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

Happens to us all mate, but good information thanks.

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.

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.

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

6y4yeyttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt tttttt

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.

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

all over the world on youtube

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.

balo

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

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

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.

why would interpol use yahoo account lol cuon mate

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

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/

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.

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.

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.

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!

Aussie,


this would make a great video for youtube.

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

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.

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...

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.

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?

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")

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?

@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).

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

@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.

Well said Brad...very good advice indeed.

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 . . .

@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!

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

@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!

Biffo

still not worth the consequences

jai yen yen is the best approach

@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?

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.

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?

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.

@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.

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

@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.

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.

@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!

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

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...

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.

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!

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.

mick and somon

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

@mikey, please elaborate?

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.

@ 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

So you got $13 and some change taken from you. I call it a lesson. Who cares if some old bitty steals a total of $13. Again call it an inexpensive lesson learned.

@Chris, who are you refering to?

Someone should set them up with an actor tourist and video it for youtube and the police.

Hey everyone, thanks for the advice! I read this thread before I went to Bangkok, so knew exactly what to do when the birdseed packets were being shoved on our shoulders and behind our backpacks! That is, shake them free so they fall on the ground, smile, say no and keep walking. There was a bit of shouting in our wake, but it was a breeze!

If not for this thread, I would probably have paid for some seed (!!) like so many other tourists we met on our travels!

Just a word of advice for those who are talking about brawling with the scamers. If the scammers thugs suddenly come out of nowhere to join in the fight(now not even called a fight just a gang beating) DO NOT try to run to the police. they will turn a blind eye so they can get a cut or even worse fine you for disorderly conduct. If you are trying to escape somewhere and are near siam square run to the redshirt protester camp. the tire roadblock entrance will always have some huge redshirts as gaurds. The redshirts are very friendly to foreigners and if you dont speak thai just run, hide behind them and yell and point to the thugs chasing you. if the thugs stil dare to try and get you they will get pounded by 20 redshirts with bamboo rods. Im not commenting on thai politics at all, but the redshirts are trying to make thailand a better place and saving a foreigner from getting trashed by some low-lifes is something they are happy to do. i was in their camp the redshirts gave me free food and offered me a place to rest.

@Alex, are you talking from personal opinion?

Sorry Alex, " experience " ?

yea, but i wasnt in siam square, i was more west, some redshirt people who were passing by in a pickup truck saved my a** from a scuffle with some local losers (after i accidentally knocked a bike onto some guys tuc tuc it didnt even make a mark he wanted me to pay several thousand baht). then gave me a ride to the red shirt camp and i got some free food and hung out for a little because i was really scared from what happened. after that i just walked to the nearest bts and went back to my hotel. that was my last trip to thailand, this time ive been careful to be less of a trouble maker :P

Thanks for the explanation Alex. By the way, just yesterday, I saw a motorbike knock the casing off a taxi wing miiror, the biker waied the taxi driver a couple of times, probably then told him, I'm skint, then went on his way! What if this was you or me, 30,000 perhaps?

Its so disappointing, Thailand would be a nice place except for all the crooks and people trying to cheat you out of your money anywhere you go. I almost cant enjoy anything anymore im busy worrying about getting robbed or scammed. Thai people, I know alot of you are nice and helpful. But the crooks are ruining foreigners impressions of you.

I go tcaught out by the pigeon lady in Sanam Luang. There were a total of three people, all expecting to be paid for bags that THEY opened, and pushed over in our hands. shaking our arms to spill the seeds, then surrounding myself and my girlfriend before snatching my money and stealing a total of about 900baht.

Unfortunately it was our first day in Thailand, fresh off the plane and jetlagged, it really affected us initially, but it was a stupid mistake on our part that led to this situation. Just wish the police would actually do something about this problem!

You just have to be very vigilant, and learn very quickly to shout Mai Ow at everybody who offers you ANYTHING :D

@Jon, I'm wondering if Absolute are diversifying there business portfolio?

Jon,
Call the Police? These people work with the Police or they would be gone.
This is valuable scamming turf and they pay, believe me.

Nice money maker.

these petty scams are known by thais that live in usa as thai welfare for poor people

Poor people?
Thai Police oversee all these scams.
They are rich.
It's about total disrespect for foreigners.

