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Feed Pigeons Scam Near Grand Palace

Written by Michael Savage

Saturday, 11 July 2009

Surprised I have not seen this one here. Like many, I of course felt quite stupid after it happened, as I had been living in Bangkok for 4 years when it happened, and wasn't a tourist.

So, I was taking some video around outside the Grand Palace and Sanam Luang area as I had never gotten those images for myself before. This scam takes place on Sanam Luang, the big square right near the Grand Palace.

How it happened to me: An old lady walked up while I was videoing the pigeons eating seed some tourist had just thrown on the ground that he got from a man and lady. I just wanted to video the throngs of pigeons and while I'm doing that, she sets this bird seed on my camera case. As I was occupied, I didn't notice. I tried to give the baggies back to her but she refused and just wouldn't take it. She had a big smile on her face and kept saying "For birds, for birds" with no mention of it costing anything. I figured there'd be no harm and I'd pay her 20 baht (we all know that a bit of bird seed isn't going to be worth much more than that, as I'd bought fish food to give to the fish for example in Bangkok parks and only paid 10-20 baht from more honest people). She ends up asking for 200 baht, 100 each for her and her partner. I know I'm getting taken and yet I still pay, angrily (no idea why I paid to be honest, but she was so firm and I was a pushover). As I walk off her partner comes running up shouting in my face saying I didn't pay him, that the money is for her and I have to pay him. I should have told him to stick it where the sun don't shine yet as I'm being a pushover and he was berating me of course, being a pushover, felt a bit scared and just threw some more money at him and ran away. He was really good at shouting in my face and forcing me to give him money, I have to say.

Oh, forgot to add that I gave the woman 40 baht right before she asked for money, as I felt it would only be 20 baht and thought I was doing her a favor. Then she said no no, it is 200 baht so I gave her the 200 baht and she never gave that 40 back. Dumb of me, yes.

So, after all this I felt incredibly stupid and even more angry. I have heard of this happening to other people so don't let it happen to you. I still feel I should have seen it coming and not gone along but it was just so much easier for me to throw that seed as she absolutely would not take it back. Do the hard thing, don't let them swindle you and if don't mind paying 100-200 baht to feed some birds, by all means go ahead but don't fall for the second member of the team berating you and telling you that you have to pay him, as well. Especially after the lady said the money covers both of them. I was stupid stupid stupid but it is a scam, and can get the unsuspecting tourist who is just having a holiday and probably can fall into it quite easily and perhaps not feel as stupid as me, having known about many scams in Bangkok including the ones outside the Grand Palace where the tuk tuk drivers tell you they'll give you a free ride and the Palace is "closed today for holiday." When that happend to me, I just said no thanks, I know it's open and when they kept following me I just told them to go away. That's what I always did in Thailand with potential scammers so I don't know why I acted differently this time, but they certainly got me good.

Total scamming losses: 440 baht

for woman scammer: 240

man scammer: 200 baht

bottle of water afterwards to cool off my body and my anger: 20 baht

Lesson learned: PRICELESS

Comments (57) Add Comment

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written by Jari, Sat 11 Jul 2009 18:02:46 CDT

Lesson learned? Absolutely. You should not give people your money just because they ask.

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written by Andy, Sun 12 Jul 2009 10:56:04 CDT

Happens to us all mate, but good information thanks.

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written by Simon, Sun 12 Jul 2009 12:19:29 CDT

I've seen these people so many times. They are so aggressive, forcing the seed on people. I saw a few would be 'customers' just letting the bags of bird seed fall to the ground then walking off - seemed to do the trick.

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written by Traveller, Wed 15 Jul 2009 17:04:13 CDT

I just wouldn't have given them any more than the 40 baht previously paid, no matter how much they shouted or threatened. Caving in as you did meant they would just continue this scam.

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written by Kay-gell, Wed 15 Jul 2009 17:55:24 CDT

Experienced this one myself too: I even folded my arms when she came up to me and she put the bag on my arms.

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written by yry, Wed 15 Jul 2009 20:25:27 CDT

6y4yeyttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt tttttt

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written by fru jacques, Wed 15 Jul 2009 20:30:28 CDT

if any one has been scammed from the country Cameroon, do well to contact the interpol-police unit at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for help. we shall help you recover all that you have lost.

