Craggy coastlines of limestone cliffs engulf turquoise lagoons and white sand beaches, where people party to celebrate full moons.
Budget-friendly prices make the tastiest food you’ve ever devoured—Pad Thai, red and green curries, coconut soup and more—even tastier, and the pulsating nightlife that much more exciting.
Green jungles, mangrove forests and offshore islands characterize the south, and mountainous terrains make up the north. The culture is dense with decades of history, and the locals have stories to tell…
No, Thailand doesn’t leave a lot to desire. No matter who you are or where you’re from, Thailand is a paradise for most.
But we all know there is such a thing as trouble in Paradise.
Thailand has become a hotspot for travelers the world over, due to its Western-friendly culture and affordable prices (last year Thailand hosted more than 30 million foreign tourists).
And while Thailand is generally full of friendly, smiling locals (they call it “The Land of Smiles” for a reason!), some local Thais have made a business out of taking advantage of Westerners.
The good news is these common scams usually just affect your pockets (and your dignity). The bad news is, you might feel used, miffed, and, depending on how badly you got burned, out a serious chunk of change.
The best way to avoid getting deceived and departing with more cash than you bargained for is to be informed. Here are nine of Thailand’s worst travel scams—and how to avoid them.
Thailand is a major backpacker hub of the universe. It attracts gutsy solo travelers who’ve traversed the globe and back. Most of them could smell a scam from a mile away. But because there are so many travelers flocking to the Southeast Asian cultural and spiritual haven. And some practiced locals have become quite the professional con artists.
If you keep yourself informed and keep a watchful eye on money-making schemes, you can enjoy Thailand for everything it has to offer, devoid of the swindlers.
Has someone ever scammed you in Thailand before? Let us know what happened in the comments below!
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