Tuk-tuk gem tours, “palace closed” tricks, taxis without a meter, short change and tampered ATMs: the 5 most common Bangkok scams and how to spot them.
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The 5 most common Bangkok scams
The tuk-tuk tour to the gem shop
How it worksA tuk-tuk driver offers you a city tour for next to nothing. The tour ends at a gem shop, where you’re urged to buy “cheap” stones, supposedly today only thanks to a government promotion. There is no such thing: neither the government nor the royal family owns, runs or sponsors these shops.
WhereAround the big sights, where drivers pick up tourists.
How to protect yourself
- Skip bargain tours. Name an exact destination and agree the price before you ride.
- Only use drivers you approached yourself, and firmly refuse shop stops.
- If something feels wrong: tourist police on 1155.
“The palace is closed today”
How it worksOutside a temple or the Grand Palace, someone tells you it’s closed today. He offers to take you to another temple instead, and you end up in front of a shop again.
WhereOutside temples, museums and other sights.
How to protect yourself
- Don’t believe strangers who tell you it’s closed. Walk to the main entrance yourself.
- Check opening hours online before you go.
Taxis without a meter
How it worksThe driver wants a flat fare instead of the meter, usually well above what the ride would cost on the meter. In Bangkok, cabs marked “Taxi Meter” normally charge by the meter.
WhereAll over the city. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports have official taxi queues.
What it costsSmall taxis start at 35 baht, large ones at 40 baht, then from 6.50 baht per km. At the airport a 50 baht surcharge is legitimate.
How to protect yourself
- Only get in if the meter is running or the app shows the price.
- Refuse flat fares and take the next cab.
Short change
How it worksYou pay with a large note and the change comes back short, as if you had paid with a smaller one. If you don’t count, you only notice much later.
WhereConvenience stores and restaurants.
How to protect yourself
- Put your notes down where the cashier can see them and say the amount out loud.
- Count your change right away, before you leave.
Tampered ATMs
How it worksATMs, especially in tourist areas, are sometimes tampered with. You won’t notice anything at the machine, only later on your statement.
WhereMainly in tourist areas.
How to protect yourself
- Withdraw at ATMs right at bank branches and cover your PIN.
- If the card slot feels loose or the screen looks odd: cancel.
Travel Bangkok with fewer surprises
The five scams above are the best known, but they aren’t the only ones. Which ones really matter depends on how you travel: solo, with family, on a budget, or in peak season. That’s why TravelCheck: Safer Trips on iPhone builds your own Bangkok list, usable offline, with Thai phrases you can play aloud.
FAQ
Is Bangkok safe?
Yes. Bangkok isn’t among the areas official travel advice warns against. UK advice, for example, only advises against travel to parts of the far south near Malaysia and to areas within 20 km of the Cambodian border. Typical issues are pickpocketing, bag snatching from motorbikes and taxi or tuk-tuk scams. Metered taxis, clear destinations and the tourist police on 1155 prevent most of them.
How much does a taxi cost in Bangkok?
Small taxis charge 35 baht for the first kilometre, large ones 40 baht. After that you pay 6.50 to 10.50 baht per km depending on distance, and 3 baht per minute below 6 km/h in traffic. The airport taxi queue adds 50 baht, booking by app or phone adds 20 baht. 35 baht is about €0.93.
What does the Bangkok tuk-tuk gem scam look like?
A driver offers a very cheap city tour, and the route ends at a gem shop with a supposed government promotion. Neither the government nor the royal family owns, runs or sponsors such shops. Say no and continue by metered taxi or app.
Is the Grand Palace often closed?
No. Anyone who tells you outside a temple or museum that it’s closed usually wants to take you to a shop. Trust the opening hours in your guidebook or online, not strangers on the street.
What is the emergency number in Bangkok?
Police, ambulance and fire on 191, tourist police on 1155. The tourist police also help with scams.
Should I take a tuk-tuk or a taxi in Bangkok?
For everyday trips: a cab marked “Taxi Meter” or an app with a fixed fare and a trackable driver. The fraud risk with taxi and tuk-tuk drivers is considered high. If you take a tuk-tuk, agree the price first and only use drivers you approached yourself.
