Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

How I Got Scammed in Bangkok: The Grand Palace "Closed" Trick (And My $500 "Discount" Suit) Let me tell you the story of how I, a supposedly intelligent traveler who once successfully assembled IKEA furniture without crying, got completely scammed in Bangkok like a wide-eyed newbie who had never heard of the internet.   It all started with my grand plan to visit the Grand Palace, because obviously, you can't go to Bangkok without seeing the Emerald Buddha and taking at least 200 photos to prove you were cultured.   Act 1: The Friendly Stranger Who Definitely Wasn't a Scammer   As I approached the palace gates, sweating like a snowman in a sauna (because Bangkok heat is no joke), a well-dressed man with a very official-looking badge stopped me.   Him (in decent English): "Oh no, sorry sir, Grand Palace closed for Buddhist ceremony until 3 PM!"   Me (squinting suspiciously): "Really? But Google said..."   Him (cutting me off with a sa...

So You Want to Get Scammed in Thailand? Here's Your Ultimate Guide Ah, Thailand, the Land of Smiles. Stunning beaches, incredible food, rich culture and of course, the occasional tourist scam to spice things up. Because what’s a vacation without getting mildly robbed, right? If you’re looking to lose some money and make questionable memories, you’re in luck. Thailand has a buffet of scams waiting just for you. Let’s dive into the highlights. 1. “Sorry, the Grand Palace is Totally Closed Today… Trust Me, I’m a Stranger” You came all the way to Bangkok, excited to see the Grand Palace, only to have a very convincing stranger tell you it’s closed for a "special Buddhist thing." So nice of him to break the news before you even got near the entrance! But don’t worry, he’s got a cousin with a tuk-tuk ready to show you the real Bangkok. Spoiler: it ends with you in a jewelry store buying fake gems. Pro tip: The palace is almost never closed. Just walk in and see for yourself.  2...