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written by mikey, Wed 15 Jul 2009 22:15:59 CDT

get them on video and show it to them, make them understand they will be "fameous"

all over the world on youtube

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written by balo, Thu 16 Jul 2009 17:47:21 CDT

Hi

It happened to me today , I was curious about all the pigeons in the park and this old lady wanted to give me 2 bags of seeds. I tried to back off but she followed me , then another younger woman that looked like an official with a badge also told me to get the seeds.

Well I'm not stupid , I just shouted Mai Chai and walked away .
Then I took a picture of them , if anyone is interested I will upload it somewhere as a warning.

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written by mikey, Fri 17 Jul 2009 21:50:13 CDT

balo

good on you for getting a pic, see if the admin for this site will post the pic

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written by uhkhan, Sun 19 Jul 2009 04:13:59 CDT

LOL... It is priceless Michael . Thank God the loss was not big.

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written by Neil, Tue 21 Jul 2009 01:13:38 CDT

I had a similar experience recently in the same place. My kids were chasing the pigeons while I was waiting for my wife to come out of the Palace when a nice elderly bloke with a big smile kept giving them bags of seeds to feed the pigeons. I didnt twig what was going on straight away but after a while I realised and told my kids we were leaving ... then the "nice" old bloke turns nasty and asks me to pay 500 bhat for a few packets of seeds. I paid it because I felt so stupid at not recognising what was going on immediatly and therefore felt responsible. Stupid.

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written by mr sing, Wed 22 Jul 2009 08:29:38 CDT

why would interpol use yahoo account lol cuon mate

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written by the INTERPOL, Wed 22 Jul 2009 23:40:45 CDT

Its PROVEN FACT that people that have been scammed once will be scammed again and again... they got more chances of it ... SO DONT BELIEVE THIS INTERPOL yahoo.com guy its bullshit

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written by Drew, Thu 23 Jul 2009 17:55:02 CDT

500 baht for a priceless lesson- well said. Been there myself. Please report people like this to the tourist police.
http://www.thai-touristpolice.org/

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written by Jok, Sun 26 Jul 2009 09:39:28 CDT

It's familiarity. After a while, we forget and we let our guard down then, wham! we're it again! So, we just have to be alert at all times. Sickening way to live but then the world is such. By the time it has happened, the police or whatever won't be of much help; one might get into more trouble approaching them.

Mai phen rai, na.

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written by Lasse, Fri 31 Jul 2009 19:00:42 CDT

I don't understand at all why you pay for stuff you haven't bought. It can't be illegal to just walk away if someone gives you bird seeds you don't want.

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written by Mark, Sat 22 Aug 2009 18:16:14 CDT

The only reason these scams work is because of people like you. No matter how many warnings you post here, there will always be people who don't like confrontation and will part with their hard earned money by the drop of a dime.

People like me (confrontational) read these posts with disbelieve, and maybe some anger.

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written by Aussie, Thu 27 Aug 2009 09:47:46 CDT

This happen to two of my friends as we walked to the Grand Palace on the 20th June. I was the wiser one that told them where to shove it. They are really pushy and will push bags of corn in to your bags or your pockets saying "for free" and "please feed the birds they are hungry". I said no thanks and put them back on the ground. The man got really angry at me and then spread the bag of corn on the ground telling me that I had wasted it and started demanding money from me. I told started yelling back at him and walked off. By then the rest of the group had surrounded my friends and were demanding money from them. They ended up getting 100baht from one of them, and were still yelling abuse as he had not paid them enough. Beware these people got physical with me and were attempting to open my bag to place the bags of corn inside!!! Two or three people will surround one of you to separate you from the rest of your friends. They are extremely pushy and seem to target those that walk to the Grand Palace from Kao Sarn Rd area.

If you come across them put the bags of corn on the ground and keep walking. Dont talk to them!! and dont pay them just because they are saying so!

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written by mikey, Fri 28 Aug 2009 21:53:12 CDT

Aussie,

this would make a great video for youtube.

imagine how fast the word would spread if the scammers were made tv stars

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written by pighoglet, Sat 29 Aug 2009 19:51:42 CDT

Trouble is because these scammers are just criminal, they often have companions that appear out of the woodwork to smash equipment and hit those who are about to blow their cover. The film is unlikely to make it to you tube and you could end up unhappy AND out of pocket at bumrungrad hospital !

Safer to give these scammers a wide berth, dont let them spoil your day. Get away from them fast and enjoy the good things this city has to offer.

They are there every day in numbers and all know each other. the tourist is passing through something that can turn bad easily if they are not careful. The rules at home do not apply here.

