"Touts can be very smooth" Top 5 Page for this destination Bangkok Tourist Trap Tip by thedouglas

Even if you think you are relatively seasoned as a traveller in Bangkok, you can find yourself engaged in conversation before realising that this charming person is a tout! I am usually wary of anyone who approaches me if I have a map of any kind - and NEVER hand it over. Sometimes these guys appear to be walking along the street going about their business, and just fall into step to "chat", even if you appear to be going about your own day quite happily - and start a discussion. Where are you from? - where are you going? - what are you doing next? - have you done.....? all warning bell questions.

Unique Suggestions: The high risk places for touts are the busy places - like The Grand Palace and Wat Pho, or even MBK and other shopping areas - where there is no shortage of approaches. The most common is to tell you that the venue is closed, but they have the perfect acivity alternative for the next few hours. A tuk tuk miraculously appears, eager to take you to a number of designated places for next to no money! I often ignore, and just keep walking in these instances, but remain polite if they pursue or persist.

Fun Alternatives: If we are engaged by someone who be believe to be a tout, we state that we are on our way and know exactly where we are going - and how - and try to drop in to the conversation that we have been to Bangkok many times. This often results in them backing off, and not even starting the tuk tuk for 40Bt spiel!

Always remain polite. Touts don't mean you any harm.

The downside the the tout situation is that you can end up ennecessarily wary about anyone who chats to you!