Tuk Tuk Scam

Name of Scam: Tuk Tuk Scam

Scam Setup: You jump into a ridiculously low priced tuk-tuk. You are then told that in order for the tuk-tuk driver to be able to afford the low price he needs to earn gas coupons by taking you to various other places like tailors and gem dealers.

Scam Analysis: Basically the tuk-tuk driver gets a commission if you buy anything at any of the shops he takes you too. For that reason everything is way overpriced and the entire thing is one big scam.

Normally Targets: Tourists

Prevention: I think everyone should take a tuk-tuk at least once in their lives just so they can say they’ve done it but after that transportation in Thailand is so cheap that if you can’t afford to take a metered taxi or take the skytrain (in Bangkok) then you should go home.

If you do find yourself in the midst of this scam, instead of going into the shop he’s taken you to give him whatever you’ve agreed upon or 40 baht or so and then walk to the nearest major street and hail a taxi.