Tuesday, 11 October 2016
Possible Bangkok bomb plots prompt police to step up security
Possible #Bangkok bomb plots prompt police to step up security
Police said today that they have increased security at major landmarks in Bangkok, as well as at airports and in surrounding provinces, following reports of bomb plots just weeks after deadly attacks rocked the country's south.
Friday, 23 September 2016
The difference between Thai and Chinese people
The difference between Thai and Chinese people.
.
The main difference is that Thai
people spend their money, and Chinese people save their money and invest
in the future. (buy properties and rent out)
.
Personally i think it is a part of the Buddhism with the Thai people, the keep the people stupid. (sorry to say that)
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1/ Chinese People:
.
You see the work hard, always friendly, and save their money the make.
Buy properties which the rent out or later sale for higher prizes.
.
2/ Thai People:.
Live by the day, and like to loan / borrow money for expensive things like, iPhones, Cars, Motorbikes, …….
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When the not can loan from the banks, the loan on the streets from the loan-sharks.
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Be continued: (I want give you some examples)
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Saturday, 27 August 2016
New shuttles bus service tested in capital of Bangkok
A new shuttle bus service connecting Bangkok’s Victory Monument area and key bus terminals such as the Southern Bus Terminal, the Mo Chit Bus Terminal and the Ekkamai Mo Chit Terminal, has been tested after passenger vans were banned in the area.
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Speaking as chairman of the committee in charge of regulating public transportation vans, Colonel Suwit Ketsri, deputy commander of the Second Cavalry Division King's Guard, said the test had been arranged to calculate the travelling time for each route's round trip to provide a proper number of shuttle buses.
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The Second Cavalry Division King's Guard chief of staff, Colonel Sombat Thanyawan, said four buses head to the Mo Chit Bus Terminal, six to the Southern Bus Terminal, and four to the Ekkamai Terminal every 20 minutes.
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"Shuttle buses will be added when there are too many passengers," he said.
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Traffic Police deputy commander Colonel Teerasak Suriwong said the trip between Victory Monument to the key bus terminals would normally take about two hours, while the shuttle buses running on the expressway would take about 20 minutes.
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The service is in response to the National Council for Peace and Order's mandate to better regulate traffic in the capital.
Speaking as chairman of the committee in charge of regulating public transportation vans, Colonel Suwit Ketsri, deputy commander of the Second Cavalry Division King's Guard, said the test had been arranged to calculate the travelling time for each route's round trip to provide a proper number of shuttle buses.
.
The Second Cavalry Division King's Guard chief of staff, Colonel Sombat Thanyawan, said four buses head to the Mo Chit Bus Terminal, six to the Southern Bus Terminal, and four to the Ekkamai Terminal every 20 minutes.
.
"Shuttle buses will be added when there are too many passengers," he said.
.
Traffic Police deputy commander Colonel Teerasak Suriwong said the trip between Victory Monument to the key bus terminals would normally take about two hours, while the shuttle buses running on the expressway would take about 20 minutes.
.
The service is in response to the National Council for Peace and Order's mandate to better regulate traffic in the capital.
.
Source: TheNation
.
*****
Friday, 19 August 2016
Thailand - It’s all go with Pokemon Go
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The augmented-reality game takes Thailand by storm
AFTER BECOMING an instant hit with gamers in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Europe last month, interactive augmented reality game Pokemon Go finally landed in Thailand earlier this week and quickly brought pedestrian traffic to a standstill as residents of all ages took to the streets to locate and capture the virtual creatures.
.
Of course, there's nothing new about the adorable mouse-like monster Pikachu and his friends. Older gamers will remember them well from the role-playing video games developed for the Game Boy back in the 1990s. Now, though, the game is using the mobile phone's camera and gyroscope to render a live background, making players feel that they are encountering a Pokemon in the real world.
.
Developed by Niantic Lab, an internal startup within Google, this new mobile application is designed for IOS and Android devices and took over from Niantic's initial trans-reality game, called Ingress. Fun and creative for youngsters and adults, there are 151 Pokemon to catch based on their move set, behaviours and where they live. A gamer is called "trainer" and can create an avatar by designing its hairstyle, skin colour and outfits. More than 100 million gamers around the world have so far downloaded the free application.
