this is quite an intersting site although some of the things described as scams are down to stupidity not scam
http://www.bangkokscams.com/
Scam website
Some intersting tales indeed .mainly down to stupidity and/or greed which is what makes people easy to prey upon .I have had some of them tried on me including the jewel shop one .Most people seem to report a valuation of 1/4 or 1/3 of paid price upon returning home .Well try buying a gemstone necklace in argos then attempt to sell it to another jewel shop in the UK .Scrap value on the metal and pretty much nothing on the stones is all you will be offered .I know a number of people who make money buying in thailand and selling back home .They make money because they know the value back home compared to the cost here .Mostly on fake goods where they run the risk of confiscation but also on handicrafts and semi precious jewelry .
Whilst scams do not do any countries reputation any good the majority of the common ones in Thailand are well documented in every guidebook I have ever read .I always pick up a guidebook to read on the plane when travelling to a new country .Anyone not doing homework on the country before they go is leaving themselves wide open with no knowledge of the countrys culture , customs and potential pitfalls and dangers .
Crazy 88
Whilst scams do not do any countries reputation any good the majority of the common ones in Thailand are well documented in every guidebook I have ever read .I always pick up a guidebook to read on the plane when travelling to a new country .Anyone not doing homework on the country before they go is leaving themselves wide open with no knowledge of the countrys culture , customs and potential pitfalls and dangers .
Crazy 88
-
stgrhe
- Professional
- Posts: 389
- Joined: Sat May 09, 2009 9:55 am
- Location: Hua Hin, originally from Stockholm
I like to comment of the gem scam. I collect coloured gem stones as a hobby and one can indeed buy some very fine stones here in Thailand but it is risky if you do not know where the traps are.
For the average tourist they should stick to the better gem shops that are located in the five star hotels or the upmarket malls such as Gaysorn to name one. These place would charge considerably more but they do on the other hand sell the crap stuff that is not worth buying. You will get what you pay for.
Street shopping and shopping via a tout should always be avoided as it is likely to be fake you are buying. Curburundum such as rubies and sapphires are very easy to copy (they are normally referred to as simulants) and treat to appear of better quality than they are. Common treatments are glass filling, radiation and heat treatment of which only the latter is acceptable.
The best place for loose stones is in Chantaburi at the gem market but that is not for beginners.
For the average tourist they should stick to the better gem shops that are located in the five star hotels or the upmarket malls such as Gaysorn to name one. These place would charge considerably more but they do on the other hand sell the crap stuff that is not worth buying. You will get what you pay for.
Street shopping and shopping via a tout should always be avoided as it is likely to be fake you are buying. Curburundum such as rubies and sapphires are very easy to copy (they are normally referred to as simulants) and treat to appear of better quality than they are. Common treatments are glass filling, radiation and heat treatment of which only the latter is acceptable.
The best place for loose stones is in Chantaburi at the gem market but that is not for beginners.