Personally I have never been scammed (fingers crossed) in over a dozen years of travel now, maybe it is skill or dumb luck. I am careful of what I do and if something seems too good to be true it probably isn't! Other than food I skip the stuff for sale at the airport. This "airport problem" has reached the top office in the Thai government.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday ordered airport officials to resolve the problems and restore confidence among foreign tourists.
Here is a link to that declaration:
Reply to this BANGKOK AIRPORT CORRUPTION (SCAMS)
Most of the people WERE INNOCENT and still cheated.
PLease do NOT pretend otherwise.
Many of the cases the accused didn't even have the item they were supposed to have stolen but that still didn't matter!! (CEHCK THE RELEVENT MEDIA)
When sharks like this at BKK airport are there to get you to sign papers written in Thai under duress WEARING UNIFORMS then what else can we do?
GET REAL. IT HAPPENED. ASK THE EMBASSIES AND GET BACK TO THOSE WHO WERE CHEATED.
Reply to this Well, I don't mean to take side, but I have seen the security video, which showed that the woman took something from the display and put it into her bag.
I tried to analyze the movement and got a conclusion that it was not a coincidental movement but it was a well planned movement i.e. quickly taking something to put into her big hand bag.
The thing, which is improper, is the use of the Srilankan guy to be the mediator; Policemen should use someone from the embassy of the defendant's country, for this case is UK.
Hence, the first move of the Thai government should be to take the Srilankan guy and start an investigation from him, perhaps after several questioning sessions, he will reveal who is the chief of the action.
Reply to this Policemen should use someone from the embassy of the defendant's country...
I dont think they want to do that. It would mean that there would be no scam money for them to get a share of.
Thai government should be to take the Srilankan guy and start an investigation from him,
The big question is, why are they not doing this? I think, it is because of the difficulties those who have been scamed have with pressing charges.
Reply to this Most of all the passengers were innocent VICTIMS and caught in these wicked SCAMS.
Just remember that and try not to focus on ONE which was probably not.
Hundreds of victims and several Embassies cannot be wrong!!! what else do you need!
Reply to this Well I still doubt complete innocence by all parties arrested. I dont think Chapelle Corby was setup either in Bali.
Basically because I know there is always another side of the story.. I read Thai newspapers daily (with assistance) and seems a lot less strife goes down than does here in Sydney Australia....
Anyway I may be wrong but I always, always keep an open mind and never believe everything I read on the internet..
Thanks for the advice.
Reply to this Thai Visa has an update that came in just today concerning scams, pests and problems with taxis at the airport.
Reply to this Yes, I have seen that warning. Thank God it isn't quite as bad as in 1998-99 when business men from Europe and beyond were picked up by crooks in unlicensed taxis.
Their bodies were all found on industrial wasteland minus their wallets. Only after this was something done about it unlicensed taxis at that time.
Reply to this I always catch unlicenced taxi's from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Straight across the overhead walkway on level 4, down to the ground floor, Mr Ing or Mr Nang are usually always there, if not Mr Ings Sister Jang also has a very nice car and works the airport 5 days a week. Lovely people and they charge half the price of a normal taxi. Mr Ing is studying to be a lawyer and completes his final exams this year.
I used their services the 5 times I arrived Suvarnabhami Airport and also used them to pick me up from my hotel to take me to the Airport. They took me to Pataya and Hui Hin also. About half the price of the hotels advertised price, in a brand new Toyota Camry, A/C, and DVD player if your bored.
Hope they didnt get in trouble as I found them to be excellent people, great company and excellent local knowledge.
I dont have their number but if you go to ground floor outside the main doors where they organise tour groups and ask for Mr Ing, they all know him and will be able to get in touch.
Reply to this I think if we all hang around looking or even asking other taxi drivers for Mr Ing/Jang or his sister I am sure we would all be pushed into another unknown car -'Mr Jang no here! We got nice driver here -Mr Nok and mr Wok! come this way please!
However, I understand they probably are very nice people and it is refreshing to find good people like the ones you have mentioned : )
I also know Hua Hin well -and that's not Mr Hua or Mr Hin. (no offence!) Bus is best before 11pm!
BUt I won't forget the name for future reference.
Reply to this Shane,
A quick lesson in Thai life philosophy... Mai bpen Rai
"Mai bpen rai is the multi purpose tool of Thai since it can have as many meanings as Never mind. It's cool. Don't get mad, get glad. Take it easy. No worries. Shit happens. Oh well, I can't do anything about it. It's nothing. Etc, etc if not more!
It is THE all purpose Thai expression that along with a genuine smile will get you out of trouble faster than your Visa card, Buddha or a swiss army pocket knife in the hands of a swiss soldier! It will also get you in good with the locals more than anything if you make a blunder just remember to use 'mai bpen rai' generously, like every other word or so, and keep flashing your rich farang million dollar smile with sincerity.
When your in Thailand your bound to hear this expression. A lot. However you may be confused the first time you hear it since Thai's don't always pronounce their r's. It comes out sounding like 'My Ben Lie' most of the time. You won't recognize 'Mai bpen rai' right away but you get the idea. Trust in it as a life saver and you'll see how well 'Mai bpen rai' can work for you too!
Stuck in Bangkok traffic and your late for a meeting? Mai bpen rai! Everyone in Thailand is on Thai time which means they will probably be even more late than you!
Ordered Tom Yum Goong in a Thai resturant and got Curry Noodles instead? Mai bpen rai! Here's your chance to try something new and maybe discover a new favorite.
Thai-blogs taking FOREVER to upload a preview of your blog Mai bpen rai! Here's your chance to catch up on your reading of Travelblog or Facebook."
Keep in mind those pushy Taxi drivers live by this philosophy also. Maybe a couple of Mai Chi's and a Mai Bpen Rai, would have changed your entire experience in Thailand.
Mai bpen rai, mai bpen rai, took took sing, mai bpen rai
“It’s ok, it’s alright, everything gonna be alright.”
This is the attitude I saw in nearly all Thai people I met and it is the seriousness and the attitudes of the foreigners that frustrate the Thai's. Keeping in mind we are in their country.
Reply to this 