.
This virtual game uses the Google Maps database to show the locations of PokeStops. These provide players with items like the Poke Ball, monster eggs and potion. In other countries they are often discovered around sculptures and monuments but in Thailand you can find them at spirit houses and shrines, which explains why some young trainers spend their days hovering around temples. Bangkok's gigantic shopping malls, parks and office buildings - even The Nation's office building on Bangna-Trat Road - are converted into gyms, where trainers at level 5 can send their monsters to improve their skills on the battleground.
.
Pokemon fans have already set up a Pokemon Go Thailand Fanclub on Facebook to serve as a community for like-minded folk Led by someone calling himself Admin K, this page is designed to help update new movements and guide players through the technical terms.
.
"I played Pokemon on Game Boy 20 years ago. When I grew up, I wondered when it would become available on a mobile phone. I heard that Niantic had teamed up with Nintendo and Pokemon Company in the middle of last year and have been looking forward to its arrival ever since. My friends and I set up this page in February for fans of the Pokemon game to learn more. I think we are already the biggest community of Pokemon Go gamers with more than 140,000 followers," Admin K says.
.
"I love the Pokemon Go concept of combining reality and fantasy. We are all familiar with the Pokemon characters. You just say 'Pikachu' and people know what you're talking about. The selling point of Pokemon Go is that groups of monsters are randomised to appear in several places and there are rare monsters that are specific to each continent," he continues.
.
"But I'd like to caution players about the need to stay safe. Don't try and catch monsters while you're riding or driving. Parents should take care of their kids and guide them to play the game in the right way."
.
Nat, a 30-year-old entrepreneur, was a Pokemon fan back when it was played on Game Boy and has been following the news about the Pokemon Go App since it first leaked two years ago.
.
"I had a chance to play Pokemon Go when I spent a holiday in Scandinavia last month. It's an interactive game and great fun. It brings people together. You can smile at a crowd of strangers in a park while catching a Pokemon and they smile back. You can use AR technology to capture a picture with monsters," Nat says.
.
"I worry though about the emotional quotient of Thai gamers. We should focus on safety first and foremost. The number of downloads is falling because there's no new content. But I've heard that Niantic is developing a battle system and gamers can trade their monsters with friends too."
.
Kusuma Pholthampalit, a Thai student in the UK, is another keen trainer.
.
"The app wasn't available in the UK at first so my friends linked our account to a server in Australia and New Zealand. Now, the game is very popular here. I'm at level 22 and I like this game. Normally, I'm very lazy about moving around and this game pushes me to walk. When we get a monster egg, we have to walk between two and 10 kilometres to incubate it, which has to be good exercise. The game also forces us to travel around town because PokeStops are often at well-known tourist attractions like churches, art venues, museums or even convenience stores." Kusuma says.
.
"However, we should play it the right way and be concerned about safety too. I know in the UK some people have been hit by a car because they keep looking at their phones to try and capture a Pokemon."
.
Citing public concerns of potential dangers from the popular game, Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecom Commission (NBTC) recently urged US-based Niantic Inc, to consider removing Pokemons and so-called PokeStops from certain places, including footpaths, railroads and canal banks as well as from temples, pagodas, schools, hospitals, and government and military buildings. The NBTC also urged the developer to restrict availability of the game at night to prevent children suffering accidents in public places.
.
At a forum at Chulalongkorn University titled "Where Pokemon Go Will Take Thai Society" last Thursday, adult psychiatrist Dr Puchong Laorujisawat of Chulalongkorn University's medical faculty, pointed out that the key to preventing people from causing problems for themselves or others while playing the game was basic self control.
.
"If one does not have discipline and self control, no matter which games are introduced, there will be a problem," Puchong said.
.
Associate Professor Panrapee Suthiwan, a psychologist specialising in child and adolescent development, noted that the game could also bring parents and their children together.
.
"We can turn things around by playing with children and teaching them how to play without causing problems. We can use the game as a link between parents and children. There are good and bad sides to Pokemon Go but we just have to pick the way to use it wisely," Panrapee said.