Hi, the exact same thing happened to me :) I'd been in bangkok for about a week and was standing under a tree near Wat Pho to get out of the heat. I'd been dodging scammers all day and let my guard down for one second! A woman started talking to me for a long time, I knew she had an angle but I didn't care I just wanted to stay under my tree and cool off. All of a sudden she grabbed my hand and poured bird seed into it "you feed birds, good luck, good for you". A bunch of flying rats came straight after me, so I straight away threw as far away as possible, another Thai woman who must have been lurking close by has stuffed three open bags into my other hand which the rats go straight for again, so I threw these away :) At this point I know I'm gonna have to give these fine ladies some money otherwise they'll be yellin in my ear from here to khao sarn. The first one pipes up "200 baht", and I flat out laughed in her face. I threw her a hundred, and the other one is in my face immediately, I just started walking away. They knew they were very lucky to get a hundred for some crappy bags of bird seed :) Then I went home, 100 baht lighter, and smelling of pigeon :(

So my advice is, don't allow anyone in the tourist areas access to your hands, they won't hesitate to fill them with crap that you "own" as soon as you touch it. Also don't stay in bangkok for too long, go north or east, for every scam artist in bangkok you'll meet a hundred friendly thais elsewhere

I fed the fish and they were really nice but the pigeons were dirty-flying rats I say!

you are dopey Ozzie what you on about?

Are you Russian Kristina?

They tried this on me! thankfully i was carrying with me some documents so both my hands were busy and i jsut kept saying no thanks and would not grab it, she keept trying to give them to me but they would fall from my hands as they were not free, glad this info is chared with more people

After reading all the comments above, I think it is so stupid to say report those scammers to the police. This is Thailand for your infor. You think these scammers dare to operate at the big square right near the Grand Palace without police protection?

Haha I went to Thailand for a week last summer and the birdseed lady was the only scam I fell for. I got so sick of dealing with the scams in Bangkok that I went up to Chiang Mai a day early and it was so much better and laid back. I didn't even get approached once in Chiang Mai and the hired van driver didn't care one bit that I didn't buy anything at the "factories" on the way back from Doi Suthep, he was a cool guy.

at least you did the right thing Do not get involved in a fight in Thailand you could be put in the slammer and if you cant afford to buy yourself out you might be stuck for a long time better to run away in this case.

Myryana
The tall Indian guy with the Turban, suit,and tricks is still around,approached me in September 2009 outside 7-11 next to Nana Plaza.
Same old nonsense about needing money for an orphanage in India,I told him I was not interested before he started his conjuring act,but he persisted, wasted his time and got nothing,and walked off in disgust.

If you think Thailand is bad, go to India.

i had a similar experience! l ended up just giving the lady abt 30 baht and then walking off although she was really fierce and shouted at me. dont bother and walk away, run if you have to but dont give them money helps if you have a friend with you as you feel safer walking away with that person.

WOW. Little old Thais ladies verbally abusing tourists.
I guess it's true. THAIS HATE FOREIGNERS.

it happened to me brotha i thought she was gonna like call there palls and then the were gonna come beat me up or something

I know this is doesn't happen in Bangkok, but today I think I got scammed. Well coz its similar story to Miryana,but mine happened in Sydney. A sikh guy came up to me. It started off with "you have a lucky face" and then pick flower, tell me ur age, and how many siblings you have. All the answers that I said, came out on the blank paper that he handed me in earlier. before he ask me to pick flower and stuff like that. I didnt know how he did it. But i guess i was to naive and now i learnt my lesson. he asked for donation for children in India and construction. i didnt have cash on me, but he insisted me to go to atm and withdraw cash. I couldnt say nooo. im so stupid. anyway he said for good luck i should give him 100 dollar. and for him 5o bux and then he ask for the final money to be used for praying stuff (incense , coconut, candle, etc). Actually he asked more but thats all i have. total 200 AUD. I was sooooo stupid. However I only realised it was a scam after he left....I trusted him with what he said about me. Ive learned my lesson :( expensive one. BEWARE KIDS.and dont laugh at me

cheese

it happened to me brotha i thought she was gonna like call there palls and then the were gonna come beat me up or something

sounds like just one step added to being mugged. a mugger does not bother with the bird feed

It happened to me today.
When I was walking on that street alone, she suddenly came in front of me throwing 3 bags of seed on my camera, and she opened all the bags.
Then she asked me to pay 150B, I refused, but there were 3 or 4 other people coming to me.
I was a little scared, so gave her 100B and quickly walked away.

You're such a loser, I wouldn't pay a single satang.

