tiwarisarita623

· 13 Mar 2022

Follow Following

What to watch out for in Thailand

Thailand is one of the biggest holiday destinations for tourists from around the globe due to its postcard-perfect beaches, ornate temples, rich culture, and extremely delicious good at a very affordable price. With all this Thailand is also known for its full moon parties, scams from taxi drivers, and corrupt policemen. If you are planning to visit Thailand you must understand that like any other country Thailand also had its shady corners but you can avoid them if you know what to watch out for when visiting there.

If you are vigilant, avoid seedy places, and do not get drunk at night then you can enjoy your visit without being scammed in Thailand.  Here are a few things you should know before going to Thailand.

Menus in restaurants
You will find restaurants with Menus in Thai on one side and English on the other. You will also notice that the prices are different on the two sides and the English side might have an increase of 30 to 40% price for the dishes. Instead of getting confused and ordering anything that sounds cheap enough to buy simply talk to the waiter while making eye contact about the price difference. When paying for the meal make sure you are being charged from the Thai side prices and if you can’t read what it says you can Google it and figure it out easily.

The Grand Palace scam
This is one of the most well-known tourist spots but most people get scammed by the tuk-tuk drivers while going there. You will find them encouraging you to go with them instead of someone else and charging you a lot more than they are supposed to. To avoid this ask him why the other tourists are going to the open gate when he is encouraging you to go the other way or ask him where the Tourism Authority of Thailand is to confirm the instructions the driver is giving you. He won’t bug you after that.

The Corn pellet scam
Feeding the pigeons is a great way to spend time in Thailand plus it feels good to see so many birds together. You will meet people who offer you a bag of corn to feed the birds and once you throw them they demand money for the bag. Simply walk away when you see such people approaching you.

Your dressing sense
It is important to know how to dress up when you are in Thailand especially if you are visiting the Grand Palace. You can rent cover-ups if needed but it is better to dress properly anyway.
Don’t wear shorts, mini skirts, tight-fitting trousers or jeans
Don’t wear see-through shirts or quarter length trousers
Don’t wear sleeveless shirts or vests as an outer garment
Don’t wear sandals without ankle or heel straps
Don’t roll up your shirt sleeves, short or long
Don’t wear sweatshirts and pants, windcheaters, pajamas, and fisherman trousers when outside.

Bag snatchers
You will find warning signs about bag snatchers everywhere. Always keep a firm grip on your things and never leave them out of sight. It is better to navigate the crowd first before you take out your phone to take pictures. Keep your hand over the flap of the bag and try wearing it across your shoulder to avoid letting people reach into it.

Taxi driver with ‘no meter’
Many taxi drivers offer to give you a ride without a meter, stay away from them. It is better to take the BTC (sky train), MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), or walk.  You can call 1584 (Land transport department) or 1197 (Traffic police hotline) to report a taxi driver who tries to get smart with you. Take a picture of the license plate before sitting in a taxi in case you need to report him.

Enjoy your stay in Thailand!
#Whattowatch