There are several tourist scams in Thailand, much as there are in any country. I have lived in Indonesia for years, and still see them happening. Nothing that I have seen anywhere, though, is as blatant, in your face or as prevalent as the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam in Bangkok.
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This is a scam that you really have to look out for. Why? Simply because they are so convincing. I read about the scam several times before I was confronted with it myself, and even then I still nearly fell for it. Luckily, I did my research, and stuck to my guns, which is what you need to do as well.
But first, I will tell you a bit about how it works and where to look out for it.
Where the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk scam happens
Basically, the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam happens right outside the Palace. They are brazen and confident, and do it right in front of the Palace Guards. They get away with it most of the time, and it’s that confidence that catches their prey more often than not.
The scam can happen anywhere though, and you will find it happening in all the streets around the Grand Palace, as well as Wat Pho Temple. At the time of writing, there are road works outside of the main gates, so the scammers are using that to pounce on confused tourists, using it to their advantage.
The authorities know about it, and only as recently as 2019, just before the pandemic, 126 Tuk Tuk drivers and Taxi Drivers were arrested for it. That has not stopped them, and they are still as prevalent as ever. Hopefully, once tourism is back in full swing, the police will swoop again. In the meantime, being forewarned means being prepared!
A basic rule of thumb is that anywhere in the vicinity of the Grand Palace, DO NOT trust a Tuk Tuk!
How the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam works
This is where it gets really interesting, because the scammers are very good at what they do. I had read about the scam, and was ready for it the first time. My companion, however, had not. They jumped all over her as they realized straight away that she was the easier target.
The story that they will use will change, sometimes from day to day. If they used the same story all the time, it would be a lot easier to spot. The premise is always the same though. On this particular day, the first scammer used Covid. Nice and easy, and very believable in these times.
We were approaching the Grand Palace when the Tuk Tuk Driver sauntered up to us casually, asking where we were from. Being polite, we answered, even as we kept walking. He enquired where we were going, to which we replied, “the Grand Palace”.
This is exactly where the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk scam kicked in. He had already done the ground work, completed the small talk and engaged us. Suddenly he began gesturing at his watch, pointing out that it is after 10am, so the Grand Palace was closed! Making a show about how sorry he was, he apologized that this happens for 2 hours every day for “Covid Cleaning”.
Now, anyone with half a brain will realize that the Grand Palace only opens at 9am, and there is no way that it would close 1 hour later for a 2 hour clean. But, the scammers are very convincing, and even I was having doubts for a few seconds. Luckily, I had been online that very morning and checked the Grand Palace website, making sure it was actually open and what the opening hours were. Mr Scammer didn’t know that though.
We continued on our way, leaving him trailing behind calling out to us. Within 30 seconds, however, there was another one. This continued down the street, and honestly, within 100 meters we had 6 more Tuk Tuk drivers approaching us, all with similar variations of the same story.
Where this all falls apart for them though, is that they don’t actually get their stories straight. If the first Tuk Tuk driver doesn’t convince you, then by the second and third you begin to pick holes in their stories. Within 10 minutes they had told us it was closed for 2 hours for cleaning, a Monk Ceremony, Official Reception. One even told us it is only open to locals for 2 hours every day!
Once they have convinced you, the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam moves into second gear. NOW, they are offering a solution. Seriously, these guys should be salesmen for blue chip companies, because their talents are wasted on this con game.
They offer to take you in their Tuk Tuk to visit Wat Arun, just across the river. This changes from day to day as well. Sometimes it is a completely fictional temple that might only be open for one day a year. Guess what? Today is the day!
The price will be so cheap that it is too good to be true. Well, guess what? It is. They are not being nice, and they do NOT have your best interests at heart. Very rarely will a stranger come up to you on the street and offer help out of the kindness of their hearts. Especially not at their own expense. And certainly not here. So don’t fall for it!
What they will do is take you to a friend’s gem shop, or souvenir shop. There, you will be harassed into buying something that is overpriced and very low quality. The driver gets a kick back, usually in the form of commission or free tank of fuel for his Tuk Tuk. Then, maybe, he will take you to the temple. Meanwhile, the Grand Palace was open all the time, and you missed out.
There are worse versions of this story, and just remember that it varies. Sometimes, there is more than just one person in on it. On several occasions, it is a “random” stranger that is passing by and just “offers” help. He will then call a Tuk Tuk driver over who is in on the scam and they will put on a show that would win an Oscar for a professional actor.
There is one that I have seen on regular occasions that uses a map conveniently posted on a nearby tree to further confuse his victims. Just remember, no matter what they say, check the information for yourself!
It’s not limited to just Tuk Tuk’s
The Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam is not just limited to Tuk Tuk’s. Beware of Taxi’s around the Palace and Wat Pho as well. Although not quite as bad, they have a very similar game. It is not so brazen, and they do not wander up and down trying to intercept victims. Instead, they wait for tourists to approach THEM.
They will offer to take you somewhere for a fixed price that is so low that it’s too good to be true. There is one catch, they just have to make a quick stop along the way. This stop will be at a friends shop, where you will be expected to spend money, and they will get a commission. Beware!
I made the mistake once of catching the ferry across the river from Wat Arun to the other side because I though the taxi would be cheaper. Instead we walked into the middle of “scamville” and ended up walking miles to avoid it.
How to avoid the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam
Avoiding the Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam is rather easy. You have already started just by reading this article. Even so, here are a few things you should do to take the target off your back.
- Check out the Grand Palace website before you go. If it says there is nothing on, and is open all day, then no Tuk Tuk driver is going to know different! Follow THIS link for the official site.
- Take a tour. No one can scam you if you have a pre booked tour.
- Look confident. Check out the map before you go and know where the main entrance is. If you look like a lost and confused tourist, then expect some company VERY quickly!
- Don’t engage in conversation with “good Samaritans”. Sure, be polite, but you will know very quickly if it is the regular Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam.
- Make sure everyone in your group knows about the scam. They will quickly pick the one person that is the good target. Try it and find out!
Summary
The Grand Palace Tuk Tuk Scam in Bangkok runs every day, all year long. Don’t be a victim. Be prepared and forewarned!
Did you find this article helpful? Then drop me a comment and let me know.
Excellent commentary, thank you!
You’re welcome! I hope it helps.
My wife and I fell for this scam back in 2010. We managed to duck the driver at a store and got a cab back to our hotel. Still loved Bangkok despite this nonsense.
Ha Ha good to hear! It still goes on. They just don’t give up. I’m the same though. You can’t let one bad experience ruin a city for you. They happen everywhere.