Thailand is not just known for its stunning beaches and magnificent temples, but also for its notorious nightlife and accompanying scams.
When it comes to the latter, knowing what to look out for is half the battle won. So, here’s the rundown of the top 75 nightlife scams in Thailand and the best ways to dodge them:
1. Card Game Scam: A friendly local invites you to join a seemingly innocuous card game which ends up costing you.
2. Pick-up Tab Scam: A sudden best friend at the bar insists on picking up the tab, but leaves early and the bill is passed to you.
3. Bar Girls Promising Love Scam: A bar girl promises to leave her job for you if you can support her financially.
4. Freelancer’s Empty Wallet Scam: A freelancer claims not to have enough money to pay for her drinks, taxis, etc., and expects you to cover for her.
5. The Muay Thai Match Scam: Tuk-tuk drivers, taxi drivers or ‘friendly locals’ often lure unsuspecting tourists to bogus Thai boxing matches.
6. Sexy Shows Scam: You’re enticed to a sexy show with a low entry fee, but then get charged inflated prices for drinks.
7. Overfriendly Taxi Girls: Girls who use taxis to get around, only to dupe you into footing the taxi bill and ditching you last minute.
8. Photo to Buy me Drinks Scam: Certain provocative ladies might insist that if you take their photos, you need to buy them drinks.
9. Fixed Roulette Scam: Certain clubs may invite you to spin roulette for free drinks, but the game may be fixed in favor of the house.
10. Club Entry Cover Charge Scam: Some clubs show a low entry fee but impose a cover charge later.
11. Unrequested Companion Scam: Someone joins your table uninvited, assumes intimacy, and leaves you with their drinks tab.
12. Confused Currency Scam: ฿100 and ฿1,000 notes may be switched or confused. Triple-check your currencies when paying.
13. Buy Me Out Contract Scam: A dancer suggests you to buy out her contract for her exclusive company. This can end up really expensive.
14. Unexpected Table Charge Scam: Some places add an unadvertised table charge to your bill. Check for it before using their facility.
15. Extravagant Tip Scam: In some places, tips are included, but an extra tip may get added to your bill dishonestly. Check all details.
16. Toilet Attendant Scam: Unofficial attendants at public toilets asking for payment.
17. Stolen Phone Scam: Be careful where you leave your phone in nightclubs; theft can occur.
18. Karaoke Billing Scam: In karaoke clubs, they might slip extra charges for hidden items like snacks or ice.
19. ATM Scams: Be alert of your surroundings when using ATMs at night. Either card cloning or pickpocketing can happen.
20. Room Raid Scam: In some cases, girls or ladyboys you’ve brought back may have accomplices who will raid your room while you’re busy.
21. Superfluous Service Charge: A hefty service charge might be added to your bill in clubs or bars with no prior mention.
22. Flower Garland Scam: Someone places a flower garland around your neck and demands payment.
23. Sexy Companion Scam: An alluring companion finds an excuse to leave after you’ve bought several expensive drinks.
24. Unexpected Singers: Singers might join your table uninvited, perform, and expect you to pay them.
25. Happy Hour Scam: Some bars advertise ‘happy hours’ that never seem to be available when you order.
26. ‘I Love You’ Scam: You might hear those three little words far too fast. Remember, you are likely not the only one.
27. Tab Switching: Someone could switch your lower tab with their higher one. Keep an eye on your tab.
28. Ladyboy Unexpected Surprise: Ladyboys might pretend to be girls. If you’re not into that, make sure you know who you’re dealing with.
29. The Uniform Scam: Fake police officers shaking you down for ‘fines’ for made-up offenses.
30. The Forgotten Purse Scam: Girls who conveniently forget their purse and expect you to cover all costs.
31. The Mid-Ride Change Scam: Tuk-tuk or taxi drivers change the agreed-upon rate during the ride.
32. Unrequested Private Dance: A dancer starts a private dance without asking and the management insists on payment.
33. Ransom Bill: The exit doors are blocked until you agree to pay an overcharged bill.
34. Phantom Pool Game: Charged for a game of pool that didn’t take place.
35. DJ Tip Scam: Some clubs ask for a tip or ‘drink for the DJ’.
36. Sudden Price Hikes: The prices for drinks suddenly increase half-way through the night for no apparent reason.
37. Bathroom Theft: Leaving your drink or belongings unattended when going to the bathroom.
38. Double Lady Drink Order: The girl orders two lady drinks at once without asking.
39. Sealed Bottled Scam: In some clubs, your sealed beer bottle might be unattended for a second and replaced with a watered-down one.
