We went on an organised tour... and other Bangkok, Thailand Tourist Trap Tips

We went on an organised tour with Tour East to the Grand Palace and luckily we were the only people on the tour. Anyway, on the way back to the hotel, the guide stopped the minibus at a jewellery store, the world's largest, where we were treated very, very well and given a personalised guided tour - only catch - we were expected to buy something. The tour operators certainly know how to look after their friends, if you know what I mean!!

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When you are walking along and a bloke comes up to and introduces himself as a police man on holidays, that's your first giveaway. When he then asks you where you are going, and then proceeds to tell you it is closed, that's your second. If then he suggests an alternative shopping place to the one that is supposedly closed - keep walking!!!

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The tuk tuk scam is not going to get you killed - but just be aware of it.
If you are at a hotel, and asking a concierge (outside) how much a taxi is to a shopping centre or wherever - watch out for the tuk tuk man who is listening. Then as you walk off, he will say 'do you want to go to ____ wherever' and says it will cost you 1/2 or 1/3rd the price you were quoted by the concierge. Then after you get it, he stops at the side of the road, gets his map out and explains that his sponsor has a shop close by where you are going, if you go in and have a look, he will get a petrol stamp. You do not have to buy anything.
This one is more of a pain in the bum than a scary scam - you just detour to the jewellery shop or whereever, you go in and pretent to be interested, you go out 10 mins later, the bloke has his stamp and you get to where you are going no worries. And it costs you a heap less. Up to you. We did it and are no worse of becuase of it!!

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