Common scams in Bangkok

Street-level scams reported by travelers in Bangkok, each with the counter-move that defuses it.

Not a complete list — new scams appear all the time. Stay alert.

Common scams — gem shops, tuk-tuk detours, 'Grand Palace is closed'
The palace is open daily — ignore 'it's closed'
Anyone outside the Grand Palace or Wat Pho who says it is 'closed today' for a holiday or ceremony is running the tuk-tuk scam — the palace is open daily 08:30–16:30 with tickets sold until 15:30 (rare royal-ceremony closures are announced officially), so walk to the official entrance and check there. The paired con is a suspiciously cheap tuk-tuk 'tour' that steers you to a gem or tailor shop for a 'one-day export sale'; the stones are near-worthless and there are no resale profits, so never buy gems to resell. Agree tuk-tuk fares before boarding or use a metered taxi or Grab, and ignore over-friendly strangers who approach with a ready-made itinerary.
Checked August 2026View sourceopens in a new tab
Inflated bar-bill trap — Patpong show bars
Never follow a tout upstairs; check drink prices first
The classic Patpong night-market con: a tout offers a cheap 'ping pong show' with a low cover charge, and once you're in the upstairs bar the bill arrives padded with enormous hidden charges for drinks and 'show fees', with staff blocking the door until you pay. Canada's travel advisory warns that some Bangkok bars and entertainment venues charge exorbitant prices and that disputing the bill can bring threats of violence. Never follow a tout into an upstairs venue, check the price of every drink before ordering, and if you're trapped, pay up, keep the receipt, and call the tourist police on 1155.
Checked August 2026View sourceopens in a new tab

Every Farovia trip carries intel like this — dated, sourced, and ready offline at the border.

Plan your own trip See the full Bangkok trip

Common scams in Bangkok

Street-level scams reported by travelers in Bangkok, each with the counter-move that defuses it.

Not a complete list — new scams appear all the time. Stay alert.

Common scams — gem shops, tuk-tuk detours, 'Grand Palace is closed'

The palace is open daily — ignore 'it's closed'

Anyone outside the Grand Palace or Wat Pho who says it is 'closed today' for a holiday or ceremony is running the tuk-tuk scam — the palace is open daily 08:30–16:30 with tickets sold until 15:30 (rare royal-ceremony closures are announced officially), so walk to the official entrance and check there. The paired con is a suspiciously cheap tuk-tuk 'tour' that steers you to a gem or tailor shop for a 'one-day export sale'; the stones are near-worthless and there are no resale profits, so never buy gems to resell. Agree tuk-tuk fares before boarding or use a metered taxi or Grab, and ignore over-friendly strangers who approach with a ready-made itinerary.

Checked August 2026View source

Inflated bar-bill trap — Patpong show bars

Never follow a tout upstairs; check drink prices first

The classic Patpong night-market con: a tout offers a cheap 'ping pong show' with a low cover charge, and once you're in the upstairs bar the bill arrives padded with enormous hidden charges for drinks and 'show fees', with staff blocking the door until you pay. Canada's travel advisory warns that some Bangkok bars and entertainment venues charge exorbitant prices and that disputing the bill can bring threats of violence. Never follow a tout into an upstairs venue, check the price of every drink before ordering, and if you're trapped, pay up, keep the receipt, and call the tourist police on 1155.

Checked August 2026View source

Every Farovia trip carries intel like this — dated, sourced, and ready offline at the border.

Plan your own trip See the full Bangkok trip