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4 MORE Bangkok Tourist Scams, Plus a Hungry Duck

Carey — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:28:42 +0000

Thailand, especially Bangkok, is one of the most popular travel destinations for its cost and ease of travel. Tourists from all walks of life, backpackers to families, will at one point find their way traveling through famous Bangkok, or the very least, have plans to visit one day in the future.

The truth is though, what most see of Bangkok, is merely the tip of the iceberg. The gorgeously chaotic Southeast Asian metropolis does have a seedy underbelly that, fortunately, most will never be exposed to but definitely does exist. Don’t get me wrong, the biggest city in the Land of Smiles is an amazing place. Whether you’re being sized up as prey by voracious lady boys or facing intimidating bouncers at local sex clubs, Bangkok is a never-ending adventure. However, Bangkok tourist scams can make a good time go south quickly. Generally speaking, most Bangkok tourist scams are just variants of some form of theft ranging from pickpockets to the ingenious long con (think Grand Palace Scam).

As a continuation to our previous 4 Thailand Scams to Avoid, here are 4 more Bangkok tourist scams to be aware of:

The $1000 dollar Beer

In a previous article I introduced Bangkok’s Red Light Districts. Walking through, or perhaps getting a quick Singha while watching the lady boys working a pole, is often a fun, and uniquely Thai experience, but the Red Light Districts can be rife with shadiness. In a setting similar to the Mos Eisley Cantina in Return of the Jedi, Bangkok’s Red Light Districts can be a dizzying ordeal: You got the villains, the shakedowns, and the odd absence of police officers.

One of the most grievous of the Bangkok tourist scams, is the shake downs that occur while partaking in the many theatrical offerings, like a Ping Pong show. And as wild as that show can be, it’s what potentially can happen afterwards that will leave its indelible mark.

More than one curious tourist has been fleeced upon leaving a bar or strip club by being hit with a 1000 Baht tab from just a couple of Singhas. To top it off, the Bouncers and sometimes even the Manager, will surely accost you until you pay up; and many terrified tourists do, in fact, pay up.

Ladyboy Pickpockets

Pickpockets are rampant everywhere, not just Bangkok. But in Bangkok, it’s sometimes the desperate lady boy prostitutes who will work in tandem to relieve the unsuspecting of their wallets. One will ply all the tricks of their trade to captivate your attention while the other works your pockets. Be wary when approached by more than one individual as one of them, not so surprisingly, will attempt to move out of eyesight.

The Grand Palace – Khlong Scam

This is actually a combination of two well-known scams. An incredibly creative and prolific long con, the Grand Palace Scam or Khlong Scam, as it’s now known, involves multiple players over a large distance. Often starting near Khao San road, you’ll first be intercepted by a “friendly” local who’ll recommend The Grand Palace as a great place to visit in order to set you off in the right direction. Along the way, a few more “friendly” locals will approach you (depending how far off track you’ve wandered) who will claim to be either security, or some type of official, and will regrettably inform you that the Grand Place is closed. Noticing your obvious disappointment, the helpful local, will invariably suggest a great deal on a floating market tour, one that’s even better than the famous Damnoen Saduak – and all you would have to do is drop his name. To gain further trust, he’ll even negotiate a great Tuk Tuk rate on your behalf, going so far as to having a “heated” exchange with a seemingly “random” Tuk Tuk driver. If you take them up on this offer, prepare to lose a quite a few bahts on an unimaginative boat tour of Bangkok’s canals.

Forged Certifications

Asia is renowned for their counterfeiting skills. However, the ingenious buggers have evolved their skills beyond just copying the Louis Vuttons and Pradas. On a recent trip through Thailand I saw fake licenses being offered on Khao San Road for PADI certifications, teacher certifications, and even licenses for airline employees. Give these guys a wide berth. If you plan to go diving in Koh Toh with a “Khao San Road certified” dive instructor you may want to brace yourself for a few shattered eardrums.

Bangkok is a fun, entertaining city to visit. Most of the time you won’t have an issue, but just by being aware of some of the seedier elements, you’ll be that much more prepared in the event something does happen. Be a smart, safe and informed traveler and always listen to your gut.

If you do happen to be caught in the web, don’t fret; just consider it the cost of a story you can tell over and over. Without some of the craziness, Bangkok would be pretty bland and lifeless, and who’d like that?

BONUS:

Not really a scam, but interesting nonetheless.

