Airport Scam

[mike williams]

villager,
Having lived here now for 5 years their chances of getting their money back is about on par with them both being selected for the next space shuttle mission, they are just throwing good money after bad .

[Renaissance]

I agree that something needs to be done about the way tourists are treated. I've lived here for 25 years and I have noticed how the way tourists are treated has changed over the years. The authorities should look at the main points in the country where tourists can be cheated and invariably are cheated, starting with the airport, of course, and take various kinds of action. But at the tourist destinations, it would be more effective to work at the grassroots level with the local business people to get them to stop the cheating of tourists by fellow local people. The local people have to be brought in on solving the problem of cheating and scamming.

Even my look kreung teenage daughter, aged 20, who is Thai and speaks Thai, encountered overcharging scum at every stage of her journey by bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani and the Full Moon party on Koh Phang Ngan ... and back. Even the travel agency gave her false information about her journey and what she and her friend were going to receive!

I don't think that there was one point where someone was not trying to cheat them in some way. Even the price of entry to the party was a rip-off. I can't remember the prices, but there is a price if you are foreign, another if you are Thai, and another if you are half-Thai /half foreign. At different times people even told them blatant lies to try to trick her and her friend to take their service at an inflated price.

Normally, I would not let one incident put me off going somewhere, but it seems so deeply ingrained in the people serving tourists going to the Full Moon party that I really wouldn't bother going to the island at all. They don't deserve tourist revenue, it seems. Tourists are not respected, and this is what, I think it comes down to. The money isn't usually the issue. It's being disrespected that is, at least it is for me.

I know that it is unlikely to happen, but now that people's businesses are suffering with the decline in tourists, perhaps local people will clean up the way tourists are treated at their destinations. Eventually they will have to do so.

[cadcolin]

1st posting so here goes

Recently came back from Thailand and all my friends could talk about is the airport scam so well done TAT another well organised publicity event for Tourism Thailand

So the reasons why tourism is in decline the current economic situation doesn’t help last year it was 67-70 Baht to the GBP now its around 55 but prices locally are still keeping pace with inflation

The airlines have reduced some flights so it harder to get that cheap ticket

Here’s the big one in my opinion

When I first came to Thailand back in the late eighties Laos / Burma / Cambodia / Vietnam were either closed to foreigners (dependent on what passport you have) or was expensive and or an administrative nightmare to get a visa

Hence backpackers would spend six months plus inside Thailand travelling everywhere

Then they would wander down to Malaysia through Singapore then island hop through the Indonesian islands it was the accepted backpacker route and when I was backpacking that’s what I did

Now all the previous mentioned counties have relaxed there tourist policy and now there’s much more places to choose from

The Thais just sat back and expected people to keep coming

From incidental information backpackers are now doing Thailand in 3 weeks
1 week Bangkok 1 week the north then 1 week down south in the islands
lots of other countries to see now during the summer holidays for students

Then we had the privilege card which was the stated aim of TAT to encourage the more well off Tourist to come to Thailand at the expense of people on a budget we had a couple of years where the news and tourism programme pushed the privilege card which as we now know well that programme worked

Thailand had a Coup which made headlines worldwide and the important thing is Coups have a general bad connotation

We had the tsunami which in the minds of some people thinks Thailand can be a dangerous place

The unrest in the south makes headlines occasionally so going on holiday in a place where insurgents blow things up and kill people even if its 100’s of miles from where you may be staying gives people visions of armed guards walking up and down your beach paradise (not a place some people may want to go)

Now back to Scams the Gems scam was prevalent in Thailand when I first came to Thailand and guess what its still there (too much money is being made and spread around to the important people so they would ignore this situation) so if the Thai government cant or wont stop a scam that’s been running for 25 years plus you can probably guess that the airport scam is going to run and run


And TAT response to all this lets rehash last years amazing Thailand programme change the date to this year and run it again (hasn’t been working well in previous years so let’s hope the tourist come this year with the same tired old promotions)

Its not 1 single event that’s causing the decline in Tourism in Thailand it’s a series of small interlocking events that’s creating a perception that Thailand is no longer a place that welcomes you and /or is a place you would not want to go to

Being realistic if the government and TAT worked on the worst situations and the airport scam should be No1 on the issues to address then things may get a bit better perception wise and maybe you will see an increase in tourists in to Thaland

[SemperFi]

I am comming into Thailand as a so called "upscale" traveller since almost 40 years. There hasn't been a year without leaving around 20,000$ (today's prices) in the country. I got used to many things and I never did complain loud when a cab driver tried to overcharge me or when a night club manager came around with a check for 25,000 Bath for three or four beers. I always got around somehow.

But this ////// Power Duty Free scam (guess we have to call it that way) is outrageous. And it needs BBC to come up with the story and give the government (police) a chance to predent at least that they are doing something. However, the way the country went down the drain over the last 5,6,7 years I doubt very much wether this will help. If it won't be the duty free anymore, they will find some place else.

