PATTAYA MISTAKES & SCAMS TO AVOID!! (2023)
Summary
TLDRThis video offers tips on avoiding common scams in Pattaya, Thailand. It covers bike rental scams, ATM fees, taxi negotiations, jet ski rental traps, and hidden accommodation costs. The host emphasizes the importance of taking photos as evidence and checking contracts for hidden fees to stay safe and informed.
Takeaways
- 🛵 Beware of the motorbike rental scam where a hole may be intentionally covered and then revealed upon return to charge you extra.
- 📸 Protect yourself by taking photos and videos of the bike from all angles as evidence against potential scams.
- 🏧 Watch out for ATM fees; using overseas cards can incur charges of 220 Baht per transaction plus any bank fees.
- 💸 Save money by using TT exchanges less frequently and adapting to Thailand's cashless society.
- 🚕 Always negotiate the taxi fare before starting the trip to avoid unexpected charges and consider using fixed-rate apps like Bolt or Grab.
- 🛥 Be cautious of the jet ski scam, where damage claims can be inflated; take photos and ensure the jet ski has sufficient fuel.
- 🏨 Be aware of the 'great room scam' where additional bills like utilities may not be included in the advertised price.
- 🔍 Read contracts and terms carefully, especially the fine print, to avoid unexpected costs.
- 🚶♂️ Thailand is generally safe but stay vigilant against common scams to ensure a pleasant experience.
- 📈 Thailand ranks 95 on the list of most dangerous countries, indicating it's not as bad as perceived, but caution is still advised.
- 📹 The video aims to inform and educate viewers on how to avoid common scams in Thailand, making them wiser travelers.
Q & A
What is the first scam mentioned in the video about Thailand?
-The first scam mentioned is related to renting motorbikes. You pay a deposit and when you return the bike, the rental shop might cover up a hole or damage with epoxy, claiming you caused it.
How can you protect yourself from the motorbike rental scam in Thailand?
-You can protect yourself by taking photos and videos of the bike from all angles before renting it, so you have evidence in case of any disputes.
What is the ATM mistake that many tourists fall for in Thailand?
-The mistake is using ATMs frequently, which incurs a fee of 220 Baht per transaction for overseas debit cards, plus any international fees from your bank.
What is a recommended alternative to using ATMs frequently in Thailand?
-Using TT exchanges once a week is recommended, as Thailand is a cashless society and it's not necessary to carry a lot of cash at once.
What should you do before getting into a taxi in Thailand?
-Always negotiate the price before getting into the taxi, and use tools like Google Maps to discuss the distance and estimated fare.
Why is it recommended to download Bolt or Grab in Thailand instead of hailing taxis on the street?
-Bolt and Grab offer fixed rates and allow payment in cash, which can help avoid being overcharged by taxis that claim to use a meter but charge arbitrary rates.
What is the jet ski scam similar to the motorbike scam?
-The jet ski scam involves rental shops claiming you damaged the jet ski, possibly by going over shallow rocks, and charging you for the damage.
How can you protect yourself from the jet ski scam in Thailand?
-Take photos and videos of the jet ski before using it, and ensure it has enough fuel to avoid being stranded and charged extra for rescue and fuel.
What is the great room scam mentioned in the video?
-The great room scam involves booking accommodations that seem too good to be true, with hidden charges for utilities like water, electricity, and Wi-Fi that are only revealed after you leave.
What should you check when booking accommodations in Thailand to avoid hidden charges?
-Check the small print in the contract to see if utilities are included in the price, as some places may charge these after you leave.
How does Thailand rank in terms of safety among the most dangerous countries?
-Thailand is ranked 95 on the list of most dangerous countries, indicating that while it is generally safe, there are still scammers to be aware of.
