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Travel Tip - Beware
When approaching any of the major temples
in Bangkok be aware of being touted by a earnest, well dressed person
telling you that sorry, the temple is closed for the day, it is
the King's birthday or the Queen's birthday or whatever national
day you can imagine. Do Not pay attention and keep
walking. If the temple really is closed (rarely) you'll find out
soon enough.
Oftentimes this is the start of an elaborate scam that still catches
people unaware. The deception goes something like this: After telling
you the temple you intended to visit is closed, he/she will tell
you the name of a small temple that is still open that day and call
a nearby tuk-tuk to take you there (generally a bit off the beaten
track) which the tuk-tuk driver will do. Once you have visited the
temple, the tuk-tuk driver will offer to take you home but would
like you to stop by a gem shop so he can get gas money (he will
tell you you don't have to buy anything). Once in the shop, the
sales clerk will tell you how you can buy gems, export them and
make several times your money in just a few days when you get home!
Nearby, at the counter there will be another individual (often a
westerner) studying a pile of gems who'll casually ask if you've
done this before (he or she's done it several times and it pays
for their holiday!). Well that does it. You're sold but need cash
(no credit cards special price and all) but don't have enough...
No worries, there's an ATM (or gold store) nearby and the friendly
tuk-tuk driver will take you. You pay and agree to have the gems
shipped to your home - it's easier that way... (actually this is
so you won’t have possession and not know you’ve been had).
This is the short version, there are more elaborate schemes employing
more characters for the hesitant. Most people can't connect the
dots or fathom the complexity and/or coincidence of so many people
working together at random. Going to the police is difficult if
you don't remember where the shop is or don't have the 'gems' as
proof. Just beware.
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