.
Entrepreneurs have been quick to jump on the Pokemon Go bandwagon. Pong, who works as a marketing officer in Nakhon Ratchasima, has set up a TaxiDriverPokemonGo page on Facebook to offer taxi services starting at Bt100 for a motorbike and Bt280 for a car per hour.
.
"I noticed young gamers always ride a motorcycle to catch the monsters. Because they are not concentrating fully on the road, they might get into an accident. It's better to have a driver take them," Pong says.
.
The people behind the popular GrabTaxi mobile application have also recognised the game's potential and have introduced a special promotion called Grab Go that offers a free service for three hours for touring around town to capture a Pokemon.
.
In Phuket, meanwhile, the Phuket Tour Holiday travel agency offers a city tour that takes gamers to find a Pokemon in several popular spots. The fee ranges from Bt1,900 for a sedan and Bt3,500 for a van for a six-hour service.
.
Next month, Nintendo will be launching Pokemon Go Plus, a collection of Bluetooth low-energy wearable devices that allow players to perform certain actions in the game without looking at their smartphone. The device will help users get items from the PokeStop and vibrate when a Pokemon is close by.
.
Source: TheNation.com
.
.
The augmented-reality game takes Thailand by storm
AFTER BECOMING an instant hit with gamers in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Europe last month, interactive augmented reality game Pokemon Go finally landed in Thailand earlier this week and quickly brought pedestrian traffic to a standstill as residents of all ages took to the streets to locate and capture the virtual creatures.
.
Of course, there's nothing new about the adorable mouse-like monster Pikachu and his friends. Older gamers will remember them well from the role-playing video games developed for the Game Boy back in the 1990s. Now, though, the game is using the mobile phone's camera and gyroscope to render a live background, making players feel that they are encountering a Pokemon in the real world.
.
Developed by Niantic Lab, an internal startup within Google, this new mobile application is designed for IOS and Android devices and took over from Niantic's initial trans-reality game, called Ingress. Fun and creative for youngsters and adults, there are 151 Pokemon to catch based on their move set, behaviours and where they live. A gamer is called "trainer" and can create an avatar by designing its hairstyle, skin colour and outfits. More than 100 million gamers around the world have so far downloaded the free application.
.
This virtual game uses the Google Maps database to show the locations of PokeStops. These provide players with items like the Poke Ball, monster eggs and potion. In other countries they are often discovered around sculptures and monuments but in Thailand you can find them at spirit houses and shrines, which explains why some young trainers spend their days hovering around temples. Bangkok's gigantic shopping malls, parks and office buildings - even The Nation's office building on Bangna-Trat Road - are converted into gyms, where trainers at level 5 can send their monsters to improve their skills on the battleground.
.
Pokemon fans have already set up a Pokemon Go Thailand Fanclub on Facebook to serve as a community for like-minded folk Led by someone calling himself Admin K, this page is designed to help update new movements and guide players through the technical terms.
.
"I played Pokemon on Game Boy 20 years ago. When I grew up, I wondered when it would become available on a mobile phone. I heard that Niantic had teamed up with Nintendo and Pokemon Company in the middle of last year and have been looking forward to its arrival ever since. My friends and I set up this page in February for fans of the Pokemon game to learn more. I think we are already the biggest community of Pokemon Go gamers with more than 140,000 followers," Admin K says.
.
"I love the Pokemon Go concept of combining reality and fantasy. We are all familiar with the Pokemon characters. You just say 'Pikachu' and people know what you're talking about. The selling point of Pokemon Go is that groups of monsters are randomised to appear in several places and there are rare monsters that are specific to each continent," he continues.
.
"But I'd like to caution players about the need to stay safe. Don't try and catch monsters while you're riding or driving. Parents should take care of their kids and guide them to play the game in the right way."
.
Nat, a 30-year-old entrepreneur, was a Pokemon fan back when it was played on Game Boy and has been following the news about the Pokemon Go App since it first leaked two years ago.
.