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written by Watt, Sat 12 Sep 2009 23:16:58 CDT

Happened to me somewhere near Khaosan, don't remember the name. She actually stacked in my hand a small bag of corn; I smiled and left with it, but she run after me and then opened the bag and throw down a few... I wasn't getting what I'm supposed to do with it. So I spread all of it on the ground, for the pigeons... then I left.
She run again, grabbing my hand and asked 150 baht; then I got mad and pushed her, gently thought, while I was trying to keep smiling, because they're people on the street. I gave her 20 baht and left... she walked behind me for a while, keep saying something about 150 baht, but eventually she gave up.
Sometimes I just want to kick these people, really, but they're so many Thais on the street and I'm sure their take part against me. After all, doesn't matter that the scamer is doing something bad, is still one of their own...

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written by Ken Albertsen, Mon 28 Sep 2009 08:35:28 CDT

weird little scam. glad it doesn't happen in northernmost Thailand where I reside.

And agree, it's totally understandable that other Thais will appear, as if out of the bushes, to add to the aggressive mob mentality that's so endemic among Thais.

One of the first Thai phases any tourist should learn: mai aow (sounds like 'my ow') it means 'don't want' and doesn't need a pronoun. All Thais say it and understand it. For emphasis, you can say, 'pm mai aow, jing! meaning; 'I don't want it, really!' Another good one is 'mai dai' (sounds like my die) which means, 'no way' or 'can't do it.' Say it with conviction, and annoying vendors may not pester you.

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written by Tom Yum, Tue 29 Sep 2009 18:55:21 CDT

Actually Ken, it's best to ignore them. Don't say a word.
They are as common now days as houseflies or cockroaches, approaching tourists al day long.
Tourists must think Thais are a disgusting bunch since they meet dozens of these scammers every day.
Why dont they do something about all these pestering jerks on every corner?

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written by ScubaNinja, Mon 05 Oct 2009 02:18:13 CDT

I don't really see a scam here. And you lived in Bangkok for 2 years you say? Come on man, if your a tourist I might understand your gripe a little. Sum num na really. Maybe extortion or robbery if you were afraid for your wellbeing, but as you described the little old lady and man, I doubt that. The Camaroon interpol@hotmail guy is waiting your email. (Which is why he posted it here, where suckers are likely to congregate)

Rememeber, before making any deal with, being offered ANY item or service from a Thai, say "How much?" Better yet, to cut your price in half, say it quickly in Thai, "Tao Arai, kap" (Pronounced "taow ah-lie, cop")

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written by Sandra, Fri 20 Nov 2009 06:01:54 CST

My friend & I are heading to Thailand for the first time in February. We are not very well travelled & are feeling nervous about this type of scam. We're not what you would call confrontational people. If we avoided eye-contact & started speaking jibberish to each other do you think this would work as a defence?

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written by Brad, Fri 20 Nov 2009 08:55:56 CST

@Sandra, my advice is this: if anyone (Thai/farang) comes up to you for what ever reason, just walk on, shop in places like MBK, 7/11 (snacks and ciggies) or Chatuchuck Market (Fri/Sat/Sun only). Don't eat food from street stalls unless your stomach is made form iron and you like to spend most of your holiday sitting on the bog. Smile when smiled at, don't act like a ladette, please wear a bra, and most importantly, try to learn a few words of Thai and familiarise with the Thai currency (always ensure you have plenty of 20 & 50 baht notes).

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written by Sandra, Fri 20 Nov 2009 14:47:35 CST

Brad, thankyou so much for the straight-forward advice. Looks like I need to assign some space in my suitcase for bras now! :)

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written by Mitch, Fri 20 Nov 2009 15:23:37 CST

@Brad, nice one, I really like your candour.
Sandra, one other thing, places like Fuji, MK and Greyhound in particular are good places to eat.

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written by Russ the Muss, Fri 11 Dec 2009 15:00:42 CST

Well said Brad...very good advice indeed.

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written by GREG, Wed 23 Dec 2009 11:30:15 CST

hey, why did you not bargain over the price ? All you have to do is showing that you, yes, you will take the food, but pay no more than 60 baht for all of it. And then see what happens if you pretend to walk away with a smile, if she asks for 200 Baht ! They will bargain and if you get to an end bargaining, money will be handed over for the food bags, and that s it then. Just don t allow them to get you under pressure . . .

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written by Biffo, Wed 23 Dec 2009 21:52:16 CST

@GREG, why oh why should any human being (minding their own business) be intimidated into paying for some bird seed (10 baht a bag from pet shop) that is forced upon you!
I hope I never bump into these people because they'll be shitting bird seed by the time I'm finished with them, grrrrrrr!

