. Or saying that the Kings Palace is closed until the afternoon and he can show you around until then (Kings Palace is almost never closed). I hate TukTuks. Always take a taxi and plan where you're going.

another one:

it`s government day and you don`t have to pay tax on jewelry and therefore it`s half off or whatever. There are often westerners involved in this scam (who claim they make money by selling the jewelry in their home country) to make it more credible to tourists.

Post: #5

This scam is not BS. It's been going on for at least 2 years. The owner(s), King Power company, must be well connected for it not to be shut down. Like any other developing Asian countries, corruption is ridiculous.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investig...varnabhumi

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8154497.stm

Anybody saying Thai Police is 'pretty nice' is very naive. 'Men in Brown' are actually classified as a criminal organization by UN.

Thailand is very safe, lot's of travelers don't encounter any problems, but when you do, your line of credit should be over 10 grand.

Post: #6

you can see the video`s of these cases:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/2787...alks-back/

Anyway, for sure the police are corrupt and it`s well know that you can pay your way out if you get arrested. But I`m skeptical about police setting up scams involving innocent tourists (other than a couple hundred baht traffic fine) at the international airport. Shoplifters do exist, if you watch the video`s it does seem like this woman is trying to steal a wallet.

Also, these cases are from june 2009, I can`t find anything more recent.

But maybe I`m wrong, just in case I won`t do any duty free shopping time I`m in Bangkok

Post: #7

The airport scam is unfortunately for real. I wish it was BS or fear mongering. Fortunately it is not widely spread but it happens at least a few times a month and when it does happen, may god help the person victim of it. And you better have access to at least 10K to leave LOS. So do not get cocky and ignore that warning, ignore it only at your own risks and perils. I've also passsed several times through BKK's airport and never had a problem because I didn't spend much time in the duty free there.

Another very common trap/scam specially in Phuket and Pattaya is the jet ski scam where they rent you a jet ski for usually 30 minutes for about 1000B and then, upon returning it, they find some damage to it and demand that you pay a large amount to fix it. Once again, the cops are in it and so are higher ranked officials (both cops and governement) as this has been going for years now. It has been even mentioned in a documentary on BBC but again, nothing has been done as there are high rank officials involved in it. The ones ones specially targeted for this scam are Indians and I did witness that with my own eyes with 2 indian guys being approached in Pattaya by the touts to rent a scouter, then these guys, not aware, up on their return, were shown the damages that they didn't do and were forced to pay $5K. These guys are dangerous, armed and are numerous and will not think twice for using force or worst, weapons. So do not even think about renting a jet ski in Pattaya or Phuket.

All in all, I was in Thailand for over 3 months and never had any problem and never felt unsafe because I used common sense, didn't get piss drunk and didn't piss any Thai or get in a confrontation with a Thai. Doing any of of the above, specially pissing off Thais or getting into a confrontation with a Thai is a recipe for disaster to get your ass beaten (if you're lucky) or worst, cut into pieces if you're unlucky or piss off the wrong people. Please do not get cocky thinking that because you're big, tall, muscular or a UFC fighter that you can get away with. Thais do not fight alone. As soon as a fight starts between a Thai and a foreigner, the whole street joins up to beat the farang's ass. Keep that in mind and you'll have no problems.

Post: #8

Good intel VP. I've been to Thailand twice.. The only scam I was warned against was going to bars after hours. Some are fine b/c the cops are getting paid to look the other way. When the other mammasans try to compete it becomes an issue. The police will raid the place and require foreigners to take a piss test. If it tests hot they fine the shit outta you. Both locals and foreigners told me about it.

And don't litter. A Euro dude dropped a cigarette and a cop appeared from nowhere. He was hauled off to jail to pay the fine. I decided to not smoke while walking down the street.

I never felt unsafe either but common sense rules. Just cause the locals are doing it don't mean you can. One of my MO's is to find an expat bar and gather data. This has helped me stay safe a few times, especially avoiding "scammer" bars.

Post: #9

(03-07-2011 04:55 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  The ones ones specially targeted for this scam are Indians and I did witness that with my own eyes with 2 indian guys being approached in Pattaya by the touts to rent a scouter, then these guys, not aware, up on their return, were shown the damages that they didn't do and were forced to pay $5K. These guys are dangerous, armed and are numerous and will not think twice for using force or worst, weapons. So do not even think about renting a jet ski in Pattaya or Phuket.

Just out of curiosity, any thoughts on why they specially target Indians?

I`ve heard about the supposedly 'damaged' scooters/jetski`s, but the ppl I met that had this experience never ended up paying more than a few hundred B so it wasn`t that big a deal. I mean, $5K? And if you can`t pay they`ll put a bullit in your head? I`m really surprised because if these things happen a lot surely the word would spread superquick with all the internet forums and travel sites around and no-one would even think about renting a scooter. But every time I`m in Thailand I seem to be the only one who doesn`t rent one (for a different reason, I don`t want to join the 'natural tatoo' club).

Anyway, if you`ve seen it with your own eyes then who am I to argue, but I wonder if there are any known cases of ppl refusing to pay such amounts and getting beaten up or killed.

Post: #10

Have been at the Bangkok International Airport more than 10 times. Touched some stuff at the duty free shops, never had any problems.

Post: #11

(03-07-2011 05:52 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Good intel VP. I've been to Thailand twice.. The only scam I was warned against was going to bars after hours. Some are fine b/c the cops are getting paid to look the other way. When the other mammasans try to compete it becomes an issue. The police will raid the place and require foreigners to take a piss test. If it tests hot they fine the shit outta you. Both locals and foreigners told me about it.

This is only relevant if you take drugs. Nobody gonna test your urine for alcohol unless you were driving.