"I had a chance to play Pokemon Go when I spent a holiday in Scandinavia last month. It's an interactive game and great fun. It brings people together. You can smile at a crowd of strangers in a park while catching a Pokemon and they smile back. You can use AR technology to capture a picture with monsters," Nat says.
.
"I worry though about the emotional quotient of Thai gamers. We should focus on safety first and foremost. The number of downloads is falling because there's no new content. But I've heard that Niantic is developing a battle system and gamers can trade their monsters with friends too."
.
Kusuma Pholthampalit, a Thai student in the UK, is another keen trainer.
.
"The app wasn't available in the UK at first so my friends linked our account to a server in Australia and New Zealand. Now, the game is very popular here. I'm at level 22 and I like this game. Normally, I'm very lazy about moving around and this game pushes me to walk. When we get a monster egg, we have to walk between two and 10 kilometres to incubate it, which has to be good exercise. The game also forces us to travel around town because PokeStops are often at well-known tourist attractions like churches, art venues, museums or even convenience stores." Kusuma says.
.
"However, we should play it the right way and be concerned about safety too. I know in the UK some people have been hit by a car because they keep looking at their phones to try and capture a Pokemon."
.
Citing public concerns of potential dangers from the popular game, Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecom Commission (NBTC) recently urged US-based Niantic Inc, to consider removing Pokemons and so-called PokeStops from certain places, including footpaths, railroads and canal banks as well as from temples, pagodas, schools, hospitals, and government and military buildings. The NBTC also urged the developer to restrict availability of the game at night to prevent children suffering accidents in public places.
.
At a forum at Chulalongkorn University titled "Where Pokemon Go Will Take Thai Society" last Thursday, adult psychiatrist Dr Puchong Laorujisawat of Chulalongkorn University's medical faculty, pointed out that the key to preventing people from causing problems for themselves or others while playing the game was basic self control.
.
"If one does not have discipline and self control, no matter which games are introduced, there will be a problem," Puchong said.
.
Associate Professor Panrapee Suthiwan, a psychologist specialising in child and adolescent development, noted that the game could also bring parents and their children together.
.
"We can turn things around by playing with children and teaching them how to play without causing problems. We can use the game as a link between parents and children. There are good and bad sides to Pokemon Go but we just have to pick the way to use it wisely," Panrapee said.
.
Entrepreneurs have been quick to jump on the Pokemon Go bandwagon. Pong, who works as a marketing officer in Nakhon Ratchasima, has set up a TaxiDriverPokemonGo page on Facebook to offer taxi services starting at Bt100 for a motorbike and Bt280 for a car per hour.
.
"I noticed young gamers always ride a motorcycle to catch the monsters. Because they are not concentrating fully on the road, they might get into an accident. It's better to have a driver take them," Pong says.
.
The people behind the popular GrabTaxi mobile application have also recognised the game's potential and have introduced a special promotion called Grab Go that offers a free service for three hours for touring around town to capture a Pokemon.
.
In Phuket, meanwhile, the Phuket Tour Holiday travel agency offers a city tour that takes gamers to find a Pokemon in several popular spots. The fee ranges from Bt1,900 for a sedan and Bt3,500 for a van for a six-hour service.
.
Next month, Nintendo will be launching Pokemon Go Plus, a collection of Bluetooth low-energy wearable devices that allow players to perform certain actions in the game without looking at their smartphone. The device will help users get items from the PokeStop and vibrate when a Pokemon is close by.
.
Source: TheNation.com
.
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
About Google Local Guides Connect
About a Real Local Guide and a Google Local Guide.
I'm a Dutch man, and live over 20 years in Asia (Thailand & Cambodia) and been an "Local Guide" for years.
Recently I'm invited for Google Local Guides Connect !
All look nice, and after the first topic the ask, and I did that.
"Introduce your self"
But on a professional way, not same others as hello, hello, hello and hi, and that sort of bullshit, ...
.
I'm sorry my name is connected with over 400 other Social Media. (I build these Social Media Networks in the past.)
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I'm sorry my name is connected with over 400 other Social Media. (I build these Social Media Networks in the past.)
When there is an discussion about new Meet-Ups I offer my knowledge and want also create an Meet-Up here in Bangkok.
