Taxi from Patong to Phuket Town, driver wanted 800 baht with no meter because "tourist price". A Grab for the same trip was 240 baht. He got aggressive when we walked away. Use the apps and never agree to a flat tourist fare.
🗓️ Scam date: 11 February 2026
📝 Reported: 23 September 2026
Landed at Suvarnabhumi around midnight and queued at the official taxi stand. The driver refused to start the meter, said "night rate, airport fee, highway" and demanded 1,600 baht — the metered fare is around 300. We paid because there was no other queue at that hour. Always insist on the meter or order a Grab.
🗓️ Scam date: 20 January 2026
📝 Reported: 21 September 2026
A tuk-tuk driver near Khao San Road offered a 20-baht "city tour". Twenty minutes later we were parked in front of a "government gem factory" with the engine off, and he refused to leave until we "just looked" for ten minutes. The gems were glass. Walk away from any too-cheap tuk-tuk offer.
🗓️ Scam date: 3 November 2025
📝 Reported: 11 July 2026
A friendly man near the Grand Palace gate told us it was "closed for a Buddhist ceremony" and suggested a tuk-tuk tour to other temples "plus one special stop". The special stop was a jewelry shop where the driver gets fuel vouchers. The palace was open.