Outlines
🚴♂️ Spotting Bike Rental Scams in Pattaya
This paragraph discusses common scams related to bike rentals in Thailand, particularly in Pattaya. The speaker warns about paying a deposit for a bike and then being accused of damaging it upon return, with the rental shop potentially using epoxy to create false damage. To avoid this, the speaker recommends taking photos and videos of the bike from all angles as evidence. Additionally, they mention that while not all bike shops are dishonest, some do engage in such scams. The advice is to be vigilant and gather evidence to protect oneself.
🏧 Avoiding ATM Fees in Thailand
The speaker addresses the issue of high fees associated with using overseas debit cards at ATMs in Thailand. They mention a fee of 220 Baht per transaction, in addition to any international fees charged by the user's bank. To mitigate these costs, the speaker suggests using TT exchanges once a week, as Thailand is a cashless society, and advises against carrying large amounts of cash. This strategy helps in managing expenses while on holiday.
🚖 Negotiating Taxi Fares in Thailand
This paragraph focuses on the common practice of negotiating taxi fares in Thailand. The speaker advises against simply getting into a taxi without discussing the fare first, as this can lead to overcharging. They recommend using Google Maps to estimate the distance and negotiate a fair price with the driver. Additionally, the speaker suggests using Bolt or Grab, which offer fixed rates and the option to pay in cash, as a safer alternative to hailing taxis on the street.
🛥️ Beware of Jet Ski Scams
The speaker warns about jet ski rental scams that are similar to bike rental scams. They mention that rental shops might claim the jet ski was damaged, often by going over shallow rocks, and charge extra for repairs and fuel. To protect oneself, the speaker advises taking photos and videos of the jet ski, ensuring it has enough fuel, and checking the rental agreement carefully. This helps in avoiding being scammed and having to pay unnecessary fees.
🏨 Understanding Accommodation Extras in Thailand
This paragraph highlights the potential hidden costs associated with booking accommodations in Thailand. The speaker cautions that some deals may seem attractive but come with additional charges for utilities like water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, which are billed after departure. They stress the importance of reading the contract terms carefully and checking if bills are included in the advertised price. This advice helps travelers avoid unexpected expenses and manage their budget more effectively.
🌐 Staying Informed About Scams in Thailand
In the concluding paragraph, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being aware of scams in Thailand, despite the country being relatively safe. They mention that Thailand ranks 95 on the list of most dangerous countries, suggesting that while it is not particularly dangerous, scammers do exist. The speaker hopes that the video has provided valuable information and made viewers more knowledgeable and cautious when traveling to Thailand.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Scam
💡Deposit
💡Evidence
💡ATM Transaction Fees
💡Cashless Society
💡Negotiate
💡Grab
💡Jet Ski Scam
💡Accommodation
💡Small Print
💡Safety
Highlights
Spotting and avoiding scams in Thailand, particularly in Pattaya.
Common bike rental scam involving hidden damages and deposits.
Advice on taking photos and videos as evidence to protect against bike rental scams.
The issue of police bias in Thailand when dealing with tourist disputes.
ATM fees and the recommendation to use TT exchanges for better savings.
The importance of negotiating taxi prices before starting a trip.
Using Google Maps to estimate taxi fares and distances.
Recommendation to download Bolt or Grab apps for fixed-rate taxi services.
Jet ski rental scams and the necessity of taking photos and ensuring fuel levels.
The potential for additional charges in jet ski rentals due to alleged damages.
Checking the small print in accommodation contracts for hidden charges.
The common mistake of overlooking included bills in accommodation prices.
Thailand's ranking on the list of most dangerous countries and general safety advice.
The video's aim to inform and educate viewers on avoiding common scams in Thailand.
A call to action for viewers to subscribe and enable notifications for more content.
