01The classics that still work
Most Thai people are genuinely helpful, and serious crime against tourists is rare. The scams below persist because they target people on their first day, before they know the going rate for anything.
- ✓"The Grand Palace is closed today" — it isn't; the helpful stranger will offer a tuk-tuk tour instead
- ✓Gem and tailor shops — a tuk-tuk driver gets commission for taking you there
- ✓Jet ski and scooter damage claims — pre-existing damage blamed on you
- ✓Taxi meter "broken" — insist on the meter, or get a different taxi
- ✓Overly friendly tuk-tuk flat rates — usually several times the metered fare
02Simple habits that prevent most of it
Photograph any scooter or jet ski from every angle before you ride it, and get the existing scratches acknowledged on camera.
Use ride-hailing apps where you can — the price is agreed up front and there is a record of the trip.
Never hand over your passport as a rental deposit. Offer a cash deposit or a photocopy instead.
03Actual safety, not scams
The genuine risks in Thailand are road accidents and the sea, not crime. Scooters cause far more trouble for travellers than any scam does.
Pay attention to red flags on beaches, especially on the Andaman coast during monsoon months when rip currents are strong.
