Tuk Tuk scams
Tuk Tuk scams in Thailand
By guest writer: Pat Moran
Hey you! Hey you…man!
Ahh…The dulcet tones of Bangkok. Rising over the hustle and bustle of the daily Thai life, the call of the tuk tuk drivers is one of the most memorable (and infamous) things one encounters in Thailand. Shaped like a deranged ice cream truck and devoid of any windows, seat belts or generic safety device, the Tuk Tuk is the quintessential Whether its on the market corners of Ko San to the throbbing Siam Square, Tuk-Tuks pack the streets, always on the look out for a new fare.
Due to the ever-increasing tourist influx, the number of Tuk-Tuks has risen exponentially. For a backpacker, it’s hard to walk more than two feet without being flagged down by a desperate mini cab. Although they can overwhelm even the most seasoned of back backers, Tuk-Tuks are the easiest way (besides on foot) to navigate the packed cities of Thailand. Mainly found in Bangkok, Tuk-Tuks are often cheaper than taxis and also more readily available. That said, the Tuk-Tuk scams are the most prevalent forms of tourist scams in Thailand. They mainly come in three forms: Price, guesthouse and “this place closed”.
The price scam is the most visible of the three. Once a Tuk-Tuk has been flagged down, the bidding war begins. Just as with any other form of bartering in Southern Asia, the price begins incredibly high. Due to the fact that many backpackers do not know either the normal fare rates for distances or current currency rates, the Tuk-Tuk drivers will try to take as much as possible. Also, given the fact that they have these exchanges hundreds of times a day the drivers have become pretty good actors. Preying on the passive, laid back attitude of travelers, they play the odds that you wont ask too many questions or barter.
This is where the traveler has to step up. The initial offering price is usually about 4 times that of the actual price. They will vehemently deny this, but keep at it. Suggest a price that is incredibly below what you are willing to pay. He may demand 100 B for a ride from Sukhumvit to Ko San and you know that the normal price is around 50 B, ask for 25 b. Knowing you can not be assuaged, he will inevitably drop his price to a closer target. Don’t feel guilty about the bargaining process as it is embedded in the Thai culture. The point here is to find a common ground between your prices. Remember, that there is always another Tuk-Tuk waiting in the wings if things don’t work out with your bargaining!
The Guesthouse scam is relatively common. You show the driver a map or address of your supposed guesthouse and he then takes you on a wild loop around the city to a different guesthouse, one that he gets a commission for bringing you. Although this is found with taxis and vans, I have found in my own travels that Tuk-Tuk drivers seem to take more advantage due to the lower price. Once, on a trip to Hua Hin, I was taken thirty minutes in the wrong direction, only to end up at a hostel that conjured up strong images of The Bates Hotel. Don’t take it personally, it happens to just about anyone. What will help is to collect business cards of different guesthouses in areas of town in which you will be staying. This way, even if you don’t stay, you’ll have a way to show the drivers you don’t need a new place to stay.
Finally, there is one rule to live by in Thailand: “It is not closed!” Having seen this scam happen (twice!!) to my own parents, I know how easy it is to fall for. Being a backpacker, one must rely a lot on trust. So when a Tuk-Tuk driver tells you that a certain attraction is closed it isn’t hard to believe them. My parents had headed off to see the amulet market but were thwarted when their driver told them it was closed that particular day. Instead he tried to get them to visit a gem dealership where he could get them “the best deal”. Fortunately, they were wise enough to get out of there and realize that everything is almost always open. Don’t be fooled by so called “inside information”. Trust your instincts and never be afraid to get another ride!