And want invite people (who want to come) to my location, yes sorry again, I invite them in my restaurant. (Also registered in "Google my Business"
I not want invite people for a meet-up on the streets like a Tramp.
But the not accept that and block or suspended my account ?
The next morning I can not login ? Not any warning or mailing coming ?
And it is impossible to connect any moderator.
But the not accept that and block or suspended my account ?
The next morning I can not login ? Not any warning or mailing coming ?
And it is impossible to connect any moderator.
To continue I made a new Local Guides Connect account with an other Google Gmail
But it is not allowed to have 2 accounts (I know that)
But this is only temporary to try to contact someone for a solution.
.
.
Than @CorrieD (moderator) replay to me in the new account, and blame me for have 2 accounts, But how on an other way I can contact them.
.
.
.
Than she write my account has NOT any quality. Who is the crazy one ?
I not write the whole community full with, hello hello hello, ....
An other big point is the topic I made about the safety in Thailand. There was the last weekend on different locations 11 bombings in Thailand. And she name it #Spam !!!
.
.
.
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Than she write my account has NOT any quality. Who is the crazy one ?
I not write the whole community full with, hello hello hello, ....
An other big point is the topic I made about the safety in Thailand. There was the last weekend on different locations 11 bombings in Thailand. And she name it #Spam !!!
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I'm an professional Local Guide, And yes, I have a Travel Agency.
What is wrong with that ?
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We warning people about their safety ! Many people come to my office and mailing me, the are really worry.
How you can name this #Spam ??? You must be crazy.
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We warning people about their safety ! Many people come to my office and mailing me, the are really worry.
How you can name this #Spam ??? You must be crazy.
After I delete this temporary second account.
Before I ask to reconnect my main-account, what is linked to many other social media.
But not any reaction or solution.
.
.
Ps. I ask her Name and address information, to open a case against this bitch.
This is absolute not normal.
I not want more use this Local Guides Connect for posting, but only for to have the button om my Google Maps, and create some points.
(I was on level 3 already)
But anyway, when you want a real Local Guide, (and not want only a hello hello puppet) be free to contact me. "We are at your service"
Thursday, 4 August 2016
Coffee Cup Size - Bangkok
lets you pick your cup from menu on models’ breasts
A new coffee shop has become a hot topic of discussion online after photos of a male customer picking his coffee from a menu on a model’s chest circulated online.
But can you actually touch the pretties? Nope, you can only point (and obviously take a photo of yourself pointing at them and Instagram it).
“No, customers aren’t allowed to feel the models. They can only point [at the menu],”
The shop owner said the models will stand by for a few days, but if his business can still afford having models in the cafe, he’d like to continue hiring them to entertain customers.
The baristas and waiters also wear T-shirts with the menu printed on them. But he said that the oh-so-tight tank tops are just for the pretties.
While some people say the women in tank tops are sexist, the shop owner said that a pretty in a tank top is nothing compared to what goes on at the Motor Show.
"It's their opinion. I'm happy that people are paying attention to the cafe. It just means my marketing plan is successful."
Surprisingly, he said most of his customers are normal office people and university students who need their morning coffee.
Source: Coconuts.co
Sunday, 31 July 2016
Top 7 Tourist Scams to Watch Out for in Thailand
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Thailand can be a land of excitement and wonder for a new visitor, but it also comes with its own share of risk and danger. There are those among the jovial crowd who are looking to make a quick buck from an unwary tourist, by hook or by crook. Keep a wary eye out and don’t let these scams spell the end of your hard-earned holiday!
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1/ The Jet-skies
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The beautiful coastal beaches in the country are a local attraction for water sports, but should you ever decide to rent a jet ski, do keep in mind all scratches and dents that are already present on the vehicle before setting off. There are vendors who will falsely claim that you have damaged their jet ski after returning and demand compensation for repairs.
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Many people have fallen for such a scam, especially in tourist hotspots such as Pattaya and Phuket. These tourists are often intimidated by “police officers”, usually accomplices pretending to be so, who would threaten to arrest them should they not cooperate.