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written by mikey, Wed 23 Dec 2009 22:25:05 CST

Biffo

I understand your anger at the situation, but keep in mind if you do lay a hand on the little scammers, some tougher persons will show up instantly and beat the crap out of you, and you just may end up paying a fine to boot.

in thai mind if you fight one thai, you must fight them all

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written by Biffo, Wed 23 Dec 2009 23:50:51 CST

@mikey, fair enough, it was tongue in cheek! By the way, I'm a Wing Chun Grandmaster, so ( 25 years and counting) I'm quiet capable of looking after myself, thanks for your concern!

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written by mikey, Thu 24 Dec 2009 21:49:39 CST

Biffo

still not worth the consequences

jai yen yen is the best approach

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written by Biffo, Fri 25 Dec 2009 07:48:29 CST

@mikey, understand what your saying, but people like me would rather die on our feet then grovel on our knees, do you get my drift?

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written by Meredith, Fri 25 Dec 2009 16:00:00 CST

Biffo, its nice to hear that there are still some MEN left on our planet, even I would stand my ground and say no to these bullies.

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written by George Vandervilt, Fri 25 Dec 2009 18:36:31 CST

Totally back Biffo, some people just don't have any backbone, looks to me like we've found someone thats willing to fight the scammers head on. Question for mikey, if you saw someone being beaten up by a gang of yobs, what would you do?

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written by mikey, Sat 26 Dec 2009 23:03:08 CST

George:

depends on the situation.

however, having lived in s.e. asia for the better part of 16 years, I would probably not get involved other that to get police involved.

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written by George Vandervilt, Sun 27 Dec 2009 08:29:35 CST

@mikey, thanks for the honest answer, but I faced this exact same dilemma just over 2 years ago in Phuket, I'd just stepped out of 7-11 and walked straight into a game of football between 3 Thai men (footballers) and a Thai woman (football) I stepped in immediately as I could not see she was in a bad way, once I intervened, other Thai men & women also stepped in! On seeing the growing support our 3 animals then ran off with there tails between there legs. For the sake of a black eye and a broken finger, it was worth it. Anyway, happy belated Xmas.

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written by George Vandervilt, Sun 27 Dec 2009 08:31:06 CST

@mikey, correction, should read,"I stepped in immediately as I could see she was in a bad way"

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written by Stephan Shmidt, Sun 27 Dec 2009 16:16:01 CST

@mikey, I'll remember to ask the name of whoever is getting there head kicked in before risking life and limb! If I hear the name MIKEY, I'm walking.

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written by mikey, Sun 27 Dec 2009 22:48:49 CST

maybe I should have asked how many persons make up "gang of yobs"

also, I am not aware of your age, but ask yourself the same question in about 40 years.

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written by George Vandervilt, Mon 28 Dec 2009 13:51:10 CST

@mikey, I believe 4 people constitute a gang, I forgot to mention the fourth member who was just leaning against a car smoking? As for my age, I'll be 53 next March. But if it was 2050, I'd still do the same!

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written by mikey, Mon 28 Dec 2009 22:23:30 CST

well guys, as I said, it depends on the situation.

George:

interesting you mentioned Phuket>

I managed to defuze a situation there some years back, 2 American navy boys were harassing one of the girls that just left work from the money change booth ( treating her like a bargirl more or less) end result, I got a slight cut on my forehead, the S.P. showed up and no doubt the rest of their time off was very unplesant

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written by Jamie, Sun 10 Jan 2010 07:44:32 CST

The same old lady set the kernel bag on top of my shoulder bag and refused to take it back, so I walked about 15 feet, turned to her and tossed the kernal bag to her. It slapped onto the ground. She was shocked. The next day I walked by again. I started talking to a Thai tv crew that were shooting and the same old lady comes up to me and begs me to give her 60B for a pound sterling coin she had. I refused and she started crying. I laughed, and then noticed that some of her friends were also laughing. Pathetic! I wouldn't classify it as a scam though...

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written by jon, Sun 31 Jan 2010 17:30:38 CST

I punched the male partner (if it was the same one as mentioned here) in the face after he called me the worst thing its possible to call someone in this country.. I am half Thai, but I look 100% foreign. Nobody else appeared, and he ran away. I am not big, but he definitely wasnt expecting it. If anyone else had appeared, I would have had the whole lot rounded up within the 10 seconds it took me to call my brother. Fuck them and the bad reputation they give my country. I believe if you stand up to them and no obvious gang of cockroaches is nearby, you will be fine. Hit them as much as you like.