The Ducks Are Hungry

Call it seedy or outright shocking but Bangkok seems to have an inordinate number of eunuchs created at the hands of jilted lovers. In Thailand, saving face is key. If you’re a Thai woman dealing with a cheating husband for months or years of infidelity, eventually it may be too much to take. Reading local papers over the course of a year reveals way too many of these horror stories.

If a wife has caught her husband cheating she may note this in the face saving way of speaking a Thai phrase, which means: “The ducks are hungry.” In rural areas of Northern Thailand ducks are plentiful and from past horrors, ducks seem to be fond of male genitalia tossed out of the window. Either she follows up on the threat or the husband gets the hint.

What Bangkok tourist scams have you seen and can add to the list?

The post 4 MORE Bangkok Tourist Scams, Plus a Hungry Duck appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

4 Notorious Thailand Scams to Avoid

Carey — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 21:43:14 +0000

Who knew you could lose your passport and Baht roll over a can of coke?

Unfortunately, the Land of Smiles may sometimes double as the land of scams. From the infamous “drugging bus robbery scam” to the less creative tour operator shuffle you’re apt to fall prey to a scam or 2 in Thailand. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been caught unaware a few times. And when this does happen, you can do 2 things; whine endlessly about how unfair life is or you can laugh about your “Siam Scam” experience and share your Thailand tale with friends and fellow travelers to help them avoid the same fate.

Thailand Scams to Avoid and be Aware of:

Bus Robbery Scam

One of the most notorious and common scams in Thailand involves buses, little people, drugs and narcolepsy. OK, that’s a bit of a reach. But not too far off. Tourists are herded onto a bus and served drugged cans of coke. As the tourists fall into a deep sleep, passports and wallets are then snatched from the sleeping Farang. One variation of this scam even has kids hiding out in the bowels of the bus, rifling through the luggage to snatch the valuables of unsuspecting tourists in the cabin above.

The Lesson: pay the extra 10 or 15 USD to travel with a reputable, trusted bus company. Secure your passport and wallet under a few layers of clothing on your body and hide your money in hidden compartments. Thai buses are known to be Arctic-like environments, with endless air conditioning blasting for the entire trip, so you’ll have plenty of layers of clothing to stash your valuables.

False Bus Claims Scam

Tourist scams in Thailand come in many shapes and sizes. This one is less colorful but oh so annoying. Some tourist operators tout a premium experience by traveling on a pimped out, fully furnished bus. The agency guy or gal points to a picture of a gleaming, dreamy bus on the wall and you happily pay the extra 400 Baht for the ticket. Then, the truth slaps you in the face! When it’s time to check in for your road trip the bus is an absolute piece of shit, probably seeing its heyday when King Bhumibol first took the throne (For those not in the know, the King is in his 80’s).

Anyway, not all Thailand scams are particularly creative but they can still be all the more annoying when you’re stuck on an old, disgusting bus with no air conditioning, ratty, dirty carpet seats and a bathroom so horrifying that you’d rather eat off of the floor of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City versus using the bus porta potty.

The Lesson: this is a tough one to avoid at times. Just never go back to the agency of course and share this story with all of your travel buddies. The agency where this particular scam transpired is located on Chang Klan Road in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Buy your bus tickets at the Arcade Bus Station if you’re in Chiang Mai. Most of the buses rolling through there are newer, with tour operators in the hub almost always on the up and up.

Lively Meters or Lying Taxi Drivers

Note: many taxi drivers in places like Bangkok or Phuket are honest. The feared Tuk Tuk Mafia was wiped out in Phuket after the military coup of 2014. But unfortunately, some crafty, shady drivers still play games.

Before you step into a cab demand that the driver uses a meter. If you don’t, you’re at their mercy. Stories of drivers in Phuket charging 500 Baht – about 15 USD – for a 4-minute tax ride are not uncommon. Nor are ridiculously ballsy drivers who ask for 1000 Baht for a normally 300 Baht or so ride from the airport.

Lively meters? Some cars are rigged so when drivers tap on brakes, the meter amount soars. This practice is less common these days due to astute tourists. Still, be vigilant.

The Lesson: Rent a motorbike. It’s cheap and easy to drive if you need to get around town for a few days or weeks. Or, demand metered taxis. Keep an eagle eye on the meter. If you’re in the Khao San Road area of Bangkok, schedule a 120 Baht shuttle pick up service for rides to the airport, as these operators are generally reputable and reliable.

Phuket Jet Ski Scam

This one’s native to Patong, especially. Rent a jet ski and after you return it the jet ski operator notes signs of damage – which you missed before taking the bad boy out to sea – and watch said operator charge you 3000 Baht or more to cover the “damages”. You refuse to pay it and the local corrupt police show up, forcing you to pay the fine, of which they get a cut.

