Most visits to Thailand pass without trouble, but a few scams target travellers again and again: taxi fares that were never agreed, rental shops that keep your passport, a stranger who says the Grand Palace is closed, gems that cannot be resold, and drinks that are spiked or unsafe. Facts were checked in September 2026 against official Thai, UK, Canadian and Singaporean government sources. If something goes wrong, call the Tourist Police on 1155: the line is open 24 hours a day and the operators speak English.
Taxis, Tuk-Tuks and Getting Around
Taxis That Will Not Use the Meter
Bangkok taxis have a meter. According to Suvarnabhumi Airport, 35 THB covers the first kilometre, then 6.50 THB per kilometre from 1 to 10 km, rising by distance band to 10.50 THB per kilometre beyond 80 km. A driver who refuses to switch the meter on and names one price may be asking for more than the meter would show.
The Canadian government warns that taxi overcharging disputes can turn into threats, so settle the price before the car moves:
- Ask the driver to use the meter before you get in. If the answer is no, take the next taxi.
- If you accept a fixed price, agree the exact amount and the destination first.
- Do not argue on the roadside at the end of a trip. Pay, note the taxi's number and the time, and report it to the Tourist Police on 1155.
Tuk-Tuk Rides With "Special" Stops
Be careful with any driver who offers a very cheap ride or tour with a few "special" stops. The stops can be shops you did not ask to visit. Agree the destination and the price before you get in, and say no to any stop you did not ask for.
Arriving at the Airport
Tired new arrivals with no Thai money yet are an easy target, so decide before you fly how you will leave the airport. A pre-booked private transfer removes the price discussion completely. With Smile Taxi Service, fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, with expressway tolls included and no meter. Before the trip the team sends you the driver's name, the car and the plate number, so you know exactly which car to get into. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time, and a name sign at the arrivals gate costs 100 THB extra on request.
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok: 600 THB (SUV 800 THB, van 1,100 THB).
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya: 1,200 THB (SUV 1,500 THB, van 1,800 THB).
You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link, with a 5% fee added. See all routes and prices.
Scooter and Jet-Ski Rentals
The UK and Canadian governments both warn that jet-ski and motorbike rental businesses may keep customers' passports and demand money for damage they say you caused. Without your passport, you are under strong pressure to pay.
- Never leave your passport as a guarantee. Keep it in the hotel safe and carry a copy of the photo page. Thai police can ask to see your passport and may give you 24 hours to present it, and a copy of the photo page is usually enough.
- Film the vehicle before you ride. Record every scratch and dent, show them to the staff, and film it again when you return it.
- Know the scooter rules. You need a motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit, and the rider and the passenger must both wear helmets. Police can fine up to 2,000 THB for a missing helmet, or 4,000 THB when neither of you wears one. Riding without a valid licence can also make your travel insurance invalid.
If a rental shop keeps your passport or threatens you, call the Tourist Police on 1155.
"The Grand Palace Is Closed" and Gem Shops
The "Closed Today" Line
Near the Grand Palace and other famous sights in Bangkok, a friendly stranger may tell you that the palace is closed today and offer to take you somewhere else instead.
The Grand Palace on Na Phra Lan Road opens daily from 08:30 to 16:30, and tickets are sold from 08:30 to 15:30. A ticket costs 500 THB. If someone tells you it is closed, thank them and walk to the gate yourself. You can also check the official Grand Palace website before you go.
Gem and Jewellery Fraud
The Government of Canada lists gem and jewellery fraud among the scams in Thailand: visitors buy stones on the promise that they can be resold at home for a profit, and that promise is never kept.
- Do not buy gems as an investment.
- Be suspicious of any stranger or driver who brings you to a jewellery shop you did not choose.
Bars, Drinks and Nightlife
The Canadian government warns about drink spiking followed by robbery or assault, and the UK government says assaults are most common at full moon parties and near bars. The drink itself can also be dangerous: people have died from drinks contaminated with methanol, and even small amounts can kill.
- Never leave your drink unattended, and do not accept drinks from strangers.
- Order sealed, branded drinks.
- Check the prices before you order. If a street tout offers you cheap entry to a show or a bar, say no.
- If you or a friend feel unwell after a drink, get medical help at once. The number for an ambulance is 1669.
Money, Cards and Online Scams
Cards, Cash and ATMs
- Keep your card in sight when you pay, and use tap-to-pay where you can.
- Turn on card alerts and two-factor login before you travel, and never share a one-time code sent to your phone, whoever asks.
- At an ATM, cover the keypad with your hand and do not accept help from strangers.
- Split your cash and cards between two places, and keep bags zipped and in front of you in crowds.
If your Visa card is lost or stolen, call Visa's worldwide number collect: +1 303 967 1096 (calls from hotels and mobile phones may be charged). For other cards, save your bank's emergency number before you travel.
Fake Websites and Payment Requests
Before you pay anyone online, check that the web address is exactly right, and be careful with payment links that you did not ask for. Use mobile data or a VPN for banking, not open Wi-Fi.
Smile Taxi Service's website is www.smiletaxiservice.com, and the team uses WhatsApp (+66 88 623 5016), LINE (2610253925) and 
. Smile takes no online payment and no deposit, and the team sends a PayPal payment link only to customers who have asked to pay by card. If anyone asks you for a deposit in Smile's name, or sends you a payment link you did not ask for, message the team through these channels before you pay.
"Job" Offers
The UK government warns that foreigners recruited for "jobs" have had their passports taken and been forced to run online scams. Be very careful with offers that come through social media, promise high pay for easy work, or ask you to travel before you have a proper contract.
If You Are Scammed: Who to Call
Stay calm and move to a safe public place first.
| Who | Number | When |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Police | 1155 | 24 hours, English-speaking operators |
| Police and general emergency | 191 | Crime in progress, danger |
| Ambulance | 1669 | Injury or illness |
| Tourist fraud assistance office, Suvarnabhumi Airport | 0 2134 4077 | 24 hours |
The tourist fraud assistance office belongs to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The Tourist Police also have an app, "Thailand Tourist Police", which works for tourists without a Thai SIM card; install it before you travel.
After you call:
- Note the business name and address, the vehicle number, and the date and time, and keep receipts, messages and photos.
- Ask for a police report. Your travel insurer will need it for any claim.
- If your passport has been taken or lost, contact your embassy. Save its number from its official website before you travel.
Scam Prevention Checklist
- Save 1155, 191, 1669 and your embassy's number before you land.
- Agree every price before the ride, the rental or the order.
- Never leave your passport as a guarantee.
- Walk to the gate of any sight that someone says is closed.
- Watch your drink, and walk away from anything that feels wrong.
FAQ
Is the Grand Palace really closed today?
Usually not. It opens daily from 08:30 to 16:30, with tickets on sale until 15:30, so walk to the gate and check for yourself.
What is the jet-ski scam?
The staff say you damaged the jet ski and keep your passport until you pay. Never leave your passport as a guarantee, and call the Tourist Police on 1155 if the staff threaten you.
Where do I report a tourist scam?
Call the Tourist Police on 1155 or the tourist fraud assistance office at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 0 2134 4077. Both lines are open 24 hours.
How do I avoid overcharging from the airport?
Insist on the meter in a public taxi, or book a fixed-price transfer before you fly. With Smile Taxi Service, Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok costs 600 THB by sedan and you pay in cash at the end. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
Do I need to pay a deposit to book a Smile transfer?
No. Smile takes no online payment and no deposit: you pay the driver at the end of the trip.
For a fixed-price ride with a driver you know in advance, book your transfer online or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.