40. Buy Drink to Know the Price Scam: In some exclusive clubs, they only let you know the outrageous price of drinks after they insist you buy one first.
41. Fake Charity Collector: A supposedly deaf or mute person indicating they are collecting for a charity.
42. Shill Bidding Scam: In auctions at charity or club events, someone in the crowd bids up the price.
43. Freelancer Double Dip: After you’ve paid for a freelancer’s time, she insists on separate payment for sexual services.
44. Get the Bartender a Lady Drink: The bartender insists on you buying her a drink as well.
45. Group Photo and Pay Scam: Someone takes a group photo and expects you to pay for each member.
46. Pool Bar Losing Bet: Losing at pool and having to pay a much higher amount than agreed or even buying a round for the bar.
47. Drink Spiking: This isn’t common, but it does happen. Never leave your drink unattended.
48. Opening Tab Scam: Some bars insist you open a tab and later inflate it greatly.
49. Sex Toys and Novelties Scam: Hawkers selling novelty items in pubs and bars at highly inflated prices.
50. Closing Time Extra Charges: As closing time approaches, some bars may charge extra for quick drinks.
51. Keep the Change Scam: Some servers may presume to keep the change without confirming it’s their tip.
52. Infamous Street Sellers: Street sellers offer items or services at exorbitant prices.
53. Overzealous Door Staff: Some door staff might insist on a tip just for opening a club door.
54. Escort Girl Extras: Escort girl requesting an extra lady drink or tip on top of her fee.
55. Different Happy Endings Price: Prices might adjust after the standard massage, depending on the ‘extras’ expected.
56. Dodgy Credit Card Charges: Paying by card? Watch out for added or inflated charges.
57. Artist Impersonators: Impersonators at clubs might demand you tip them.
58. Under Dressed Ladyboys: Some ladyboys may undress to a level of nudity and then request ‘tips’ from observers.
59. Mamasan Drink: At times, the mamasan might sit, chat, and expect you to get her drinks.
60. Coyote Club Scam: Girls dancing might join you and you will be expected to buy them drinks.
61. Street Magic Tricks: Street performers might involve you in their act and then demand payment.
62. Club Photo Scam: Some clubs have a photographer snapping away and then try to sell you the pictures.
63. Extended Karaoke Session: Karaoke clubs might extend your session without informing you and expect you to pay for the extra time.
64. Sharing Bottles Scam: You may order a bottle, only to have random girls join your table and help themselves.
65. Mystery Bill: Being presented with a bill out of nowhere with no explanation of what the charges are for.
66. ‘English Teacher’ Bar Girl: A bar girl might ask for money to learn English to improve her life.
67. Out-of-Town Girl: The girl tells you she’s come from far and needs extra money for accommodation as she is away from her hometown.
68. Advanced Skill Pool Player: A seemingly novice local invites you for a pool bet only to showcase advanced skill once the bet is on.
69. Gambler Bar Girl: A bar girl convinces you into taking part in gambling, where the game is rigged.
70. Ladyboys Massage Trick: Ladyboys pretending to offer conventional massages, with sudden price hikes for actual services.
71. Tattoo Shop Scam: Being overcharged at a reputed tattoo shop after a night drink.
72. Overpriced Food: Some nightclubs have exorbitantly priced food menus. Confirm prices before ordering.
73. Street Performance Donation: Being pressured into donating for a mediocre street performance.
74. Paid Toilet Usage: Being charged for using the toilet in certain bars and clubs.
75. Tip ‘Mandatory’ Scam: Being told that a tip is mandatory at some clubs or bars.
Remember, the key to enjoying Thailand’s nightlife is to have fun and be aware. Getting swindled is not a guaranteed part of the night, especially now that you know what to look out for! Enjoy your trip, mate!