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Tourist Surveys
Written by Chai   
Tuesday, 22 May 2007

As you walk down some of the populated streets in Thailand, particularly Sukhumvit Road, you may be approached by one or more young Thai people wearing "Amazing Thailand" polo shirts asking you to fill out a tourist survey. These young people do not work for any Tourism organization and have no interest in how you really feel. These people work for places such as the Tai-Pan Hotel and are only trying to get your contact information so you can later be solicited to purchase a time-share. Property development companies once tried to sell time shares as investments until it was discovered that these 'so called' investments lose 30% of their value the moment one purchases them. Nowadays, they are touted as vacation rentals. Either way, these tourist surveyors are misrepresenting themselves. Say no to the tourist surveys and enjoy the rest of your day.

If you do feel pressured into taking a tourist survey, do so and leave your contact information blank. Such surveys should be anonymous anyways.

Comments (30)Add Comment
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written by Editor, Tue 22 May 2007 12:07:39 MDT
I would like to add that quite often at tourist destinations you might see university students wanting to ask foreigners a series of questions. They also want to take your picture with them. What is happening here is that their English teacher has given them an assignment to interview foreigners. They then have to show proof by taking a picture.

Quite a few shops ask you to fill in application forms if you want their discount cards. If they are going to give you the discount card there and then, there is no need for you to give full address. I just put my name, city and province. Same goes for the survey that Chai mentioned. No need to give full address. Some even ask for email and telephone number. No way am I going to give out that kind of information. If they insist, then just write "02 111 1111" and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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written by David Rennoldson, Thu 05 Jul 2007 00:13:57 MDT
I actually got talking to a few of the girls when I was last in Bangkok. They were trying real high pressure tactics to get me to take the questionnaire. After informing them of the fact that I wasnt a tourist and I speak quite a bit of thai and basically told them I wasnt going to take it. After this they became quite friendly and were laughing and joking. They revealed to me that taking the questionnaire was just the start and that it was more of a lure to get me to view a new hotel / condo complex with a view to investing. The reason that they press so hard is because they get 1000 baht commission for everybody they get to view or sign up. They were actually nice girls really and just tryin to earn a little bit of cash as students do!!!
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written by David Rennoldson, Thu 05 Jul 2007 00:13:57 MDT
I actually got talking to a few of the girls when I was last in Bangkok. They were trying real high pressure tactics to get me to take the questionnaire. After informing them of the fact that I wasnt a tourist and I speak quite a bit of thai and basically told them I wasnt going to take it. After this they became quite friendly and were laughing and joking. They revealed to me that taking the questionnaire was just the start and that it was more of a lure to get me to view a new hotel / condo complex with a view to investing. The reason that they press so hard is because they get 1000 baht commission for everybody they get to view or sign up. They were actually nice girls really and just tryin to earn a little bit of cash as students do!!!
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written by Bangkok Phil (ajarn.com), Fri 27 Jul 2007 14:12:21 MDT
These 'tourist survey' people have actually got quite annoying in the areas around Asoke BTS and Robinsons Sukhumwit 19. You can rarely walk around in those areas without being stopped. The Tai-Pan Hotel does seem to be the worst offender.
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written by Kris Willems, Mon 13 Aug 2007 16:55:37 MDT
I did these surveys a few times, it helps me to improve my Thai language. I always start with telling them (in Thai language) that I live in Thailand and that I have a house here. They don't seem to care much about that. They told me they get a commission on every paper they fill in. They never asked me for contact information. They never showed me information about a hotel, although they have a small folder about a hotel with them (and they show it to other people). I fill in this paper every day with the same girl. She doesn't care that she always gets the same answer (she actually already knows everything by hard). Actually I find this kind of promotion much less annoying than the people that offer me these "special" thai massages all the time while showing me a pictures of girls in a bathtub.
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written by codent, Mon 27 Aug 2007 04:32:09 MDT
I had the sme experience as the Editor- students learning English were clearly on homework assignment. I was happy to help just that little bit.
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written by Kob, Fri 07 Sep 2007 13:40:18 MDT
I have been living on Sukhumvit for 6 years. These survey girls and boys have been around for as long as I can remember. I usually complete 1 each time I walk down Sukhumvit. It takes no time and it is 20 Bht each time for the struggling student. They are always polite and not very pushy at all. At least they are trying.
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written by John Scotland, Fri 26 Oct 2007 13:05:24 MDT
This type of scam is very common in Pattaya , Jomtien and Kho Samui, most times I have been approached is buy Europeans, claiming they get commision and need the money, I will never visit Samui again as they are very aggresive. Also Pattaya has Europeans going round on Motorbikes stopping tourists, it is very frightening. Thailand no more, I get more peace in Spain
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written by Brian , London, Sun 28 Oct 2007 14:19:04 MDT
Me and my wife visited, Phuket, Kho Samui and Pattaya, all 3 cities we were approached by European men on motorbikes trying to solicit information and money. It is very annoying and some of the men are threatening to a point. Will never visit Thailand again.
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written by Dany, Thu 15 Nov 2007 03:01:32 MST
I would never step my foot again in this country. The Golden Argosy robbeb $4,700 from me. Plus, everywhere I went people were trying to push something on me. It's horrible place!!! DON'T GO THERE..................
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written by Brian, Mon 24 Dec 2007 18:43:11 MST
Tai Pan hotel is the worst for surveys, apart from it being a crap hotel, the holiday club scam is another reason not to stay there.
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written by max, Sat 29 Dec 2007 04:56:54 MST
I must have missed something. I lived in Bangkok for a year and not once as I approach.
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written by Alex, Tue 01 Jan 2008 00:57:18 MST
Well , there are people who talks like Thailand is a country where things cant go wrong or there are only few bad apples. I am a finance consultant working in New York and I go to Asia often. Seriously, there are other SE asian countries where you`ll find some real good people...but in Thailand......Trust me....I think God made this place with pure Dirt. I hate them. They`re most immoral people I have ever met. They truly give ASIA a bad name.
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written by Nam Phyyng, Tue 01 Jan 2008 03:14:34 MST
Please confine your comments to actual scams that have taken place. A general condemnation of Thailand and all things Thai just shows your ignorance and bigotry.
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written by Rory, Fri 29 Feb 2008 19:28:11 MST
As above these surveys girls also try to let you pick a card for prize with your survey,when i grabbed the whole pack" surprise surprise "they are all exactly the same.just as well i filled in the survey sheet my self,explaining to her it will be quicker,with NAME; Mick Mouse, HOTEL; very nice thanks ,etc,etc
NEVER TRUST ANYONE,WOULD YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY ?Nothing is free,not even the you breath.
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written by Andy - Scotland, Fri 29 Feb 2008 20:09:24 MST
The girls and guys from bangkok doing the tourist surveys are very nice and pleasant, I understand that they get 30 Baht per customer and I am happy to help them sometimes. The Tai Pan hotel is mainly responsible for these surveys, so I make a point of never staying there, it is not a good hotel anyway.

