How to avoid tourist traps in Thailand

A Quora user asked about tourist traps in Thailand. Here’s how I answered:

Thailand is very tuned in to the importance of tourism, and of it having a good reputation to keep people coming back. But, like everywhere, there are people trying to make a quick buck at tourists’ expense. The main problem is that a lot of tourists don’t realise the true (low) price of things, or they are so overwhelmed by the favourable exchange rate that they may not realise they are paying over the odds.

Here are some pointers:

Taxis with the “Taxi – Meter” sign (they are usually pink, or green and yellow) are obliged to use the meter. It is illegal for them to quote a flat fee, but many still try it on — especially late at night and around popular tourist areas. There are local “mafias” with a ringleader who’ll try to push you into a cab charging up to four times the legitimate price. I usually walk half a block away and hail one from the street, ensuring that the driver knows where I am going and will use the meter before I get in.

Taxi drivers are not supposed to knock back a fare, but they will and there’s not much you can do about it.

Although Thailand is making efforts to crack down on fakes and copies, you can not be sure that your purchases are authentic. The rule of thumb is that it won’t be a genuine brand-name item if you’re at a street market. Buy by all means, but accept that it’s not the real thing.

It doesn’t hurt to try to bargain at markets. The first price can sometimes be as much as twice what they vendor is prepared to sell for. There are lots of stalls selling similar items, so you probably won’t be missing out if they ask more than you’re prepared to pay.

Accommodation ranges in price and quality. If you want cheap digs, check them out before you book. The pictures online may not match what you’re getting. It’s worth noting that there are cheap brand-name hotels (Ibis, Holiday Inn Express, Travelodge etc.) where there’s an implied minimum level of comfort and safety.

Legitimate bars will have a menu with prices, including discounts for happy hour drinks. Many bars, not just the go-go bars in the known “red light” districts (including Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza in Bangkok, and Pattaya’s Walking Street) will have girls who come and sit near men and ask for drinks. If you decide to do this, find out first how much they are charging and what you are paying for (it’s usually a lot of money for a soft drink). Don’t get conned into buying for a lot of ladies at once, unless you really want to. Keep track of your bill as you go.

Not all girls are girls in the strictest sense. Many people don’t have a problem with this, but if you do, make your polite excuses, pay your bill and leave. Do not ridicule, be rude to or angry at katoey (“lady boys”). They are an accepted part of Thai society, and rightly so.

You won’t get a bargain on a big-ticket electronic item like a computer or mobile phone (cellphone). The prices for these goods are pretty much the same around the world. You may get an obscure brand cheaply, but it may not work properly or may be locked into the Thai language or have some other inhibiting feature. On the upside though, almost all the phones on offer are dual SIM, which is great for travellers.

This advice is appropriate everywhere: Don’t be drawn down dark alleys; don’t trust people who want to befriend you for no apparent reason. Don’t argue with a person in uniform, even though …
Corruption is rife. It probably won’t affect the average tourist, but it might. Those in positions of power are not immune from demanding backhanders. It is not unheard of for a uniformed officer to demand you pay an on-the-spot “fine” for some indiscretion. You can go along with this, or cause a scene and demand to be taken to the police station, where things may be resolved or the situation may escalate.

Bearing that in mind, there are genuine laws that can be enforced at any time. For example, it is illegal to drop cigarette butts in the street and you can be fined for that; and you are supposed to carry your passport with you at all times. People uncomfortable with that may choose to carry a photocopy, which will probably get you out of a scrape.

Thailand is a great holiday destination, and generally very safe. The people are overwhelmingly welcoming. Remember that the pace of life can be a little slower than you are used to, so go with the flow.

One thought on “How to avoid tourist traps in Thailand”

  1. Anon writes: “You neglected to say that tourists who haggle to save 5c don’t understand it means SWA to them but could mean a lot to the little guy running a stall that is owned by somebody else.”

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