Man I would just Muay Thai the F*** out of their skinny stinky arses and I would belt anyone who got in my way, including the old biddie. She would be pickin corn out of her fart hole for the next week!

At above, wow! You sure are tough, by the way, do you have a death wish? You don't squat a fly with a sledge hammer, you sure are one stupid mother funking clown.

At above, wow you sure are a pussy and an idiot! Did you mean swat? squat is what i do over these shitters. As for the flies, are you referring to these pathetic scammers? Then why would it be a death wish? I've copped a few beatings in my time but only because I NEVER take a backward step from ANYONE! and only twice in my life have I been beaten 1 on 1, the other times the monkeys came in. They never touched me again because they all tasted their own blood. It's only because of soft little half men like you that are too scared to defend their own basic human rights that these pricks are even able to run their little campaign. I don't even have to guess if you would step in to help somebody else. Grow some balls you fairy! A good place to start would be at your nearest Muay Thai boxing gym

At above, firstly, just like to apologise for swat-squat. You really seem to be an angry person, look, this is Thailand, it ain't gonna be 1 on 1, it will be 50 on 1 Bruce Lee. Grow up, if any thing happens to that women, you'll be the first person the police come looking for you numbskull!

Once you are here for a while or immerse your self with a bunch of thai people you realize the majority of thai people time is spent scheming on how to get more money. Scheming and Scams go hand in hand just don't be a push over. They wont get the cops involved and if they do offer the cop some money and your problem is solved.

I went to Royal Palace in late November 2010. As we got off from Tuk Tuk, two men gave the corn seeds to my 3 years daughter n 13 years nephew. Later they were asking B100 a bag for total B500 for 5 bags. I gave one guy B200, then the other guy said I should also give him. I gave the other guy B100, he was insisted for more, so I told him let's go to police, then they just walked away to find another prey. Very bad as I find out here many people have been trapped, but Thai officials do nothing..

If one of these scammers forces seeds into your hands, and the flying rats are coming at you, don't just throw the seeds away, instead drop them into the hair of the scammer. Problem solved. For that comedy, I would happily pay 200B for the seeds.

just get out your mobile and punch in 1155 and tell them u are calling the tourist! police... everything should be fine than
this works on nearly every scam... i hope ;)
at least, it helped me a lot

THERES BIG SCAMMERS KNOWBODY EVER TALKS ABOUT ALLOVER EUROPE... THERE CALLED FOOTBALLERS.....£200,000 a week ... and you guys are moaning about 500 baht... it takes a working man a lifetime to get a house worth £200,000 .... and these greedy footballlers earn that in one week...thats what you call a scam....

I have lived in Bangkok 7 years... and to be honest i rarely see any scams happen but i know they are everywhere. Here is what i suggest, because Thailand is a great country and so many positives, it is a shame that the scum ruin it for others, but you need to know why...

1. Foreigner that walk around with cameras, bags of valuables, designer clothes, or just blatently looking as naive and 'im on holiday walk' will always get attacked. My advise is dress down, dont carry lots of bags or expensive cameras, and pick up your pace when walking.

(Thais are a very lazy bunch and walk very slow, westerners are quite fast paced when in their own countries, but when in thailand we dont know where we are going, we tend to look like easy targets - look sharp and pretend you know where you are going and what Thailand is all about. Thais can sense this as they are masters at body language, use it to your advantage.

2. Get uses to saying 'MAI OW' and DONT SMILE to everyone.
I noticed someone above saying dont say anything and smile and walk away - Yes this does work in some cases with the less pushy ones. But dont be afraid to say MAI OW - and say it LOUD - forget about softly spoken words. Thais are a loud bunch anyway. When you say MAI OW - make sure its strong.

Smiling - well smiles come very easy in Thailand. You will see they smile at you pretty much for any reason - But smiles do NOT mean they are happy people. Thailand smiles are used to diffuse certain situations, or to get you to open your heart - which when open makes opening your wallet so much easier. Learn this, learn to smile back, but keep your heart closed and don't fall for the fake smile...

3. Staying out of trouble, Over the last 7 years ive heard a lot, experienced a lot (usually not first hand) or witnessed events from others. On most accounts they were due to, being too trusting, being too preoccupied with things instead of keeping your wits about you. And leaving yourself wide open for attack.

here are some tips - Hide your money and passport in your room or safety deposit box, only take a few thousand baht out with you each day (NO MORE) carry an ATM card with you should you want an expensive impulse buy.

