Southeast Asia forum

Thanks for replying, glad it's not just me - felt like I was the only one here not having the tme of my life LOL. The TAT office itself doesn't sell any kind of ticket so probably getting it from the station is as good as anything else at least then you won't be paying a middle man. I'll be in Chiang Mai tomorrow then on my two day trek but back there for a day or so after, so probably leaving there the 29th nce I've decided how to go from there - so if you are going to be there before then and fancy that drink let me know.

Yes, some people are out to rip you off, yes some people are scammers and yes people will overcharge you.

But all the scams mentioned in these few posts are the most common and well known in Bangkok! Not quite sure how you hadnt read (on the net or in LP) about the gem/silk shop scams, saying the grand palace is closed scam and the numerous fake TAT offices.

However, everyone will get ripped off/overcharged at some point, on their first trip anyway. I certainly still did at times even when knowing some of the scams.
You just have to accept it, shrug it off and learn from it. If you start feeling angry or vulnerable you could end up not enjoying your trip as much as you could.

Getting out of Bangkok will certainly reduce the intensity of the scams (though not eradicate them) and I agree it will be easier to meet people once you get out of the chaos. I had 4 stays in BKK during my trip, for stopovers etc, and the times I didnt think I'd meet people, I did, and the times I had more confidence and thought I would, I didnt! Its a hit and miss place. There is a lot of big groups there that I didnt find so much elsewhere

Well, you've figured out that you can't ask "someone" general questions here and get a straight answer. They will give you the answer that steers you where "they" want you to go. "They" will lie without a hesistation.

It's easy to get around here and avoid being ripped off, but you can't grope around. Avoid middle men (i.e. tour agencies), and move around like the locals do. Always negotiate prices up front.

Actually I've never gotten robbed back in the States either.

But Thais will definitely use deception. It's not as bad if you get out of Bangkok and head up north and out of the tourist areas - though skylab or tuktuk drivers will still rip you off in a minute.

Thanks all for your advice and comments I met some nice guys on the train and several other great people since and so everything feels so much better. Everyone at the hotel I'm at came from "TAT" bookings and paid much more than me so the 25 quid total extra for a five day tset of bookings inc. overnight train/accommodation/and a 2 day trek isn't grest but is more in perspective now I'm having a better time.

Sidewinder: I had read about the gem/silk shop/palace closed scams - but nothing about the Information desk inside the Tourist Police Station - and it was this that made me wonder if my apprehension was misplaced. I knew the Tourict Police aren't interested in recovering scammed money but didn't know that they had set up a desk in their own office doing just that!
The bureau I actually booked through is TAT approved and most people I've met have paid much more so maybe TAT approval counts for something though obviously it's cheaper to do everything independently which is what I will try to do from now on.

Em - apologies, I obviously dont read well enough, missed the bit about the tourist desk IN the police station, assumed you had just gone to a fake office. So yeah, I havent heard that one before either!