Transcripts
today I'm having a walk down walking
Street and Beach Road Pattaya in this
video I'm going to break down how you
can spot a scam and a mistake and how
you can avoid it
okay so this first one is the infamous
scam and this scam happens all over
Thailand very common scam what happens
is you pay a deposit before you take the
bike away and when you bring the bike
back they'll cover up a hole or
something sometimes they're using epoxy
and that's not to say this happens at
every single Bike Shop in Thailand a lot
of them are genuine but sometimes these
places do like to pull these things some
of the ways you can protect yourself is
by taking photos and videos of all
around the bike every single angle just
so you've got a bit of evidence if
anything does happen and you don't want
to be in one of them sticky situations
where you start kicking off start
getting the police involved because the
police are never on your side here in
Thailand when it comes to these sort of
things
okay so the next is the ATM mistake and
a lot of people fall for this mistake
when they come to Thailand if you're
using these ATMs two or three times a
week each time you use them you've got
to pay 220 Baht per transaction if
you're using an overseas debit card
which you most likely are if you're here
on holiday and then if your bank has any
international fees you have to pay those
on top also so this can quickly add up
while you're out here what I would
recommend doing is using these TT
exchanges and just use them about once a
week Thailand is a very cashless Society
so don't worry about having loads of
cash on you one time that's just the way
things work out here
foreign
is about transport here in Thailand if
you're going out on a day trip somewhere
say if you're going to a temple or
you're going to a water park and you
need to get a taxi always negotiate the
price before you jump in that taxi don't
just get in the taxi figure out a price
on the way always pull it off on Google
Maps where you go in talk about the
distance talk about how many kilometers
try and negotiate a price for the driver
the same applies if you're getting a
tuck to a core remote bike anywhere just
always negotiate first there's no harm
in just discussing the price before you
actually get in the vehicle because what
will happen is you'll start driving the
driver could take a long route round and
he could say oh we've been driving for
20 minutes half an hour when the journey
only took five minutes what I'd actually
recommend doing is downloading the
Baltimore grab on your phone bolt is
generally a bit cheaper than grab but
both of these have fixed rate and you
can play in cash as well so download
bolt or grab if you don't have to mess
about we're getting these taxis on the
street because half of them say taxi
meter but they just charge you what you
want so yeah bear that in mind
[Music]
everybody
[Music]
now the next one jet ski scam and this
goes hand in hand with the motorbike
scam very similar only a jet ski they
can say you've damaged the bottom of the
boat you went over some shallow rocks
it's caused the crack and it can be just
as if not more expensive than the
motorbike scan and that's not to say all
these places are the same and they're
all out to get you because they're not
but they are out there so always take
pictures of the jet ski take videos do
everything you need to do and always
make sure it's got enough fuel as well
because sometimes what they'll even do
is give you the jet ski with half the
fuel in it you'll go out on the sea ride
in you'll end up being stranded out
there with no fuel they'll have to come
and save you and then they'll charge you
extra for going over the time and for
the extra fuel so always check it's got
enough fuel always take photos get the
evidence and this way you'll be
protected and you'll avoid being scammed
alone
[Music]
the next is the great room scam if
you're booking your accommodation before
you get here which you most likely are a
lot of these deals may seem too good to
be true but what you need to do is check
the small print on the contract and read
it thoroughly as you can see at some
places it does say in the small print
the bills such as water electricity
Wi-Fi are charged after you leave which
means the price you see on the website
is not the price you're actually going
to pay when you get there and when you
leave the hotel so it's good practice to
always check this out and this goes for
if you're renting a room anywhere in
Pattaya or Bangkok or anywhere in
Thailand always check if the bills are
included or not because this is a common
mistake that everybody makes and it can
cost you a lot of money especially if
you leave the aircon on Thailand is
generally a safe country but there are
scammers out there like every country
it's actually ranked 95 on the list most
dangerous countries so it actually that
bad but just be aware of these scams if
you are coming out here and I hope this
video has been formative and give you a
bit more knowledge and made you a bit
more wiser if you're planning on coming
out here 2023 if you like this sort of
content guys if you like these videos
I'm doing out here in Thailand do me a
favor and make sure you subscribe hit
the little bell for the notifications
and I'll see you in the next video peace
[Music]
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