Dont OVER TIP - cannot stress this enough - The americans are always doing it its why the Thais regard us as stupid walking ATMS. Tips should not be more than 20-50 baht. Anything more than that is feeding then ideas, that they dont need to work, they can scam their way through life. Think about it like this - a 20-50 baht tip here can buy a nice big meal or a macdonalds burger or a pack of cigarrettes. Thats quite a good tip, so why corrupt them with ideas by giving more?

4. Staying in Tourist areas - staying in Khaosarn road or walking around sukumvit or Pattaya, be very aware of the people around you, dont talk to any strangers who approach you. This is SHARK territory and if you are there, dont get caught by them, just walk fast and learn to dodge. I personally prefer to stay away from these areas, and travel to them when i feel like it - you get to see and experience different things when getting away from the tourist traps... and tourist traps are hardly Thailand anyway.

5. TAXIS - Now taxis are the worst and chances are if you are gonna get scammed in Thailand, it will be from taxis. Occassionaly i get scammed by them too, and its down to one reason (not knowing where you are going) the taxi driver knows this and will take you on a LONG LONG diversion which ends up being 10 times more.

There is not much you can do to avoid this unless you have a map, and a good idea of the way to get there. However, the other most popular scam is TAXI METERS, you get in and they dont put the meter on and demand a certain sum. Just say 'NO I WANT METER' If they refuse, just say stop, and get out. there are thousands of taxis you wont be waiting more than a few seconds before another pulls up.

Also, NEVER approach a taxi that is PARKED - Only flag down moving taxis with the red lights on. Any TAXI that is parked and they loiter around calling TAXI - these are scammers, don't play with them.

theres a few tips for people who after reading this website might feel scared to travel to thailand. Don't be scared - you can still have fun here, and Thais are still a lovely bunch and laid back, there is less trouble here than you think, its just where there is MONEY and STUPIDITY (westerners) there is a golden opportunity to make a living...

Don't feed a snake more than it needs...
don't trust a snake (ever)
Don't turn your back on a snake
Don't get too close to a snake
But play with a snake and complain when you get bit
Don't dislike a snake just because it is a snake - they are what they are - just don't forget they are snakes...

Same thing happened to me but I hadn't even stopped to look at the pigeons as I suspected what was happening. 'Stupidly' I did not have my hands in my pockets and she shoved the food in to my hand. Same as you I reluctantly went to pay 150 bht (just for a bit of peace, ten minutes earlier having had someone else try to scam me with a tuk tuk). Woman grabbed 2,000 baht from my wallet. Smiling (very thinly) I just said 'not tourist. I get police.' and pointed down street to where one was having a kip on his bike. She panicked and gave me it back. Love thais but some of them ....

Yes, echoing D, don't ever open your wallet in front of them! Even if you're only intending to give them a little bit, they will grab! This happened to our group who got intercepted by two pigeon ladies. I knew it was a scam and I encouraged the others to keep walking but since I was with a bunch of softies, they stopped and were forced to throw pigeon feed around. Then when my partner opened his wallet to give them some loose change, one of the ladies grabbed a huge note and sneakily wouldn't tell us how much she grabbed. I quickly snatched it back and said "We were going to give you something, but now you're getting nothing". Sure she followed us a bit and yelled at us but I just turned around and said "F*** off you're not getting anything!" However, my other friend wasn't so lucky and he lost quite a bit of money (I couldn't keep an eye on both of them!).

Ok, so I was the one who submitted this post to Bangkok Scams and it took them a while to post it so I quit coming back to check and now I find the site again two years later to see they did!

Wow, ha ha, I can't believe how many comments there are, that's awesome. I appreciate all the people, most of you, who posted as you understood what happened and I know it's an every day scam they try to pull off as look at all the people who had the same thing happen to them!

Ok, obviously I was stupid and I appreciate those telling me I was stupid to fall for this and befuddled at why I would give them any money but you'll note I did call myself "stupid stupid stupid" in the original post! Ya, I know I was stupid, duh. But you know, people like to be that way, probably makes them feel better.

Yes, if nobody fell for this and everyone had a backbone and didn't take sh** from nobody the world would be a better place as they couldn't get away with this crap. I shouldn't have helped them out with their scam by falling for it and still don't know why I fell for it but it was their aggression that got me. I hate a fight so I capitulated so I could get them off my back.