The Lesson: Don’t rent a jet ski in Patong! I’ve heard of this scam being pulled so many times, it’s just not worth it.

Do you have any Thailand scams to share?

Note: The Thai people are beyond awesome, and incredibly friendly. Like most places in the world, there will always be a few desperate, unhappy individuals who are going to do anything they can to scam, squeeze and steal money off tourists. Common scams can be avoided. Be cautious, exercise travel safety techniques, and practice situational awareness. And if all else fails, at least you’ll have a great story to tell!

The post 4 Notorious Thailand Scams to Avoid appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Travel Hack Friday: How to Hide money when Traveling

Carey — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:31:03 +0000

Above image courtesy of Joonie

The unfortunate reality of traveling is that you’re always going to be a target of petty criminals. Thieves are an ingenious bunch of buggers, concocting a whole number of scams to part you with your hard earned money. In the best case, it becomes a slight inconvenience; the worst case, you’re stripped of everything you own, and you’re left panhandling for a ride to the nearest embassy. To avoid the worst case scenario, I’m going to show you some clever ways to hide money when traveling.

Of course, the best advice is to always be prepared, so if you haven’t yet, read my full article on Travel Safety -Travel Safety is not Guaranteed

One of the suggestions I mentioned in my safety guide to help keep your valuables safe, or at least mitigate your loss and keep you traveling, was to hide money away in different locations, like in your shoes, or socks. For women and solo travelers this is especially important as they’re seen as “easier” targets by the unscrupulous. But for this hack I’m going to take this suggestion to another level.

Putting money in multiple locations is still a good idea, only because most thieves have no interest in sticking around. Their goal is to relieve you of your belongings with minimal resistance and jam off quickly to spend their ill-gotten gains. They have no time to pat down all your pockets, or strip search you. The idea is to not only separate your money, but to also conceal it from the naked eye by hiding money in innocuous, lightweight items that no thief in their right mind would give a second glance – think chapstick tube (seriously…who would steal a used chapstick!?). It’s not foolproof, but it adds an additional layer of security.

Word of warning that I feel necessary to include here is that even though you should always hide money when traveling, there isn’t a single item or any amount of money that is worth risking your life for. If you’re ever accosted by someone demanding your wallet, watch or whatever, give it up. Everything is replaceable.

Also, please don’t hide money behind other valuable items, such as in your Smartphone case. You’re basically paying the crooks to take your phone.

How to Hide Money When Traveling:

Chapstick – Probably the most popular item to conceal your money. It works because it’s common. Clean out the chapstick, roll up your bills and shove it in.

Dental Floss Case -Small, light and ordinary. Clear out the floss and innards to make room for some folded bills. You could also leave a bit of dental floss strand hanging out to enhance the illusion.

Lipstick – A specific item for women. Clear out the lipstick and stick some folded bills inside. You can even put the tip of the lipstick back on top to complete the deception.

Tampon – Also an item specific to women (guys, you’re free to use this as well, but you might have a tough time explaining it), it’s again, an ordinary and common item that thieves will generally overlook. You can keep the string connected to maintain the illusion.

Pen – Yep, it’s just that simple. Hollow it out, and slide the folded bills in. Make sure the pen casing is not the see through kind.

Zippo – Empty out the cotton filling from the inside case, and you’ll have the perfect place to hide some money. Just make sure it’s not a rare or extremely fancy Zippo, as they’ll probably steal that instead.

Key flashlight – Thieves won’t see much value in keys that open doors across the Pacific. If you have a tiny tube flashlight hooked to your keychain, take out the battery, and stick some money in there.

Mint or gum wrappers – Unless the crook just has some serious halitosis, they’re not going to care about the gum you have in your pocket. Use the gum wrappers to fold up your money. You can do it for, as many pieces of gum the box will fit.

These cools ways to hide money when traveling is only one piece of the entire puzzle. To be truly safe and prepared for most, it not all, travel situations you need to have a safety action plan. Practice travel safety and be a real travel warrior that no crook will F*** with!

Where do you hide your money?

The post Travel Hack Friday: How to Hide money when Traveling appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Travel Safety Is Not Guaranteed

Carey — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 19:47:47 +0000

Above image courtesy of katie30hare

Your long awaited adventure is about to begin! You’ve scrimped and saved for months, pulled an inordinate amount of overtime hours, and done things no human should ever do…. But at long last, your flights are booked, hostels reserved, itinerary is set and you’ve pursued virtually every blog, article, and guide available on your destination. To color you confident would be a grave understatement; your SATs would be envious on how prepared you are.