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It would be wise to avoid all jet ski activities to prevent yourself falling as another victim. However, if you really feel the need to experience the thrill in the water, never hand over your passport as collateral when renting one.
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It is also important to note that this scam is not exclusive to jet skis. Other tourists have reported the same situation upon renting motorcycles and cars, so be extra cautious when you decide to rent a vehicle in Thailand!
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Many people have fallen for such a scam, especially in tourist hotspots such as Pattaya and Phuket. These tourists are often intimidated by “police officers”, usually accomplices pretending to be so, who would threaten to arrest them should they not cooperate.
.
It would be wise to avoid all jet ski activities to prevent yourself falling as another victim. However, if you really feel the need to experience the thrill in the water, never hand over your passport as collateral when renting one.
.
It is also important to note that this scam is not exclusive to jet skis. Other tourists have reported the same situation upon renting motorcycles and cars, so be extra cautious when you decide to rent a vehicle in Thailand!
.
2/ The Thai Money
.
Get acquainted with the local currency! Keep track on the different types of baht notes you possess and their appearance once you leave the money changer. Many tourists often find themselves shortchanged and taken advantage of by cashiers as they are not familiar with Thai money.
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Places like 7-Eleven and Family Mart in tourist areas usually declare out loud the amount of baht you pay during your purchase, so take the effort to double-check and ensure that the change you receive is the correct one.
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A variant of this scam revolves around the shopkeeper accusing you for paying with a counterfeit note. He or she would go to the back of the store, away from your sight, swap the note you handed over with a realistic counterfeit one and return. Giving the fake note to you, he or she would demand for new payment, leaving you to pay for twice or thrice the original amount.
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To avoid this, always keep an eye on your baht notes and roughly remember the serial numbers of the larger ones. The latter may prove to be a mild inconvenience for some, but it can end up saving you and your tight budget.
.
.
Get acquainted with the local currency! Keep track on the different types of baht notes you possess and their appearance once you leave the money changer. Many tourists often find themselves shortchanged and taken advantage of by cashiers as they are not familiar with Thai money.
.
Places like 7-Eleven and Family Mart in tourist areas usually declare out loud the amount of baht you pay during your purchase, so take the effort to double-check and ensure that the change you receive is the correct one.
.
A variant of this scam revolves around the shopkeeper accusing you for paying with a counterfeit note. He or she would go to the back of the store, away from your sight, swap the note you handed over with a realistic counterfeit one and return. Giving the fake note to you, he or she would demand for new payment, leaving you to pay for twice or thrice the original amount.
.
To avoid this, always keep an eye on your baht notes and roughly remember the serial numbers of the larger ones. The latter may prove to be a mild inconvenience for some, but it can end up saving you and your tight budget.
.
3/ This Palace is Closed
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This scam is often encountered near any tourist attraction, but the majority of cases reported by victims usually happen outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
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A stranger will usually approach you and inform that the attraction is “closed” for various reasons. He or she will then recommend alternative locations, usually a gem store or a tailor shop, and dangle cheap discounts to entice you.
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Should you unwittingly accept the offer, they will arrange transport via taxi or tuk tuk, who are similarly in league, to the shops. Once there, they will attempt to bully you into buying overpriced goods, with extreme cases locking you in the shop until you decide to purchase something!
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These strangers often look and talk convincingly, wearing formal shirts with “tourist police” tags. They can even be found inside the attractions as well, so be on your guard.
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The solution to this would be researching on the place before heading over. Remember to check out the operating hours and visiting times to avoid being misled..
.
This scam is often encountered near any tourist attraction, but the majority of cases reported by victims usually happen outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
.
A stranger will usually approach you and inform that the attraction is “closed” for various reasons. He or she will then recommend alternative locations, usually a gem store or a tailor shop, and dangle cheap discounts to entice you.
.
Should you unwittingly accept the offer, they will arrange transport via taxi or tuk tuk, who are similarly in league, to the shops. Once there, they will attempt to bully you into buying overpriced goods, with extreme cases locking you in the shop until you decide to purchase something!
.
These strangers often look and talk convincingly, wearing formal shirts with “tourist police” tags. They can even be found inside the attractions as well, so be on your guard.