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written by Mick, Sun 31 Jan 2010 21:17:00 CST

With respect jon, if they had appeared after you punched the male (I do hope he lost some teeth), all you had to do was start talking Thai and I honestly don't think things would of gone any further. But if it had been a farang doing the punching! warning to all, do not use any violence here, because basically its mob rule, I'll will however recommend trying to smile (okay, I know thats hard for us farang) your way out of trouble instead. It might just possibly save you a trip to either a hospital (massive surgery bill) or a trip to prison (take plenty of condoms and KY) with ladyboys galore!

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written by Simon, Sun 31 Jan 2010 21:32:48 CST

I have to echo Mick's advice here. You'd automatically be seen as the guilty one as you
are a foreigner. I've seen it a few times over here: people just joining in and attacking a Westerner without asking questions. It doesn't seem to be viewed as cowardly.

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written by mikey, Mon 01 Feb 2010 00:02:04 CST

mick and somon

maybe if you are George Vandervilt you won't have a problem

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written by Ron Jeremy, Mon 01 Feb 2010 09:44:11 CST

@mikey, please elaborate?

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written by Wtitten by Miryana, Mon. Feb1, 2010, Mon 01 Feb 2010 12:27:40 CST

I was outside some large classy Bangkok stores when an indian man approached me. I always travelled with small Thai notes in one pocket and the rest of my money concealed in my wallet - again in sep. sections - large and small notes. So this gentle gent asks to reads my hand. I'm up for a laugh so agree - knowing a scam was about to be perpetrated. Well he asked me what my favoutite flower was (most women will say "rose" or "lily") being from the flower industry I pick something obscure and have to re-pick. He goes through all this stuff - saying at one time that I look like I'm rich but I'm not...etc. He pulls cards out I have to pick - he's right .. and on the game went...astrology...colours.. and towards the end tells me that the money he makes goes towards a children's charity (Oh bleeding heart - we could see this coming) and that people paid him 100,000 to 10,000 B. for what he had just done. I smiled pulled out of my low money pocket some straggly 30 B pieces, gave him one or two, and answered "But you knew I wasn't rich!". He was so taken aback he just left. AS he was asking for money an older lovely Thai man was most perplexed - but I winked at him before I paid this fortune teller so he knew I knew what was going down. Releaf flooded this man's face. Most This are honest and hard working and dislike scammers as much as most people. Well guess what? This same scam happened to a friend of mine of mine in Sydney about 2 years previously. She paid about $A60 for her information - but the whole charade was the same. So you see everywhere and anytime - Australia and Thailand. The money division I found to be a most helpful ploy - then you don't appear to be just another moneyed farang. Hope you enjoyed the tale. M.

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written by mikey, Mon 01 Feb 2010 22:51:23 CST

@ Ron Jeremy

read George Vandervilt and Stephan Shmidt comments a few entries before mine.

I sincerely hope they don't try their stuff in Thailand and get put down for it.

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written by Ron Jeremy, Tue 02 Feb 2010 09:06:02 CST

@mikey, I see what you mean, but sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do, do you get my drift?

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written by Pina, Thu 04 Feb 2010 06:10:30 CST

Im heading to thailand for the 1st time in May an i have read every bog on this web page. I just want to say thank you for the information, now i know a few things to make my trip one to remember.

1. Dont fall in love with a bar girl or just stay way
2. Dont hand over your passport for anything give a copy
3. If anyone trys to sell you somthing you dont want keep walking an dont yell or fight. Just smile.
4. Use the metter when in a taxi.
5. Think with your big head.
6. Use your in room safe for your important documents
7. Dont litter even if you see others doing it.

I do have a question its about Money exchange: Where is the best place to exchange your money? Im going to be staying at Patong Beach. Also it it true people on the street will try to get you to exchange with them but end up giving you fake money. How much money would you carry on you max for 1 day on the town? Again i want to say thank you for all this priceless information.

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written by Henry, Tue 23 Feb 2010 00:59:29 CST

This bird seed lady at Sanam Luang tried this scam on me about ten years ago. Since I hadn't asked her for the birdseed - I simply refused to pay. She shouted at me as I walked away, but I shouted back at her. But it didn't cost me anything.

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written by Mick, Tue 23 Feb 2010 10:03:44 CST

" 6. Use your in room safe for your important documents "

@Pina, whatever you do, don't leave any money in it!

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