how can you avoid being ripped off in thailand?

Question

last time i went i was charged well over the going rate for things, tuk-tuks etc because i was a naive tourist, and i wasted quite a lot of money needlessly. hoe do you know what the average price for things should be?

Answer 1

never ever take tuktuk at the BTS's national stadium station close to MBK. never!!!
take taxi, make sure they turn on meter and no price negotiation.

it is not every one in thailand want to rip you off, but unfortunately i do not think you can escape being overcharged in thailand.
one good example, you can see many tourist attraction in thailand display 2 difference price for the entrance fee. one for thai and another for foreigner, which always more expensive.

you can not do much!!
if the price is acceptable for you, then it is good to go.
if you have more choice for example tuktuk Vs taxi, then choose the taxi.

many tuktuk (and some taxi) driver in some area even refuse to take the thai passenger.
they would rather accept a foreigner passenger because they know they have a change to earn extra cash.

Answer 2

Well, like anything you learn over time. For rooms, I would use www.asiarooms.com for now. Always check around, never settle that this web site or this web site is best. Things do change. I use to use www.hotelclub.com but, when I found AsiaRooms.com I started to use that site. Check the various links that websites have and see what their prices are for the places you go to. I would still probably use HotelClub in the future for other destinations. And I still compare it to AsiaRooms before I book.

Things? Take a walk through Lotus/Tesco or a 7-11 for comparison of prices for drinks and fast food. Again Lotus/Tesco for clothing or other things, it's like a small Walmart or Costco.

Transportation? I have never taken a Tuk-tuk, check www.bangkoktonight.com in the TIPS section Cost of Living in Bangkok it is fairly current. Taxi's just makes sure the meter is running. Myself, I take the BTS skytrain or MTA subway. I find hotels close to the stations. I had been staying at the Emerald Hotel which is 4 star and it is 3.5 to 4 star with a breakfast buffet. The Huay Khwang subway station is a 5 minute walk from the front door. There is a 7-11 store a 5 minute walk behind the hotel. The coffee shop is great for thai food and cost is a little high at 120 baht for Pad Thai or Rad Nah, very convenient. If your are into massages, it is located within 10 minutes of 5 massage parlors. Price has gone up to USD 54 per night. I used to get it for USD 37 per night at AsiaRooms.com Damn exchange rate!! I will probably try Veronica Residence just up the street for $37 per night, again 4 star and the reviews are good. Oh yes, the ride to Sukhumvit Station from Huay Khwang is about 12-15 minutes. In between is the Fortune Mall at Phra Ram 9, where there is a Lotus/Tesco store and Internet and Electronics section. There is also a Robinsons at the Thailand Cultural Center station. If you don't have to be where the action is, and you don't mind a short ride. why not stay on Ratchadapisek Road or somewhere similar. Make sure you have a map of Bangkok. I would take the subway or skytrain to the closest point then take a taxi or tuk-tuk to where ever you are going. Your traveling becomes more efficient and relaxed.

Make a friend there. www.faceparty.com is a free friend making web site. No charge for emails. Lots of Thai ladies to choose from. Ask them to show you around for a day or two and pay them. Saturday is a work day for most Thai office workers. Or have then show you the night life if they know.

Good luck

Answer 3

There are many good advice given so.. what can I say? having read all of the answers, I guess I can offer the following:

- tuk tuks are expensive. Metered taxis are better as it is air-conditioned and you will get a good price and then you can tip the driver afterwards (I usually do this - as it is still cheaper than tuk tuks or other taxis that want to negotiate the price and it makes you feel good to help out honest and hard working people)

- what is a good price is relative. DON'T expect to pay the same price as the last customer. IF it is a good price for you - buy it. But haggle the price first of course.

- DON'T haggle for every little thing. It's not worth it. Is haggling for a 50 cents less on a T-shirt worth it to you? These people still have to make a living as well, you know.

- If you want to find out prices of transport, ask around. People are willing to help and it will give you an idea of the starting price to negotiate. Ask your hotel desk.

- about tourist attractions being more expensive for foreign tourists... that is the way things are. It helps to "subsidise" locals who can not afford to go and see their own cultural places. I have no problem with this myself.

- as already said, most places have no set price so you can haggle. But... in "upmarket" shops - department store, you most likely can not haggle - but you can try asking for extras or "freebies" if you are spending a lot of money there.