So why are your loved ones freaking out? The very idea of 6 months on the road drives your family into shambles, regaling in anecdotes of muggings and gypsy conspiracies.

To their credit, a degree of caution is certainly warranted. Although traveling abroad is, for the most part, super safe and you should never be discouraged from exploring the globe, the unfortunate reality is that there will always be those who will attempt to victimize you. In our own journeys, we’ve been targets of scams, thefts and even confronted by those with shadowy agendas. In each case, the outcome could have been significantly worse had we not prepared and exercised good traveling habits.

Below are some travel safety precautions I personally go by, and if you follow them, you can ensure your own travel safety and keep on traveling:

Travel Safety Tips

Protect Your Documents and Your Access to Them

Keep Important documents with you: Never leave your passport or any other related travel documents in your room. Even room safes are not impervious to an enterprising crook, or for that matter a persistent one. Passports are probably your most important document and the safest place, short of being kidnapped, is on your body in a hidden waist or chest belt. I’ve had my belongings rifled through far too many times in hostels. Fortunately all the would-be-crooks got was a handful of dirty socks.
Make copies of passport, ID’s and other travel documents: Take photocopies of your passport, and never brandish nor provide the real one unless absolutely necessary. Which translates to only immigration officials and law enforcement. To make the copies even more acceptable, make a color one and laminate it. Also email yourself and your loved ones a copy as well. You can also use smartphone apps, such as Tripit, to keep track of all your important confirmation numbers so you don’t have to rely on hard copies.
Never give passport to any hostel (provide photocopies instead): In some areas of the world, the hostel/hotel may request to hold on to your passport. This is standard policy for them, and nothing to be alarmed about, as an alternative to the actual document, I offer up photocopies instead (laminated color copies work too). Be persistent. Even the most stubborn hotelier will give if it means you’ll walk. My philosophy is to never part with my passport (unless it’s immigration). I’ve yet to part with my passport on any occasion.

Protect Your Money

Go the bank machine once (or as little as possible): Withdraw enough for at least a week, but not so much where a potential theft will be detrimental. This is not only safer, but also practical. Withdrawing a reasonable amount at one time (instead of $20 to $40 each time, or as you need it) will minimize the chance of you being identified as a target. As well, it will save you on fees. If you must use the ATM, try to use Bank Machines that are inside and not located in random places.
Cards, not Cash: Use Credit card whenever possible. I like using credit cards whenever I can. Not only do you get to collect points, but also credible card companies have incredible protection and limited liability. You are able to dispute charges, or just cancel the card if stolen. Word of warning though, when using the card, never let it out of your site. Either have the store owner bring the terminal to you, or walk up with them. Lastly, keep the toll free number on hand separate from your credit card.
Keep money in different pockets, and hidden areas (like an empty chapstick tube) I’m sure you’ve heard of this safety measure a few times and the simple reason is because it’s good advice. Thieves are not trying to hang around any longer than they have to, and after deposing you of your money will high tail it out of there as soon as possible. By dispersing your money throughout different pockets and containers, you’ll mitigate the brunt of the robbery, and still have money to spare.
Have a decoy wallet with fake cards and a little bit of money: Similar to the above, Thieves tend to go for the obvious. If you willingly hand them your wallet, who’s to complain? Make it look realistic and they’ll be out of your hair in no time.
Don’t keep checking your pockets: Nothing is random. Chances are you’ve been profiled due to certain behaviors. By consciously, or even subconsciously, palming and checking the security of your valuables, you’re inadvertently marking the location with a big giant “X”. Don’t help the crooks hone in on your valuables by showing them where they are.

Protect Your Belongings

Wear your backpack in the front and lock it: It’s not particularly attractive looking like a mommy kangaroo, but this will keep prying eyes and fingers away from your valuables. Also, always lock your bag where the zippers meet.
Don’t walk close to the road: High-speed snatch and grabs are practically commonplace in some countries. Perps ripping by on motorcycles, and in some cases cars, will tear off anything connected to you that their hands can get a hold of. Walk along the middle or closer to the buildings to avoid being targeted. If you have a side satchel, make sure to wear it across the body, and not just over one shoulder.
Leave the bling at home: This is pretty self-explanatory. Don’t wear your jewels and expensive watch. If you’re flossing riches, then you’re just asking for it.
BYOL (Bring Your Own Lock): Never use a lock that is provided to you. It’s a common scam; loan you a lock with 2 sets of keys where one set is given to you and the second set for your would-be stalker. Unbeknownst to you, however, once you’re out of sight, whatever was connected on the other end of that lock will miraculously disappear leaving you on the hook for its full value.
Keep your eye on your bag: Crooks are always looking for the path of least resistance. An unsecured bag has got to be up there as one of their all-time favorites. Either have your bag in sight at all times, or have it wrapped around your leg or arm if under a table or anywhere without a direct line of sight.