Won't happen again, that's for sure. I have resisted every scam there is in Bangkok and fell for only this one. I shouldn't have, but I did. Hope my post helped some people not fall for this, that was the whole point, not how stupid I was.

Alright, thanks all and be vigilant as a tourist in Thailand.

They tried this with me this March 2011, walking back from the Grand Palace to Khao Sahn Road. As luck would have it, I'd just spent 6 weeks in Asia and was thoroughly fed up with people trying to scam me. When the woman put the bird seed on on my bag I picked it up and flung it on the floor, shouting angrily that I didn't want it. They didn't bother me after. I felt a bit bad at the time for 'over-reacting' although now I wonder if it wasn't the best thing to have done after all!

be careful with these people. they might use black magic and ask you to pay whatever they want. a lot of black magic things going on in Thailand and they are famous for that. they can look into your eyes and you will be blurred for a while and do whatever they ask you to do.. so just be careful...

I agree with the poster above, I was hypnotised by the old lady, she walked me to the atm, then willed me to take out the cash limit while singing Bohemian Rhapsody and break dancing simultaneously. Bank cctv and witness phone cam verified. By the way, Im 84...

Happened to my partner June 2011. Old lady forced upon him bird seeds, the pigeons practically attacking him for them, and another darker bigger guy berates him for 300bht! Things get quite heated, i insist on him accepting 20bht (what i thought was fair) and avoided a scene. They're very pushy outside the palace, and luckily we were with a thai friend who ran over after walking ahead because i think his presence difused the situation

Same thing happened to my mom back in May 2011. She got even more scammed cause it happenend so fast, she just arrived in Bangkok and had no clue about the bills... So they took good care to give her back just a little hehe...

its happen when i go with my friends too, the lady age around 50, body very fat around 90-100 kilos i think, black skin tone but in the face using lot of powder or something to make her face white, look scary. she even say its "free" for bird, after it my 2 friends take it and give to bird and the lady ask 200 baht for each pack. i say no, and she look more aggresive and called her friends. after that i throw 20 baht money to her and walk again to grand palace, she shouted in thai language but me and my friends just walking like nothing happen.

its happen when i go with my friends too, the lady age around 50, body very fat around 90-100 kilos i think, black skin tone but in the face using lot of powder or something to make her face white, look scary. she even say its "free" for bird, after it my 2 friends take it and give to bird and the lady ask 200 baht for each pack. i say no, and she look more aggresive and called her friends. after that i throw 20 baht money to her and walk again to grand palace, she shouted in thai language but me and my friends just walking like nothing happen.

Wow my man the same thing (Bird seed) at the palace happend to me, my wife, aunt and uncle. It was probably the same old women and retarted douchebag son. They were insisting that I pay them as they forced the bag of seeds on us. No money was mentioned so I grabbed a bag and feed the pigeons. I gave here 20 baut and she was grabbing me wanting more. I happend to look ahead of me and the retard was touching my wife so I ran over and got in his face. I had one bag of seed with me and dumped it on his head this close to kicking his skinning thai ass. We went into the palace and walked over to the same spot and those douches were no where to be found.

LOL, I felt very stupid when this happened to me last year.
I was sitting in the park after eating some street food, and cross the eyes with this same old fat woman as she throw some pigeons food and some tourist gal screamed scared of the pigeons. She came directly to me and very pushy she put 2 bags in my hands and tried with a third one. Then ask for money and I tried to give her 40 but she asked for 100 each bag. I just gave her 100 and said it was much more than enough. No buddies nor anyone tried to shout at me I think mainly because I looked very very firm. I sat again and the woman had to left.
Now I am living in Bangkok. It's very true but a poster says some comments above: Look like you know the place very well and keep firm when saying something. They can only scam you if you look weak or distracted tourist.

Hilltribes scam in chaing Mai and chaing rai ,,,,,,is similar to this scam colorfully dressed littleholltribe children follow you around the tourist sites wanting you to take photos of them ,,you ask how much ,,,they say 10 baht ...you pay them then take the pictures ,,,,then they start screaming and saying you dident pay ,,,making you. Look awfull ,,it's embarrassing ,,and humiliating ,,and so. From now on ,,,,I never ,,take photos ,,,of them ,,

Dirty purple burds,
A sittin' on da kerb,
A chirppin' and a burpin'
and eatin' dirty worms....
Some say, da birds are on the wing,
Ain't that absurd,
I always heard,
da wings are on the bird.