Concerning ////// Power: I'll never set a foot in that anymore. They are simply ridiculous. Over a simple feud several years ago they have banned Philip Morris cigarettes, i.e. Marlboro, the best selling brand in the world.

And I am still thinking, wether Thailing is going to earn the second instalment of my spendings for this year. I do have choices!

[Roger K]

This is just another setback for the good people of Thailand. I sent an e-mail to the Thai Embassy in Washington Dc asking what they were doing about this issue and any advice. NO REPLY. So I have to assume the Gov of Thailand again seems to show lack of respect for it's guests ( tourists). If the reports are correct I don't understand why no action is taken against the police and courts involved, they are the people who damage the reputation of the Country more so then the individuals.

I know of 2 groups who changed there diving plans in Thailand to another Country. I will still visit but the stores and restaurants at the Airport will not see a single baht from me. I believe if you punish all the stores maybe they will force a clean house.

[SemperFi]

This is just another setback for the good people of Thailand. I sent an e-mail to the Thai Embassy in Washington Dc asking what they were doing about this issue and any advice. NO REPLY. So I have to assume the Gov of Thailand again seems to show lack of respect for it's guests ( tourists). If the reports are correct I don't understand why no action is taken against the police and courts involved, they are the people who damage the reputation of the Country more so then the individuals.

I believe the major problem is that - especially on governmental issues in the widest sense - everybody is waiting for a "pointer" from the very top. This, of course, is overwhelming for the tops.

Not good at all. It makes me sad somehow, because "normal" people are suffering from it - directly or indirectly.

[villager]

1st posting so here goes

Recently came back from Thailand and all my friends could talk about is the airport scam so well done TAT another well organised publicity event for Tourism Thailand

So the reasons why tourism is in decline the current economic situation doesn’t help last year it was 67-70 Baht to the GBP now its around 55 but prices locally are still keeping pace with inflation

The airlines have reduced some flights so it harder to get that cheap ticket

Here’s the big one in my opinion

When I first came to Thailand back in the late eighties Laos / Burma / Cambodia / Vietnam were either closed to foreigners (dependent on what passport you have) or was expensive and or an administrative nightmare to get a visa

Hence backpackers would spend six months plus inside Thailand travelling everywhere

Then they would wander down to Malaysia through Singapore then island hop through the Indonesian islands it was the accepted backpacker route and when I was backpacking that’s what I did

Now all the previous mentioned counties have relaxed there tourist policy and now there’s much more places to choose from

The Thais just sat back and expected people to keep coming

From incidental information backpackers are now doing Thailand in 3 weeks
1 week Bangkok 1 week the north then 1 week down south in the islands
lots of other countries to see now during the summer holidays for students

Then we had the privilege card which was the stated aim of TAT to encourage the more well off Tourist to come to Thailand at the expense of people on a budget we had a couple of years where the news and tourism programme pushed the privilege card which as we now know well that programme worked

Thailand had a Coup which made headlines worldwide and the important thing is Coups have a general bad connotation

We had the tsunami which in the minds of some people thinks Thailand can be a dangerous place

The unrest in the south makes headlines occasionally so going on holiday in a place where insurgents blow things up and kill people even if its 100’s of miles from where you may be staying gives people visions of armed guards walking up and down your beach paradise (not a place some people may want to go)

Now back to Scams the Gems scam was prevalent in Thailand when I first came to Thailand and guess what its still there (too much money is being made and spread around to the important people so they would ignore this situation) so if the Thai government cant or wont stop a scam that’s been running for 25 years plus you can probably guess that the airport scam is going to run and run


And TAT response to all this lets rehash last years amazing Thailand programme change the date to this year and run it again (hasn’t been working well in previous years so let’s hope the tourist come this year with the same tired old promotions)

Its not 1 single event that’s causing the decline in Tourism in Thailand it’s a series of small interlocking events that’s creating a perception that Thailand is no longer a place that welcomes you and /or is a place you would not want to go to

Being realistic if the government and TAT worked on the worst situations and the airport scam should be No1 on the issues to address then things may get a bit better perception wise and maybe you will see an increase in tourists in to Thaland

Hi CC, for your first post in BPF you have made some Very valid points, and Welcome aboard, by some strange thing my name is Colin too,ain,t sure bout the Cad though I,ll let others judge,LOL, Of course you are spot on with your opinion that the decline in Thailands tourism is multi faceted and cannot just be blamed on one event as some others seem to allude to , mainly through the eyes of bias in my view, and in closing you common sense approach is much to be admired and indeed should be encouraged as no doubt you have views on other matters concerning Thailand.

[villager]

villager,
Having lived here now for 5 years their chances of getting their money back is about on par with them both being selected for the next space shuttle mission, they are just throwing good money after bad .

Yeah Mike , I concur , if you notice I said in my last post that their actions will come up against a solid brick wall!!,LOL.

