I’d like to think that all this traveling has made me a more savvy traveler, able to dodge the scams and tourist traps in all these places.
I’d be wrong, though.
In Bangkok, we fell prey to the one of the most well-known tourist scams in the city: we got kidnapped by a tuk-tuk driver.
Here’s how the scam works:
A guy approaches you on the street – OK, actually if you go anywhere near the Grand Palace hundreds of people will approach you. And by approach, I mean badger you to buy something. Or lie to you about the temples being closed today – whatever.
Some of these guys take a different approach, offering some tips on visiting the temples, and maybe suggesting a few “can’t-miss” places you weren’t planning to go. He then offers to negotiate a deal with one of the tuk-tuk drivers to take you to all the sights for a really low price.
If you get on the tuk-tuk, it’ll be the last thing you do that day.
OK, I’m exaggerating a bit. I knew about this scam in advance: the tuk-tuk driver will try to make a few side-trips to some shops along the way, for which he receives coupons for free gasoline. When I called these guys on that, they promised there would be only one shopping stop involved, and we wouldn’t have to buy anything.
But we were all kinda tired at that point, and I thought a little tuk-tuk ride would be fun (or at least interesting), so against my better judgement we went for the ride.
What a ride it was: the driver proceeded to take us everywhere but the temples and buddhas we wanted to see. Instead, we went to shop after shop, offering jewelry, art, suits and everything else we don’t need.
I thought about running, but had no idea where we we were. After the 3rd stop I started trying to bribe the driver to just take us back to the river dock, but he only seemed interested in the gas coupons.
He was awfully friendly about the whole thing, and seemed very happy with his stupid little pieces of paper. After an hour or two, he finally let us go – but by then the temples were starting to close. 
We could’ve come back another day to see the sights we missed, but decided it wasn’t worth wading through all the scam artists and pushy vendors again.
In fact, we were starting to get a little tired of the city in general – time to head south and check out some of Thailand’s famous beaches!
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Hey Mark and team! Thought of you guys today and checked on your blog. Seems like you continue to have a great time! We are in Lisbon now, plotting our next move – we’re thinking Morocco! We just spent about 3 weeks campervaning around southern africa. The game drives were AWESOME! Can’t recommend it highly enough – and being in a motorhome would be really cool with the whole crew. Hope all’s well! F&G
Thanks Fernando! Wow, your photos of Africa are amazing! We totally want to go there now! Everyone go check them out – click 39,000 miles under “Fellow Travelers” on the left.
Sorry you’all didn’t get to see the temples and it looks like you were kind-of hijacked. I am glad that you were able to handle it as wellasyou did. Hope it won’t dampen the rest of your stay. Keep thoes blogs pics. coming
When are you guys coming back? will you be able to make it to our July 4th bash? If so, we can really have something to celebrate. We can tell the girls the fireworks are to welcome you back. but they are so worldly now, that i guess they won’t buy it.
Sondra
so did you buy me a bracelet ?
@Sondra: yes, we will be back in plenty of time for the 4th – does this mean we’re invited?
@Herb: No, but I got you some sweeet gas coupons!
@Herb – Didn’t even buy me one.
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