Bangkok is a safe city: violent crime against tourists is rare, and you can wander around late at night in most neighborhoods. The real risks lie elsewhere, in the small-time scams. They’ve been around for decades, and they still work. Every one of them starts with the apparent kindness of a stranger who strikes up a conversation out of nowhere, in good English, near a tourist site.
1. “The palace is closed today”
Near the Grand Palace, a well-dressed man, sometimes introducing himself as a student, a teacher or a police officer, tells you the palace is closed: a ceremony, a public holiday, monks’ prayers… He suggests you go and see another temple, “the Lucky Buddha,” in a tuk-tuk he flags down for you at a ridiculously low price. The tour ends at a jewelry shop or a tailor’s.
How to dodge it: don’t believe anyone. Go and check for yourself at the official entrance on Na Phra Lan Road. The Grand Palace is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (last entry), except during announced royal ceremonies.
2. The 20-baht tuk-tuk and the gemstones
A driver offers you a city tour for 20 or 50 THB. He drops you off at a gem shop where, with the help of a “tourist” accomplice you just happen to bump into, they explain that you can buy tax-free stones and sell them back in Europe at a handsome profit. The stones are worthless or wildly overpriced. Travelers have lost thousands of euros this way.
How to dodge it: never buy gems or jewelry as an “investment.” No tuk-tuk works for 20 baht.
3. The taxi that won’t use the meter
The driver quotes a flat fare, two to five times what the meter would show. It happens a lot near tourist sites, luxury hotels and nightlife areas.
How to dodge it: politely say no and take the next taxi, or book a Grab or a Bolt, with the price shown up front.
4. The airport touts
In the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi, touts offer a “taxi” or a “limousine” at a fixed price. A flat rate of 1,000 or 1,500 THB to the city center is a rip-off: on the meter, the ride costs 350 to 550 THB, plus the 50 THB airport surcharge and the tolls.
How to dodge it: head straight to the official kiosks on Level 1, which assign you a taxi, or book a Grab.
5. Fake TDAC websites
The mandatory digital arrival card is free, but plenty of websites copy the official form and charge €20 to €90. How to dodge it: use tdac.immigration.go.th and nothing else. Be just as careful with hotel bookings and ticket sales: stick to the well-known platforms.
Other traps worth knowing about
- The fake tourist information office: real TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) offices don’t sell anything and don’t take you anywhere.
- The “gift” tied around your wrist by a vendor who then demands money.
- Hostess bars in certain neighborhoods, where the bill skyrockets: check the prices and your tab.
- Changing money on the street: only use official exchange offices.
- Fake monks asking for money: real monks don’t beg for cash; they receive offerings of food in the morning.
The real danger isn’t a scam
Two pitfalls will cost you far more than an overly curious tuk-tuk. The first is the e-cigarette, which is completely banned in Thailand: importing, selling and possessing one can land you a heavy fine, a stint in police custody, even prison. The second is traffic: Thailand drives on the left, crosswalks are rarely respected and motorbikes often ride the wrong way. Look both ways, always.
Useful numbers
- Tourist Police (English-speaking, 24/7): 1155
- Police: 191
- Medical emergencies: 1669
Good to know: before you leave, scan your passport, your insurance policy and your prescriptions, and email them to yourself. If anything gets stolen, it’ll all be accessible from any computer.
Want to dig deeper?
The “Safety, Health and the Law” chapter of Mr Schaka’s guide, Bangkok – The Practical Guide (“Bangkok: The Practical Guide”), covers every rule you need to know in 2026: cannabis, alcohol, ID documents, hospitals, embassies. So you can travel with peace of mind. The English edition is out now as a PDF ebook: buy it here →
