Just Say No to Getting Scammed in Bangkok

SHYSTERS, SHAMS, AND BANGKOK SCAMS

MBK Market is somewhat of a landmark in Bangkok, and apparently it's a hotspot for Bangkok scams. It's the one shopping mall that even folks that don't like shopping malls tend to visit. But like most landmarks, it attracts its fair share of crooks, cons and ne'er-do-wells. I spotted this sign near the taxi stand on the main floor of MBK warning of potential Bangkok scams.

The jewellery shop warning refers to the infamous Thai Gemstone Scam (also called the Bangkok Gem Scam) where a shady tuk-tuk driver will say that today is 'a very special day' where he will get a 'gasoline coupon' to pay for all of his gas for a month. That's of course if you take a 20 baht (about 70 cents U.S.) tour with him to sites around the city. Sounds like a very good deal indeed.

Once you are in the gem shop they will try to convince you that jewels are priced ridiculously low in Bangkok and you that you can make a killing by reselling the gems back home. Or they will try to sell you diamonds, gold, silver or any other sort of completely worthless jewels at seemingly too good to be true deals. Shysters.

Same goes for the suit factory and travel agent. The tuk-tuk driver will even claim that the travel agency you are at is the TAT - the Tourism Authority of Thailand, when it's probably a place called Indeed Travel which charges outrageous rates to gullible newcomers.

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