.
The solution to this would be researching on the place before heading over. Remember to check out the operating hours and visiting times to avoid being misled..
4/ Sex Shows
.
The red light districts in Thailand are often well-known for its ping pong shows. The claim of cheap drinks and entry by the friendly promoters outside the bar would do very little to sate your innate curiosity.
.
But as they say, curiosity kills the cat. Once you step in, you’ll be led to a table where the girls will put up an underwhelming show. You will, then, be pressured to generously tip the performer despite being satisfied or not.
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If you request to leave midway, the bill that comes along will demand that you pay thousands for the few drinks you just had. Refusing it will usually incur the wrath of the bouncers hanging around the bar, so it’s best to just concede and pay up to avoid further harm.
.
So steer clear of these shows, if you would rather not be left both disappointed and broke at the end of the day. This warning goes double if you are traveling alone, as lone tourists are easily ganged up on and are favored targets by the scam.
.
.
The red light districts in Thailand are often well-known for its ping pong shows. The claim of cheap drinks and entry by the friendly promoters outside the bar would do very little to sate your innate curiosity.
.
But as they say, curiosity kills the cat. Once you step in, you’ll be led to a table where the girls will put up an underwhelming show. You will, then, be pressured to generously tip the performer despite being satisfied or not.
.
If you request to leave midway, the bill that comes along will demand that you pay thousands for the few drinks you just had. Refusing it will usually incur the wrath of the bouncers hanging around the bar, so it’s best to just concede and pay up to avoid further harm.
.
So steer clear of these shows, if you would rather not be left both disappointed and broke at the end of the day. This warning goes double if you are traveling alone, as lone tourists are easily ganged up on and are favored targets by the scam.
.
5/ Thai Gemstones
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When someone tells you that you can make a huge profit by reselling gems from Thailand, it sounds too good to be true.
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In fact, it’s not true at all. You could be targeted for a gem scam, one of the more popular ones in the country. It usually begins with the scammer claiming that gems are easily harvested in the country, and can be purchased in bulk for cheap prices. He or she then continues to tell you that you can make lots of money by selling the bought gems back home.
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This scam can be made further enticing when they throw in discounted prices, convincing you that you were the only few that they have decided to share this precious insider trade secret with. Accomplices acting as tourists around the store may also attempt to justify his or her story.
.
Do not make the mistake that many people have already fallen for due to greed. If you can indeed make huge sums from selling Thailand gems in other countries, why would he or she tell such a powerful trade secret to a random tourist who chances into the store? Politely refuse, and walk away.
.
When someone tells you that you can make a huge profit by reselling gems from Thailand, it sounds too good to be true.
.
In fact, it’s not true at all. You could be targeted for a gem scam, one of the more popular ones in the country. It usually begins with the scammer claiming that gems are easily harvested in the country, and can be purchased in bulk for cheap prices. He or she then continues to tell you that you can make lots of money by selling the bought gems back home.
.
This scam can be made further enticing when they throw in discounted prices, convincing you that you were the only few that they have decided to share this precious insider trade secret with. Accomplices acting as tourists around the store may also attempt to justify his or her story.
.
Do not make the mistake that many people have already fallen for due to greed. If you can indeed make huge sums from selling Thailand gems in other countries, why would he or she tell such a powerful trade secret to a random tourist who chances into the store? Politely refuse, and walk away.
.
6/ Airport Taxis
.
.
When you exit from the airport, you will undoubtedly be harassed by official looking taxi drivers who would offer a flat fee of 500 – 1000 baht to head to town.
.
Not only do the real taxis with meters charge less than half of what they offer, these drivers would often attempt to persuade you to sign up for overpriced tour packages and bundles. The more extreme ones would purposely drive you to a wrong place with a similar name to your destination, and demand more cash for the proper journey.
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Even if they use the meter, keep track of whether it is running throughout the journey. There are horror stories of where the taxi meter jams halfway during the trip, prompting dishonest drivers to charge exorbitant prices for a ride that would have cost far less in the meter rate.
