Previously published on xoTheRunawayGirls.
If you haven’t read part 1, I suggest you back track reallll quick! You’ll read about everything from avoiding pesky airport fees to being shortchanged at bars and how to avoid these situations happening to you.
Everyone wants to know how else we could possibly have nearly been scammed in the space of 5 days and you’re about to find out. I even threw in an extra scenario at the bottom that happened on our 2nd visit!
Rigged Cab Metres
Problem: Apparently this isn’t very common – or people don’t really notice, but some cab metres are rigged!.
What happened: We were on our way back from the floating market and hailed a cab to take us to the Grand Palace. The first cab told us no, so we moved on to the next one who agreed to put on his metre and take us there. A little into the journey I started to watch the metre which was moving abnormally fast (we opted to take cab everywhere while in Bangkok so I was used to the speed it was supposed to go). I told Cee to look at it and she said hmm it does seem a bit fast. I checked the mileage on Google maps and the distance travelled was wayyyy more than what Google said and it was definitely the same route.
We had taken a similar route that morning and had only paid around 85-90 baht so when the car stopped and it showed 145 I KNEW something was wrong. I asked a Thai guy in the street if this was correct and he laughed and said yes pay it, but I still wasn’t convinced so I told Cee to give him 100 and get out, which we did, and he didn’t even argue. To me, this just proves that he was in the wrong and he knew it!
Solution: Well, I don’t really have one other than pay attention. If it seems too much, say something during the journey and hope that they correct it to the proper setting. I don’t advise anyone argues or short changes drivers as this can be quite dangerous and could possibly lead to a hospital bed or worse!
Train Ticket Scam
Problem: Privately owned companies will try to lead you away from the main ticket hall to purchase your tickets with them. Especially if you need a combined ticket.
What happened: We went to Hua Lamphong station to buy our joint sleeper train and bus ticket to Phuket. We were standing right by the counter but weren’t sure if it was the correct one so must have looked confused, when a lady in a blue t-shirt approached us and asked where we were going (she looked like she worked in the station). We told her we needed a joint ticket to Phuket and she said ‘no, not here, upstairs for joint ticket, I take you’ and she led the way.
We had previously checked online for prices so I had a rough idea of how much it should cost, including someone collecting it for us. The guy in this shop told us a crazy amount and when questioned tried to make out as if we couldn’t get it cheaper anywhere else. I told him we’ll come back after thinking about it and told Cee to come outside with me.
We went back down to the main ticket hall where we started and purchased the correct tickets for around 1000 baht cheaper each than what that crazy man tried to charge us.
Solution: Don’t follow ‘helpful’ people who approach you in the station, it’s always best to ask at the counter. Even if it’s not the right one, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction!Watch Full Movie Online Streaming Online and Download
Bonus Scenario – The 6th Time We Were Nearly Scammed
Koh Tao – Khao San Road (Ferry + Bus)
Problem: When booking this ticket – which is ridiculously cheap. £16 for approximately 14 hours of travel and no accommodation to worry about for the night, you’re told you’ll be dropped off at Khao San Road – Bangkok’s main backpacker hub, but you’re not. You’re told you’re 20 mins away and need a taxi.
What happened: It’s about 4am, which is an hour earlier than we were told we would arrive and 2 hours earlier than on our ticket when the bus suddenly stopped and I saw my backpack thrown from the bus into the road, along with everyone else’s. Ok cool, it’s time to get off… however, this isn’t Khao San Road.
Half asleep still and remembering we were back in Bangkok where things don’t normally go as planned, I shrugged it off and put my thinking cap on. First thing’s first, Google maps! Only, 4 hours earlier whilst asleep my data had expired *womp*.
I remembered I had an offline map app and quickly punched in ‘Khao San Road’ while watching some of the others from our coach jump in cabs… We kept waving the cab drivers away while we waited for the map to load.
‘Khao San Road – By Car – 1 minuet’
‘Khao San Road – Walking – 4 minutes’
We realised where we were and started to walk around the corner to our hotel while the other poor sods were suckered into paying only God knows how much for a journey that was actually only going to last 1-minute… Possibly even the 20 minutes quoted if the driver took them around the block!
Solution: Always have either data to use google maps or an offline alternative whilst in Thailand so that you can double-check not only how far somewhere is if left ‘stranded’ but also to check that cab drivers are taking you directly to your place of interest and not around in circles whilst the metre goes up and you’re blissfully unaware!