[Alfonso]

I read the first few pages of this Airport Scam a few days ago.
When I opened today I was surprised to see it still gaining legs.

It started as a complaint against the airport scams then spread to all scams. So, now I come in for the first time. Please excuse any redundancy on my part. I have not read page three through twelve.

I have tried to learn to sway with the wind since I started learning what really happens in Thailand. My first trip is what I call my "Honeymoon" trip. All things were just right. I could not see nor did I want to see the scams.

I started seeing the scams after I moved here and my wife bought a home. I saw more after I started to learn to read Thai.

My first car was small and had no sun screen. I was stopped all the time by road police.
My second car is a large SUV with heavily tinted windows. I am very seldom stopped by police. (Only when they are pulling all the cars over)

When I am stopped I hand the cop my license (second five year license), then I don't say a word. I just look at the steering wheel.

The cop either: gives up and hands the license back or rants and raves before giving the license back. If I feel I have pushed too far I tell the cop to give me a ticket that I will pay in my home town of Rayong. They don't want to do that.... so it is more ranting and raving before I get my license back and I am on my way. I have not paid a bribe in several years.
I was stopped almost every time when cops were swarming, when driving my small car. I have been stopped three times in the last three years with my big car with tinted windows.

When I go to a tourist attraction I walk up and pantomime at the sign that is written in Thai and English. The Thai price is written in Thai and of course, the tourist price is written in English. Then I smile and walk away. I make it a point to stop at every attraction and national park just to do this. Sometimes I just drive to the gate, ask the price, say "Thank you," and back out.

When I first started doing this all my friends told me I was being a fool. But, I have noticed that more and more farangs are refusing to pay traffic bribes and stupid inflated prices for entry into sub-standard points of interest.

If you make reservations for dinner on the Seattle Space needle you get free parking, free elevator ride and free access to the observation deck along with your good and very expensive dinner... a good treat. Why pay 200 Baht in thailand for no service. No trash cans, etc.

I do not object to having to pay more than a Thai. I object to the split... 20 Baht to 200 Baht is an insult.
I have no objection to a Thai receiving a discount to a national forest. They pay taxes... let them in. But not with that split.
Maybe if I am provided with a brochure written in English I could reconcile the price.

I was scammed at the airport one time. I made the mistake of buying water before finding out the price. 100 Baht for the water was the last purchase I have made at the airport. My thai wife even objected at the price.

Thanks for the space.
Cheers
Alfonso

[villager]

I read the first few pages of this Airport Scam a few days ago.
When I opened today I was surprised to see it still gaining legs.

It started as a complaint against the airport scams then spread to all scams. So, now I come in for the first time. Please excuse any redundancy on my part. I have not read page three through twelve.

I have tried to learn to sway with the wind since I started learning what really happens in Thailand. My first trip is what I call my "Honeymoon" trip. All things were just right. I could not see nor did I want to see the scams.

I started seeing the scams after I moved here and my wife bought a home. I saw more after I started to learn to read Thai.

My first car was small and had no sun screen. I was stopped all the time by road police.
My second car is a large SUV with heavily tinted windows. I am very seldom stopped by police. (Only when they are pulling all the cars over)

When I am stopped I hand the cop my license (second five year license), then I don't say a word. I just look at the steering wheel.

The cop either: gives up and hands the license back or rants and raves before giving the license back. If I feel I have pushed too far I tell the cop to give me a ticket that I will pay in my home town of Rayong. They don't want to do that.... so it is more ranting and raving before I get my license back and I am on my way. I have not paid a bribe in several years.
I was stopped almost every time when cops were swarming, when driving my small car. I have been stopped three times in the last three years with my big car with tinted windows.

When I go to a tourist attraction I walk up and pantomime at the sign that is written in Thai and English. The Thai price is written in Thai and of course, the tourist price is written in English. Then I smile and walk away. I make it a point to stop at every attraction and national park just to do this. Sometimes I just drive to the gate, ask the price, say "Thank you," and back out.

When I first started doing this all my friends told me I was being a fool. But, I have noticed that more and more farangs are refusing to pay traffic bribes and stupid inflated prices for entry into sub-standard points of interest.

If you make reservations for dinner on the Seattle Space needle you get free parking, free elevator ride and free access to the observation deck along with your good and very expensive dinner... a good treat. Why pay 200 Baht in thailand for no service. No trash cans, etc.

I do not object to having to pay more than a Thai. I object to the split... 20 Baht to 200 Baht is an insult.
I have no objection to a Thai receiving a discount to a national forest. They pay taxes... let them in. But not with that split.
Maybe if I am provided with a brochure written in English I could reconcile the price.

I was scammed at the airport one time. I made the mistake of buying water before finding out the price. 100 Baht for the water was the last purchase I have made at the airport. My thai wife even objected at the price.

Thanks for the space.
Cheers
Alfonso

Thanks for your fascinating post Alfonso , this forum needs more like you.