Card playing scam

The scam begins with a friendly stranger or recent acquaintances showing you tricks on how you can win big at a card game. You are then taken to where the game is played and it will begin innocently and friendly at first. You win some and lose a few hands until things get more serious and you are “loaned” money by one of the players to continue the game. Sooner or later you will lose all the money, and you must pay back the money you have been “loaned” to. Most tourists who fall for card playing scam end up losing everything.

Some organized gangs specialize in credit card fraud. For protection, only use your credit cards at known or established businesses and keep an eye on your card at all time. Unscrupulous merchants are known to run credit card through the card machine several times for just one purchase. Those extra copies of receipt will then be used for future “clean swipe” purchases with forged signature by the gang.

Disregard all free shopping or sightseeing help from strangers. Most “too good to be true” offers are just that. Do not believe friendly strangers or anyone who offers to show you where to buy gems for resale overseas for a large profit. Most of these gems are overpriced and attempts at getting the money back are usually fruitless, or you will be charged with exuberant “restocking fees”.

Although Thailand is recognized for its intensive efforst in educating the public about the dnagers of AIDS and for combatting the disease, HIV/AIDS remains a problem in the country, with an estimate of 600,000-1,000,000 people infected with HIV in the country. HIV infection is common among prostitutes of both sexes and some IV drug users. Many prostitutes claim they actually work in other profession but find enough liking in you to trade sex for money.

Tourists must be aware that Prostitution Prevention and Suppression Act enacted in 1996 includes punishment for procurers, brothel operators, as well as clients. Anyone caught having sex with prostitutes under 15 years of age can be jailed for two to 20 years and/or fined up to 400,000 Baht. Anyone caught having sex with a child under 13 can receive life imprisonment.

All visitors are subject to Thai laws and regulations while in Thailand. Thailand strictly enforces its drug laws and penalties are severe. Many foreigners are used by smuggling rings, with the promise of hefty cash rewards or free vacation, to transport excess “luggage” or “gifts” out of Thailand. They are often caught before leaving Thailand, convicted of drug trafficking and received long sentences. Some are now spending the rest of their lives in jail in Thailand. Smuggling or possession of heroin may result in life imprisonment or execution.

Travelers are advised to immediately report to the police and their respective embassy or consulate.

Prices for merchandise, service, and entertainment vary from place to place. Always bargain or negotiate your price with taxi drivers, street vendors or small shops. Most notorious overcharges usually occur in the red-light district of major cities, especially in Bangkok (Patpong). Tourists are lured into these establishments with the promise that they can view sex shows for free. Once inside, they must order drinks (sometimes unknowingly offered) that may cost hundreds to thousands of baht. Unless they settle the bill with such establishment, they will be surrounded by thugs and be “coerced” into paying.

Take necessary precautions in crowded places such as on buses or in touristy areas.

It is a good idea to rent a safety deposit box at a bank to keep your valuables if you plan to be in Thailand for a while. Otherwise, while travelling, tourists are advised to pack in such a way to minimalize their loss, such as by spreading valuables over many bags.

Thailand has extensive paved road system, but most only have two lanes. Trucks, motorcycles, unconventional vehicles, pedestrians, and domestic animals usually limit speed and create unsafe conditions. Reckless use of the road by motorists and the use of amphetamines or other stimulants by commercial drivers are common. Motorists may wish to consider insurance which covers medical and liability costs (minimum third-party insurance is required) when operating vehicles in Thailand.

Do not accept food, drinks, or candy from seemingly friendly stranger. There have been reports of tourists being robbed after they were drugged in the night club or in the hotel room by people they met in the bar or on the street. Some spiked drinks have resulted in death from drug overdose.

The use of licensed, reliable guides is recommended for trekkers. Trekking on your own can be a valuable experience, but should not be done without prior research or knowledgeable and experienced company. Trekking alone, especially if the traveler is a female, is discouraged due to safety risks.

Check with proper authorities before attempting to cross border into Thailand’s neighboring country. Due to the volatility of the political situation, some official border crossing points may be closed at a moment’s notice. Travelers are also encouraged to cross the border at designated crossing points only. Crossing the border elsewhere is extremely risky.

Some unscrupulous rental car agencies make money by staging accident on your rental car and have you pay exuberantly for the damages. They threaten arrest if you refuse to pay. To secure a rental car, these rental agencies will request that you leave your passport as a deposit and sign a rental contract, whose copy will not be given to you. While driving the car, someone on another vehicle (usually a motorcycle) will run into the side or rear end of your vehicle. Immediately, a police will be on the scene to issue you a citation for failure to yield to other vehicle, causing injury. In most cases, the police may try to talk you into paying for the “injuries” of the person(s) on the motorcycle and damages to the motorcycle on the spot in order to settle the case before you can be let go. In additon, the police may not issue any police report of the accident. As a result of the "accident" the rental agency will make you pay unreasonably high repair fees. Again, you will be threatened with arrest and your passport will not be returned to you unless you pay for the accident you allegedly caused.

• Only rent vehicles from well-known and reputable agencies.
  
• Do not surrender your passport to any rental agencies. If they insist on getting your passport, just walk away.
  
• Ask to keep the copy of the contract. Walk away if they will not allow you to have a signed copy.
  

The tourist advisory page was created from reports and letters sent by travelers and well-intentioned people. We feel that all legitimate complaints must be addressed to protect other travelers and our tourism industry. We have no intention of harming honest business operators or any agencies, but only wish to expose those involved in such unscrupulous practices. Your contribution is sincerely appreciated. All correspondence must be done in good faith with full name and mailing address.