Make Friends, But Be Cautious

Don’t trust everyone in uniform: Be aware of the Fake Police. In some places around the world, they’ve taken identify theft to whole new levels by impersonating local law enforcement. Demand identification loud enough for others to hear and do not hand off your passport until identified. If it appears to be a shakedown, offer to accompany them to the nearest police station.
Watch your drinks: Males and females alike should be cautious of spiked drinks, as either sex can, and have, been victimized. Cover your drinks, don’t leave them unattended and never accept a drink from a stranger. It’s unfortunate and can be perceived as rude to refuse a gift, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Be and look confident: A lot can be said for perception. Ambling around lost and confused can open the door to unwanted attention, giving the appearance of an easy target for scams, theft or even attack. Try to review your maps, phones or guides in coffee shops or less conspicuous surroundings.
Pay attention to people and surroundings: Meeting new friends on the road is an undeniable pleasure while traveling. 99% of the time those you come across are amazing, generous individuals, however, the unscrupulous will always be hovering in the shadows. You don’t need to be like 007, but practice situational awareness by keeping your head up, make friendly eye contact, and know your surroundings. Crooks will always go the path of least resistance.

Know Your Destination

Know your Embassy: Keep the address and contact number of your respective Embassy on hand as it will be a lifesaver when the shit hits the fan. Embassies can help you secure and replace travel documents; contact loved ones, assist in legal issues, and other non-emergency services. Check with your local embassy to get a full list of what they are able to help with before hitting the road.
Know of funding help from home country – This tip is from Hannah Logan, a dedicated solo female traveler, and blogger over at Eat, Sleep, Breath, Travel. I confess that I wasn’t even aware of this tip until recently and I’m thankful that it was introduced to me. Apparently Canada and the U.S have “emergency programs for citizens victimized abroad” that provides funds and assistance for items such as medical, travel, evacuation and even funeral expenses. You can read more about it here – Planning It Safe: How to be Prepared if you are Victimized Abroad
Be aware of travel alerts: Part of knowing your destination is staying abreast of current and potential dangers. Things such as political strife or natural disasters can put a wrench in even your best-laid plans. If you’re from the U.S you can stay informed by signing up with STEP (Safe Traveler Enrollment Program) and even if you’re not, you certainly can still refer to the Travel.State.Gov site for country specific updates.
Learn about local laws and customs: Don’t be the quintessential obnoxious tourist. Do your best to familiarize and immerse yourself with the culture and traditions of your destination. Not only will you enrich your own travels but you’ll also navigate amongst the locals more comfortably, avoid offending others, and avoid unknowingly breaking the law. Remember, ignorance is not a viable defense.

Good Sense and Preparation:

Get travel insurance: Recently I blogged about the importance of travel insurance and how you can purchase complete piece of mind for what equates to a cup-of-coffee a day. Accidents do happen and are completely unpredictable. Buy Travel Insurance! Read my full post here – Should I buy travel insurance? Yes and Here’s Why
Get Vaccinated: Like travel insurance, vaccinations is that extra layer of peace of mind. It doesn’t make you bullet proof, but it’s one of those things where it’s better to have, than have not.
Leave stray animals alone: I’m a dog lover, and it pains me to see them roaming alone and starved. But the truth is, as cute as they seem, they may carry diseases or maul you unprovoked. Give them a wide berth to be safe.

And finally and most important of all, always trust your instinct! If it doesn’t look right, then you’re probably right. Hone that sixth sense and certainly don’t cut through that dark alley! More often than not, if it looks or feels sketchy, there’s a good chance it is. Trust your gut, practice presence of mind and situational awareness and you’ll take home only great memories!

Special thanks to Hannah over at Eat, Sleep, Breath Travel who provided some incredibly succinct advice. Please do visit her blog – Amazing stuff. www.eatsleepbreathtravel.com

Share this article with all your friends and families and if you have any great travel safety tips that I may have missed, I’m all ears…

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