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It is important to note that taxi drivers are required by law to use the meter, so do not be intimidated if a driver requests a flat fee for his or her service. Firmly refuse and exit the car, there are thousands of other taxis in Thailand that would happily take you to the places you need to go.
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Not only do the real taxis with meters charge less than half of what they offer, these drivers would often attempt to persuade you to sign up for overpriced tour packages and bundles. The more extreme ones would purposely drive you to a wrong place with a similar name to your destination, and demand more cash for the proper journey.
.
Even if they use the meter, keep track of whether it is running throughout the journey. There are horror stories of where the taxi meter jams halfway during the trip, prompting dishonest drivers to charge exorbitant prices for a ride that would have cost far less in the meter rate.
.
It is important to note that taxi drivers are required by law to use the meter, so do not be intimidated if a driver requests a flat fee for his or her service. Firmly refuse and exit the car, there are thousands of other taxis in Thailand that would happily take you to the places you need to go.
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7 / Fake Tour Packages from “Tourism Authority of Thailand”
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When a local stranger offers to sign you up for a tour package, courtesy by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s travel agency, turn him or her down and walk away.
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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) does NOT operate travel agencies and sell anything to tourists. They are a government agency and are responsible for promoting their local wonders and attractions to foreign countries. They are also responsible in licensing travel agencies and guides, but do not actually possess their own agencies.
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However, many scam companies have taken on the guise of TAT’s name and used its stellar reputation for their own ill deeds. A popular example would be individuals who would intercept tourists at Hualumphong, Bangkok’s main rail terminal, and falsely present themselves as an employee of TAT. They would then mislead the unfortunate victim by telling him or her that the tickets for the train route they wanted are sold out.
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The scammer would go on to offer alternatives “provided” by TAT, such as a private bus or taxi that overcharges for the trip, and are usually the setup for further scams.
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Thus, always avoid anyone who claims to be from TAT, they hold no authority over you. No employee of TAT would be found walking around train stations or taxi stands to help out lost travelers.
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When a local stranger offers to sign you up for a tour package, courtesy by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s travel agency, turn him or her down and walk away.
.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) does NOT operate travel agencies and sell anything to tourists. They are a government agency and are responsible for promoting their local wonders and attractions to foreign countries. They are also responsible in licensing travel agencies and guides, but do not actually possess their own agencies.
.
However, many scam companies have taken on the guise of TAT’s name and used its stellar reputation for their own ill deeds. A popular example would be individuals who would intercept tourists at Hualumphong, Bangkok’s main rail terminal, and falsely present themselves as an employee of TAT. They would then mislead the unfortunate victim by telling him or her that the tickets for the train route they wanted are sold out.
.
The scammer would go on to offer alternatives “provided” by TAT, such as a private bus or taxi that overcharges for the trip, and are usually the setup for further scams.
.
Thus, always avoid anyone who claims to be from TAT, they hold no authority over you. No employee of TAT would be found walking around train stations or taxi stands to help out lost travelers.
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Thailand’s Tourist Police Division
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Thailand’s Tourist Police Division recently introduced their 24/7 hotline for foreigners in distress. Should you find yourself in a middle of a scam, dial 1155 for police assistance. Do not worry about the language barrier as there will be interpreters on hand to translate your call.
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But of course, not every person and place in Thailand is looking for an opportunity to steal your hard-earned cash. There are a lot more friendly locals who genuinely love and welcome tourists to their country, so do not go around treating everyone with hostility and suspicion. Just exercise a little caution and common sense in your adventures in the Land of Smiles, and you should be perfectly fine!.
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Thailand’s Tourist Police Division recently introduced their 24/7 hotline for foreigners in distress. Should you find yourself in a middle of a scam, dial 1155 for police assistance. Do not worry about the language barrier as there will be interpreters on hand to translate your call.
.
But of course, not every person and place in Thailand is looking for an opportunity to steal your hard-earned cash. There are a lot more friendly locals who genuinely love and welcome tourists to their country, so do not go around treating everyone with hostility and suspicion. Just exercise a little caution and common sense in your adventures in the Land of Smiles, and you should be perfectly fine!.
*****
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