The Thais in general are very nice and kind, scams happen everywhere not just Thailand, just be careful and you will be ok.
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written by paul - chomburi, Wed 05 Mar 2008 13:05:59 MST
These "tourist survey" types are in Pattaya as well. The fastest way to blow them off is to say, "Pom yu ti mueng Thai, khop (or Kha for women)", meaning, "I live in Thailand." Saying this works 100 % of the time - they are no longer interested in you.

As Andy - Scotland says, these people get some money for each contact they can get, so if you're feeling really nice, you might want to help them out by giving your real information (then just ignore the barrage of solicitation that will likely follow). I really don't mind helping young Thais who are trying to earn a living. After all, it beats mugging the tourists, but I don't like the deceptive manner in which these "tourist surveys" are conducted.
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written by Dean, Thu 08 May 2008 16:03:08 MDT
WOW some people hav had sum bad experiences of Thailand...
I have been here 4 years now and i stil love it everyday here far better then the governed taxed UK...
Scamming, ripped off lol...Howz the Uk nowadays he he he (warm)
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written by Bulldog, Sun 11 May 2008 09:31:57 MDT
So New York and the USA is totally moral??
SIR YES SIR!!!!!
Open your eyes Alex and look around you. I don't think the US gave a perfect example of Western culture when they arrived on these shores all those years ago.
Well said Nam Phyyng
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written by Patrica, Sun 11 May 2008 11:55:18 MDT
I do not think that scams in any Country are acceptable. Also bad behaviour and cheating are something that we should promote to others. So Bulldog and Dean, I think you have lost your sense of reality. People in this forum are only trying to save people from a terrible experience.
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written by thaigemscam, Sun 11 May 2008 15:24:03 MDT

The corruption has recently gotten so bad, the cops have taken over the tourist scams and made it a profession.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21533131@N06/
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written by Jay, Mon 12 May 2008 16:50:16 MDT
The funny thing is that one i was in need of an english to thai translator for a few days, so i thought maybe this job could interest some of those "poor student" who are supposedly earning 20 baht per from filled...

Well, i approached several of them politely, explaining about this job apportunity..guess what? None of them would accept...Seem they are doing much more money with those tourist survey thingy than we think...
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written by Andy, Mon 12 May 2008 18:10:56 MDT
I once asked one of the lovely young ladies if I could give her a creamy facial, it was wonderful, much better than filling out a survey.

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written by Bulldog, Mon 12 May 2008 20:03:04 MDT
Yes Patricia, but I think what Alex said was totally out of order. Ive been ripped off in England many times but I will not denounce the entire nation!
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written by Richard R, Tue 13 May 2008 00:55:04 MDT
The girls on Sukhumvit are just trying to make some money.They're always friendly and no problem at all.Either fill out one of their forms or just keep walking,it's no big deal either way.
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written by docsmith, Tue 13 May 2008 07:10:58 MDT
So what's the scam here? They don't ask you to pay anything, they don't try to get you to go to a presentation and they don't hasssle you if you say no. I get asked to do phone surveys regularly in Australia. If I say no they just say thank you and hang up. Those people are getting paid to do the phone survey so why shouldn't these uni students who are trying to work their way through school, do the same thing. I have done several of these surveys in Bangkok and never been contacted by any time share sales people. Better these uni girls and boys do this to get some money to live than go work part time in some bar. Some people will whinge about anything.
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written by andy, Tue 13 May 2008 08:24:50 MDT
Jay they probly though you was a pervert lol
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written by John, Tue 13 May 2008 15:24:44 MDT
My advice is talk to the ladies be nice and like Andy maybe you too could give them a creamy facial:)
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written by Jay, Wed 14 May 2008 17:16:26 MDT
I dont think i look like a pervert and i dont need to try my luck with poor students to have sex anyway...

I say they are just lazzy and prefer to try to scam tourists than to do a regular job
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written by John, Wed 14 May 2008 18:44:40 MDT
Yeah a regular job like selling themselves to perverted tourists

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