It is the case of looking at all the answers here and put it all together to come to a sensible but reasonable way of dealing with it all.

Best of luck in your travels.

(for the record - for x_ill - tuk-tuks does not mean "cheap cheap". Tuk tuks get thier name from the sound they make. "Cheap" is a different word in Thai although it sound very similar. )

Answer 4

Just try to negotiate with them until you reach the price you are willing to pay. Start off by going really low until you both agree on a good price. If they don't give up, then tell them ok nevermind and then turn around and pretend you are leaving. Most of the time they will call you back and agree on a lower price because they would rather have a customer rather than no customer! You can also use the pretending to leave technique in markets. Learning a bit of Thai will also help, if they see that you speak a bit of Thai or are attempting to, they will respect you more ad be quite impressed and thus maybe giving you a better price because you are not the usual tourist. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Well, as to some of the advice above - - someone said to negotiate a fare w/taxi first [ a sure loser ] - they have meters and htis is the cheapest way to get around.. In bkk, tuk tuk is an amusement park ride for tourists.. you will pay more than a meter.. I do speak Thai and sometimes I pay a higher price too.. you have to know what you are willing to pay and then you will never be unhappy as long as you ask first..

Answer 6

All good things preceding me. Learning the language is the best but not easiest. I usually point at something without saying a word and wait for them to tell me how much in english then respond with a แพงไป (paeng pai) which means "too expensive" and just start walking away. Depending how much I really want it I'll slowly shuffle off waiting for them to catch me with a reasonable offer. It is ALL about haggling there, EVERYTHING has a price, I even haggle with hotels, as there's usually a different price for farang(foreigners) than there is for locals, that can sometimes be even better if I can hear how much they quote a local, because I'll ask how much in english, when they give me a jacked price I respond in thai "oh so it is this much for me but that much for them" and pretend to be upset and walk away. I usually get an even better deal because they want to save face and not be known as crooks :D You can also throw in a loht ra kha dai mai (ลดราคาได้ไหม) which is "can you discount?", or ao tuk "want cheap" as I'm comfortable with the language I usually throw in some other good stuff like "seriously?" but the basics will help.

As far as tuk tuks, ask how much first, when they give you a price, return with a better price. I previous said Tuk meant cheap which is ถูก (well ถูก ๆ) but my wife corrected me and it is ตุ๊ก ๆ, which is more a phonetic sound, than any real meaning. I usually drive when I'm there so I don't know the fare, but offer what you think is reasonable.

There is no average price, as was said, if you can just watch and see how much someone else pays then offer less than that.

Hone your bargaining skills.

*edited after asking my wife, after the FKIA below poited it out.

Answer 7

Always agree on a price before you get into a Tuk Tuk or taxi, that way you know what you are being charged before you get in. learn to bater if shopkeepers/stall owners wont batter dont buy there, ask the price of what you want to buy then yoy offer them half that price. my husband does it all the time when we go to Thailand every year.

Answer 8

Get a Thai person to buy/order stuff for you.
The only way to avoid being treated like a tourist is not to be a tourist. Therefore, where possible get a Thai relative, friend or your tour guide - someone you trust - to do the buying/ordering for you, whilst you blend into the crowd only to emerge when the price has been negotiated and agreed. You'll probably save a lot of money this way.

http://www.thailandtravelservices.com/Thailand_Vacation.html

Answer 9

tuk tuk rides shouldnt be more than 100 baht EVER. from Siam to Kawsan Road should be no more than 70-80 baht. anything around that much of a distance, should be no more than that. and if you think its too expensive its best to tell them that you know the price they sell thai people so dont try to get smart with you by ripping you off. its unfair for you and just keep haggling them to the price you are satisfied with and seems reasonable enough for you.
as i'm a thai myself, i feel ashamed that many thai people are ripping tourists off.

Answer 10

You can aways ask for some guide to what you want to do in Thailand and get answers from travelers here.

The next thing is to read up on the country, Lonely Planet guides are usually quite good with info and how not to get ripped off too. Average priceing is also given for reference.

When you are there, do remember willing buyer, willing seller syndrome. If you had made payment, do not gripe later. If you had learnt about the possible lower cost later, use this information to guide you next time.

Or ask this forum.